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Veterans’ Benefits

If you are a first-time student applying for VA Benefits or if you are a transfer student to Lake Area Tech, helpful information can be found on this page to assist. If you are a current student planning a change to your enrollment or withdrawing, please notify the Financial Aid or VA Certifying Official’s office.

Service Members should speak with their Educational Services Officer (ESO) or Counselor within their Military Service prior to enrolling at Lake Area Technical College.

First-time students (have never received Veterans’ Education Benefits)

  • Visit https://www.va.gov/education/apply-for-gi-bill-form-22-1990/introduction and complete the applicable application to use VA benefits
  • Provide copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to the School Certifying Official (you should receive this in 6-8 weeks)
  • Lake Area Techs’ VA Certifying Official will submit enrollment verification on behalf of the student

OR

  • Contact the Lake Area Tech School Certifying Official in the Financial Aid Office for a VA Form 22-1990
  • Complete VA Form 22-1990 and submit to Lake Area Techs’ School Certifying Official

Students who received Veterans’ Education Benefits at a previous school and are transferring to Lake Area Technical College

  • Contact Lake Area Techs’ School Certifying Official in the Financial Aid Office and provide a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility

Students who received VA Benefits, were called to Active Duty, and now plan to return to Lake Area Tech

  • If you are planning to continue to receive benefits under your original Chapter (for example, you were Chapter 1606 and you want to stay with Chapter 1606 rather than transfer to Chapter 33)
  • Submit copy of most recent DD-214 form to Lake Area Techs’ School Certifying Official in the Financial Aid Office
  • If you are planning to receive benefits under a different Chapter (for example, you were Chapter 1606 and now are upgrading to Chapter 33) complete VA form 22-1995 online at https://www.va.gov/education/apply-for-education-benefits/application/1995/introduction
  • Submit the updated Certificate of Eligibility to Lake Area Techs’ School Certifying Official in the Financial Aid Office when you receive it

Transfer of Post-9/11 GI-Bill Benefits to Dependents (TEB) – Spouse or Children

  • Transferability option under Post-9/11 GI Bill allows Service Members to transfer unused benefits to spouse or dependent children
  • Please have parent or spouse read information and complete applicable forms on the VA website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_transfer.asp

Withdrawal/Change in Registration

  • You must inform the Lake Area Tech Certifying Official of your withdrawal from Lake Area Tech or any change in registration.

Verification of Enrollment – Chapter 33-Chapter 35-Chapter 1606

  • Chapter 33, 35 and 1606 students must verify their enrollment monthly.  Once you have received your Certificate of Eligibility you should call the VA to opt in to text messaging.  That way, the VA will text you each month and all you have to do is reply to the text messaging
  • You can also log in to the VA website and verify your enrollment at https://www.va.gov/education/verify-school-enrollment/
  • You will not receive payment without monthly verification of enrollment.

VA Contact Information
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Regional Processing Office
9700 Page Ave., Suite 101 – Education
St. Louis, MO 63132-1502
1.888.442.4551
www.gibill.va.gov

Lake Area Tech VA Contact Information
Julie Forman – On-Campus VA Certifying Official. On-Campus point of contact for GoArmyEd, SD National Guard, and SD Air National Guard

TYPES OF BENEFITS AVAILABLE

CHAPTER 1606 – Army/Air National Guard/Reserve

CHAPTER 31 – Veteran Readiness and Employment Service (VR&E)

  • Contact a VA Case Manager at the Regional Office in Sioux Falls or Rapid City (as applicable)
  • VA Case Manager sends Lake Area Tech Form 28-1905
  • Lake Area Tech bills VA VR&E for authorized charges

CHAPTER 33 – Post 9/11 Veteran

CHAPTER 35 – Survivors/Dependents of Veteran

State Tuition Assistance – Army/Air National Guard (SD members only)

  • Complete the application process at https://apps.sd.gov/mv90tuitionassistance/
  • You can apply for STA 60 days prior to the start of the semester
  • Must be applied for each semester and approved 5 days after the start of semester

Federal Tuition Assistance – Army National Guard/Army Reserves

It is recommended you start applying for benefits ASAP!