Benefit Certification and Information
Submit Certification Request
Certification Reminders
- Students must request education benefits certification each semester through their home campus.
- Submit requests early to avoid payment delays.
- Follow the Benefits Request Submission Schedule — early requests will be declined.
- Incomplete or inaccurate requests may result in processing delays.
- Certification of courses taken at other Alamo Colleges depends on their processing times.
Need help? Call (210) 486-0111 during business hours.
Submit certification requests by the Priority Certification Deadline before the class start date.
Requests submitted less than 60 days before may delay benefit payments.
Education Benefits Overview
Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (MGIB-AD) – Chapter 30
Who is Eligible?
- Served active duty after June 30, 1985
- Contributed $100 per month for 12 months
- Received an Honorable Discharge
- Have a high school diploma, GED, or 12 hours of college credit.
Additionally, you must meet one of the following service requirements:
- Served continuously for 3 years.
- Served 2 years if that was your enlistment agreement.
- Served 4 years in the Selected Reserve within a year of leaving active duty (2 by 4 program).
What Are the Benefits?
- Monthly payments are made directly to the veteran
- Up to 36 months of education benefits
- Additional funding is available through kickers and contributions
Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) – Chapter 1606
Who is Eligible?
- Have a 6-year service obligation in the Selected Reserve.
- Completed your initial active duty for training (IADT).
- Obtained a high school diploma or equivalent before finishing IADT.
- Remain in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit.
What Are the Benefits?
- Monthly payments made directly to the reservist
- Up to 36 months of education benefits
Apply for Selected Reserve Montgomery GI Bill®
Note: Students utilizing Chapter 30 and Chapter 1606 must log in to the WAVES online system and verify their enrollment on the first day of each month to ensure timely payment of the benefit stipend.
The VR&E program assists Veterans and Service members with service-connected disabilities and employment handicaps to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment. For those with severe disabilities who cannot immediately consider work, VR&E offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.
Who is Eligible?
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A Veteran who:
- Has received, or will receive, a discharge that is other than dishonorable.
- Has a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from the VA.
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An Active Duty Service member who:
- Expects to receive an honorable discharge upon separation from active duty.
- Obtain a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the VA.
- Is participating in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) or has been referred to a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB).
Note: Eligibility alone does not guarantee entitlement. A comprehensive evaluation is conducted to determine if you have an employment handicap and are entitled to services.
Available Services
- Comprehensive Evaluation: To determine abilities, skills, and interests for employment.
- Vocational Counseling and Rehabilitation Planning: For employment and/or independent living.
- Employment Services: Such as job training, job-seeking skills, resume development, and other work readiness assistance.
- Assistance Finding & Keeping a Job: Including the use of special employer incentives and job accommodations.
- On-the-Job Training (OJT), Apprenticeships, and Non-Paid Work Experiences (NPWE): To gain experience.
- Post-Secondary Training at a College, Vocational, Technical, or Business School: To obtain suitable employment.
- Supportive Rehabilitation Services: These include case management, counseling, and medical referrals.
- Independent Living Services: For Veterans unable to work due to the severity of their disabilities.
VR&E & Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) Benefits
- If eligible for Chapter 31, you may choose to elect the Chapter 33 Monthly Housing Allowance instead of the VR&E subsistence allowance.
- Once enrolled, you cannot switch between Chapter 31 and Chapter 33 within the same term.
Example: If a student receives a book stipend under Chapter 33, they must wait until the next term to switch to Chapter 31 benefits.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill helps veterans and service members pay for education and training programs. If you've served on active duty after September 10, 2001, you may qualify for these benefits.
Who is Eligible?
You may be eligible if at least one of the following is true:
- Active Duty Service: Served at least 90 days on active duty on or after September 11, 2001.
- Purple Heart Recipient: Received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service.
- Service-Connected Disability: Served for at least 30 continuous days on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability.
- Dependent Benefits: You're a dependent child using benefits transferred by a qualifying veteran or service member.
Note: Some periods of service are considered non-qualifying. For detailed information, refer to the VA's official guidelines.
What Are the Benefits?
If you qualify for the maximum benefit, you may receive:
- Tuition and Fees: Coverage for the full cost of public, in-state tuition and fees. For private or foreign schools, there are annual caps. Check current rates.
- Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA): Based on the cost of living where your school is located. Available if you're attending more than half-time.
- Books and Supplies Stipend: Up to $1,000 per academic year.
Note: The amount of benefits you receive depends on your length of active-duty service and the type of education or training program you enroll in.
Students utilizing Chapter 33 must also verify enrollment each month to ensure timely payment of the monthly housing stipend.
The DEA program provides education and training benefits to eligible dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected condition or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability.
Who is Eligible?
You may qualify if you are the child or spouse of a Veteran who:
- Has a permanent and total service-connected disability.
- Died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability.
