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Veterans and Military Members

Our best service in recognition and thanks.

Herkimer College recognizes and thanks our military veterans, active-duty military members, and their families for their contributions and sacrifices for our country and community. We strive to provide the best possible service to this unique segment of our student population and to ensure that students are properly certified to receive benefits through the Montgomery GI BILL® and the military branch’s tuition assistance programs.

The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 requires educational institutions to make certain disclosures to students using federal military and/or VA educational benefits. To view and print a copy of an estimated personalized cost of attendance you can visit the SUNY Net Price Cost Calculator and select Herkimer County Community College from the dropdown. Additional financial information can be found at the NCES College Navigator site. 

The SUNY Financial Aid Plan (FAP) will provide a more in-depth analysis and accurate picture of student cost once the student has filed their FAFSA, completed a SUNY application, and has been accepted by a campus.

Veterans

You may apply for VA educational benefits through the VA website at https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/ or by calling the GI BILL® Hotline at 888-442-4551. Apply early, as it can often take a significant period of time for the application to be processed. Once your application is reviewed by the VA, you will be sent a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) if you are deemed eligible for benefits. You must provide this document to Jessicca Fiore (RMCC 216), the School Certifying Official (SCO). The SCO will then send you a Veterans Data Sheet which you must complete and return in order to have your enrollment certified and receive your benefits. A new Veterans Data Sheet will need to be completed each semester during which you plan to use VA benefits. For further information on the VA benefits certification, visit Veterans Benefits at Herkimer College.

All veterans matriculated in a degree program are strongly encouraged to apply for all other federal and state financial aid programs by completing the FAFSA. 

Students deemed eligible for veteran’s benefits should contact the Bursar, Lauren Goodale, to discuss their student bill. The Student Accounts Office will defer payment of tuition and fees based upon your eligibility for benefits. There is often a delay between the due date of student bills and receipt of veteran’s benefits, and Herkimer College will coordinate a payment plan with students in anticipation of these benefits.

For detailed information regarding VA Educational Benefits visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/

VA Pending Payment Compliance

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679(c), Herkimer County Community College adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 GI BILL® (Ch.33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from VA.

Herkimer College will not:

  • Prevent the student’s enrollment.
  • Assess a late penalty fee to the student.
  • Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding.
  • Deny the student access to any resource (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such student may be required to

  • Produce the VA Certification of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class.
  • Provide a written request to be certified.
  • Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.

Active Duty Military Members

Military members and their families who are utilizing tuition assistance through their branch of the service are responsible to submit all necessary information through their branch’s education benefits system to establish their benefit. Prior to enrolling, all service members should speak with their Education Service Officer (ESO) or counselor within the military service. If using tuition assistance, please notify the Bursar, Lauren Goodale in the Student Accounts Office. The Student Accounts Office will certify your enrollment and submit an invoice to your tuition assistance plan. Tuition will be deferred pending receipt of payment from your tuition assistance plan. 

Please contact Mr. Alford if you have any questions regarding your student account, tuition assistance, or any other concerns regarding your experience at Herkimer College. Below are some important contacts for you to reference should you need assistance with advisement, federal and state financial aid, academic support services, career counseling, or personal counseling.

All military members attending Herkimer College are strongly encouraged to complete the FAFSA to determine if they are eligible for any federal and/or state education grants or loans, if needed.

TUITION ASSISTANCE ATTENDANCE AND RETURN POLICY

Return of Tuition Assistance: Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded.

To comply with the new Department of Defense policy, Herkimer College will return any unearned TA funds on a prorated basis through at least the 60% portion of the period for which the funds were provided. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending. These funds are returned to the military Service branch.

Instances when a Service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, Herkimer College will work with the affected Service member to identify solutions that will not result in student debt for the returned portion.

The Tuition Assistance Refund Schedules are based on the length of the class(es) you are enrolled in. Please refer to the following charts:

3-WEEK CLASS  (PERCENTAGE OF TA TO RETURN)

Day 1-3

 100%
Day 4

81%
Day 5 76%
Day 6 71%
Day 7 67%
Day 8 62%
Day 9 57%
Day 10 52%
Day 11 48%
Day 12 43%
Day 13-end 0%

5 WEEK CLASS (PERCENTAGE OF TA TO RETURN)

Day 1-7 100%
Day 8 77%
Day 9 74%
Day 10 71%
Day 11 69%
Day 12 66%
Day 13 63%
Day 14 60%
Day 15 57%
Day 16 54%
Day 17 51%
Day 18 49%
Day 19 46%
Day 20 43%
Day 21 40%
Day 22 100%

15-WEEK CLASS (PERCENTAGE OF TA TO RETURN)

Before or during weeks 1 & 2 100%
During weeks 3-4 90%
During weeks 5-6 75%
During weeks 7-8 50%
During week 9 40%
During weeks 10-15  0%

Important Contacts for Veterans and Military Members

For detailed information on the financial aid application process, please visit the Applying for Financial Aid webpage.