Veterans Certification
New and transitioning students that have questions about the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) processes or benefit entitlements should contact the
Veterans Resource Center or the
Department of Veteran Affairs.
The Office of the Registrar is the School of Mines designated certifying official. This means that the Office of the Registrar certifies your enrollment at Mines to the VA every semester and can assist you with the processes for certifying your benefits with the VA.
Non-Resident
Students
If you are a
military veteran from out of state, attending South Dakota Mines and using VA
Educational Benefits, you are entitled to receive in-state tuition rate.
If you are a
dependent (child or spouse) of a military veteran from out of state,
attending South Dakota Mines and using VA Educational Benefits, you are entitled to
receive in-state tuition rate.
Establishing VA Education Benefits
Students who have never received benefits must fill out the Application for Education Benefits (VA Form 22-1990) to establish their eligibility. Form 22-1990 may be filled out online at
www.gibill.va.gov.
If you are transferring your benefits, you must fill out a Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (VA Form 22-1995). Once these forms are processed, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility via regular mail. You must provide a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to the
Office of the Registrar with your Mines student ID number in person or via email at
veteranscert@sdsmt.edu.
Who can be certified
to receive veteran education benefits?
- Post 9/11 GI Bill recipients (active duty, veterans, dependents)
- Students approved for Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment)
- Students using Tuition Assistance
- Students using other VA benefits
Veteran Registration Reporting Form (VRRF)
Submit a VRRF for each semester of enrollment after your registration is finalized and no more changes are anticipated. If you make changes to your registration after the initial submission of your VRRF, you must resubmit an updated VRRF as soon as possible.
To ensure continued benefit payments, update your address with the VA by calling 888-442-4551.
VA
Benefits – Post 9/11 GI Bill
Procedures for Post 9/11 GI Bill applicants and recipients
Active Duty and Veterans:
Dependents:
VA Benefits – Chapter 31 (Vocational
Rehabilitation and Employment)
To begin the transition to the School of Mines, contact the
Veterans Resource Center located on the lower level of the Surbeck Center.
Since the VA only pays for classes that are required for a student’s approved degree program, students should carefully review their degree audit on Banner/WebAdviser and work closely with their academic advisor to be sure all registered classes apply to their degree
requirements.
After registration is finalized, students should submit an online
Veteran Registration Reporting Form (VRRF). The VRRF prompts the university to submit an enrollment certification to the VA which is required to start VA benefit payments for the term.
The university sends official communications only to your Mines email account. Please check your account often and use it anytime you communicate with the university.
VA
Benefits – Tuition Assistance and Top Up
Student Accounts handles Tuition Assistance (TA) for military members.
Will you be applying for SD
State Tuition Assistance?
- How to Apply:
https://apps.sd.gov/mv90tuitionassistance/
Will you be applying for Federal
Tuition Assistance?
- Tuition Assistance funds are a unique, distinct source of financial aid available to eligible Service members and is the first payer.
- Prior to enrolling please contact your Educational Officer for approval.
- Contact: CPT Travis Tipton at Travis.D.Tipton3.mil@army.mil
How to Apply for Federal Tuition Assistance (TA)
Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) is a federally
funded program that pays South Dakota Mines directly for the cost of tuition
for Active Duty and National Guard members from all branches of
service. This money is usually paid directly to the institution by
the individual services. FTA pays 100% of your tuition cost up to $250 per
credit hour and up to $4,500 per fiscal year (1 OCT - 30 SEP). Fees are
authorized for payment if they are directly related to the
course(s). Soldiers must provide details of fees on the uploaded
statement of tuition cost (see application process below). FTA cannot be
used for books.
FTA can be used towards one degree or certificate
completion at South Dakota Mines. Service members are limited to 16
credit hours per fiscal year and 130 total credit hours towards an
undergraduate degree.
Prior to registering for classes, you will need
to visit with an Education Service Officer to determine your eligibility
for Federal Tuition Assistance. For Active-Duty Students you will
also need to get authorization to apply for FTA. Each service has its own
criteria for eligibility, obligated service,
application processes and restrictions.
You will first need to visit with your Education
Service Officer to determine your eligibility. For Active Army
or Army National Guard students, contact CPT Travis Tipton:
South Dakota Army National Guard
2823 West Main Street
Rapid City, South Dakota 57702
Phone: (605) 737-6087
CPT Travis Tipton
If you are deemed eligible by CPT Travis Tipton, you can then register for your classes. If you do not plan to
use FTA, you are fine. You would not have to wait to get approval.
To start the application process, you will need to set up an FTA account at https://www.armyignited.army.mil/student. Once
you have that set up, please follow the following guidance below so you can begin requesting tuition
assistance.
Create IgnitED Account
Education Support Programs
Federal Tuition Assistance
Create Tuition Assistance Request (TAR)
Create an Education Goal
Tutorial- Institution Search
Tutorial- Messages
Tutorial- Out of Pocket Tuition Assistance Request
Viewing an Approved TAR
Waiver and Recoupment Process
The next thing you'll need to do is contact Hallie Vigil at South Dakota Mines at: Hallie.Vigil@sdsmt.edu
She will review your file and submit any documentation
to ArmyIgnited 2.0 to complete your request for Fed TA.
YOU MUST REQUEST FED TA
and GET APPROVAL WITHIN 15 DAY of the class start date. If you do
not, you will not get approval. So, it is recommended to start this
process at least 60 days prior.
Will you be applying for MilTA (Air Force Tuition Assistance)?
Military Tuition Assistance
Purpose
The Air Force Military Tuition Assistance (MilTA) program is an important quality of life program that provides tuition for college courses taken by active-duty personnel during off-duty hours. MilTA is capped at $250 per semester hour (or $166 per quarter
hour) and is restricted to a maximum of $4500 per fiscal year. The program is one of the most frequent reasons given for enlisting and re-enlisting in the Air Force.
General Rules
Air Force Military Tuition Assistance is authorized for active-duty Airmen pursuing an educational goal. An education plan must be on file with the base education office. Military Tuition Assistance is authorized for college goals up to the master’s level. MilTA is
not authorized for courses leading to a lateral or lower-level degree than already possessed. For additional information please contact your base education office.
Notes
- TA will be provided for a CCAF degree regardless of your current education level.
- Airmen apply for Military Tuition Assistance online via AFVEC during the school's registration period. Airmen may also call their base education office and discuss other options for applying when on TDY.
- Airmen are expected to discuss their schedule with their supervisor to ensure that participation has his/her support.
- After completing a tuition assistance request form and registering for class, Airmen may still drop/change courses without penalty as long as the course has not started, and the base education office and the academic institution are notified. If Airmen drop a course after the drop / add period, they
must still notify the base education office and the academic institution but are liable for the cost of tuition, unless they qualify for a waiver of tuition assistance reimbursement.
- If an Airman receives a grade of incomplete from an academic institution, he/she must clear the incomplete or reimburse the government for the full amount of tuition assistance.
If you plan on using tuition assistance in conjunction with other VA benefits:
Tuition Assistance Top Up
To be eligible for the Top-up benefit, you must be approved for federal Tuition Assistance by a military department and be eligible for MGIB-Active Duty benefits or the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The amount of this benefit can be equal to the difference between the
total cost of a college course and the amount of Tuition Assistance that is paid by the military for the course.
See the GI Bill website for
Tuition Assistance Top-Up details including application procedures.
VA
Benefits – Other Benefit
If you plan on using any other benefits: