Veteran Services
Here at GCC, we welcome our Veterans and Military Affiliated Families!
Being a veteran or military aligned student (active, veteran, guard, reserve, family) presents its own unique set of opportunities, benefits, and challenges. It is our mission to help guide you through this critical process. Genesee Community College ensures educational access for its veteran student population. To that end, veteran students are not limited in any way to classroom activities, registration of courses, or access to library materials or other College facilities due to any delays in VA funds disbursements.
Genesee Community College does not require veteran students to use federal loan programs to cover any past due tuition charges due to a delayed VA fund disbursement.
No late fees are assessed to any student at Genesee Community College, whether due to delayed disbursement funding from VA or another cause.
With five campuses (Arcade, Batavia, Dansville, Medina & Warsaw) and many online degree programs, Genesee Community College has something for everyone in Western New York and beyond.
Have questions, comments, ideas or suggestions? Please email Veterans@montenegroflights.net.
Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020
This act requires educational institutions to make certain disclosures to students using federal military and/or VA educational benefits. To view and print a copy of an estimated personalized cost of attendance you can visit the SUNY Net Price Cost Calculator and select Genesee Community College from the dropdown.
The SUNY Financial Aid Plan (FAP) will provide a more in-depth analysis and accurate picture of student cost once the student has filed their FAFSA, completed a SUNY application, and has been accepted by a campus.
Available Campus Resources for Veterans
The campus veteran’s office will help you understand and most effectively utilize your benefits. We willingly offer assistance with financial aid, admissions, advisement, and anything you may require throughout your educational journey. Some of our services include:
- Veteran’s lounge (located within the Student Union) with free coffee/tea, TV, PC, scan/print, Wi-Fi
- Adult Educational Opportunity Center (AEOC)
- Free tutoring
- Free parking
- Free online application
- Career and Academic advising
- Credit towards degree program for prior service, education, or experience
- Financial aid assistance – Watch our video on how to apply!
- Scholarship Opportunities (Military Members, Veterans and their Dependents are eligible to apply for ANY of these Scholarships)
- Register for classes one week early
- Dedicated Staff
- Student Veterans of America Chapter
Visit our Facebook Page - Veterans Day Events
Click to watch the 2016 Veterans Day Program
Student Veteran Checklist
- Apply for Admission
- Complete the Free Application for Student Aid Your FAFSA application determines your eligibility for low or no interest student loans as well as state and other federal grants. Report any veterans benefits you will be receiving
- Compile all transcripts from previous colleges, high school and any military training
- Complete GCC’s ACCUPLACER Placement Test (if applicable)
- To request accommodations, please visit the Disability Services Webpage
- Complete & turn in Immunization Form
- Complete & turn in Certificate of Residence
- Consult an Academic Advisor & register for classes
- Consult with the GCC veteran’s Office about eligibility and use of benefits
- Apply for educational benefits
- FAFSA & TAP (GCC Federal Code: 006782) (GCC TAP Code: 2252)
- New York State Veterans’ Tuition Award
- Post 9/11 GI Bill® – Chapter 33 (Program Information)
- Montgomery GI Bill® – Chapter 30
*Be sure to Certify Your Benefits every month! - Montgomery GI Bill® Select Reserve – Chapter 1606
- Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) – Chapter 31 (Program Information)
- Dependents’ Educational Assistance – Chapter 35
- Federal Tuition Assistance Program
- Students need to receive approval from their Educational Services Officer (ESO), military counselor, or directly from their branch of service.
- New York State Recruitment Incentive & Retention Program (RIRP/DMNA)
- Register for Orientation (not mandatory)
- Utilize Additional Services & Resources
- Fill out a Veteran Benefit Authorization Form before each semester!
Return of Unearned Military Tuition Assistance Funds
At Genesee Community College, we value our military-connected students and understand the importance of Military Tuition Assistance in supporting your education. Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is granted to students with the expectation that they will complete their enrolled courses for the duration specified in the assistance award. However, if circumstances require you to withdraw or cease attendance, you may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded. To comply with the Department of Defense (DoD) policy, Genesee Community College will return any unearned TA funds on a prorated basis through at least the 60% portion of the period for which the funds were provided. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending.
Before deciding to withdraw or stop attending a course, students are strongly encouraged to seek guidance from various resources, including their GCC Success Coach, military education counselor, or education services officer, as well as GCC’s Student Accounts office and Registrar. Understanding how your decision will impact your military tuition assistance and potential repayment responsibilities is crucial. Students must understand that if TA funds are returned to the military, it may lead to an outstanding balance on their GCC student account, which they are responsible for paying.
In instances when a Service Member stops attending due to a military service obligation, the College will work with the affected Service Member to identify solutions that will not result in a student debt for the returned portion.
Procedures for Calculating Unearned TA Funds
To remain in compliance with the Department of Defense’s (DoD) policy, the College will return any unearned TA funds through at least 60% of the semester on a prorated basis. The amount of unearned TA that is returned is based on the date of official or unofficial withdrawal from the course. If a Service Member stops attending, the last date of attendance will be the last day of activity within a course.
Service Members who withdraw or stop attending after the 60% point in the semester will have earned all Military TA funds.
To be in compliance with these requirements the College has established the following schedule for the return of unearned TA funds.
15 Week Full Fall and Spring Semester Course Withdrawal Schedule
- Before or during weeks 1-2: 100% return
- During weeks 3–5: 75% return
- During weeks 6–9: 50% return
- During weeks 10 or later: No Funds will be returned
For courses that have a duration differing from fifteen weeks, unearned TA funds will be similarly calculated and returned on a prorated basis, depending on the length of the course. Specific schedules can be obtained from the Student Accounts office.