Education Benefits

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides education benefits to eligible Servicemembers, Student Veterans, and qualified dependents and survivors. Questions pertaining to eligibility to receive Veterans educational entitlement should be referred to the New York Regional Office of the V.A., 245 W. Houston Street, New York, NY 10014.
 
Apply for VA Education Benefits:

  •  ONLINE: www.gibill.va.gov
  • IN PERSON: Visit the nearest VA Regional Office
  • MAIL: Call 1-888-GI BILL-1 (888-442-4551) to have the application mailed to you.

Consult with Hostos Community College’s SCO for assistance with the paperwork needed to begin and continue certification under the various GI Bill®  benefits.
 
NOTE: If you have previously attended another institution using your benefit, you will have to fill out VA FORM 22-1995 to make Hostos Community College your current, primary institution.
 
Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
Vocational Rehabilitation services are available through the VA for veterans with service-connected disabilities. To apply for VA Voc Rehab and Employment (also known as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, VR&E, or Chapter 31 benefits) apply through your eBenefits account or obtain approval from a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor at the Veterans Administration Regional Office, 245 West Houston Street, New York, NY 10014. In addition, reasonable accommodations and support services are available to veterans with disabilities through the Accessibility Resource Center.
 
Military Tuition Assistance (TA)
If you are interested in using Tuition Assistance (TA) through your Military branch, you must contact your Education Services Officer (ESO) or Counselor within your Military service prior to enrolling at Hostos Community College to receive approval or you could be responsible for all tuition costs. Military TA must be requested and approved before the start of courses. Here are links to apply according to Military branch:
Apply for Military Tuition Assistance (TA):

Please note that each Military branch has different requirements and criteria for Tuition Assistance eligibility. Contact your Education Services Officer (ESO) or Counselor within your Military branch prior to applying.

Return of Unearned TA Policy
To comply with the Department of Defense (DoD) policy, Hostos 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 proportionately during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending. If a service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, (documented deployment or call to active duty), once notified, Hostos Community College will reverse tuition charges at 100% and the TA funds disbursed will be returned to the government in full. Unearned TA refunds will be made directly to the Military Service, not the Service member. A student’s official withdrawal date is used as the last date of attendance and to calculate earned percentage of TA. A student’s official withdrawal date is determined by using the last date of attendance that is documented and submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Once the last date of attendance has been determined, Hostos Community College will recalculate a student’s TA eligibility.

Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018
In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679(e), Hostos Community College permits any covered individual to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website – eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:
  • The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
  • 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

Hostos Community College will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

NOTE: A “Covered Individual” is any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits.

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 www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Other  forms  of financial aid might be available to you. Apply for this aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov.

State Aid

Federal Aid