Eligible Programs and Courses

• All of RRCC’s degree and certificate programs are eligible for VA Education Benefits.
• The following classes are not eligible:
  • OUT 2002 – Open Water Diver
  • OUT 2003 – Adv Open Water Diver
  • OUT 2005 – Divemaster
  • OUT 2007 – Open Water Scuba Instructor
  • OUT 2300 – Rescue Diver
• RRCC is required to confirm that program and course offerings meet VA’s rules. Eligible programs and classes are subject to change.

VA Education Benefit Types

Chapter 33 – Post-9/11 GI Bill®

• Tuition and Fees
  • Based on the percentage of benefit granted by VA, CH 33 covers the tuition and mandatory fees for public, in-state schools. See ‘Military-Affiliated Residency’ if you are not a Colorado resident.
• Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)
  • MHA is provided based on the student’s rate-of-pursuit that semester. To maximize benefits, the student needs to have a 100% rate-of-pursuit for the entire semester. Contact us after you’ve registered for classes if you’d like your rate-of-pursuit calculated.
    • To be eligible for MHA, your rate-of pursuit must be more than 50%.
    • If all classes are certified before the semester start date, the first MHA payment is typically received after the first full month of classes.
      • For example, the Spring semester typically starts the third week of the month. The first full month of classes would be February so the first MHA payment is March 1st.
    • MHA is prorated based on dates of attendance and rate-of-pursuit.
    • Check the VA’s Rate Tables for MHA rates.
• Book and Supplies Stipend
  • A small stipend for up to $1000 each academic year (typically $200-400 per semester for full-time enrollment) to help cover some of the costs of books and supplies.
• Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) and David Fry Scholarship (DF)
  • TEB and DF both work exactly like the standard Post 9/11 GI Bill® except for the eligibility requirements.
  • When completing the Certification Request for CH33, the student will indicate if they are utilizing a transferred benefit or the David Fry Scholarship.
• Step-by-Step Guide
  • The VA Education Benefits Step-by-Step will provide you with all the necessary steps.
  • Remember that the Certification Request MUST be completed every semester.

Chapter 31 – Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E)

• Tuition and Fees
  • CH31 will pay all tuition and mandatory fees for the program approved by the VR&E Counselor (VRC). See ‘Military-Affiliated Residency’ if you are not a Colorado resident.
  • The VRC will provide RRCC with an authorization that states what program is approved and the dates the authorization is valid for.
• Books and Supplies
  • CH31 typically pays for all REQUIRED books and supplies. Students will need to contact their VRC for details.
• Subsistence Allowance
  • A monthly Subsistence Allowance (SA) is provided based on the student’s rate-of-pursuit. To maximize benefits, the student needs to have a 100% rate-of-pursuit for the entire semester. Contact us after you’ve registered for classes if you’d like your rate-of-pursuit calculated.
  • If all classes are certified before the semester start date, the first SA payment is typically received after the first full month of classes.
    • For example, the Spring semester typically starts the third week of the month. The first full month of classes would be February so the first SA payment is March 1st.
  • SA is prorated based on dates of attendance and rate-of-pursuit.
  • Contact the VRC for SA rate details.
• Step-by-Step Guide
  • Your VRC will initiate an authorization that is sent directly to us that includes the approved program and semesters. A separate authorization will be sent directly to Barnes & Noble if your VRC authorizes books and supplies. Contact your VRC directly with any authorization questions.
  • The VA Education Benefits Step-by-Step will provide you with the other necessary steps.
  • Remember that the Certification Request MUST be completed every semester.

Chapter 30 – Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty

• Monthly Stipend
  • Payment goes directly to the student..The student is responsible for making payment arrangements for their RRCC tuition and fees.
  • The stipend is calculated based on the class dates and the student’s “training time” such as full-time, ½-time, etc. To maximize benefits, the student needs to have a full-time training time for the entire semester. Contact us after you’ve registered for classes if you’d like your training time calculated.
  • Check the VA’s Rate Tables for CH 30 rates.
• Step-by-Step Guide
  • The VA Education Benefits Step-by-Step will provide you with all the necessary steps.
  • Remember that the Certification Request MUST be completed every semester.

Chapter 1606 – Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve

• Monthly Stipend
  • Payment goes directly to the student. The student is responsible for making payment arrangements for their RRCC tuition and fees.
  • The stipend is calculated based on the class dates and the student’s “training time” such as full-time, ½-time, etc. To maximize benefits, the student needs to have a full-time training time for the entire semester. Contact us after you’ve registered for classes if you’d like your training time calculated.
  • Check the VA’s Rate Tables for CH 1606 rates.
• Step-by-Step Guide
  • The VA Education Benefits Step-by-Step will provide you with all the necessary steps.
  • Remember that the Certification Request MUST be completed every semester.

Chapter 35 – Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance

• Monthly Stipend
  • Payment goes directly to the studen. The student is responsible for making payment arrangements for their RRCC tuition and fees.
  • The stipend is calculated based on the class dates and the student’s “training time” such as full-time, ½-time, etc. To maximize benefits, the student needs to have a full-time training time for the entire semester. Contact us after you’ve registered for classes if you’d like your training time calculated.
  • Check the VA’s Rate Tables for CH 35 rates.
• Step-by-Step Guide
  • The VA Education Benefits Step-by-Step will provide you with all the necessary steps.
  • Remember that the Certification Request MUST be completed every semester.

 *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 http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

VA education benefit students’ records must be kept on file for 3 years following the ending date of the last period certified to VA per Title 38 CFR 21.4209(f).

RRCC complies with Title 38 Section 3679(e) and will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.