Veterans Services FAQ

Understanding how military benefits cover tuition and fees is important for enrolling smoothly at ECC. IVG, ING, MIA/POW Scholarship, and GI Bill® Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) send tuition and/or fee payments directly to the school.

• If Chapter 33 doesn't cover 100% of your tuition, you're responsible for paying the remaining balance to ECC.
• The IVG and ING will cover tuition charges and the once-per-term registration fee. The student is responsible for all other non-tuition-based fees. 
• The MIA/POW Scholarship covers tuition but not the registration fee.
• If you receive other benefits, you must arrange a payment plan to secure your classes each semester. It's a good idea for all students to apply for federal student aid.
• Fees: If you owe more than $10 in fees and don't pay, you'll be dropped from your classes.

• You'll get a monthly housing allowance (MHA) or educational stipend at the start of each month for the previous month.

• Your allowance or stipend might be less than the full amount in some months because it starts from your first day of school. For instance, if your classes begin on August 22, your stipend for September will cover the nine days you attended in August.

Anitra King, Career & Student Veteran Success Specialist, can be contacted at 847-214-7531 or emailed at aking@elgin.edu. She is located in Building F, Room F207. Anitra can assist you with:

• Your application for benefits
• Questions you may have regarding your benefits
• Instructor and class issues and concerns
• Career planning
• Any other concerns you may have

Federal Benefits

888-442-4551

benefits.va.gov/gibill

• Chapter 30 - Montgomery - GI Bill® - (until 1985)
• Chapter 31 - Vocational Rehabilitation
• Chapter 33 - Post 911
• Chapter 35 - Survivors’ and Dependence Educational Assistance Program
• Chapter 1606 - Montgomery Selected Reserve

State Benefits

Illinois Student Assistance Commission

800-899-4722

isac.org

• Illinois National Guard Program - ING
• Illinois Veteran Grant Program - IVG

MIA/POW Scholarship

217-782-3564

MIA/POW Scholarships are for spouses and dependents of MIA/POW military service members.

Need more information on these benefits?

• Visit the US Department of Veterans Affairs
• Educational Opportunities for Children (10-18 Yrs)

Welcome, Veterans! At ECC, we proudly support our military community through the Military Branches United (MBU) club. Visit the Veterans Resource Center in Building F, Room F201, and inquire about MBU; they'll provide details on when and where the club meets. Our doors are open Monday to Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Feel free to drop by and discover the camaraderie and support waiting for you at MBU!

We appreciate your military service!

Whether you're starting college for the first time or returning, ECC is excited to welcome veterans for a rewarding college experience. Expect individualized attention to help you choose a study program that combines your military skills with a field you're passionate about. If you haven't used your benefits yet, follow these steps:

1. Complete the application for benefits at benefits.va.gov/gibill.
2. Complete an application for admission.
3. Register for classes.
4. Submit the following to the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office:

• • Eligibility letter (that you received online or in the mail)
  • Complete Veteran and Military Benefit Activation Form - PDF

Submit your paperwork, “The Veteran and Military Benefit Activation Form,” to the ECC Financial Aid Office before ECC’s payment due date to secure tuition payment for classes and BHA/MHA. To see how much your BHA/MHA will be, visit Illinois BAH (Basic Allowance Housing) Rates. All items must be submitted to the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office via email at financialaid@elgin.edu or call 847-214-7360 with any questions.

• Visit your VA education benefits online with GI Bill® benefits. 
• Visit the GI Bill® Comparison Tool and enter the requested information to compare benefits.
• Schedule an appointment with the Veteran Certifying Official at 847-214-7360.

To join the Elgin Community College Chapter of SALUTE, you must be enrolled at ECC, honorably discharged from the armed services, or show proof of your current duty station. You must have finished 12 semester hours (equivalent to one semester at ECC) and maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA). There is a $35 application fee. For additional details, contact Anitra King at 847-214-7531 or email aking@elgin.edu.

Ryan Most, financial aid advisor & VA certifying official. He can be contacted at 847-214-7360 or by email at rmost@elgin.edu. He is in the Financial Aid Office, Building B, Room B156. He can certify and answer questions on any military benefit: BHA/MHA, IVG, ING, TA, and financial aid awards/scholarships. You must submit paperwork for each term or semester.

Verification of Enrollment Status

• Chapter 31, Chapter 32, & Chapter 33 - ECC will certify monthly that you are still enrolled. If you make any changes to your schedule, please update that information with the Financial Aid Office to avoid any overpayments or delays in receiving monthly stipends.
• Chapter 30, Chapter 35, Chapter 1606, & Chapter 1607 - You, the student, must complete the certification monthly by visiting gibill.va.gov/wave to avoid any overpayments or delays in receiving monthly stipends. By telephone, only this agency does not allow you to certify by the Internet. The number to call to verify your enrollment status is 877-823-2378.

1. Submit Your Form: Fill out and submit the "Veteran and Military Benefit Activation Form" to ECC's Financial Aid Office before the payment due date.

2. Check Your BHA/MHA: Find out your Basic Allowance Housing (BAH) Rates in Illinois to determine your benefit amount.

3. Send Required Documents: Email all necessary documents to financialaid@elgin.edu or call 847-214-7360 if you have questions.

4. Include Certificates: Attach a certificate or eligibility letter for each benefit you intend to use. Ensure you're enrolled in your classes before sending the form.

5. Arrange Payments (if needed): If you're using GI Bill® Chapters 1606, 30, or 35, manage payments with the Student Accounts Office, as these benefits are paid directly to you.

6. Meet Your Academic Advisor: Consult your academic advisor for course selection and apply for financial aid through studentaid.gov.

7. Contact the VA: For questions about VA deposits (like monthly payments or housing allowances), reach out to the VA at 888-442-4551.

Allow 30 to 60 days from when you complete your veteran application at VA Benefits Education and Training.

Federal Benefits

1-888-442-4551 – benefits.va.gov/gibill.

• Chapter 30 - Montgomery - GI Bill - (until 1985)
• Chapter 31 - Vocational Rehabilitation
• Chapter 32 - V.E.A.P. (Veterans Educational Assistance Program)
• Chapter 33 - Post 911
• Chapter 35 - Survivors’ and Dependence Educational Assistance Program
• Chapter 1606 - Montgomery Selected Reserve
• Chapter 1607 - R.E.A.P. (Reserved Educational Assistance Program)

State Benefits

1-800-899-4722 – isac.org

• Illinois National Guard Program - ING
• Illinois Veteran Grant Program - IVG

POW and MIA

1-217-782-6641 (MIA/POW scholarships for spouses and dependents only).

Need more information on these benefits? Visit benefits.va.gov/gibill.

The certifying official works in the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office at Building B, Room 156. You can reach them at 847-214-7360 or email them at rmost@elgin.edu.

Verification of Enrollment Status: To certify your enrollment status for GI Bill® chapters (Chapter 30, Chapter 35, Chapter 1606), follow these steps each semester:

1. Complete the Veteran Checklist and Certification Packet.
2. Submit the packet to the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.

For MGIB-Active Duty (Chapter 30), Chapter 35, and Chapter 1606, ensure you complete monthly certification:

• Visit the GI Bill® Home page and click “Verify School Attendance” on the right side.
• Alternatively, call 877-823-2378.

Doing this helps prevent overpayments or delays in receiving your monthly stipends.

Before Dropping a Class: Always talk to the Veterans Academic Advisor first. Contact Tiffany Bruno at ECC by calling 847-214-7390 to set up an appointment. If you have questions, you can email Tiffany at tbruno@elgin.edu.

Using VA Education Benefits: If you're using a VA education benefit and have questions about how dropping a class may affect your finances or benefits, talk to Ryan Most, the VA Certifying Official. You can reach him at 847-214-7360. If you're on campus, visit Financial Aid in Building B, Room 156.