State VA Educational Programs

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Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program

The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs offers financial assistance to eligible dependents of disabled Veterans (child, stepchild, spouse, or un-remarried widow or widower) who are living or deceased. Qualifying veterans must have been permanent civilian residents of Alabama prior to entry into military service. Other qualifying veterans’ categories are former Prisoners of War (POW), those declared Missing in Action (MIA), and those who died in service.

The Alabama G. I. Dependent Scholarship Program does not pay for non-credit courses, developmental courses, facility fees, enhancement fees, or special building fees. In addition, the Alabama G. I. Dependent Scholarship Program does not cover supplies or textbooks for non-credit and/or developmental (remedial) courses. The student is responsible for paying these charges.

Students approved for the Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship program after July 31, 2017, must adhere to the following:

  • Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year covered under the Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program.
  • Compliance with TSCC’s Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to receive the Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship. Students not making SAP are subject to losing Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program eligibility.
  • Application of the Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship AFTER Federal Pell Grant and other scholarships for any applicable remaining charges. If ALL tuition, fees, and books are covered by other funding sources such as the Federal Pell Grant or scholarships, the Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship will not be applied for the current semester.

Veterans Service Officers of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs maintain an office in each county of the State. They can provide information and assist in completing the required forms for the Alabama G. I. Dependent Scholarship Program. Their offices are usually located in the county courthouse. The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs may be contacted directly at the following address: Alabama G. I. Dependent Scholarship Program, Department of Veterans Affairs, Post Office Box 1509, Montgomery, Alabama 36102- 1509. The telephone number is (334) 242-5077.

Tuition Assistance (TA)

Tuition Assistance is a Department of Defense (DOD) program. The Veteran’s Administration does not administer the Tuition Assistance Program. Tuition Assistance rules vary by branch of service and can even vary between units depending on whether the unit is active, reserve, or National Guard. If a service member receives TA funds and withdraws during the semester, the Tuition Assistance Refund Policy will be applied to determine if TA funds need to be returned to the Department of Defense. For additional assistance, TA recipients should contact their Education Services Officer.

Alabama National Guard Education Assistance Program (ANGEAP)

The Alabama National Guard Education Assistance Program (ANGEAP) is designed to provide financial assistance to Alabama National Guard members. The National Guard member should contact his/her National Guard Unit for additional information and applications. Completed ANGEAP applications must be submitted to the VA School Certifying Official in the Financial Aid Office.

Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)

MyCAA is a Department of Defense program that provides up to $4,000 of financial assistance for military spouses who are pursuing degree programs, licenses, or credentials leading to employment in portable career fields.

Operation Family Shield

Operation Family Shield Scholarship Program was established in 2003 for spouses and dependents of the Alabama National Guard, or reservists called to active duty. The Scholarship has been expanded in support of Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the Global War on Terrorism.

Purple Heart Waiver

The Purple Heart Waiver is a waiver of undergraduate tuition and fees for Purple Heart recipients.

A public institution of higher education may waive undergraduate tuition and fees for each veteran who is the recipient of the Purple Heart and who satisfies all the following:

  • Enroll as a full-time, part-time, or summer school student in an undergraduate program that culminates in a degree or certificate.
  • Is currently and was at the time of the military action that resulted in the awarding of the Purple Heart, a resident of this state.
  • Submits to the public institution of higher education the DD-214 form issued at the time of separation from service as documentation that he or she has received the Purple Heart.

Entitlement to Benefits

Trenholm State Community College certifies the veterans' and dependents' enrollment status, programs, and academic progress. All questions concerning payment are to be referred to the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1(888) 442-4551 or by sending an electronic inquiry to (https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/contact_us.asp#:~:text=888-GIBILL-1%20(888,Central%20Time%2C%20Monday-Friday).

VA Educational Benefits Standards of Academic Progress

All students receiving Federal VA Educational Benefits must be in Good Standing with the College.

VA Certificate of Compliance

It is hereby resolved that Trenholm State Community College in the State of Alabama is compliant with Public Law 114-315, which modified title 38 of the United States Code (U.S.C.) 3679(c). As amended, 38 U.S.C. 3679(c) requires that the following individuals be charged the resident rate:

  • A Veteran using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty Program) or Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®) of title 38, United States Code, who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/ her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the institution within three years of discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
  • Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the institution within three years of the transferor’s discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
  • Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same institution. The person so described must have enrolled in the institution prior to the expiration of the three-year period following discharge or release as described above and must be using educational benefits under either Chapter 30 or Chapter 33, of Title 38, United States Code.
  • Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C.
  • § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/her formal State of residence).
  • Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and the transferor is a member of the uniformed service who is serving on active duty.
  • Anyone using educational assistance under Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E).
  • Anyone using educational assistance under Chapter 35, Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program.

*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 Web site at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Title 38 United States Code Section 3679(e)

Trenholm State Community College complies with Title 38 United States Code Section 3679(e) under which covered individuals (i.e. any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or Chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits) can attend or participate in the course of education providing the individual submits a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under Chapters 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website - benefits, or a Chapter 31 authorization).

Trenholm State Community College will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds due to the delayed disbursement of funding from VA under Chapters 31 or 33.

Covered individuals wanting to use their educational benefits at Trenholm State Community College are required to submit a VA Enrollment Certification Form. Additionally, covered individuals may be required to provide additional information as necessary to certify enrollment properly.

VA Complaint Policy

If a student has an issue or complaint about a school, students should submit their concern through the VA GI Bill® Feedback System by following the link: https://www.va.gov/education/submit-school-feedback/introduction. The VA will then follow up through the appropriate channels to investigate the complaint and resolve it satisfactorily.