In grateful appreciation for our Veteran’s services and sacrifice!
Welcome veterans, reservists, guards, active duty, and spouses and dependents!
Thank you for your service to our country! We are delighted you have chosen Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI) to further your education.
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute is approved by the North Carolina State Approving Agency for the enrollment of persons eligible for education benefits from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
In the military, the common phrase “Got your six” means “I’ve got your back.” The saying supposedly originated with World War I fighter pilots referencing a pilot’s backside as being the six o’clock position. It is now a universal term in the military that highlights the core principles of loyalty, commitment and teamwork found in military culture.
For many veterans, finding a job and reintegrating back into society can be a challenge, and it may sometimes feel as if no one has their back. As a veteran, you defended our country, and you had our backs. When you return home, we are honored to have your backs!
That’s why we developed our student veteran initiative called, “We’ve got your six,” based on our six (6) pillars of academic success for military veterans and their families.
To assist student military veterans and their families in making a successful transition from the military to academic life by providing information, accessibility, counseling, and other comprehensive resources that increase academic success and educational goal completion.
– To provide high quality student-centered veteran services to student veterans and their families to ease their transition from military service to college.
– To recruit student veterans and their families and improve overall student enrollment, progression, academic success and retention.
– To offer an environment that is welcoming and supportive of our student veterans and their families.
– To connect student veterans and their families to various campus resources and collaborate with community organizations to help support veterans.
– To provide credit for prior learning (CPL) for college-level learning obtained through documented military education and training.
CCC&TI’s “We’ve got your six” includes our six (6) pillars of academic success created for the unique needs of student veterans, their spouse, and dependents.
Transitioning from military to civilian life can be difficult, but we’re here to help! When you enroll at CCC&TI, you’ll find a community of faculty and staff dedicated to helping veterans achieve their education and career goals.
Our dedicated VA certifying officials assist students from college enrollment to applying for veteran educational benefits. Success Coaches are also available to help you transition into the college and provide academic support resources to help you succeed.
Should you have any VA related-questions or need answers on how to use your benefits, you can contact one of our VA certifying officials, based on campus location. You can expect a response within 1-2 business days. Additionally, we are ready to serve you on a walk-in basis.
The Montgomery GI Bill®-Active Duty (Chapter 30) provides between 36 -48 months of financial assistance for education training.
You may be able to get a maximum of 48 months of VA education benefits—not including Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) benefits. But many applicants are eligible for only 36 months. You may be eligible while you are on, or after you separate, from active duty. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, as well as, some short-term skills programs. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
You must have a high school diploma or GED, an honorable discharge, and you have generally 10 years from your last date of separation from active duty to use your MGIB-AD benefits. This benefit is not transferable to dependents.
The VA will send funds directly to the student. The student will be responsible for submitting payment directly to the college.
For more information, please visit: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/montgomery-active-duty/ and/or https://www.va.gov/education/benefit-rates/montgomery-active-duty-rates/ to view monthly rates of pay.
The Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31) program (formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) provides assistance to active-duty service members and veterans with service-connected disabilities generally up to 48 months and include counseling, education and training, financial aid assistance, and, if needed, medical treatment.
This program’s primary function is to help veterans who have service-connected disabilities become suitably employed, maintain employment, or to achieve independence in daily living. This program pays tuition and fees, cost of required textbooks and supplies, a monthly stipend and assistance with finding employment.
You may be eligible if you have a service-connected disability rating of at least 20 percent, and be discharged or released from military service under other than dishonorable conditions. To receive services, a veteran must be found both eligible and entitled by a VR&E counselor. Eligibility is established through the VR&E office.
The VA pays the cost of cost of tuition, fees, books, and school supplies fees directly to the college. In addition, the veteran may receive a monthly stipend.
For more information, please visit: https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/
The Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) provides to eligible service members and Veterans up to 36 months of education benefits. This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits and benefits can be transferred to dependents.
Your Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits may include financial support for school tuition and fees, books and supplies, and housing. You may be eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits if you (1) have at least 90 aggregate days of qualifying active service on or after September 11, 2001, or (2) were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability after serving at least 30 continuous days on or after September 11, 2001.
If you’re a qualified service member, you can transfer all 36 months or a portion of your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to a spouse or child.
The VA will submit the tuition and fee payment directly to the college. However, the VA may also provide the student a monthly stipend based on a basic housing allowance plus a book stipend paid directly to the student as well.
For more information, please visit: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/post-9-11/ and/or https://www.va.gov/education/benefit-rates/post-9-11-gi-bill-rates/ for monthly rates of pay
The Dependent’s Educational Assistance (DEA) program offers up to a maximum of 45 months of education benefits and training opportunities to eligible dependents and survivors of certain veterans.
Eligible dependents include a son, daughter, or spouse of a veteran who is deceased, MIA, captured, or is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability. The program offers 36 months of education benefits for those beginning school on or after August 1, 2018 (45 months for those that begin before August 1, 2018).
The VA will send funds directly to the student. The student will be responsible for submitting payment directly to the college.
Dependents generally have between the ages of 18-26 to use these benefits, and spouses have 10 years from the date VA finds you eligible or from the date of death of your spouse.
For more information, please visit: https://www.va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/education-and-careers/dependents-education-assistance/
The Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserves is an educational assistance program specifically designed for members of the Selected Reserves and National Guard, and provides up to 36 months of education benefits to members of the Selected Reserve. This includes the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard Reserves. It also includes the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.
This is an educational program for active members of the Selected Reserve and provides a monthly stipend based on enrollment status. Maximum entitlement is 36 months of full-time benefits which terminate ten years from the date of eligibility or separation date from reserves, whichever is earlier.
You may be eligible for MGIB-SR benefits if you have a 6-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve, complete your Initial Active Duty for Training, serve in a drilling unit and remain in good standing, and obtain a high school diploma or equivalency.
The Guard and Reserves decide if you are eligible, while VA makes the payments for the program. Generally, your eligibility for MGIB-SR benefits end on the day you leave the Selected Reserve. Your benefit entitlement ends 14 years from the date of your eligibility for the program, or on the day you leave the Selected Service.
The VA will send funds directly to the student. The student will be responsible for submitting payment directly to the college.
For more information, please visit: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/montgomery-selected-reserve/and/or https://www.va.gov/education/benefit-rates/montgomery-selected-reserve-rates/ to view monthly rates of pay.
The North Carolina Scholarship Program is for children (under the age of 25 at the time of application) of qualifying wartime veterans who have died, were disabled in the line of duty, and POW/MIA veterans.
This scholarship includes funding for up to 8 semesters.
The parent must have been a legal resident of the state when entering military service, or the child was born in North Carolina and “has been a resident of North Carolina continuously since birth.”
Review the application forms for this program carefully. Submission deadlines may vary depending on whether the parent was 100% disabled or received a partial disability rating (less than 100%) from the VA.
For more information, please visit: https://scholarships.milvets.nc.gov/
Tuition assistance is available for qualifying North Carolina Army and Air National Guard members. This military financial aid is for qualifying programs earning an associate, bachelor, or graduate degree.
This program’s availability is subject to funding; if funding runs out, it may not be available for all applicants. To qualify, applicants must be “active with no disciplinary action,” and two years must remain on the applicant’s military service commitment. Applicants must make satisfactory academic progress.
For more information, please visit: https://ng.nc.gov/north-carolina-tuition-assistance-program-nctap
Requirements for VA Education Benefits:
Students electing to use Veterans Affairs education benefits must meet requirements specified by Veterans Affairs and the North Carolina State Approving Agency. Although CCC&TI’s VA Education Benefits Office does not work for the Department of Veterans Affairs, it is our job to work closely with them to ensure that your needs as a student are met.
All students should visit http://www.gibill.va.gov/ for up-to-date information on the following education benefits listed below.
Resources for Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The absence of the registration symbol® does not constitute a waiver of VA’s trademark rights in that phrase.
At CCC&TI, you can choose from a variety of academic programs that make achieving your educational and career goals convenient, including online programs of study, day or evening classes. Our degree, diploma, and certificate programs can help you enter the job market or you can continue at a four-year institution through our transfer programs.
