Military/Veterans

The Military and Veterans Affairs Office serves as a resource center and welcomes all military connected students and families. 

The Military and Veterans Affairs Office at WNCC is the certification site For Veterans Administration educational benefits including Montgomery GI Bill, (Chapter 30), Vocational rehabilitation, (Chapter 31), Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) dependants benefits, (Chapter 35), Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011(VRAP), National Guard and Reservists, (1606 and 1607).  Anyone who wished to use any of the benefits should contact this office for further assistance.

Support services include assistance with education benefits applications, college curriculum information and academic advising in line with education benefits.  Information is also available concerning county Veterans Service Officers, VA Hospitals, and adjustment and veterans’ health professionals.

The office supports the Student Veterans Organization and works in conjunction with TRIO Veterans Upward Bound Program. 

In-state tuition rates apply to active duty military members and dependents of those members who are stationed in Nebraska.

If the military member is reassigned to another state, the military member's dependent will maintain eligibility for in-state tuition as long as the dependent is continuously enrolled in a degree program at a state institution.

Resources
  
• Employment Assistance for Veterans
• Support Network for Veterans
• TogetherWeServed.com: The finest in Military Community Heritage Websites
• Returning Service members of Operation Enduring Freedom/ Operation Iraqi Freedom
• GI Benefits
• goarmyed.com
• www.veteranscentral.com

Student Veterans Organization

The Student Veterans Organization at WNCC is a student lead group consisting of military veterans and family members.  The purpose of the organization is to ensure that veterans, active duty personal, reservists and their families are receiving all benefits entitled to them, and to ensure a contact to readjustment counseling should they feel the need.  In addition, to provide a fellowship of like-minded individuals in order to create a network of student and successful alumni in order to provide professional and leadership development.

For more information, please contact the Military and Veterans Affairs Officelocated in the Williams Building on the Scottsbluff Campus.

FAQs

How long does it take to receive my first GI Bill payment ?

It depends on your status. If you are a new applicant for VA benefits it could be as long as 10 weeks or more from the start of a semester unless you enroll 10 weeks prior to the start of a semester (enroll early!). If you are a returning student and you enroll as soon as the schedule of classes comes out it could provide you an uninterrupted flow of your funds as long as there are no more than 30 days between the start of a new semester and the end of your previous semester.

Do I need to recertify for my classes each semester?

Yes. You must contact us as soon as you are ready to enroll (the sooner the better).

You should be doing this as soon as the class schedules come out in print or on the WNCC website. Come in to the VUB office or call us and let us know you have enrolled in classes.

We will have to approve your selection of courses to assure the VA that these classes fit into your program of study. Do not delay before enrolling for a subsequent semester as you will delay your payments anywhere from 8-10 weeks.

What number can I call at the St. Louis VA Regional Center to find out about the status of my educational benefits?

Problems number: 888.442.4551

How do I secure copies of my military transcripts and who should they be sent to?

Have all your ACE original transcripts mailed to Chris Wolf, Military and Veterans Affairs Office, 1601 East 27th St., Scottsbluff, NE 69361. They will be forwarded to the College Registrar for determination of credit to be awarded. All other college transcripts can be ordered and paid for by the VUB program once you come in to register.

You can order transcripts: Army - Call 866.297-4427 6:30am - 3:30pm Central Time, M-F, or contact them at http://aarts.army.mil/.

Air Force - Fax a written request to : 913.684.2011 or write to : Air Force Transcripts, 130 West Maxwell Blvd., Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama 36112

Navy/Marine - Contact the College Center (SMART - Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript) https://smart.navy.mil/.

Will my Montgomery GI benefits affect my Financial Aid eligibility?

Veterans can receive both Montgomery GI Bill benefits and federal student aid (depending on eligibility as determined on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Veteran's education benefits are recorded on the FASFA as resources, but NOT as income, and are not used in calculating a student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC). A student's Chapter 30 benefits are not considered a resource and are not counted against most need-based aid. Therefore, these veterans may be eligible for Pell grant and subsidized loans, depending on other eligibility requirements. Contact the WNCC Financial Aid Office for more information.

How do I get my textbooks if I am taking classes online?

The bookstore will mail them to you directly. You can contact them at 308.635.6066 or order online

How do I apply for Vocational Rehabilitation benefits for entering college?

You will need to visit with the VSO for this county. His name is John Brehm and his phone number is 308-436-6643. He can also provide assistance with securing any and all benefits related to veterans.