Veteran Programs
Veterans Programs
Getting Started
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine is approved by the New Mexico State Approving Agency (NM SAA) and the Florida State Approving Agency (FL SAA) for Veterans Education and Training, a division of the Department of Veterans’ Services (NMSAA) for education and training of students eligible to receive VA educational benefits. Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine is proud to assist service members, veterans, and their families in accessing the education benefits they have earned through their years of service to our nation.
- Las Cruces, NM Campus VA Facility Code (FAC) : 21017131
- Melbourne, FL Campus VA Facility Code (FAC): 21981310
If you have served in the U.S. military, you may be eligible for participation in one or more of the GI Bill® education benefit programs administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In addition, if you are the spouse or child of a deceased or disabled veteran or a service member, you may qualify for education benefits as well.
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 website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
VA Education Benefits Checklist
Follow the steps below to begin the process of determining eligibility for receiving VA educational benefits and to have enrollment certified with the VA through Burrell College.
Printable checklist and information, click here
Apply online at www.Benefits.va.gov/gibill
- Application for Education Benefits – VA Form 22-1990 (Chapter 30, 33, 1606), OR
- Request for Change of Program or Place of Training – VA Form 22-1995 (Chapter 30, 33, 1606, 1607)
- Application for Family Member to use Transferred Benefits – VA Form 22-1990E) (Chapter 33)
- Dependents’ Application for VA Education Benefits – VA Form 22-5490 (Chapter 35), OR
- Dependents Request for Change of Program or Place of Training – VA Form 22-5495 (Chapter 35)
Once notified of the VA education benefits eligibility, sign and submit the following documentation to the School Certifying Official, Suite 101, or email legible documentation to registrar@burrell.edu.
- BCOM Veteran Program Information Sheet
- BCOM Obligations and Responsibilities Form
- BCOM Veteran’s Attendance and Satisfactory Academic Progress Form
- VA Receipt of Enrollment Policies
- VA Record of Previous Education and Training
- Veteran Certification of Eligibility
- Veteran’s copy of DD214 (Member 4) Certification of Release or Discharge from Active Duty
Resources for Veterans and Their Family
The list of additional resources for Veterans and Families may be useful to Veterans pursing higher education. Many VA and other government resources exist to help the veteran and the family. Review the following VA and non-VA sources that may help with your education decisions:
- GI Bill® Comparison Tool :Use the comparison tool to help you find a school and determine your GI Bill® benefits while attending the institution.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Paying for College: Information related to paying for college.
- Request Military Service Records Online: DD214/Separation Documents, Personnel Records, Replacement Medals, and/or Medical Records.
- Army Education Relief Fund: Scholarship opportunities for children and spouses of retired and active Army soldiers.
- Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation: Scholarship opportunities for children of current and former Marines.
- National Military Family Association Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship Program: Scholarships are awarded to spouses of Uniformed Services members (active duty, National Guard and Reserve, retirees, and survivors) to obtain professional certification or to attend postsecondary or graduate school. Scholarships range in amount from $500 to $1,000, and the number awarded each year varies depending on funding.
- ThanksUSA Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded to spouses and dependent children of active-duty military personnel.
- Pat Tillman Military Scholarship: The Tillman Military Scholarships support educational opportunities for service members and their families.
- Veterans United Foundation Scholarship: Annually, the Foundation awards up to three scholarships to eligible recipients.
- Scholarships for Military Families: U.S. Dept. of Education document providing links to various programs.
- Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship: Up to $30,000 of benefits for training in high-demand field of medicine, for those receiving Chapter 33 educational benefits. Please review the attached PDF for more information and a link to the application. Know in 30 days whether you qualify for the scholarship!
- Veterans Guide: Veterans Guide provides you with the necessary information you need to obtain the maximum benefits when you leave military service.
- The Recovery Village center contains links not only to leading resources for Veterans addiction issues but also resources for underlying conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mental health illnesses, Resources for Veterans Dealing with Addiction https://www.columbusrecoverycenter.com/veterans/ and Veterans on PTSD https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/ptsd/veterans-and-ptsd/.
