Welcome to our Veteran Friendly Campus

As a student at Three Rivers, you are joining a proud contingent of veteran and active military students who have pursued higher education here for over 50 years. Three Rivers, as a member of a community that is home to the Groton Submarine Base and the Coast Guard Academy, has the experience to support you in your successful pursuit of a degree, certificate, or workforce training. You’ll find that many of our professors, staff, and administration are veterans who know the journey you are taking. We’re here to help ensure your success. Welcome!

PRIORITY REGISTRATION for Veterans:  ALL Veteran students can register on the first day of registration, regardless of status (Non-degree, New, Transfer, Readmit and Continuing)

Veterans Resources

Veterans Educational Benefits

We stand ready to provide guidance regarding eligibility requirements and the processes needed to access Veterans Administration educational benefits. We will assist you through the process and also help you access other benefits you may qualify for.

Available Veterans Educational Benefits

Chapter 30 Benefits– Montgomery GI Bill®, Active Duty (MGIB)

The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of educational benefits. The benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, and apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be appropriate under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. This program is also commonly known as Chapter 30. This benefit is for those veterans who served on active duty after June 30, 1985, those who had remaining entitlement under the Vietnam era GI bill, and those who switched VEAP before voluntarily separated after February 2, 1991.

Chapter 31 Benefits: Vocational Rehabilitation for Veterans with Service-connected Disabilities

Vocational rehabilitation educational benefits are for veterans that have received, or will receive, a discharge that is other than dishonorable, has a service-connected disability rating of at least 10%, or a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the Department of Veterans Affairs and applies for vocational rehabilitation and employment VR&E VetSuccess services.

Chapter 32 Benefits: Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP)

VEAP is available if you first entered active duty between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985 and you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this educational benefit program. Contributions are matched on the $2 for $1 basis by the Department of Defense. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, and apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Chapter 33 Benefits

Generally, an individual who served a minimum of 90 days on active duty after September 10, 2001, will be eligible for education assistance under the post 9/11 GI bill®. Active duty served as a member of the armed forces or as a result of a call or order to active duty from a reserve component under section 688, 12301(a), 12301(d), 12303(g), 12302, or 12304 of the Title 10 is qualifying active duty service. In general an individual’s eligibility to use Chapter 33 benefits expire 15 years from the date of the last discharge or release from active duty of at least 90 days.

Chapter 35 Benefits: Dependent Educational Assistance (DEA)

Educational assistance paid to dependents of veterans who have a service-connected permanent and total disability or died as a result of service connection.

Chapter 1606 Benefits: Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)

Chapter 1606 is an educational program for members who are actively participating in the selected reserve. Selected reserve components include the Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guards, and Air National Guard. The Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security (Coast Guard) determine who is eligible for Chapter 1606. The Department of Veterans Affairs administers the program and pays benefits.

Chapter 1607 Benefits: Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

This is an education program for active members of the selected reserve called to active duty and members of the individual ready reserve (Army IRR, Air Force IRR, Navy IRR, and Marine Corps IRR) called to active duty in support of a contingency operation or a national emergency declared by the president or congress.

Connecticut National Guard Tuition Assistance

CT National Guard members will need to file an application with their unit before the beginning of each semester. The Certificate of Eligibility that is issued from the CT National Guard must be on file you’re your campus Certifying Official before the registration process can be completed.  Tuition waivers are not provided for Summer Session, Winter Intersession, or Credit-Free Courses.

Veterans Tuition Waiver

A waiver of general fund tuition is extended to all eligible Connecticut Veterans with service during certain wartime periods. Members of the Connecticut National Guard may also be eligible for waivers of tuition.

To be eligible for a tuition waiver, veterans must:

• be honorably discharged or released under honorable conditions for active service in the U.S. Armed Forces (U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard). National Guard members, activated under Title 10 of the United States Code, also are included.
• have served at least 90 or more cumulative days active duty in time of war (please see Periods of Service below), except if separated from service earlier because of a federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rated service-connected disability; or the war, campaign, or operation lasted less than 90 days and service was for the duration.
• be accepted for admission at CT State.
• be domiciled in Connecticut at the time of acceptance, which includes domicile for less than one year.

Veterans must submit their DD-214 (Discharge Papers) to their campus Certifying Official. Tuition waivers are not provided for Summer Session, Winter Intersession, or Credit-Free Courses.

Periods of Service

Only those who served in the following manner may qualify:

Active duty for at least 90 days during:

• World War II — December 7, 1941 – December 31, 1946
• Korean Conflict — June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955
• VietnamEra — February 28, 1961 – July 1, 1975
• Persian Gulf War — August 2, 1990 – Until an ending date prescribed by

Presidential proclamation or by law (no end date at this time).  All military war service subsequent to August 2, 1990, is covered, including but not limited to, Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, Somalia, and Bosnia.

