Welcome to the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs

Making the Admissions process easy for Military and Veteran applicants

Berkeley College is dedicated to assisting veterans, service members, and their families in achieving their educational goals.

If you’re a veteran or dependent who is planning to receive educational assistance benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), you should get VA approval prior to enrollment. Veterans may apply for their GI Bill® benefits at the Veterans Affairs eBenefits website at ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/apply

To process benefits most effectively, Veterans are required to submit copies of their Certificate of Eligibility (or a screenshot of your eBenefits Educational Summary) and DD214 Member 4 or Service 2 copy during the Admissions process. GI Bill® students must request certification for their benefits each term. In addition, Berkeley College:

• Participates in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Yellow Ribbon Program
• Accepts Tuition Assistance for eligible service members, and MyCAA for eligible spouses

For more information about MyCAA for eligible spouses, visit https://mycaa.militaryonesource.mil/mycaa/. (To avoid a security certificate warning, this must be viewed in Firefox.)

Office of the Military and Veterans Affairs Contact Information

Contact Us: 646-930-6874

Mrs. Tami Pichardo

Senior Director, SCO

• TMM@BerkeleyCollege.edu

Gabrielle Peralta

Financial Aid and VA Coordinator

• Gabriell-Peralta2@BerkeleyCollege.edu

Education Benefits

What benefits will benefit you most? We can guide you. In addition to preparing you for your new mission as a college student, we’ll make sure you thoroughly understand the educational benefits for which you’re eligible and how they work. And don’t worry, you won’t be tested on this information—it’s all to make your journey more efficient and more affordable.

Don’t be overwhelmed by the amount of information regarding the many benefits from the VA Department and Department of Defense—we’re here to help! We work closely with students (and family members) and we look forward to helping you get the most from your Berkeley College experience. from each branch of the service and almost all of the possible benefits offered for men, women, and families. Read more about your benefits and remember—we’re with you every step of the way.

Apply for Benefits

GI Bill^® Benefits and Eligibility

Military Tuition Assistance Grant

Veteran/Military Enrollment Certification Request and Billing Agreement

Important things to know about your VA Benefits:

Your VA Benefits are an important part of your college journey. To make sure that you receive the maximum amount to which you’re entitled, please remember these critical details. Doing everything “by the book” will also ensure that your funds are in place in time for each semester. And always remember—we’re here to help.

• You must complete and submit the e-form each semester.
• You’ll need the same login information that you use for Engage.
• You must have a course schedule to request your VA benefits.
• Your request will either be approved or denied.
  • If denied, you will notified of the reason and what is needed. You’ll need to resubmit once the documents have been obtained.
  • If approved, you will receive a confirmation email.
• Once you are approved, you will move to clearing through Student Accounts.
• Once you have been certified, you will receive a confirmation email with a cert ID (the cert ID verifies the VA has received the submission. It takes the VA 24 hours to see and begin processing the request.)

NOTE: Chapter 31-Voc. Rehab: You may be denied if we do not have an updated PO from your case manager. Once an updated PO for the upcoming semester is provided, you will receive an email from OMVA prompting you to submit the cert request/billing agreement.

Important things to know about TA and Military Spouse Benefits:

The same details apply to military spouses. Keeping on top of the process will help keep you on your educational path and working toward your next goals. 

• This must be completed and submitted each
• You will need the same log in utilized for Engage.
• You must have a course schedule to request benefits.
• You must submit 30 days prior to the start of the semester with a current Leave and Earning Statement/LES attached.
• If you have a TA voucher, you can attach it and upload it at this time.
• The request will either be approved or denied.
  • If denied, you will notified of the reason and what is needed.
  • You’ll need to resubmit once the documents have been obtained.
• You will receive a confirmation email with a code once submitted
• You will receive a confirmation email for either or denial.
• Once you are approved, you will move to clearing through Student Accounts.

Steps If You Are Activated

The Office of Military and Veteran Affairs is committed to supporting our students who are called to active duty service.

*Please note, if you are aware of an activation prior to the beginning of the semester contact the OMVA to discuss processes.

Students

If you are activated mid-semester, please see the check list below.

1. Notify Professors, Departments and/or Deans as soon as possible and set up a meeting to discuss course requirements.
2. Provide a copy of your orders immediately to the OMVA and your advisor. We are also here to discuss options around completion or withdrawal from classes.
3. Contact Financial Aid regarding the status of your aid and or/loans.
4. Please keep in mind that internet access may be limited at your location; this may impact your ability to participate and complete your courses.