- Is missing in action (MIA), or was taken as a prisoner of war (POW).
What Are the Benefits?
Eligible dependents may receive up to 36 months of education benefits, which can be used for the following:
- College degree programs.
- Career training, including non-college degree programs.
- Apprenticeships and on-the-job training.
- Some certificate programs.
- Educational and career counseling.
Note for Spouses:
- Eligibility typically lasts 10 years from the date of eligibility determination.
- If the Veteran was rated permanently and totally disabled within three years of discharge, spouses may have 20 years to use their benefits.
The Hazlewood Act is a Texas state benefit offering eligible veterans, spouses, and dependent children up to 150 credit hours of tuition exemption at public institutions of higher education in Texas. This exemption covers most fees but does not include living expenses, books, or supply fees.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Veterans must:
- Have entered military service in Texas or declared Texas as their home of record.
- Have served at least 181 days of active duty, excluding training.
- Have received an honorable discharge.
- Not be in default on a student loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas.
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Spouses and dependent children may qualify if the veteran:
- Is eligible for the Hazlewood Act benefits.
- Has been declared missing in action, killed in action, or died as a result of a service-related injury or illness.
Application Process:
- Admission: Apply and gain acceptance to a Texas public college or university.
- Documentation: Provide the following to your institution's financial aid office:
- A completed Hazlewood Exemption application form.
- Proof of military service and discharge status (e.g., DD214 form).
- Proof of eligibility or ineligibility for GI Bill® benefits by obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs, if applicable.
Important Notes:
- The final determination of eligibility is made by the institution you plan to attend.
- Application deadlines may vary by institution; it's essential to check with your school's financial aid office for specific dates.
The Tuition Assistance (TA) program helps eligible service members fund their education. Students should consult their Educational Services Officer (ESO) or Military Service Education Office before applying.
How to Apply for Tuition Assistance (TA)
- Register for courses at Alamo Colleges.
- Request TA through your military branch portal.
- Check your payment deadline and ensure TA is submitted on time.
- Request a payment extension if necessary.
- Submit the approved TA form to the college before the deadline.
- Pay any remaining balance not covered by TA through your ACES account.
Alamo Colleges Installation Offices
|
Fort Sam Houston |
Lackland Air Force Base |
Randolph Air Force Base |
Branch-Specific TA Information
Air Force
- TA must be requested no earlier than 45 days before the semester start date and no later than 7 days prior.
- Apply via Air Force Portal (Virtual Education Center).
- For questions, contact your Air Force Education Office.
Army
- TA must be requested no earlier than 60 days before the semester start date and approved no later than 10 days prior.
- Apply via Army Ignited.
- For questions, contact your Army Education Office.
Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard
- Direct tuition assistance questions to your unit Education Liaison or Education Office.
- Navy members can download the Navy College Program App on Google Play or App Store.
Army Ignited Information for AlamoColleges
Payment Extension Request for Pending TA
If your payment deadline is prior to funding approval, you may request a payment extension. A payment extension may be granted for those eligible for Tuition Assistance (TA). Please refer to our Payment Deferment form.
DoD Funded Tuition Rates
| Duty Station | Tuition Rate |
| JBSA | $90 Per Credit Hour |
| Outside JBSA | $161 Per Credit Hour |
2024-25 Schedule of Tuition and Fees
Other Funding Sources
Scholarship Information
Ready to Work
Refunds and Billing
Students using TA must consult their SAC-VA Academic Advisor before making any schedule changes, including adds, drops, and withdrawals.
What is MyCAA?
Military spouses of service members in pay grades E-1 through E-9, W-1 through W-3, and O-1 through O-3 who have successfully completed high school are eligible for MyCAA while their military sponsor is on Title 10 military orders.
Spouses married to members of the National Guard and reserves in these same pay grades are eligible. You can check your eligibility for the scholarship by visiting the MyCAA website and applying for an account.
The Defense Department expanded scholarship eligibility for military spouses as part of its commitment to take care of service members and their families.
Determine eligibility
When searching MyCAA for institutions, search for "Alamo Community College District."
See If You're Eligible - Apply for MyCAA
Additional Information
To begin using MyCAA funds with San Antonio College:
- Apply for Admission
- Register for Classes
- Register early and make a note of your payment deadline
- Set up a MyCAA Account HERE
- Submit the Following Documents to MyCAA
- Your MyCAA Education & Training Plan obtained from your SAC-VA Academic Advisor
- A copy of the current DoD Tuition and Fee Schedule
- A copy of your current Class Schedule
- Once You Receive Your MyCAA Payment Voucher
- Submit your MyCAA payment voucher HERE
- Log in to ACES to confirm your payment has been credited and pay your remaining balance
- If you are unable to submit a payment voucher before your payment deadline, contact your SAC-VA Academic Advisor to inquire about a Payment Deferment Request