Chapter 33 benefits | Chapter 33 benefits | TJC

Chapter 33 benefits

Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) benefits students who served in the military on active duty for at least 90 aggregate days after Sept. 10, 2001, or if the student was discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge.

This benefit provides up to 36 months of educational benefits, payable for up to 15 years after release from active duty. Some individuals can also transfer their Chapter 33 benefits to an eligible dependent.

TJC will provide a Do Not Drop indicator on your student account if all required documents are received by published payment deadlines.

Note: All required documentation for benefit consideration must be received by the Veteran and Military Services office no later than one week before classes start to guarantee certification of classes. Please allow up to 10 days after all documents are received to confirm eligibility for benefits.

Applying for Chapter 33 Benefits at TJC for the First Time

Returning or Continuing Chapter 33 Students – Required Each Term

  • Submit a TJC VA Certification Request Form
  • Provide proof of FAFSA submission if the term is in a new academic year through email to Veterans@tjc.edu (Strongly Recommended, but Not Required)
    • Once your federal financial aid is processed, email your College Financing Plan to Veterans@tjc.edu. Click HERE for help with this step. 
  • Visit your TJC Academic Advisor to confirm your major and provide an official academic degree plan after registering for classes through email to Veterans@tjc.edu 
  • If this is your last term and you plan to graduate, submit a Confirm My Graduation form and inform the VA Office at Veterans@tjc.edu
     

What Fees Are Not Covered Using Chapter 33 Post 9/11 Benefits?

Per the VA Guidance:

  1. For the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill "Fees" is defined as any mandatory charges (other than tuition, room, and board) that are applied by the institution of higher learning for the pursuit of an approved program of education. Fees include but are not limited to, health premiums, freshman fees, graduation fees, and lab fees.
  2. Fees do not include those charged for a study abroad course(s) unless the course(s) is a mandatory requirement for completion of the approved program of education.
  3. Examples of fees that are not allowed include, but are not limited to:
    • Penalty fees (i.e. late registration, late course changes, returned checks, repeated courses)
    • Add/drop course fees
    • Fees for any food or lodging expenses, meal ticket fees
    • Parking fees that are not required of every student
    • Overload fees for course loads that require special permission
    • Transportation/transit system fees that are not required of every student

TJC will have some courses with “Course Content Fees”.  The VA does not cover these fees and can range in costs from an average of $20 to $120.  Students can pay for these costs out of pocket or use federal financial aid.  A business hold will be placed on the student’s account so they can continue with their class as financials are being worked out, but the hold will prevent the student from registering for future classes until paid.  While we do not recommend opting out of Course Content requirements for academic reasons, students have the right to do so and have the charge removed from their account.

If you do not want to participate in Inclusive Access/Course Content Fees, you must opt out of the program until the census date. To opt out, please see your professor within the first few days of class. Your professor will then notify Business Services and your account will be adjusted.

Frequently Asked Questions: