While in the Law Enforcement Basic Training or Public Safety Dispatch Training academies, current and former members of the United States Armed Forces may be eligible for education benefits. To find out, recruits/trainees can contact the Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Veteran’s Affairs liaison who can help navigate the process.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR BENEFITS:

  • Recruits/trainees must be honorably discharged or retired from active duty status.

  • Active and former members of the Reserve or National Guard.

  • If a recruit/trainee was called to active duty post 9/11

  • Spouses or dependents of a veteran who is deceased or has been determined to be 100 percent disabled as a result of a service-related injury or action and are between 18-25 years old.

DETERMINE YOUR ELIGIBILITY:

Recruits and trainees can research benefits and apply online at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or by calling 1-888-442-4551.

TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS (TAPS)

A child or surviving spouse can contact the VA Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551 and select option 5. A call center agent with specialized training in survivor benefits will be ready to assist the caller with their education benefits or provide survivor-related resources. Agents are available Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. CST.

DOCUMENTS YOU WILL NEED:

  • Recruits/trainees will need to provide a copy of their DD Form 214 or Notice of Basic Eligibility from (NOBE form) active reserve or National Guard. The NOBE form can be obtained from the unit’s personnel command.

  • Certificate of Eligibility. This form will also be mailed to your home a few weeks after applying for benefits.

  • College transcript or high school diploma. The hiring agency should have this in its personnel file.

  • The Claim Received Notification that the individual receives after completing the online application.

  • Joint Services Transcript. The JST provides a description of military schooling and work history in civilian language. It serves as a counseling tool for academic and career counselors in advising service members and veterans.

  • Birth certificate. Only for Chapter 35 recipients (military dependents).

  • Marriage certificate. Only for Chapter 35 recipients (military dependents).

MAINTAINING YOUR BENEFITS:

If recruits/trainees have completed any of the following benefits, they must report monthly to Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE), or call 1-877-823-2378. Those benefits are:

  • Chapter 30

  • Chapter 1606

  • Chapter 1607

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

CONTACT PERSON

Brooke Norton
Program Coordinator
859-622-6453