Veteran Students

Request for Certification:

Download the VA Request for Certification Form (PDF)

Forms are to be completed and submitted to the Veteran School Certifying Official (SCO) every semester you wish to utilize education benefits. In order to be certified in a timely manner, you must submit this form to the SCO within 30 business days before the start of the term, unless otherwise indicated.

MA Categorical Tuition Waiver:

VA Application for Categorical Tuition Waiver form (PDF)

The Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 as amended by PL 116-315 § 1005:

• For courses, semesters, or terms beginning after August 1, 2021, public institutions of higher education must charge qualifying veterans, dependents, and eligible individuals’ tuition and fees at the rate for in-state residents. Any institution not meeting this requirement will be disapproved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® and the Montgomery G.I. Bill®

• As amended, 38 U.S.C. 3679(c) requires that the following individuals be charged the in-state resident rate:

  • A veteran using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty Program), Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation) or Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 G.I. Bill®), of 38 U.S.C. who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).

  • Anyone using transferred Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).

  • Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same institution. The person must be using educational benefits under Chapter 30, Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 of 38 U.S.C.

  • Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).

  • Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves Tuition Fairness Act of 2025 further amends 38 U.S.C. § 3679(c) to add Chapter 1606 beneficiaries to the definition of a “covered individual” This law applies to all academic periods on or after August 1, 2026. The US Department of Veterans Affairs will disapprove courses at Institutions that fail to comply.

Veterans Resources:

• Berkshire Veterans Outreach Center
• Soldier On
• VA Home Front
• Women Veterans Health
• Wounded Warrior Project

BCC has withdrawn its participation in Yellow Ribbon Program. The state now gives all veterans in-state rates, which is what the Yellow Ribbon Program was designed to off-set.