Veterans Information

campusskywalk.jpg

Mineral Area College is approved for certification of students eligible to receive education assistance from the Veterans Administration.  Students eligible to receive Veterans Benefits must be enrolled in a program leading to a Certificate or Associate Degree. Questions regarding veterans benefits may be submitted via email to veterans@mineralarea.edu or by phone 573-518-2202.

For information regarding your eligibility to receive VA benefits, contact the Veterans Administration at 1-888-442-4551 or visit the official website at va.gov.

  • Apply for VA education benefits at https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/
  • Fill out a MAC application for admission
  • Provide a copy of DD214 discharge papers (member-4 or equivalent) or DD-2304 Notice of
    Basic Eligibility (NOBE) to the Financial Aid Office
  • Request a copy of your military transcript (if applicable) be submitted to MAC. Apply at one of these locations:

       Joint Services transcript 

       Community College of the Air Force

  • Fill out the MAC VA Certification Request Form (You must be logged into MyMac to complete this form.)
  • Pursue a program of study approved by the VA which leads to a college degree or certificate
  • It is recommend that veterans file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at fafsa.gov (under “My Financial Aid”).
  • Transfer students fill out VA Form 22-1995 Change of Program or Place of Training form at https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/ (click the green box titled “Find your education benefits form” then click “Updating my current education benefits”).
  • Current students complete each semester the VA Certification Request Form (You must be logged into MyMac to complete this form.)
  • Enroll in, maintain, and complete courses
  • Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® recipients must verify attendance with the VA at the end of every month. Failure to do so will result in nonpayment. Click this link for more information: https://www.va.gov/education/verify-school-enrollment/#for-post-911-gi-bill-benefits
  • Chapters 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty) and 1606 (Montgomery GI Bill® - Selected Reserve) must verify attendance with the VA at the end of every month at gibill.va.gov/wave. Failure to do so will result in nonpayment
  • Student must maintain % greater than or equal to 67% of attempted credit hours and a cumulative 2.0 grade point average or higher at the end of the term to meet satisfactory academic progress

Veteran students who do not meet the above requirements will be subject to lose eligibility for veterans funding. Students who are placed on veteran probation or suspension will be notified through their Mineral Area College Email account.

  • If student does not meet the minimum 67% completion for classes attempted or does not meet the minimum GPA the student will be moved to a “veteran warning status” but is still eligible for veteran benefits for the subsequent semester.
  • If following the student does not meet the minimum 67% completion for classes attempted or does not meet the minimum GPA the student will be moved to “veteran probation status” and Veteran Administration notified.
  • If following the student does not meet the minimum 67% completion for classes attempted or does not meet the minimum GPA the student will be moved to “veteran suspension status” and will be deemed ineligible to receive veteran benefits and the Veteran Administration will be notified.
  • If an appeal is submitted, the appeal is reviewed and a decision rendered (i.e. approved or not approved). If approved, the student must follow an academic plan in order to complete their program of study and retain aid eligibility. If not approved, the student may elect to file a grievance appeal for review in accordance to the college policy.
  • Veteran funding may be reinstated upon notification if student is notified by the Veteran Administration that the student has submitted sufficient documentation for reinstatement and if enrollment in subsequent terms increases cumulative grade point average to 2.0 or higher and % is greater than or equal to 67% of attempted credit hours.

Deferring Payment

  • Veteran students who have submitted the Request for Certification of VA Benefits and do not have financial aid on file, will be allowed to defer their full tuition/fees without incurring a penalty or having to pay a payment plan fee.  The deferment is effective until the midpoint of the semester (i.e., Fall/Spring Semesters 8th week; Summer Semester 4th week).  All tuition/fees are due and payable on or before the midpoint of each semester. Failure to do so, will result in monthly service charges of .75%.  At the end of each semester, account balances are referred to a collection agency and are subject to MO State Tax Interception.
  • Students who have submitted the Request for Certification of VA Benefits will not be dropped for non-payment.  Therefore, students are reminded that if they decide not to attend, they must complete a total withdrawal form in the Student Services Office.
  • The Business Office no longer sends out paper statements to students.  To view your account online, log on to MyMAC.  Click “My Account Info” tab at top of page, click “Term Billing Statements” at left of page, click the specific term, and then click specific term again.  Students are reminded that they should check their campus email and MyMac frequently for important information.
  • The Veteran Campus Complaint Resolution contact is Dean Julie Sheets and she can be reached at (573) 518-2154 or jsheets@MineralArea.edu

Mineral Area College adheres to requirements beyond PL 113-146 the Veteran Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014, Section 702. Section 702 targets educational assistance through ensuring in-state tuition/in-district rates to uniformed services veterans and their qualified dependents covered under this Section. Mineral Area College adheres beyond the requirement to Section 301 of Public Law 115-251 amended in 38 U.S.C. 3679(c).

