Programs for Veterans
Cecil College is approved to participate in the Veterans Educational Benefits Programs. In order to ensure the educational success of our returning veterans, Cecil College also participates in the State of Maryland College Collaboration for Student Veterans.
School Certifying Official
The School Certifying Official (SCO) is a liaison for Cecil College students and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. An SCO's main responsibility is to report student enrollment information to the VA in order for benefit payments to be disbursed.
If you would like to schedule an appointment to turn in your Certificate of Eligibility (for Chapters 30, 33, 35, 1606, or 1607) or your 28-1905 Authorization Form (for Chapter 31/Veteran Readiness and Employment), please contact:
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Tracie Foutrakis
School Certifying Official
Last names beginning with A–H
One Seahawk Drive
North East, MD 21901
(443) 674-1891 (Voice)
(410) 287-1056 (Fax)
tfoutrakis@nullcecil.edu -
Machele Washok
School Certifying Official
Last names beginning with I–Z
One Seahawk Drive
North East, MD 21901
(443) 674-1894 (Voice)
(410) 287-1056 (Fax)
mwashok@cecil.edu
GI Bill®
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
The term GI Bill® refers to any Department of Veterans Affairs education benefit earned by members of Active Duty, Selected Reserve and National Guard Armed Forces and their families. The benefit is designed to help servicemembers and eligible veterans cover the costs associated with getting an education or training. The GI Bill® has several programs, and each is administrated differently depending on a person's eligibility and duty status.
How to Apply for Benefits
New Students
Complete a VA Application for Benefits. Once your application has been processed, the VA will mail you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) which outlines your chapter and percentage of eligibility for the GI Bill®. You may also visit www.va.gov to print a temporary COE while you wait for your official version.
Returning/Transfer Students
Complete a Change of Program/Place Form (VA form 22-1995). You should also log into your eBenefits portal to print a copy of your Benefits Statement, which will show your chapter, and percentage and remaining months of eligibility.
Certificate of Eligibility
All student veterans using educational benefits must submit a copy of their Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to the School Certifying Official.
Contact Information
For Chapters 30, 33, 35, 1606, or 1607 (GI Bill®):
Veterans Affairs—Buffalo Regional Processing Office
PO Box 4616
Buffalo, NY 14240-4616
(888) 442-4551
buffrpo@nullvba.va.gov
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
VR&E (Chapter 31) is for veterans who have a service-connected disability that limits their ability to work or prevents them from working and helps them to explore employment options and address education or training needs.
Meet with your VR&E Caseworker to create an education plan and collect an authorization form (28-1905) to submit to your School Certifying Official.
Contact Information
For Chapter 31/VR&E:
Veterans Affairs—Baltimore Regional Office
31 Hopkins Plaza
Floors G,1,2
Baltimore, MD 21201
(800) 827-1000
GI Bill® Programs
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs administers the following education benefit programs. To learn more about your eligibility for educational benefits, please visit www.gibill.va.gov or call (888) 443-4551 for more information and to apply.
Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2011 or for individuals discharged with a service- connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Gill.
Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (Chapter 30)
The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses at approved VA approved institutions. Remedial, deficiency and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.
Montgomery GI Bill® – Selective Reserve (Chapter 1606)
The MGIB-SR program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Basic eligibility requires a 6-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve and satisfactory participation in required Selected Reserve training. Chapter 1606 benefits are paid on a monthly basis directly to the reservist.
Montgomery GI Bill® Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP-Chapter 1607)
REAP was established as a part of the Donald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. It is a Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or Congress. This program makes certain reservists who were activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001 either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits.
Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA-Chapter 35)
DEA Provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently or totally disabled due to a service-related condition, who died while on active duty or as a result of a service related condition or have been listed as MIA or PWO for more than 90 days. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits.