Veterans and Americorps benefits

DESCRIPTION:

Veterans Benefits are for those who have served in the military, reserves or National Guard (some spouses and dependents may be eligible for these benefits as well). Americorps, a program of national and community service, provides funding for education in exchange for service.

HOW TO APPLY:

For Veterans Benefits, Contact the VCU Veterans Affairs Office at

Founder's Hall
827 W. Franklin Street, Room 103
PO Box 842520
Richmond, VA 23284-2520
Telephone: (804) 828-6166
Fax: (804) 828-8121
Email: jmchambl@vcu.edu

For Americorps Benefits, visit www.americorps.org to find out more information.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

Veterans and their qualified dependents may be eligible for VA education benefits authorized under specific chapters of Title 38 of the U.S. Code. Each chapter has specific eligibility requirements. Only the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can determine your eligibility for VA education benefits; the VCU Veterans Affairs coordinator cannot determine your eligibility for VA education benefits.

Eligibility for AmeriCorps varies by program. Visit the Americorps website to find out more.

TREATMENT OF AWARDS:

For Federal Student Aid purposes, veterans' education benefits and Americorps benefits are treated as estimated financial assistance (resources) when calculating the student's eligibility for other financial aid. These benefits are not reported as income on the FAFSA

Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill benefits and Americorps benefits are not included in estimated financial assistance when determining eligibility for subsidized federal student loans but they are included for unsubsidized federal student loans.

Noneducational veterans benefits are not counted as estimated financial assistance. Noneducational veterans benefits include Death Pension and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits, and income from the Veterans Affairs Student Work-Study Allowance Program (VASWSAP). The student must report these noneducational benefits as nontaxable income on the FAFSA.

Chapter 1605 Example - Independent Undergraduate Senior (maximum $10,500 loan eligibility - $5,500 subsidized, $5.000 unsubsidized)

Cost of Attendance	$18,168
Less: Veterans Benefits	7,550
Maximum Financial Aid	$10,618

Cost of Attendance	$18,168
Less: Expected Family Contribution	630
Less: Veterans Benefits	7,550
Need Based Eligibility	$9,988

Aid Awarded

Pell Grant	3,660
State Grant	1,500
Subsidized Loan	4,828
Unsubsidized Loan	630
Total Financial Aid	$10,618
Veterans Education Benefits	7,550
Total Resources and Aid	$18,168

Chapter 30 Example - Independent Undergraduate Senior (maximum $10,500 loan eligibility - $5,500 subsidized, $5.000 unsubsidized)

Cost of Attendance	$18,168
Less: Expected Family Contribution	630
Need Based Eligibility	$ 17,538

Need Based Aid Awarded

Pell Grant	3,660
State Grant	1,500
Subsidized Loan	5,500
Total	10,660
Remaining Need	$6,878

Determining Unsubsidized Loan Eligibility:

Cost of Attendance	$18,168
Less: Expected Family Contribution	630
Veterans Benefits	7,550
Total	9,988

Less Aid Already Awarded:

Pell Grant	3,660
State Grant	1,500
Subsidized Loan	5,500
Total	10,660
Maximum Unsubsidized Loan Eligibility	$ 0

Total Resources and Aid:

Pell Grant	3,660
State Grant	1,500
Subsidized Loan	5,500
Veterans Benefits	7,550
Total Resources and Aid Awarded	$18,210