Veterans Information

The John A. Logan College Office of Veterans' Affairs provides answers to the most frequently asked questions:

Who is eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill Education benefit?

There are three categories:

Those who entered on active duty after June 30, 1985 and had their military pay reduced by $1,200. This amount is nonrefundable.
Those veterans with remaining education entitlement under the old G.I. Bill on 12/31/89, who were on active duty for any number of days during the period from 10/19/84 to 6/30/85 and continued on active duty from 7/1/85 through 6/30/88. Military pay is not reduced for veterans qualifying under this category. These veterans may receive Chapter 30 payment plus 1/2 of the old G. I. Bill payment.
Those veterans who originally declined to participate or who were not eligible to participate in Chapter 30. If you were involuntarily separated from the service after 2/2/91, you must have chosen to participate in Chapter 30 before military separation. If you voluntarily separated under SSB or VSI after 12/5/91, you may be eligible for Chapter 30.

Questions about Veterans Benefits

Can I receive VA Education Benefits if I enroll in telecourses/online courses? John A. Logan College on-line courses were approved by the Illinois State Approving Agency as independent study classes. This approval places the payment of telecourses/on-line courses on the same basis as in-resident training. Veteran students taking classes entirely through telecourses/on-line courses will be paid benefits based on the credits earned in the same manner as any other credit hour class.
May I use the Montgomery GI Bill to receive VA Educational Benefits while attending John A. Logan College (in resident or online)? Yes. The MGIB program can provide up to 36 months of education benefits. This benefit may be used here at John A. Logan College for degree and certificate programs. Provided that the courses of study (Degree or Certificate) are approved by the Illinois State Approving Agency.
Where may I obtain an Application? Applications maybe obtained from our office, any VA Regional Office, by calling the VA Toll Free phone number (1-800-827-1000).
Can I enroll in any course and still receive VA Education Benefits? Veteran students are entitled to receive VA Educational Benefits only if pursuing an approved program of courses leading to a degree or vocational objective. Random selection of classes for VA payment is prohibited.
What must I do to receive VA Education Benefits? Veteran students applying for VA Education Benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill for the first time since leaving the military will have to complete VA Form 22-1990 (Veterans Application for Education Benefits) and submit it to our office with a court certified copy of DD Form 214, current class schedule and supporting documents. A Veteran who is a new student at John A. Logan College, who has used VA Educational Benefits elsewhere will complete and submit VA Form 22-1995 (Request for Change of Program or Place of Training), current class schedule and supporting documents. Completed Applications and supporting documents will be accepted and processed by our office and sent to the VA Regional Processing Office in St. Louis, Missouri. It is important to remember that the final determination of eligibility and payment of VA Education Benefits is made by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Where may I obtain more information about VA Benefits? To speak with a VA Benefits Counselor concerning your question or claim please call the VA toll free number 1-800-827-1000 or 1-888-442-4551. Telephone service is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 - 4:30. To ensure the best possible results from this telephone service, it is suggested you:
1. Place call early in the morning.
2. Have your claim number (social security number) available.
3. Obtain the name of the VA Benefit Counselor answering the call.
Is John A. Logan College approved for Veteran training? John A. Logan College is a fully accredited institution of higher education. John A. Logan College has the approval of the Illinois State Approving Agency for veterans training to certify enrollment of qualified veteran students.
How do I get more information? You may obtain more information by contacting the Financial Aid Office

OFFICE OF FINANCIAL AID
John A. Logan College
700 Logan College Road
Carterville, IL 62918 USA

Phone: (618) 985-3741 ext. 8308
E-mail: firstnamelastname@jalc.edu (replace firstnamelastname with financialaid.info, lowercase, with no space in between).

Questions about the Illinois Veterans Grant

What is the Illinois Veterans Grant (I.V.G.)? The Illinois Veterans Grant is a grant offered by the State of Illinois for those who have served in the military. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission or (ISAC) administers the grant. The I.V.G is not a federal grant, therefore it has nothing to do with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
What are the Eligibility Requirements? An applicant must be designated as a "Qualified Veteran" to receive I.V.G benefits. The following criteria must be met to be considered a "Qualified Veteran".
1. The veteran must have been honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces. The term "Armed Forces" shall be defined as the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. Members of the Student Army Training Corps and Illinois National Guard are not eligible.
2. The veteran must have served at least one year on active duty unless:
  1. Honorably discharged for medical reasons directly connected with such service (Documentation required).
  2. Honorably discharged prior to August 11, 1967.
  3. Honorably discharged because part of service included deployment to the Persian Gulf Region, Participated in the Persian Gulf War, Deployment to Somalia, Africa in military operations to aid Somalia.
3. The veteran must meet Illinois residency requirements:
How does the I.V.G. work? The I.V.G. works on a 120 unit system. The way ISAC determines this is that most bachelors degrees require at least 120 credit hours. A person who is using the I.V.G. will start out at 0 units. For every credit hour that person takes, the appropriate units will be added. Once that person accumulates 120 units, their benefits has been completely used up and no longer eligible for the I.V.G. The following table explains how units are assigned.

The I.V.G. 120 unit system
Number of Credit Hours	Number of Units
0 - 2.99	1
3.0 - 5.99	3
6.0 - 8.99	6
9.0 - 11.99	9
12 or more	12

What will I.V.G. pay? The following is what I.V.G will pay.
1. I.V.G. will pay for the full cost of tuition and other instructional fees.
2. Activity, air flight instructor and athletic fees.
3. Matriculation, service and other registration type fees.
4. Off campus and other extension course fees.
5. Application fees.
6. Graduation and transcript fees.
7. Proficiency exam, College Level Exam Program (CLEP), placement exam and similar fees.
8. Health Insurance fees.
I.V.G. will not pay the following:
1. Book rental fees.
2. Laboratory and supply fees.
3. Student union fees.
4. Fees for the operation, maintenance or rental of any building, facility or equipment.

If you have any questions pertaining to the I.V.G you may call ISAC at 1-800-899-4722 or you can contact the Veterans Affairs Office in room C-210 at John A. Logan College at (618) 985-2828 ext: 8422.

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