Veterans Information

DISTRICT 2 & 3 VETERAN SERVICE OFFICER

Michael W. Lewis

Email: michael.lewis@arkansas.gov 

Phone: 479-387-6610

Mailing Address: Arkansas State University - Mountain Home

Integrity First Hall, Room F301

1600 South College Street

Mountain Home, AR 72653

Physical Location: Integrity First Hall  , Third Floor

Web: veterans.arkansas.gov

BAXTER COUNTRY VETERAN SERVICE OFFICER

Charles R. Leonard, II

Email: cvso@baxtercounty.org

Phone: 870-425-8155

Fax: 870-580-1039

Mailing Address: 5 East 9th Street

Mountain Home, AR 72653

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION

The toll-free number for the Education Call Center is 1-888-442-4551. The Call Center is in Muskogee, OK, and Education Case Managers are available 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. The system’s automated functions can provide information about benefits, applications, etc., and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Individual Veterans can access their own record to obtain date of last benefit payment, check amounts, etc. VA asks that you utilize the automated system as much as possible.

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

• Education Benefits: 888-442-4551

• Other VA Benefits (Local Regional Office): 800-827-1000

• Monthly Verification of Enrollment & IVR (Interactive Voice Response System): 877-823-2378

• Direct Deposit Enrollment (students): 877-838-2778

• Overseas Schools and Students Living Overseas: 918-781-4379

• Foreign Schools (Buffalo RPO): 716-857-3196

• VA Debt Management Center: 800-827-0648

• Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255, www.veteranscrisisline.net

Payments are done at the end of the month based on the number of days enrolled and the first and last payment is prorated. Payments amounts differ based on chapter, the numbers of hours enrolled, remaining months of eligibility, and other criteria.

Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (Chapter 30)

• website 

• Student uses monthly benefit to pay tuition/fees to school.
  

• Must certify enrollment with VA Regional Office at the end of each month, by phone, 1-877-823-2378 or 1-888-442-4551: on-line.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services (Chapter 31)

• http://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/index.asp

• Tuition and fees paid directly to school.

• Books charged through school and paid directly to school.

• Monthly stipend to student. View subsistence Allowance Rate, http://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/subsistence_allowance_rates.asp

Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)

• https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/how-to-apply/

• Tuition and fees paid directly to school.

• A yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000 paid proportionately based on enrollment.

• Payment amounts vary based on the following:
  

• Payment eligibility rating, a range of 40% to 100%

• Enrollment status, full-time or less.

• Monthly housing stipend paid to student.

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35)

• https://www.va.gov/education/survivor-dependent-benefits/dependents-education-assistance/

• Monthly benefit paid to student.

• Student uses monthly benefit to pay tuition/fees to school.

Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)

• website

• Student uses monthly benefit to pay tuition/fees to school.
  

• Must certify enrollment with VA Regional Office at the end of each month, by phone, 1-877 823-2378 or on-line.

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1607)

• website

• Monthly benefit paid to student.

• Student uses monthly benefit to pay tuition/fees to school.

• Must certify enrollment with VA Regional Office at the end of each month, by phone, 1-877 823-2378 or on-line.

Transfer Of Post-9/11 GI-Bill® Benefits To Dependents

• website 

• The transferability option under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® allows service members to transfer unused benefits to their spouses or dependent children.

Veterans Work Study Program

• Veterans who are enrolled in at least 3/4 time are eligible for the Work Study Program. Work Study positions can be found at college veterans affairs offices, VA hospitals, and VA regional offices.

• The pay is current Arkansas state minimum wage per hour. There is no tax deduction.

• Hours can usually be flexible to work around class time.
  

Multiple Benefits Eligibility

• If you think you may be eligible for more than one type of Veterans Educational benefits this page may be helpful to you.

College Credit for Military Service

• http://www.acenet.edu/higher-education/Pages/Military-Students-and-Veterans.aspx

• Information on how to receive college credit for military training and experience

Joint Services Transcript

• https://jst.doded.mil/official.html

• Information on requesting a transcript from the Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy: Active Duty, Reserve and Veterans.

Military Service Records Request

• http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

• Information on requesting Military service records including separation documents (DD 214)

• Army

• Army Reserve

• National Guard

• Arkansas National Guard Tuition Assistance Program (GTIP)

• Air Force

• Navy

• Coast Guard

• Marine Corp

MILITARY SERVICE RELATED SCHOLARSHIPShttp://

• Memorial Scholarship from American Legion Alley-White Post 52

• MG James Ursano Scholarship (Children of ARMY soldiers)

• ARMY Spouse Education Assistance Program

• ATT War Memorial Scholarship