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.
Education Benefits Offered
On the Job Training
Non College Degree
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.
Link to apply for benefits online
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:
Certificate of Eligibility
Certificate of Eligibility. This form will also be mailed to your home a few weeks after applying for benefits.
DD-214
Recruits/trainees will need to provide a copy of their DD Form 214 from active reserve or National Guard.
Joint Service Transcript
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.
Highschool or College Diploma
College transcript or high school diploma. The hiring agency should have this in its personnel file.
Birth Certificate
Birth certificate. Only for Chapter 35 recipients (military dependents).
Marriage Certificate
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:
AGENCY RESOURCES FOR ON THE JOB TRAINING
Complete the SCO Training modules for OJT facilities. You can use 12345678 as the facility code for the training if you are a new OJT agency.
Training can be found at: School Certifying Official (SCO) Training - Education and Training (va.gov)
*All forms for initial approval will need to be submitted to Kaleb Cornett at Kaleb.Cornett@kctcs.edu
CONTACT PERSON
Brooke Norton
Program Coordinator
859-622-6453