The VA can help students cover the cost of furthering their education and skills through benefits to pay for tuition, housing, training, and other education related expenses. More information and the online application is available at http://explore.va.gov/education-training. Please contact the Office for Veteran Success at comvets@com.edu for a Request for Certification Application Packet.
GI Bill® Resident Rate Requirements
Effective August 1, 2021 - The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe (Public Law 116-315 Section 1005) ) amends the definition of covered individuals in Title 38 USC 3679(c)(2)(A). Section 1005 states: Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty, and VR&E beneficiaries are no longer required to enroll at a public institution of higher learning within a three-year period after leaving the service in order to benefit from in-state tuition and fees.
Section 702 of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of (“Choice Act”), requires VA to disapprove programs of education for payment of benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and Montgomery GI Bill®-Active Duty at public institutions of higher learning (IHLs) if the school charges qualifying Veterans and dependents tuition and fees in excess of the rate for resident students for terms beginning after July 1, 2015.
To remain approved for VA’s GI Bill® programs, schools must charge in-state tuition and fee amounts to “covered individuals.” A covered individual is defined in the Choice Act as:
- A Veteran who lives in the state in which the IHL is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school after being discharged or released from a period of active-duty service of 90 days or more.
- A spouse or child using transferred benefits who lives in the state in which the IHL is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls after the transferor’s discharge from a period of active-duty service of 90 days or more.
- A spouse or child using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship who lives in the state in which the IHL is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school after Servicemember’s death in the line of duty following a period of active-duty service of 90 days or more.
An individual described above will retain covered individual status as long as he/she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between terms) at the public IHL.
Public IHLs must offer in-state tuition and fees to all covered individuals with Post-9/11 GI Bill® and Montgomery GI Bill®-Active Duty (MGIB – AD) benefits in order for programs to remain approved for GI Bill® benefits for terms beginning after July 1, 2015. VA will not issue payments for any students eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® or the MGIB-AD until the school becomes fully compliant.
*Veteran must provide a copy of their DD-214 to the Admissions Office.
Senate Bill 2104-Tuition and Fees Charged to Military Spouses
Sections affected: Amends Tex. Gov't Code§§ 434.017(c), .0171, .154(a); Tex. Educ. Code§ 54.241(g). Adds Tex. Gov't Code § 434.040.
Effective date: June 10, 2019. Applies beginning with the 2019 fall semester.
This bill requires an institution of higher education, including a community college, to permit the spouse of a U.S. armed forces member stationed outside of the state to pay the tuition and fees charged Texas residents in certain circumstances. The spouse must have graduated from high school or received a high school equivalency certificate in Texas and maintained a domicile in the state for at least one year before the member was assigned duty outside of the state.
TSI Exemptions
The following students shall be exempt from the requirements of this title, whereby exempt students shall not be required to provide any additional demonstration of college readiness and shall be allowed to enroll in any entry-level freshman course as defined in §4.53(12) of this title (relating to Definitions):
- A student who is serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and has been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment.
- A student who on or after August 1, 1990, was honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard or service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States.
While this may result in placement of some students in classes for which they are not academically prepared, students are encouraged to take the test for accurate placement in courses.
*Veteran must provide a copy of their DD-214 to the Admissions Office.
Tuition Deferment Request for Eligible Texas Veterans and Their Families - H.B. 846
Policy Protecting Students from Fees and Penalties Due to VA Payment Delay. State of Texas H.B. 846 also fully states that an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education may not impose additional fees, obligations, or burdens concerning payment or registration on a student. A deferred payment of tuition and fees can be offered, if the receipt of military related financial assistance awarded to the student is delayed by less than 60 days. A Request for Certification Application Packet and required documents used to determine eligibility requirement must be received by the Office for Veteran Success (OVS) prior to the payment deadline date for the semester you are applying. All students are encouraged to submit a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) at www2.ed.gov/programs/fpg/index.html. For additional information, please contact the Office for Veteran Success at 409-933-8455 or email us at comvets@com.edu.
Tuition Assistance
Military Tuition Assistance is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Congress has given each service the ability to pay up to 100% for the tuition expenses of its members. Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process’ and restrictions. You can access any branch of service by visiting www.military.com/education.
*Additional information may be required. For assistance, please contact the Business Office.
Awarding College Credit for Military Experience
COM will provide counseling and advising to Veterans and service members, and award college credit for their military experience and training through Prior Learning Experiences (PLAs), comprehensive exams and course substitutions.
For additional information please contact the Office for Veteran Success at 409-933-8455 or email us at comvets@com.edu.
*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 https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/