Steps to Success - Using your GI Bill®

Submit a free online application. Allow three-to-five business days for processing. You will then receive your student ID number and instructions on how to log into your student portal in my Tri-C space. This information will be sent via email.

Step 2: Apply for VA Educational Benefits

Visit va.gov to learn more about education and training benefits. Most students use VA form 22-1990. If you are eligible for benefits, you must obtain a certificate of eligibility (COE), which you will need to submit to Tri-C.

NOTE: If you plan to use your military education benefits and have not attended Tri-C during either of the past two semesters, you must resubmit a COE to your campus certifying official or your veteran center campus representative prior to registration. Click here for contact information.

Step 3: Submit GI Bill® Certification Form

This form must be submitted to a campus certifying official before each semester that you wish to use benefits. It is ideal to submit this form as soon as possible to ensure proper documentation for payment. Click here to access the electronic form. You will need to use your Tri-C login information. (Dependents and members of Reserve forces using military benefits will need to make payment arrangements when registering, since these benefits are paid to the student and not the College.)

Step 4: Submit FAFSA

Make sure to finish your FASFA by visiting FAFSA.gov and completing the free forms for financial aid. Apply for scholarships. These types of aid can alter how you use your military benefits, by extending available time or reducing benefits. It is important to discuss pros and cons with your campus certifying official or veteran center campus representative before accepting scholarships.

Step 5: Submit Official Transcript

Click here for requirements and submission addresses. Include military transcripts in addition to official high school and college transcripts. Military transcripts can be obtained as follows.

Air Force veterans should visit the Community College of the Air Force website. Other service members should contact Joint Service Transcript [JST]. (Note this site is a certificate/military site blocker - no reason to worry). If you attended a Department of Defense school, be sure to request those transcripts from that institution as well.

Service members still on Active Duty or serving in the Reserves need to speak with their Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within their Military Service prior to enrolling at Tri-C regarding the transfer of credits and course alignment with their selected degree.

Step 6: Placement Assessment

Most students will need to take an assessment to determine entrance levels for math and English. This does not impact your ability to attend but does determine your starting point, and may impact when you can enroll in courses. Click here for specific information.

Step 7: Meet with an Academic Counselor

To avoid certification issues, make sure the courses you take will apply toward your degree and are in line with your course sequence. If you are a new student, you will need to attend new student orientation, which you can schedule through the counseling offices.

Step 8: Register for Classes

You can register through your my Tri-C space portal. You and your academic counselor will have established a recommended sequence of courses. Veterans at Tri-C have priority registration, providing an opportunity to request classes as soon as registration opens.

Step 9: Veterans Education Access Program

Tri-C offers entry-level tutoring and academic support exclusively for service members and their dependents. Click here to explore the services available.

Step 10: Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

SAS provides accommodations as warranted for Tri-C students with physical or mental barriers. All matters relating to students’ disabilities are kept confidential. Click here to explore the services available.

How do the benefits break down?

Benefits will be awarded based on start date of term session and total credits.The VA’s definition of Full Time does not always align with Tri-C or Financial Aid.

“Full time” minimum course load, for VA education benefits, is as follows:

12 credit hours for 16 week terms
10 credit hours for 14 week terms
6 credit hours for 8 week terms
7 credit hours for 10 week terms
4 credit hours for 5 week terms

For Example:

Student Veteran R. Smith started one 16 week class on Jan 14. On January 28, R. Smith picked up several 14 week classes, bumping the schedule up to full time status only at the start of the 14 week session.

If Student Veteran R. Smith is using Post 9/11, he will only receive the housing allowance dated to the beginning of the 14 week term, as the housing allowance is not paid to students below half time status.

If Student Veteran R. Smith is using other VA education benefits (Montgomery, REAP, VEAP), he will receive a combination of part time and full time rates (full time rate dating to the date his schedule was officially full time).