The Student Accounts Office Veterans’ Certifying Official assists students in receiving their VA educational assistance entitlement. Enrollment certifications are completed by this office and reported to the appropriate VA regional office (Buffalo, NY). You may contact the College’s Veterans Certifying Official at 603-358-2314 if you have any questions.

Applying for Educational Benefits or Changes in Enrollment Status

If you require assistance on how to get started applying for educational benefits, please contact the Keene State’s Veterans Certifying Official, located in our Student Accounts Office at 603-358-2314. Each semester the Certifying Official will send out a Veteran/Dependent Enrollment Certification Request which needs to be completed and returned.

For changes in enrollment status, please contact Keene States' Veterans’ Certifying Official at (603) 358-2314 or stop by the Student Accounts Office. You may check the status of your benefits by visiting the VA Educational Benefits Home Page, or calling the automated phone system at 1-888-GIBILL1. This allows you to check your status with the VA, 24 hours/day.

Starting with our fall 2018 semester, Keene State College now participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. If you are not a New Hampshire resident, please visit the website to read about the Yellow Ribbon Program and if you qualify, the cost of your out-of-state tuition will be covered:

https://www.keene.edu/life/services/veterans/

Please be aware that we are required by law to notify the VA whenever a change in enrollment affects your enrollment status.

This will most likely affect your VA payments.

The Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 as amended by PL 116-315 § 1005

For courses, semesters, or terms beginning after August 1, 2021, public institutions of higher education must charge qualifying veterans, dependents, and eligible individuals tuition and fees at the rate for in-state residents. Any institution not meeting this requirement will be disapproved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill and the Montgomery G.I. Bill®.

As amended, 38 U.S.C. 3679(c) requires that the following individuals be charged the in-state resident rate:

A veteran using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty Program), Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation) or Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 G Bill), of 38 U.S.C. who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).

Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).

Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same institution. The person must be using educational benefits under Chapter 30, Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 of 38 U.S.C.

Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).

Instructions for Receiving Educational Benefits

First-time veteran students should:

• Complete VA Form 22-1990 (application for educational benefits). In many cases you can complete the process online through the VA website. This should be done at the earliest possible time after you have been accepted to Keene State College. It may take 6 to 8 weeks for your claim to be processed, so file as early as possible. If you have already applied for the benefits, please provide a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility, issued by the VA, to the Veterans’ Certifying Official.
• Provide a copy of your separation papers, DD214 (active duty) or an original “Notice of Basic Eligibility” from your reserve unit (reservists), or, if you have already applied for the benefits, please provide a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility, issued by the VA.
• Veterans’ Dependents applying for educational benefits need to complete form 22-5490 (Application for Survivors’ & Dependents’ Educational Assistance), and submit to the certifying official.
• For Veterans’ Educational Benefits financial aid process information, contact the Financial Aid Office at 800-572-1909 or 603-358-2280, Fax: 603-358-2794.
• Contact the Veterans’ Certifying Official in the Student Accounts Office at (603) 358-2314 for assistance in obtaining or filing the forms.

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 https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.