VA Education Programs
FCC is approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) for the training of eligible veterans, their dependents, and active-duty personnel. FCC VMS will certify qualifying enrollments for VA Education beneficiaries with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for approved programs of study. For more information about VA Education and Training programs, go to benefits.va.gov/gibill/. Students who are unsure which VA Education program they may qualify for may contact the VA Education Call Center at 1.888.442.4551. They will need to provide their social security number (or that of their VA sponsor, if applying for benefits under a parent or spouse) when making the call.
To use VA Education benefits at FCC, students should submit the electronic VMS intake form located at https://www.frederick.edu/student-resources/veteran-military-services.aspx. They will then receive, via email, a checklist of “next steps” to complete along with the link to schedule an intake appointment with a VMS staff member. At this appointment, students will have the opportunity to discuss academic programs and the FCC enrollment process; available veteran and military benefits; payment options; and College and community resources, including financial aid advising, services available to students with disabilities, career counseling, and mental health counseling. Students who have questions or need assistance should call VMS at 301.624.2836.
VA Education Program Rules
VA Education programs cover courses required by the student’s current approved program of study. Please refer to the college catalog for courses required under each program. Note:
- Students using VA Education programs are required to submit their official college transcripts and military transcripts (if applicable) to the Assistant Registrar at transferevaluation@frederick.edu for evaluation of transferable credit. For more information go to: Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) | Frederick Community College Academic Catalog.
- The VA does not cover audited courses.
- The VA does cover a repeated course if the student received an unsuccessful grade on the previous attempt and the course is required for graduation.
- The VA does cover courses designated as remedial (in-person or hybrid only), online (credit courses only), practicum, clinical, and internship/externship. The VA does not cover online remedial courses.
- If a student ceases attendance in a course, does not officially withdraw, and receives a failing grade, the student may be required to repay some or all of the education benefits that he/she received for that course.
- A student who withdraws from a course after the add/drop period may incur a debt with the VA and FCC. If the student must withdraw due to mitigating circumstances, they should contact the FCC VA Certifying Official immediately by calling 301.624.2836. The student will be responsible for any charges the VA does not cover.
- All students are subject to the College's Academic Standards Policy and Procedures. Students placed on Academic Probation, Suspension, or Dismissal are credit-restricted which impacts their VA Education benefits.
VA Education Program Enrollment Verification
Students receiving education benefits through Montgomery GI Bill®-Active Duty (Chapter 30), Montgomery GI Bill®-Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606), or GI Bill® Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1607) must verify their enrollment each month via Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) to receive their benefit payment. Students using Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) who receive monthly kicker/housing allowance payments are required to verify their enrollment at the end of each month to continue receiving payments.
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 Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Guest Students Using VA Education Programs
Students attending FCC as their host institution to obtain credit for a degree program at their primary institution should submit the electronic VMS intake form located at https://www.frederick.edu/student-resources/veteran-military-services.aspx as outlined above. They will then receive via email a checklist of “next steps” to complete along with the link to schedule an intake appointment with a VMS staff member.
Military Tuition Assistance
FCC maintains a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Defense that allows active-duty personnel from every service branch to use military Tuition Assistance (TA) at FCC. The process for obtaining TA varies depending on the service branch. VMS will provide the service member with documentation (e.g., degree plan and/or invoice) needed to obtain TA authorization from the service branch. Service members must submit their TA authorization to FCC’s Student Finance Office at StudentAccounts@frederick.edu prior to published academic payment due dates. Because TA pays tuition only, the student is responsible for paying their fees by the published academic payment due date.
Maryland National Guard Tuition Programs
Members of the Maryland National Guard may be eligible to receive a state tuition waiver, Federal Tuition Assistance, and additional education benefits. For more information, go to: https://military.maryland.gov/NG/Pages/tuition-assistance.aspx