Important Contacts:

Office of Military and Veterans Affairs:

646-930-6874

Advisement:

973-200-1066

Financial Aid:

973-200-1148

Student Accounts:

973-200-1150

Faculty

Please see the below policy which provides faculty guidance as to options and responsibilities when working with students called to active military service. This policy is in accordance with New Jersey State Law N.J.S.A. 18A:62-4.2.

MILITARY LEAVE, ACADEMIC CREDIT AND TUITION REFUNDS – UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS

A. Berkeley College will act in accordance with State Law
N.J.S.A. 18A:62-4.2, which sets forth the options available to a student at a New Jersey
public institution of higher education who is unable to complete a course because the
student is called to partial or full mobilization for State or federal active duty as a member
of the National Guard or a Reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States
with respect to the student’s grade for the course and the availability of refunds.

B. A student who has completed at least eight weeks of attendance in a course may choose
to:

(1) receive a letter grade; or
(2) receive a grade of pass or fail; or
(3) receive a grade of incomplete; or
(4) withdraw from the course.

C. A student who has completed less than eight weeks of attendance in a course may
choose to:
(1) receive a grade of incomplete; or
(2) withdraw from the course.

D. A letter grade or a grade of pass shall only be awarded if, in the opinion of the faculty
member teaching the course, the student has completed sufficient work, and there is
sufficient evidence of progress toward meeting the requirements of the course, to justify
the grade.

E. A grade of incomplete shall remain valid for a period of one year after the student returns
to the New Jersey public institution of higher education.

F. A student who chooses to accept a grade of pass or fail may, within one year after
returning to the New Jersey public institution of higher education, receive a letter grade
for the course by completing the work required for the course, in which case the letter
grade shall replace the pass or fail grade as the student’s grade for the course.

G. A student who chooses to withdraw from a course shall receive a full refund of tuition and
fees attributable to that course.

H. A student who has paid amounts for room, board or fees shall, except as provided in
subsection G of this section, receive a refund of that portion of those amounts attributable
to the time period during which the student did not use the services for which payment
was made.

I. Any refund payable to a student who is a financial aid recipient shall be subject to the
applicable State and federal regulations regarding refunds.

Veterans Affairs Work-Study Program

Eligibility

Looking for extra money? Find out about working with the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs! If you're a Berkeley College student, using the GI Bill^®, and enrolled full-time or 3/4-time in a college degree program, you can "earn while you learn" with a VA work-study allowance.

Job Description

• Assists with VA benefits. Facilitates the initial start-up process and distributes forms that a student must have to obtain benefits. Collects any additional material the student submits. Answers questions concerning any additional benefits that the student may receive.
• Assists with VA policies and procedures. Informs students of any VA websites, important phone numbers, publications, etc.
• Refers the students to different departments depending upon the question. If a student has questions or concerns pertaining to advisement or needs counseling, then the Work Study can refer the student accordingly.
• Works with VA students' folders for filing and intake of any VA forms.
• Works with VA students concerning campus policies and procedures. (For example, locations of buildings, questions concerning courses, registration, advisement, etc.).
• Assists in answering phone calls regarding VA questions.

Be part of the team!

To apply, please send:

• Resume 
• Form 22-8691 https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-22-8691-ARE.pdf to Tami Pichardo, Senior Director, at TMM@BerkeleyCollege.edu.

Veteran Resources and Support

Financial aid for GI Bill^® Recipients

Berkeley proudly supports the GI Bill^® and Yellow Ribbon Program. We assist Veterans, Service Members, and Family Members using the GI Bill^®, and offer the Yellow Ribbon Scholarship to all eligible recipients. Veterans Affairs associates are trained in GI Bill^® regulations. We’ll help make sure you get the maximum award possible.

Programs and services that support service members and their spouses

Flexible academic programs can help accommodate your situation and schedule. Advisors with military experience are available to assist with applications and enrollment. You may also be eligible for credit for prior learning. Tutoring is available at no additional charge. We adhere to the principles of excellence and offer a scholarship to all Tuition Assistance students to reduce tuition to $250 per semester hour. Additionally, we offer scholarships to all eligible military spouses that reduces tuition to $250 per semester hour to recognize the sacrifices families make.

Veterans Resource Centers are available at numerous campuses and online, offer comfortable environments to study, connect with other Veterans, and obtain information about a wide range of Veterans’ benefits and issues. There are numerous opportunities for networking through the Student Veterans Club and special veterans’ activities sponsored by Berkeley.

Career Guidance

Many Berkeley College programs include an internship, job-related assignment, or practicum for a valuable learning experience. Berkeley graduates receive free career assistance.

Compliance with Educational Organizations

Berkeley College adheres to the guidelines of the following organizations:

• ACE (American Council on Education)
• DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support)
• PONSI (Program On Non-Collegiate Sponsored Instruction)

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