VA Education Programs
Post – 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
Individuals who are eligible for the new Post 9/11 GI Bill® may begin using it August 1, 2009. Only active duty service performed after September 10, 2001 may be considered for determining eligibility for this new benefit. To be eligible, a service member or veteran must have served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty. However, individuals honorably discharged for a service-connected disability who served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001 may also establish eligibility.
The Post – 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-377) changes the amount of tuition and fee charges which should be reported to the VA by Burrell. For periods of enrollment beginning on or after August 1, 2011, the school will report the following charges:
“The actual net cost for in-state tuition and fees assessed by the institution for the program of education after the application of any waiver of, or reduction in, tuition and fee; and any scholarship, or other Federal, State, institutional, or employer-based aid or assistance (excluding loans and title IV funds)that is provided directly to the institution and specifically designated for the sole purpose of defraying tuition and fees.”
Example of tuition costs and the effect of credits on tuition (2024-2025 tuition and fees used in example):
- Tuition Costs = $66,249
- Student Fees = $1,775
- Seat deposit = $2,000
- Chapter 33 Benefits = $28,937.09
- Friends of Military Scholarship = $5000
- Balance of Direct (tuition and fees) Costs = $32,086.91
Aid or assistance that is not designated for the sole purpose of reducing a student’s tuition and fee cost should not be excluded from the net in-state charges reported to VA.
Example: The student above also has a $1,000 scholarship form a local Veterans Service Organization. The scholarship is general in nature and may be used to defray school costs such as food, housing, books, etc. Since it is not “specifically designated for the sole purpose of defraying tuition and fees,” it is not deducted from the charges submitted to VA.
Post-9/11 GI Bill®: Transferability
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® allows uniformed service members (officer or enlisted, active duty or Selected Reserve), on or after August 1, 2009, to transfer unused education benefits to immediate family members (spouse and children). The service member must have at least six years of service, and commit to an additional four years of service in order to transfer benefits to a spouse or child. Because of the potential impact of this benefit on recruiting and retention, transferability policy is determined by the Department of Defense (DoD) and the military services. For more information on the transfer application and process, please visit archive.defense.gov/home/features/2009/0409_gibill/.
The Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapter 30)
The MGIB® program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.
Reservists Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapter 1606)
The MGIB-SR® program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Chapter 31)
Vocational Rehabilitation is a program whose primary function is to help veterans with service-connected disabilities become suitably employed, maintain employment, or achieve independence in daily living. The program offers a number of services to help each eligible disabled veteran reach his or her rehabilitation goal. These services include vocational and personal counseling, education and training, financial aid, job assistance, and, if needed, medical and dental treatment. Services generally last up to 48 months, but they can be extended in certain instances.
Dependents Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35)
Dependents’ Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
Mobilization/Deployment Refund Policy
Members of the military who receive orders that transfer them out of the area for a prolonged period, members of the National Guard or Reserves who are called to active duty, when such transfer interferes with academic activities, may request a full refund of tuition at any time during the semester. Documentation of orders for transfer must be provided prior to refund being granted. The college has a proration refund policy for students receiving VA benefits. Students receiving VA benefits must request that the prorated refund policy be used for tuition reimbursement.
Veteran Program School Certifying Officials can be located in Burrell, Suite 101.
The student can also contact the SCO through email at registrar@burrell.edu or financialaid@burrell.edu.
Contacting School Certifying Officials
Veteran Program School Certifying Officials (SCO) are located at both locations, Las Cruces Campus, Suite 101, and the Melbourne Campus, Hall E Room 163, with Daisha Holmes. The student can also contact the SCO through email at registrar@burrell.edu or financialaid@burrell.edu.
School Certifying Officials:
Marlene Melendez
Director of Financial Aid
mmelendez@burrell.edu
Eric Sandoval
Registrar
esandoval@burrell.edu
Tim Smith
Associate Director of Financial Aid
tsmith@burrell.edu
Daisha Holmes
Financial Aid Advisor
dholmes@burrell.edu
GI Bill® Feedback System
The GI Bill® Feedback System allows recipients of VA educational benefits to submit complaints against educational institutions (or employers) they believe have acted erroneously, deceptively, with misleading recruiting practices, or in some other way have failed to follow the Principles of Excellence. Individuals who wish to submit a complaint can do so by visiting the GI Bill® Feedback System at: https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/Feedback.asp
