Veterans Support Services

Veterans Support Services Menu

CONTACT US

Library Building (L-236)

Phone: 718-260-4980

veterans@citytech.cuny.edu

VA Educational Benefits Information

How to apply for Military Tuition Assistance

Each military service branch and component has their own criteria for Tuition Assistance eligibility, military service obligation, application process and restrictions. It is recommended that you speak with your chain of command and your branch of service's educational representative for further guidance to request your TA benefits.

For more information, review your military service website for details on your eligibility and the process for requesting tuition assistance.

Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard

Army, Army Reserve, Army National Guard

Coast Guard

Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve

Navy, Navy Reserve

Steps to apply for Military Tuition Assistance (TA)

  1. Speak with your service branch education services officer (ESO), career counselor, or benefits incentive specialists to ensure you are eligible for Tuition Assistance.
  2. Gain approval from your commander to attend classes at New York City College of Technology (City Tech) prior to enrollment. (Note: Commanders approve TA!)
  3. See your base Education Services Officer (ESO) prior to enrolling for classes at New York City College of Technology (City Tech)
  4. Follow the military service branch and component specific instructions how to request Tuition Assistance for your course(s). Take note of the TA application instructions/deadlines specific to your branch and New York City College of Technology’s academic calendar to ensure your request in processed in a timely manner.
  5. Submit your approved TA request to the City Tech Bursar’s Office for processing (email to bursar@citytech.cuny.edu, PDF format).
  6. The Bursar’s Office will process your approved TA request, and posts the TA credit to your student account. Please ensure you review your CUNYFIrst student account (Bursars and Financial Aid) to ensure your TA has posted online.

General Information about Military Tuition Assistance (TA)

  • TA is exclusive to currently serving members of the Armed Forces. If your ETS date falls during the academic semester you will not get TA for that semester.
  • TA is requested on a course-by-course basis, and each course must be part of an approved degree program.
  • TA is limited on the total number hours for undergraduate degrees (lifetime limit) depending on your branch/component. It also cannot be used for a lateral degree (you cannot use TA to earn a 2nd bachelor’s degree)
  • TA can be reimbursed for up to 100% of the course cost, not to exceed $250 per credit hour; up to $4500 per fiscal year applies for Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marines. Coast Guard, not to exceed $250 per credit hour; up to $2250 per fiscal year. (Fiscal year resets on October 1)
  • TA may NOT cover all course fees.
  • TA can be used in conjunction with the GI Bill®, but with some restrictions; contact an advisor or incentive specialists for guidance.
  • TA requests should be completed prior to the start of the semester. Each branch/component has its own deadline.
  • TA is a tuition reimbursement program; you will not receive an up-front payment. Payments are made directly to the university and may come late in the semester.
  • Please note TA is not a guaranteed benefit, and funding is limited. TA is paid on a first come first serve basis. Students must apply within their branch of service prior to the start of the school term.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

How to Apply for VA Education Benefits

Documents and Information Needed

  • Social Security Number
  • Bank account direct deposit information
  • Education and military history

Step 1: NAVIGATE to https://www.va.gov/

Step 2: CREATE username and password

Step 3: SELECT apply for education benefits

Step 4: READ the information provided. CLICK “Find your Education Benefits Form” ANSWER questions as prompted.

Step 5: SELECT Apply Now

Step 6: SELECT Start the Education Application

Step 7: ENTER Required fields

When prompted enter: New York City College of Technology - CUNY; 300 Jay Street; Brooklyn, NY 11201

When prompted, enter the first day of the semester in which you will begin taking classes.

Step 8: SUBMIT Application

Requesting Joint Services Transcript

Step 1: Create an account for your military transcript via the following websites:

Step 2: Submit official transcript request to New York City College of Technology for credit evaluation

Step 3: Print unofficial copy for your records

Step 4: Use American Council of Education (ACE) Military Guide to review a description of your coursework: www.acenet.edu/news-room/pages/military-guide-online.aspx.

Using JST Credits for college can count toward: Using JST credits for employment can:
Elective Credit Showcase military occupation
Major or Minor Electives Illustrate responsibilities and duties
General Education Electives Illustrate leadership and training

Things that Veterans that are transitioning out of Active Duty need to do before coming to NYCCT if using Chapter 33 — Post 9/11 G.I Bill:

  1. Apply for their VA Educational Benefits online - https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/
  2. Receive their CoE (Certificate of Eligibility)
  3. Apply to the school and make sure that they have a copy of their DD-214 in order to waive the application fees
  4. Need to submit immunization documents and their JST (plus any other supporting documents requested in the application process)
  5. Enroll into courses for the semester that they are intending on attending
  6. Certify their enrollment with the School Certifying Official at www.citytech.cuny.edu/veterans-cert (needs to be done for each semester that they are enrolled in)
  7. Verify with the VA their enrollment at the end of each month that there have been no changes with their courses
    • Call the Education Call Center (ECC) at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) to update your contact information if you do not have a mobile phone number and/or email address on file, to ensure VA can reach you so you don't have any payments interrupted.
    • Let an ECC representative know that you'd like to opt-into text message verification when you call in. Note: Text message verification is not available to students with international numbers.
    • Verify your enrollment every month after receiving a text message from VA asking if you've remained in the same classes or training, as certified. You'll have six days to respond, or you'll need to call the ECC to verify. After responding, you will receive a confirmation message and then you'll be all set.

Process for receiving Chapter 1606 Selected Reserve G.I. Bill

Your enrollment can be verified starting on the last calendar day of the month by using our Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) at www.gibill.va.gov/wave or by calling our toll free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone line at 1-877-823-2378.

Wave FAQ

If using Chapter 31 — Veteran Readiness and Employment:

  1. Apply for Veteran Readiness and Employment with VA Form 28-1900
  2. After applying, student veteran will be paired with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to explain what benefits they are eligible for and steps that need to be taken
  3. Once completed, the student veteran should receive a document/letter that states that they are eligible for using the VR&E benefits
  4. While applying for the VR&E benefits, also apply to the school and make sure that they have a copy of their DD-214 in order to waive the application fees
  5. Need to submit immunization documents and their JST (plus any other supporting documents requested in the application process)
  6. Enroll into courses for the semester that they are intending on attending
  7. Using the document/letter showing their VR&E eligibility, certify their enrollment with the School Certifying Official by uploading it in lieu of a COE at www.citytech.cuny.edu/veterans-cert (needs to be done for each semester that they are enrolled in)
  8. Make sure to receive the authorization/PO number from the VR&E counselor, there should be two. One will be for tuition & fees and the other one should be for books.
  9. If additional school supplies are required, i.e. a laptop, a printer, etc., make sure to inform your VR&E counselor of the need and they will supply you with the necessary items after filling out some forms.