Engaged in combat or in a combat support role in:

• Lebanon —  July1, 1958 – November 1, 1958 or September 29, 1982 – March 30, 1984
• Grenada — October 25, 1983 – December 15, 1983
• Operation Earnest Will — July 24, 1987 – August 1, 1990 (escort of Kuwaiti oil tankers flying the U.S. flag in the Persian Gulf)
• Panama — December 20, 1989 – January 31, 1990

Reservists must be mobilized in time of war for other than training purposes.

Requirements for Receiving Veterans Education Benefits at Three Rivers

Veterans and students eligible for Veterans Administration (VA) education benefits must complete the College’s application procedures for degree or certificate students. In addition, such students must contact a College VA Certifying official (Justin Slater at 860-215-9294 or Donna Ramos at 860-215-9283). Reservists and members of the National Guard are eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapter 1606) and must contact a College VA Certifying official and supply the Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) form in order to file for benefits. Connecticut tuition waiver may apply to some veterans.

All students who will use VA benefits must be enrolled at Three Rivers as degree or certificate-seeking students. New students must have military and civilian education evaluated by the College. Since Veterans Administration benefits cover only courses which do not replicate previously gained credit, students receiving VA benefits are advised to submit their separation (DD214) and/or educational transcripts for an evaluation of Military Learning and /or transfer credits.

Continued eligibility for benefits is contingent upon the student complying with College regulations and conformance with program-of-study requirements. Only courses required for degree or certificate completion are covered by VA benefit programs. Additional courses selected by the student become the financial responsibility of the student.

Benefits can cover all or part of tuition and fees. Learn more about Three Rivers Tuition and Fees.

Steps to Apply for Veterans Educational Benefits

STEP 1: Go to the GI Bill® Website

Go to the Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill® website for additional information, or or call the VA directly at  888-442-4551. Make sure you bring a copy of your DD214 (member 4).

STEP 2: Meet with the VA Certifying Official

You need to sit down with a VA Certifying Official to go over your paperwork and discuss the process of receiving your benefits. Additional information and rules that apply to receiving your benefits are explained during this meeting. To make an appointment, call Justin Slater at 860-215-9235 or Donna Ramos at 860-215- 9283.*

* Please note that you are free to make an appointment to meet with a VA Certifying Official at any time during this process, and at any other time you have questions or concerns.

Once you have applied and met with a Three Rivers educational advisor to select courses, if you have any questions or concerns that Three Rivers cannot assist with, you can contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at 888-442-4551 or visit the official website at Veterans Benefits Administration – Education and Training. Active duty members, after meeting with a Three Rivers educational advisor, are encouraged to contact their Educational Services Officer (ESO) for final approval.

Other Benefits

As a Veteran, you may also qualify for benefits beyond those provided through the Veterans Administration. These may include:

• Tutorial Services
• State Tuition Waiver
• Federal and State Financial Aid

Financial Aid

Federal Financial Aid may also be available for veterans. Three Rivers has dedicated financial aid professionals to assist with any questions that you may have regarding your eligibility. Learn more about Three Rivers Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Quick Facts

How do I apply for the GI Bill®?

Students must apply online through https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/ or can call 888-442-4551 to begin the process.

What other forms do I need to provide?

For all active duty students, you must attach a copy of Form DD-214. For non-active duty (reservists/guards), you must attach a copy of your Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE).

How do I check the status of my submitted application?

Call 1-888-442-4551 or 1-888-GIBILL-1.

Official Veterans Websites

• Official GI Bill® Benefit Website: https://www.gibill.va.gov/gibill
• One-Stop Online Site for All Veterans Benefits: http://www.ebenefits.va.gov 

Where can I purchase books?

The Three Rivers Community College Bookstore sells all books needed for classes. It in located on the first floor, near the main entrance. The bookstore also have a complete online store.

Principles of Excellence

Three Rivers Community College commits to comply with the following Principles of Excellence:

• Provide students with a personalized Financial Aid Shopping Sheet covering the total cost of an education program;
• Inform students who are eligible to receive Veterans education benefits of the availability and potential eligibility of Federal financial aid before packaging or arranging private student loans or alternative financing programs;
• In compliance with Policy 34 C.F.R. 668, avoid fraudulent and unduly aggressive recruiting techniques as well as misrepresentations, payment of incentive compensation, and failure to meet state authorization requirements;
• Obtain the approval of the institution’s accrediting agency for new courses or program offerings prior to enrolling students;
• Accommodate the service members and reservists to be readmitted to a program if they are temporarily unable to attend class or have to suspend their studies due to service requirements;
• Align institutional refund policies with those under Title IV, which governs the administration of Federal student financial aid programs, and;
• Provide educational plans for all military and Veteran education beneficiaries.
• Contacts who can provide academic and veterans benefits advising are Justin Slater at 860-215-9235 or Donna Ramos at 860-215- 9283.

GI School Feedback Tool

If there are issues or complaint about a school or training facility that’s eligible to receive GI Bill** benefits, feedback can be submit to the VA here.

**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.

VA Certifying Officials

Justin Slater
(860) 215-9235
jslater@threefdn.wpenginepowered.com
Registrar’s Office, Room A115

Donna Ramos
(860) 215-9283
dramos@threefdn.wpenginepowered.com
Financial Aid Office, Room A111