Veterans Affairs

New Students

New students at EPCC must complete the standard steps for admission to the college and an Application for Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits.

At the Student Services (Admissions/Intake) area you must:

• Complete the college admissions steps (To include testing.)
• See an Academic Counselor and obtain a degree plan.

At the Veterans Affair Office (VAO) you must:

• Speak to a VA Advisor.

(Expect to receive benefits in approximately eight weeks from the time you submit all necessary paperwork.)

Guest Student

First Time Guest Student

• Complete and submit EPCC admissions application.
• Bacterial meningitis vaccination — Submit your proof of immunization.
• Register for courses.
• Provide a Parent Institution Letter (PIL) from your home school to the EPCC VA Office. PIL must include the following information:
• Name and address of Primary School
• Name and address of Secondary School
• Student Name, ID#, SS#, or Claim #, Chapter and percent eligibility
• Program of Study
• Term

Only courses listed on PIL will be processed for VA Education Benefits.
Allow 48 hours for processing.

Returning Guest Student

• Register for courses.
• Provide a Parent Institution Letter from your home school to the EPCC VA Office. PIL must include the following information:
• Name and address of Primary School
• Name and address of Secondary School
• Student Name, ID#, SS#, or Claim #, Chapter and percent eligibility
• Program of Study
• Term

Only courses listed on PIL will be processed for VA Education Benefits.
Allow 48 hours for processing.

Academic & Military Transcripts

New students to EPCC that have used VA Benefits elsewhere MUST submit FA Form 22-1995 (veteran) or VA Form 22-5495 (Chapter 35 students).

The Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) requires that all previous educations and training be evaluated for possible credit. If you have ever attended any college or university, including non-accredited colleges and technical schools, you must provide official transcripts be sent to EPCC.

All veteran students must request Joint Service Transcripts be mailed to EPCC. You may request at Joint Services Transcript.

Advance Payment

Advance payment of benefits is available for Ch 30, 32, 35, and 1606 EXCEPT Ch 33, 1607

• Must have an Advance Payment Request form on file at school.
• Must be attending school at least half time.
• Must have a break of at least 30 days before the start of the term.
• VA must receive enrollment certification at least 30 days before classes start.

If student is eligible, he/she will receive an advance payment for the first partial month plus the first full month of enrollment.

For example, if enrollment starts on August 25th, the first payment will be for the period August 25th through September 30th. VA will sent the advance payment check to (EPCC) for student to pick up. Since GE Bill benefits are paid at the end of the month, the next payment for October 1st through October 31st will be issued in early November. In this example, student will not need to verify attendance until October 31st.

If student reduces enrollment or withdraws from all courses during the period covered by an advance payment, student will have an overpayment. This means student is responsible to repay the amount to the VA. If the amount of the advance pay check is incorrect, student must contact VA before cashing the check.

Hazlewood Act Information

Hazlewood tuition exemption provides up to 150 credit hours of tuition exemption. Hazlewood Legacy Act allows qualified Texas veterans to transfer any unused hours to their dependent child. A widow or dependent child of a service member killed in action, or who has been deemed 100% service connected disabled, may also qualify for the Hazlewood Act exemption.

Isakson and Roe Act

The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 requires educational institutions to make certain disclosures to students using federal military and/or VA educational benefits. You can access a personalized data sheet by visiting the THECB Net Price Calculator and selecting El Paso Community College. Additional financial information can be found at the NCES College Navigator site.

Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty - Chapter 30

Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill® - Available to those who entered active duty after June 30, 1985 completed at least two years continuous active service, contributed $1,200 to the program, received a high school diploma or GED, and received an honorable discharge.

Montgomery GI Bill® - Chapter 1606

Available to those who enlist, re-enlist, or extend an enlistment in the Selective Reserve for not less than six years, in addition to any other period of obligation after June 30, 1985; earned a high school diploma or GED; completed the IADT; fulfilled 180 days of service in the selective reserve; and is satisfactorily participating in required training in the Selective Reserve.

Montgomery GI Bill® - Chapter 1607

Available to certain reservists who were activated after Sept. 11, 2001, may either be eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits.

Post-9/11 GI Bill® - Chapter 33

Available to those who served at least 90 combined days on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, and received an honorable discharge. This benefit covers active duty served as a member of the Armed Forces or because of a call or order to active duty from a reserve component (National Guard and Reserve) under certain sections of Title 10.

Survivors Dependents Educational Assistance - Chapter 35

Available to dependents and survivors of certain veterans who have serious disabilities as the result of their service (100% disabled), or who have died of a service-connected cause, were a prisoner of war or missing in action.

Vocational Rehabilitation - Chapter 31

Available to veterans who have been declared disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs due to service-related injury.