Veteran Affairs

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Applying for GI Bill® Education Benefits

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

  1. Chapter Benefits: Make sure to familiarize yourself with the chapter of benefits you are using.
    Ch. 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill®)
    Ch. 30 (Montgomery GI Bill®)
    Ch. 31
    Ch. 35 (DEA)
    Ch. 1606 (MGIB SR)
  2. Apply for VA benefits on-line at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/
    (Click HERE if you would like to see step-by-step instructions)
    – VA Form 22-1990 (Application for VA Benefits)
    – VA Form 22-5490 (Dependents’ Application for VA Benefits) if dependent, not Post 9/11 transfer
    – VA Form 22-1990e (Application for Family Member to Use Transferred Benefits), complete after DoD has approved Post 9/11 transfer benefits to your family member
    – VA Form 28-1900 (Disabled Veteran’s Application for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment)
    Contact for Voc-Rehab:
    Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
    Phone# – (501) 370-3791
    Fax# – 501-370-3785
  3. Meet with your Academic Adviser to determine which classes to take.
  4. Register for classes.
  5. Bring a copy of your schedule to the VA Representative:
    Mary Anderson
    Academic Advisor/VA Representative
    (870) 248-4011
    marya@blackrivertech.edu
  6. Complete the FAFSA at www.studentaid.ed.gov. Meet with a Financial Aid Advisor in the BRTC Financial Aid Office if you would like assistance with this process
  7. Students who expect to receive TA (Tuition Assistance) through the DoD should consult with their Education Services Officer, within their military branch of service, upon enrolling at BRTC. Upon approval of TA benefits, you should then speak with the TA Representative on campus to finalize the application of funds to your account balance.
    Brandi Chester
    Director of Financial Aid
    (870) 248-4020
    brandic@blackrivertech.edu

Comparison Tool/Payment Rates

Request Your Military Service Records

DoD Tuition Assistance Program

Black River Technical College complies with requirements of the Department of Defense Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding. With the guidelines for use of Military Tuition Assistance (TA) managed by each individual military service branch, students wishing to use Military TA should contact their military unit first to determine both eligibility and availability of Military TA funds. Once approved by your unit, contact the BRTC Financial Aid Office for assistance in submitting the proper documents to the university.

Per DOD TA requirements, Military TA must be requested and approved prior to the start date of the each term. Service members can register for classes prior to securing Military TA but they will be solely responsible for all tuition costs until approval is obtained from their military service branch and the proper documents are submitted to the university. Only courses listed in the service member’s evaluated education plan will be approved for Military TA.

Please review the code of conduct.

Black River Technical College will ensure compliance with program integrity requirements consistent with the regulations issued by ED (34 C.F.R 668.71-668.75 and 668.14) related to restrictions on misrepresentation, recruitment, and payment of incentive compensation. This applies to the educational institution itself and its agents including third party lead generators, marketing firms, or companies that own or operate the educational institutions. As part of efforts to eliminate unfair, deceptive, and abusive marketing aimed at Service members.

BRTC will:

  1. Ban inducements, including any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, transportation, lodging, meals, or other item having a monetary value of more than a de minimis amount, to any individual or entity, or its agents including third party lead generators or marketing firms other than salaries paid to employees or fees paid to contractors in conformity with all applicable laws for the purpose of securing enrollments of Service members or obtaining access to TA funds. Educational institution sponsored scholarships or grants and tuition reductions available to military students are permissible, and;
  2. Refrain from providing any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing enrollments or federal financial aid (including TA funds) to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting, admission activities, or making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance, and;
  3. Refrain from high-pressure recruitment tactics such as making multiple unsolicited contacts (3 or more), including contacts by phone, email, or in-person, and engaging in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing Service member enrollments.

In accordance with regulations issued by the Department of Defense [DOD], Black River Technical College will return any unearned TA funds through at least 60% of the semester on a prorated basis. The amount of unearned TA that is returned is based on the date of withdrawal from the course.
After 60% of the semester has passed, TA will not be evaluated for a return to the DOD.

Schedule for Return of TA Funds

WeekReturn of Funds to Military Service Branch Who Issued TAStudent liability owed to Wilmington University
Before or during week 1-2100%0%
During week 360%60%
During weeks 450%50%
During week 540%40%
During weeks 6-8 (more than 60% of course is completed)0%0%

Service members should reference their desired program(s) of study and course requirements before enrollment at BRTC. A timeframe for completion of each program is outlined in each degree plan listed.

All program offerings at BRTC are listed on our website academics. Students may also access their MyBRTC student portal and review their progress toward completion of desired program at mybrtc.blackrivertech.org.

Accreditation credentials for all programs can be found at accreditation

Service members may refer to Articulation With Other Colleges to find out which institutions with whom BRTC has an active articulation agreement.

Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS)

The Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS) contains information about the transferability of courses within Arkansas public colleges and universities. Students are guaranteed the transfer of applicable credits and the equitable treatment in the application of credits for the admissions and degree requirements.

  • Course transferability is not guaranteed for ACTS courses listed as “No Comparable Course”
  • Courses with a “D” frequently do not transfer and institutional policies may vary
  • Courses notated in the degree plan with the “ ~ “ symbol are considered ACTS courses

Additional information may be accessed from the ACTS website link at https://editor.engagelively.com/lively.freezer/frozenParts/rick/Crosswalks/index.html.

For questions regarding transferring of credits from institutions outside the state of AR, please contact the BRTC Registrar’s Office at (870) 248-4000 or registrar@blackrivertech.edu.

Individuals who meet one or more of the following criteria are eligible for in-state tuition:

• Veteran who received an honorable discharge from a period of not less than ninety (90) days of active duty in the United States Armed Forces within three (3) years before the date of enrollment in a program of study; 

• Dependent of a veteran as described above; 

 • Member of the United States Armed Forces; 

 • Spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces; or 

 • Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadet who has an executed United States Armed Forces service contract.

Military members unable to attend classes due to orders transferring them out of the area for prolonged periods of time may request a full tuition refund at any time in the semester. Students must present an original set of military orders to the Registrar for confirmation.

Any student whose plan of study is interrupted due to military service obligations while enrolled at BRTC will be guaranteed readmission upon return, which also includes all allied health programs. The student will be required to meet the readmission standards set by the program.