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We recognize that as military veterans, you may have specific questions and/or concerns that we will do our best to address. We have dedicated space on both of our campuses for Veterans and their family members called the Veterans Resource Center. The Center is staffed on a rotating basis by a Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Coordinator and Veteran work study students, as well as some volunteers. Provided below is a list of links to information and resources on campus.
- HUTCHINSON CAMPUS:
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VA Certifying Official Located in the Student Services/Counseling Office
Barb Burkstrand (320) 234-8504 or Email: Barb Burkstrand
Veterans Resource Center Located in Room 405
(320) 222-5634 or Email: Veterans Resource Center
Professional Counselors are available in the Counseling office to help with a variety of career and personal issues. Make an appointment by stopping by or calling (320) 234-8504.
- WILLMAR CAMPUS:
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VA Certifying Official Located in the Student Services/Counseling Office
Lisa Setrum (320) 222-5983 or Email: Lisa Setrum
Veterans Resource Center Located in Room A213 (Student Center)
(320) 222-5634 or Email: Veterans Resource Center
Professional Counselors are available in the Counseling office to help with a variety of career and personal issues. Make an appointment by stopping by or calling (320) 222-5983 or (320) 222-5984.
- Veterans Benefits
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If you are a veteran and enrolled either full or part-time in college, you may be eligible to receive educational assistance through the GI Bill. VA education benefits may fall into one of these categories (chapters):
- Chapter 30 - Active duty service person
- Chapter 31 - Vocational rehabilitation and employment.
- Chapter 35 - Veteran's dependent (spouse, surviving spouse, or child)
- Chapter 1606 - Active selective reservist or National Guardsperson
- Chapter 1607 - REAP - (Reserve Educational Assistance Program)
For a complete description of each chapter, go to the GI Bill website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become eligible for VA education benefits? |
You need to apply for benefits through the VA, which determines eligibility. The Records Office has applications for most chapters. You can also apply online at the GI Bill website. |
When can I become certified? |
You may be certified up to 120 days prior to the start of the term. If you are certified before the start of the term, you must inform your VA Rep of your credit load and any changes that may have occurred. |
Can I apply for financial aid if I want to receive VA education benefits? |
Yes, VA benefits may not be sufficient to cover all educational costs. VA students are paid benefits based on the number of approved credit hours they carry and not on the cost of the school they choose to attend. |
How much will I receive if I qualify for benefits? |
The monthly benefit paid to you is based on the type of training, length of service, category, and if DOD put extra money in your MGIB Fund (called “kicker”). Visit the Education Benefit Payment Rates page. |
Responsibilities of students receiving benefits:
- To be eligible to receive educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill, you need to be in a degree seeking program offered at Ridgewater College. VA will not pay for benefits if you are not seeking a degree.
- VA will not pay for courses that do not count toward your program of study at Ridgewater College. Courses will be tracked, and could result in an overpayment if courses are taken that are not required in your major program.
- VA does not pay for withdrawal of a course(s) unless there are mitigating circumstances involved. If you withdraw from a course, you need to let the VA office at Ridgewater College know right away. A withdrawal/drop will get reported whether or not you notify us! You will have an overpayment to the VA and will owe them money.
- If you are repeating a class for a better grade (not because you failed the course), that class will not count in your certification for GI Bill benefits!
- If you have prior college experience, you need to have official transcripts submitted to the Records Office for evaluation. Not doing so could result in not being able to receive your GI Bill benefits. The VA needs to see prior college credit that you have taken.
- If you are changing your major, you need to let the Ridgewater College VA Rep know. Proper paperwork must be processed in order to receive education payment benefits.
- Ridgewater will not submit an enrollment certification for you until notified to do so.
- All students receiving either the Montgomery GI Bill Active duty or Selected Reserve must verify their enrollments monthly to receive payments. Verification can be done by using either the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE)application on the Department of Veterans Affairs website or by calling 1-877-823-2378 and following the prompts.
- The Military and Veterans Enactments by the 2006 Minnesota Legislature directs the UMN and MnSCU institutions to treat all U.S. military veterans as Minnesota residents for undergraduate tuition rate purposes, regardless of their state of origin or residency. Please notify the Registrar if you are being charged out-state tuition.
- VA takes 10 – 12 weeks to process an enrollment certification. Please be timely when submitting your request.
Links and Resources
| Home | Academic Calendar 08-09 | Campus Maps | Contact Us | Directories | D2L | Web Mail | Library | Catalog | Site Map |
| Willmar Campus 2101 15th Avenue NW PO Box 1097 Willmar, MN 56201 320-222-5200 | 800-722-1151 |
Hutchinson Campus 2 Century Avenue SE Hutchinson, MN 55350 320-234-8500 | 800-722-1151 |
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