Important Updates

IMPORTANT MONTHLY BAH CHANGE—PLEASE READ!

As of August 1, 2018 the Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAH) rate published by the Department of Defense for students attending Brookdale Community College (assuming full-time status, a full month of class and full 100% eligibility) is $2571.00.


 

BAH credit information Post 9/11 GI Bill®

Please read this information in its entirety. 

In order to meet the full BAH requirements for Fall 2018/Spring 2019 you must be enrolled in 12 or more credits.  The minimum credit requirement (at least 51% of full-time) will be 7 credits to receive BAH at the 60% payment rate.  Please keep in mind, if you choose to enroll in less than 12 credits the VA will calculate your BAH payment based on two variables; 1) the percentage for which you are eligible for the benefit and 2) the percentage of credits you are taking as they compare to the full-time 12 credit rate.  The credit rate is then rounded to the closest 10% (up or down).  For example, if you are eligible for 100% of the GI Bill®  and choose to take 10 credits, you would be eligible for an 80% payment of BAH each month.

Students who choose to take all online coursework will have their BAH payment determined by 3 factors.  The payment is determined as follows:  1)  The National Average for BAH of approximately $1700.00 is used as a base rate (not Brookdale’s BAH) and divided by 50%.  Currently this is approximately $850.00)  The base rate then takes in to account the percentage of credits you are taking as they compare to the full-time 12 credit rate.  The credit rate is rounded to the closest 10% (up or down).  3)  The percentage for which you are eligible for the benefit is then calculated into this amount.   For example:  You are eligible for 50% of the GI Bill®  and choose to take 7 online credits, you do not take any in-residence (ie. in classroom) courses.  Your approximate breakdown would look like this:  ($850 X .60) X .50 = $212.50.

In order to meet the BAH requirements for the Summer, Fall or Spring semesters, we are recommending you pursue the following:

Summer 1 or Summer 3 (6-week) At least 4 credits for full BAH

Summer 2 (10-week) At least 7 credits for full BAH

Fall or Spring  (15-week) At least 12 credits for full BAH

Fall or Spring (11-week)  At least 9 credits for full BAH

Summer 1, 2 and 3 information was verified with a member of the GI Bill® answer center on March 11, 2018.  Fall 2018 information has been calculated based on the full-time requirements in effect August 1.  This information is current as of March 11, 2018 based on information released by the Department of Veterans Affairs.  Please read the information posted on our site about major GI Bill®  changes and any updated information.  Please note:  Brookdale submits your enrollment information to the VA for processing.  The final determination regarding full-time status is made by the VA when processing your claim.  For questions regarding semester hour selection please contact the GI Bill® Hotline directly at:  1-888-GI-BILL-1.


IMPORTANT NOTE IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO USE BENEFITS (NON-POST 9/11 GI Bill®  STUDENTS)

We will automatically submit your enrollment information to the VA each semester if you are not using the Post 9/11 GI Bill® .  If you do NOT wish to be certified for a semester, you must email our office at veteraninfo@brookdalecc.edu and state you do not want your courses certified for the term before you registerWe will remove your code from our database, and will not report your future enrollment to the VA until you contact us and request this change to be made.

 

Important Change to National Guard Tuition Waiver Requirements

Effective Summer 1 2010 the State of New Jersey now requires students who wish to use their National Guard Tuition Waiver to submit a completed Commander’s Certification from their unit in addition to proof of application for Financial Aid and the Post 9/11 GI Bill®  (with effective date as of the first day of term for which the student is enrolling if the student is eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill® ).

Students using the National Guard Tuition Waiver will first have funds received from the Post 9/11 GI Bill®  pay for their coursework, then any applicable State Financial Aid will be utilized to offset a student’s tuition balance.  If a balance still exists for a student’s account, the National Guard Tuition Waiver will be used to offset any outstanding tuition charges, students will be responsible for fees (paid through remaining Financial Aid or out-of-pocket payment by the student).  For more information on the Post 9/11 GI Bill®  benefits and how to apply, please click here.

Students must meet with the VA Certifying Official during office hours to provide all required documents and obtain permission to register.  Students should complete this process prior to registration.

 
 


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 Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.