How to Apply for VA Benefits

How to apply for VA Educational Benefits

• Visit the United States Department of Veterans Affairs website and complete the application or call the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and speak with a Veterans Benefits Counselor at 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551).
• After eligibility has been determined by the VA a certificate or eligibility letter explaining individual educational benefits will be sent to the student

VA Educational Benefits Certification at Harford Community College

• In order to be certified for VA education benefits through Harford Community College, the following steps must be completed:

 STEP #1: Apply for VA Educational Benefits
     Follow the steps outlined above in ‘How to Apply for VA Educational Benefits’

STEP #2: Apply for Admission to Harford Community College 
     Apply online or visit the Enrollment Services office located in the Student Center on Campus

 Meet With A Member of the Admissions Staff
Once your application is complete, students will be mailed an acceptance letter with instructions to meet with an Admissions Staff member to assist you with the enrollment process (registration) to HCC.

 Submit Official College and Military Transcripts
VA Certifications can only be submitted for one semester without receipt of College and Military Transcripts

Request Official copies of your Military and/or College transcripts to be sent to:
Harford Community College
Registration & Records Office
401 Thomas Run Road
Bel Air, MD 21015

 Placement Test
If you have not successfully completed College level English and Math you will need to take the College Assessment test. For more information and preparation for the assessment test, please go to the student services page. 
The assessment test is administered on Campus as well as APG. If you would like to schedule to take the exam at APG please call 443-412-2100.

 Academic Advising
VA student should schedule an appointment with a VA Academic advisor for help selecting a major as well as help in developing a degree completion plan. The number for the Advising Office is 443-412-2301.

  Apply for Financial Aid

STEP #3: Submit Certification of VA Educational Benefits from the VA to Harford

THE FOLLOWING MUST BE SUBMITTED TO HARFORD’S MILITARY & VETERAN SERVICES OFFICE IN ORDER TO BE CERTIFIED TO THE VA FOR EDUCATIONAL BENEFIT.
Your enrollment can not be certified to the VA for payment until these documents are on file in the Military & Veteran Services Office.

 Certificate of Eligibility or Eligibility Letter -This letter is sent directly to you from the VA after you submit your application for benefits on VONAPP. It normally takes 30 days after you apply for benefits to receive this letter. If you have not received it after this time period, you should contact the VA at 1-888-442-4551) or Notice of Basic Eligibility (for Reservists) 
 HCC VA Enrollment Packet - The VA Enrollment Form must be submitted EACH semester that a student plans to use his or her educational benefits. STUDENTS WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY BE CERTIFIED FROM ONE SEMESTER TO ANOTHER. VA students must notify Harford’s Veterans Services of any change in their enrollment
 Parent Letter - If you are taking classes at Harford and another college at the same time and you plan to transfer those credits to a specific degree at the other college, you must submit a Parent Letter from the other college to Harford. 

Veterans Affairs, Buffalo Regional Processing Office

(For Chapters 30, 33, 35, 1606 and 1607)

PO Box 4616
Buffalo, NY 14240-4616
Phone: 1-888-GI_BILL-1 (442-4551)
Email: buffrpo@vba.va.gov

Veterans Affairs- Baltimore Regional Office

(For Chapter 31- Vocational Rehabilitation)
31 Hopkins Plaza
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 1-800-827-1000