MAINE COLLEGE OF ART – VETERANS SERVICES

REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATION

This form must be completed and returned to the Registrars Office 30 days prior to the beginning of EACH semester. Forms returned late may cause a delay in the payment of benefits. Inaccurate/incomplete information may cause delay or termination of your benefits. All veterans must submit a copy of their DD-214 and Certification of Eligibility Form

Name______

Telephone______

Social Security Number_____-______-______VA File Number______

Mailing Address______

E-mail Address______

VA Benefits Chapter (Check One):

____Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill)

____ Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill)

____ Chapter 33 (Dependent)

____ Chapter 35 (Survivors & Dependents)

____ Chapter 1606 (Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve or National Guard)

____ Chapter 1607 (Reserve Education Assistance Program-REAP)

Are you currently on Active Duty? _____ Yes _____ No

Semester For Which Benefits Are Being Requested (Check One): _____ fall _____ spring ____MFA

Program of Study at MECA: BFA - MFA - Art Ed Post-Bac(circle one)

Please circle below the number of credits you are enrolled in for which you are requesting certification for VA Educational Benefits: FT (12-15 cr.) PT (6-9 cr.) Grad FT (10cr.)

Student’s Signature & Date:

______/_____/______

VETERANS SERVICES

Maine College of Art Departments:

DepartmentsPhone #Contact

Admissions 207-699-5026Stacy Howe

Financial Aid207-699-5074Joeline York

Registrar207-699-5054Anne E. Dennison

Student Accounts207-699-5049Judy Morin

Director of Student Affairs207-699-5067Mel Adams, III

The University of Southern Maine maintains a web site of Financial Aid for a veteran that is helpful. (Obviously- as a MECA student you can not apply for the Student Financial Aid at USM or USM University scholarship)

Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Processing Office - Buffalo, New York

Telephone (toll-free):1.888.442.4551 prompts 1 then 0 to speak with a VA education case manager

VA Regional Processing Office
P.O. Box 4616

Buffalo, NY 14240-4616

Phone: 1.888.442.4551, Prompts 1 then 0

______

Apply for MGIB Benefits through VONAPP

Web site:

______

Verify Monthly Enrollment (for all Chapter 30, 32, 1606, and 1607 students)

W.A.V.E. (Web Automated Verification Enrollment)

or Phone: 1.877.823.2378

MAINE STATE NUMBERS

  • VA REGIONAL OFFICE in Togus, ME 1-800-827-1000
  • VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION 623-5764
  • BUREAU OF VETERANS SERVICES in Augusta, ME 626-4464
  • VETERANS ASSISTANCE CENTER, PORTLAND - 207-780-3584
  • VETERANS RESOURCES CENTER, LEWISTON - 207-783-5306

MAINE COLLEGE OF ART – VETERANS SERVICES

Dear Student,

To apply for veterans educational benefits online, search for the VONAPP (Veterans Online Application) on the Dept. of Veterans Affairs website ( Prior to applying, please read the latest update on the Post-9/11 GI Bill and contact the Department of Veterans Affairs (1.888.442.4551, prompts 1 then 0) to discuss your eligibility. The election of CH 33 is irrevocable; the service member or veteran will need to make the best decision on which program benefits them most - staying with the Montgomery GI Bill or electing the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Representatives with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Buffalo, NY are available to counsel members on a comparison of both program benefits. Under a new ruling, it may be possible for members that exhaust the full 36 months of Montgomery GI Bill benefits to qualify for the new GI Bill and receive up to 12 additional months of benefits, for a total of 48 months.Please discuss your potential eligibility with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

After submitting your application electronically, you will need to mail your DD-214 (member 4 copy) if discharged or retired to: VA Regional Processing Office, P.O. Box 4616, Buffalo, NY 14240-4616. Supporting documentation may also be submitted, including evidence of an additional MGIB contribution (the extra $600 contribution made while on active duty) if remaining under Montgomery GI Bill benefits. Please note that the new GI Bill does not pay the buy-up or additional contribution benefit. Reservists should send a Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) form obtained from the ESO of the unit. You may also send the enlistment contract with evidence of a kicker you may be entitled to. For activated reservists that may be eligible for REAP, a copy of the NOBE, activation orders, and DD-214, member 4 for periods of active duty should be submitted. The Department of Veterans Affairs will issue a Certificate of Eligibility to the member stating eligibility for the Montgomery or Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits; a copy is needed for your veteran file.

During the application process to MECA, you will order transcripts from all schools previously attended. Discharge papers, DD-214, the member 4 copy is also a requirement for the veteran file.

Once you have registered for courses, please complete the above Veteran Request for Certification Form. An enrollment certification will be submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs on your behalf for the number of credit hours authorized towards completion of degree. An undergraduate student would receive maximum monthly entitlement with full time status of 12 credit hours or more for Fall or Spring semester.

Please let me know of any questions you might have on veterans’ educational benefits. Thank you for all that you do and for your service to our country.

Anne E. Dennison

Registrar / Certifying Official

207-699-50584

Return form to: Maine College of Art - ATTN: Anne Dennison, Registrar

522 Congress ST., Portland, ME 04101

P# 1-800-639-4808F# 1-207-775-5069 Web site