Applying for VA Benefits
There are a variety of Veterans Administration (VA) programs established to assist military personnel and veterans with acquiring an education. All military personnel and veterans may be eligible for VA benefits. It is important, therefore, that military personnel and veterans become familiar with VA programs and their eligibility requirements so that they can take advantage of educational programs available to them.
No school, including Pulaski Tech, “qualifies” you to receive VA benefits. You must contact the appropriate VA office to establish your eligibility to receive VA benefits. Schools, including Pulaski Tech, certify your enrollment. This enrollment must be in a “VA Approved” program to receive VA benefits. Therefore, students should follow these steps to receive VA benefits at Pulaski Tech:
Step 1: Complete admission into Pulaski Tech. An individual must be a “degree seeking” student to receive VA benefits.
Step 2: Contact the appropriate VA Office to establish your eligibility to receive VA benefits. 1 (888) 442-4551 or see below for VA web links.
Step 3: If you are applying for VA benefits for the first time, you need to complete a 22-1990. You get this form at the PTC VA Office in the Office of Admissions and Records, Campus Center Building. You also can get this form on-line at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/ or http://www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov.
If you have received VA benefits in the past, you need to complete a 22-1995. You get this form at the PTC VA Office in the Office of Admissions and Records, Campus Center Building. You also can get this form on-line at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/ or http://www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov.
The Pulaski Tech VA Certifying Official will submit your paperwork to the VA office in Muskogee, OK. The Muskogee VA Office will notify Pulaski Tech of your eligibility for benefits.
Step 4: Once you certified as VA eligible, you should register for your classes.
You can register for classes before you complete the VA paperwork; however, should you do this two things will happen. First, you will be required to pay for your classes at the time of your registration. If you have received your VA certification, you do not need to pay for the portion of your bill covered by the VA. Second, you will wait longer to receive your money. It takes several weeks to begin receiving VA benefits. The longer you wait to begin the application process with the VA, the longer it will be before you receive your money.
If you have any questions regarding VA benefits contact Brandi Coleman (501) 812-2360 or the PTC Military Enrollment Coordinator, Gary Gaston (501) 212-6644.