The following individuals shall be charged the in-district rate, or otherwise considered a resident, for tuition purposes:

  • A Veteran using educational assistance under either chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill® – Active Duty Program), chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment), or chapter 33 (Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®), of title 38, United States Code, who lives in the State of Missouri while attending a school located in the State of Missouri (regardless of the student’s formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school after discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more. These provisions extend to a spouse and/or dependent children.
  • Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in the State of Missouri while attending a school located in the State of Missouri (regardless of the student’s formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school after the transferor's discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more. These provisions extend to a spouse and/or dependent children.
  • A spouse or child using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in the State of Missouri while attending a school located in the State of Missouri (regardless of the student’s formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school after the Service member’s death in the line of duty following a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
  • Anyone described above while they remain continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same school. The person so described must have enrolled in the school following discharge or death described above and must be using educational benefits under either chapter 30, chapter 31, or chapter 33, of title 38, United States Code.

Mineral Area College adheres to Missouri Senate Bill 968 which states:

  • Any person currently serving in the Missouri National Guard or in the reserves of the Armed Forces of the United States shall be considered an in-district resident for tuition at a public two-year institution.
  • Mineral Area College will ensure that in the event of a delay in disbursement of a payment by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs no penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries or other institutional facilities or a veteran of Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) or 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill®) will not be required to borrow any additional funds to cover the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to this institution.

The Veteran Campus Complaint Resolution contact is Dean Julie Sheets and she can be reached at (573) 518-2154

VA Approval Prior to Enrollment Policy

Prospective students who are planning to use Military Benefits at Mineral Area College are directed by Veteran’s Representative to receive approval from the student’s Education Service Officer, Military Counselor or Service prior to enrollment.

Overpayments and Debts (Public Law 116-315, Section 119)

  • As of March 4, 2021, schools were notified of changes with Post 9/11 GI Bill®.  These changes are retroactive to January 5, 2021 and impact both the college and the student.
  • What this means for you:
    • When a student drops or withdraws from classes that were certified for VA benefits, MAC will now be responsible for collecting unearned tuition and/or fee benefits from each student, and refund the amount directly to the VA.  This outstanding debt must be repaid to MAC by the student.
    • College policy requires such debt to be paid prior to registering for future semesters.  Students will receive a notification from MAC indicating the outstanding debt due date.
    • Section 1019 only changes the tuition and fee debt procedure. When a student drops or withdraws from classes certified for VA benefits, the student will remain responsible for repayment of monthly housing allowance (MHA), books and supplies directly to the VA. 
  • If you have questions or would like additional clarification, please feel free to contact us at veterans@mineralarea.edu. Policy revised 4/27/2021

 

Military Withdrawal Due to Deployment

Mineral Area College abides by Department of Defense guidelines in regard to veteran students who are required to withdraw during the semester due to deployment. 

Upon presentation of total withdrawal paperwork and a copy of the military orders indicating deployment, the student will be allowed to drop all classes and tuition charges will be waived with:

  1. Personal payments refunded;
  2. Financial aid adjusted as required;
  3. Financial aid refunds repaid by student if appropriate;
  4. Military benefits returned to the source of payment.

Policy revised 4/27/2021

 

Prohibition Against Inducements, Commission and High-Pressure Recruitment Tactics

Mineral Area College abides by Department of Defense guidelines banning certain inducements, commissions and high-pressure recruitment tactics intended to secure the enrollment of military service members.

Mineral Area College prohibits the use of high-pressure recruitment tactics such as making multiple unsolicited contacts (3 or more), including contacts by phone, email, or in-person, and engaging in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing military service member enrollments. Policy revised 4/27/2021.

 

Military Experience Evaluation

Current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Reserves and National Guard who have successfully completed basic training may be granted two hours of college credit for physical education upon submitting their form DD-214. In addition, veterans can request an official military transcript be sent to MAC through the joint services transcript service at www.jst.doded.mil or The Air University (Air Force only) at www.au.af.mil. A maximum of 30 semester hours of combined non-traditional (CLEP, CBE, military, etc.) credit may be applied towards a MAC degree. Contact the Registrar’s Office for more information.

 

Education Regarding Federal Financial Aid Prior to Packaging Private Student Loans/Alternative Financing Programs

All students (including veteran students) at Mineral Area College are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Financial Aid annually.

All students (including veteran students) at Mineral Area College are REQUIRED to complete the Free Application for Financial Aid annually, and have their eligibility for Federal Student Aid evaluated PRIOR to applying for Private Student Loans.

Mineral Area College does not pre-package loans (Federal or Private) in an initial student award notification.  Only non-repayable grant aid is packaged automatically.  Students must apply for a student loan using a separate loan application process.

Students who request a Private Student Loan are advised of the available of federal student aid prior to a private loan certification being completed.

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 http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.