Benefits for Military Veterans

Read about each benefit below and select the appropriate Enrollment Checklist to get started:

FCC Enrollment Checklists

Checklist for Veterans Using Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)

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.

Required steps for students using the Post 9/11 GI Bill®:

*Please submit any documents containing personally identifiable information using the Secure Document Submission form or you may bring documents with you to an in-person intake appointment.

1. Submit the following military documents to Veteran and Military Services (VMS):

DD214 Member 4
VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or current statement of benefits
1. If you are using your benefit for the first time and have not yet applied for it, fill out VA Form 22-1990 (Application for VA Education Benefits). Submit a copy of your COE to Veteran and Military Services once you receive it.

2. Fill out FCC’s free online application for admission.

3. Submit official transcripts to FCC’s Registrar’s Office to be evaluated for credit and determine if you are exempt from the reading, writing, and/or math placement tests.

Submit official transcripts from any colleges and/or universities where you earned credit. For more information visit our incoming transfer students page.
Submit SAT, ACT, AP, or CLEP score reports if they exempt you from taking the placement tests or yield credit [AP and CLEP score reports must be official to be awarded transfer credit]
Submit official military transcripts for evaluation
1. Joint Services Transcript (JST) (All branches EXCEPT Air Force): create an account and request to have your official JST sent to FCC.
2. Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Transcript: Request an official transcript copy.

4. Submit unofficial copies of college/university transcripts to VMS for advising purposes if possible

5. Take the placement tests if you are not exempt. Visit our Testing Center for more information about placement tests. Also review the placement test study guide.

6. Optional: Apply for federal student aid to see if you are eligible to receive a need-based Pell Grant.

For more information visit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) page.

7. Schedule an intake appointment here. Please complete any required placement testing AND provide copies of unofficial college transcripts to VMS prior to your appointment (or bring copies with you to an in-person appointment).

Please note, your benefit documentation is not required to be on file before you register for classes.

Checklist for Veterans Using Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31)

Required steps for students using Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) [formerly known as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment].

*Please submit any documents containing personally identifiable information using the Secure Document Submission form or you may bring documents with you to an in-person intake appointment.

1. Apply for VR&E. Check the information about eligibility on the VA website.

You should apply for VR&E and meet with your assigned Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
(VRC) prior to your intake appointment with Veteran & Military Services

Your VRC must submit approval for your program of study and coursework each semester
through the Tungsten Network

2. Submit your DD214 Member 4 to Veteran and Military Services (VMS)

3. Fill out FCC’s free online application for admission.

4. Submit official transcripts to FCC’s Registrar’s Office to be evaluated for credit and determine if you are exempt from the reading, writing, and/or math placement tests.

Submit official transcripts from any colleges and/or universities where you earned credit. For more information visit our incoming transfer students page.
Submit SAT, ACT, AP, or CLEP score reports if they exempt you from taking the placement tests or yield credit [AP and CLEP score reports must be official to be awarded transfer credit]
Submit official military transcripts for evaluation
1. Joint Services Transcript (JST) (All branches EXCEPT Air Force): create an account and request to have your official JST sent to FCC.
2. Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Transcript: Request an official transcript copy.

5. Submit unofficial copies of college/university transcripts to VMS for advising purposes if possible.

6. Take the placement tests if you are not exempt. Visit our Testing Center for more information about placement tests. Also review the placement test study guide.

7. Optional: Apply for federal student aid to see if you are eligible to receive a need-based Pell Grant.

For more information visit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) page.

8. Schedule an intake appointment here. Please submit as much of the required documentation as possible prior to your appointment or bring it with you to an in-person appointment.

Please note, your benefit documentation is not required to be on file before you register for classes.

Checklist for Veterans Using Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (Chapter 30)

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.

Required steps for students using the Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty.

*Please submit any documents containing personally identifiable information using the Secure Document Submission form or you may bring documents with you to an in-person intake appointment.

1. Submit the following military documents to Veteran and Military Services (VMS):

DD214 Member 4
VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or current statement of benefits.

2. Fill out FCC’s free online application for admission.

3. Submit official transcripts to FCC’s Registrar’s Office to be evaluated for credit and determine if you are exempt from the reading, writing, and/or math placement tests.

Submit official transcripts from any colleges and/or universities where you earned credit. For more information visit our incoming transfer students page.
Submit SAT, ACT, AP, or CLEP score reports if they exempt you from taking the placement tests or yield credit [AP and CLEP score reports must be official to be awarded transfer credit]
Submit official military transcripts for evaluation
1. Joint Services Transcript (JST) (All branches EXCEPT Air Force): create an account and request to have your official JST sent to FCC.
2. Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Transcript: Request an official transcript copy.

4. Submit unofficial copies of college/university transcripts to VMS for advising purposes if possible

5. Take the placement tests if you are not exempt. Visit our Testing Center for more information about placement tests. Also review the placement test study guide.

6. Optional: Apply for federal student aid to see if you are eligible to receive a need-based Pell Grant.

For more information visit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) page.

Please note, your benefit documentation is not required to be on file before you register for classes.

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.

FCC Benefits

Priority Registration is available to military veterans who have received an honorable discharge or a certificate of satisfactory completion of military service. To participate in Priority Registration, students must submit the Priority Registration for Military and Veteran Students form and include a copy of their DD214 showing an honorable discharge or a certificate of satisfactory completion.
In-County Tuition – Veterans who live outside Frederick County should refer to FCC’s Determination of Residency for Tuition Purposes Policy and Procedures to check their eligibility for in-county tuition. Contact VMS with questions.
Recognition at Commencement – Veterans and service members (including active duty, reservists, and members of the National Guard) receive a military cord that can be worn at the spring commencement ceremony when graduating with a credit certificate or degree. Contact VMS for more information.
Senior Waiver – Students ages 60 and older who are Maryland residents may take classes tuition-free if they register on or after a specified date each registration cycle. Students are required to pay course fees. See the credit class schedule for more information.

Additional Resources

The Veteran & Military Student Center in Annapolis Hall, room 109, is a campus space that welcomes all veterans, service members, and military-affiliated students. The Center includes a lounge, student computers, free coffee and snacks, and proximity to VMS staff.
The FCC Veterans Club is a student-run club recognized by FCC’s Student Government Association. Contact VMS for more information.
Financial Aid - Students may use VA education benefits and financial aid simultaneously. Students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for financial aid programs. Students may also be eligible for state and institutional grants or scholarships. [Scholarships that must be used for tuition and fees must be reported to the VA for students using the Post 9/11 GI Bill® or Veteran Readiness & Employment.]
Douglas J.J. Peters Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship Program (VAIC) – This scholarship through the state of Maryland provides financial assistance to U.S. Armed Forces personnel who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts and their son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, or spouse attending a Maryland Post-Secondary Institution. Apply before April 1.
Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) provides quality and accessible opportunities for intellectual stimulation and personal enrichment for retired adults.

Contact Us

All new students are required to submit the electronic VMS intake form prior to scheduling an appointment. Once you submit the intake form, we will email you a checklist of “next steps” to complete along with the link to schedule an intake appointment with a VMS staff member.

Current and continuing students may schedule an appointment using Navigate360.