Steps for Enrollment:
Step 1: Apply for CCC&TI Enrollment
Step 2: Request your Official High School Transcript and Official College Transcripts for all colleges attended (even if VA Education Benefits were not used).
Step 3: Connect with the CCC&TI School Certifying Official.
Step 4: Apply for VA Educational Benefits
Note: If you have a service-connected disability rating, you may qualify for the Veteran Readiness and Employment Benefits program or VR&E (Chapter 31).
Step 5: Apply for Financial Aid
CCC&TI is proud to offer student veterans and their family members the following benefits:
You may qualify for college credit based on your prior military experience or coursework.
To receive credit for prior learning (CPL), documentation must be provided that demonstrates your work meets or exceeds the learning outcomes for the corresponding curriculum course. Based on your branch of service, credit for prior learning may include, but not limited to:
Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcripts are evaluated by the college registrar or designated college official as a traditional college transcript. Students can request a CCAF transcript using the following link:
https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Registrar and have it submitted to the Records and Registration Office.
American Council on Education (ACE) evaluates and recommends college credit for military training courses and occupations as it relates to Army, Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard. The American Council on Education (ACE)’s Military Guide (see link below) will help you to understand more about how your experience may apply to college credit.
https://www.acenet.edu/Programs-Services/Pages/Credit-Transcripts/Military-Guide-Online.aspx
DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) is a credit-by-examination test developed by the US Department of Defense. Students must submit an official transcript when applying to the college. DANTES transcripts may be requested at https://www.dantes.mil/
Full course credit is available for scores at or above ACE-recommended credit-granting scores (400 or higher). Retakes of DSST exams are available after three months. In accordance with North Carolina Community College Numbered Memo CC23-041, DANTES credits are transferrable for five years after being earned.
Scores for DANTES-funded DSST exams are automatically reported to the Joint Services Transcript (JST) and the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).
To get started, you’ll need to provide your DD-214 and request a Joint Service Transcript (JST). Contact our Financial Aid Office at (828) 726-2713 for assistance.
College Veterans Appreciation Dinner
In grateful appreciation for our veteran’s service and sacrifice, CCC&TI will honor and show appreciation to the College’s military-affiliated students, veterans, and their families (plus one) with an “annual fall feast appreciation dinner.”
This special event is dedicated to honoring and thanking those that have served for their selfless service and sacrifice to our nation.
The annual event will be held at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center (JEBCC), followed by a key-note speaker and open mic for veterans to share their stories.
Catering will be provided by JEBCC Catering Group.
Foothills Veterans Winter Stand-Down (College-Sponsored Event)
The annual Foothills Veterans Winter Stand-Down (since 2015) is open to all veterans and their family caregivers and is held each year at CCC&TI’s J.E. Broyhill Civic Center in November.
The community event is a collaborative event between the Foothills Stand-Down Committee, Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute, NC Works Career Centers and a host of other organizations to address the needs of our veteran’s population and serves as a “one-stop” access to a range of programs and services with a particular focus on at-risk veteran intervention and prevention.
CCC&TI is pleased and honored to be a major sponsor of the Veterans Stand-Down by hosting the event at our facility and providing significant administrative and instructional support (i.e., logistics, transportation, faculty, staff, and student volunteers, etc.) contributing to its overall success and effectiveness.
Our college believes in returning services to those who have served us. We encourage any and all individuals, businesses, or organizations to join us in our mission.
If you, your business, or organization would like to sponsor (purchase) a single meal at the College Veterans Appreciation Dinner for a CCC&TI student military veteran and/or yourself/others, become a table sponsor and support up to six veterans, or even donate to our newly established Student Veterans Scholarship, please contact …
In return for your sponsorship of $250 or more, your organization will receive special acknowledgement in the event program, recognition on social media, and a sponsorship sign prominently posted at the event.
Candice Quackenbush
(Caldwell Campus)
Counselor/Program Specialist, Financial Aid
Student Services Building, Caldwell, F-126
Email: cquackenbush@cccti.edu Phone: (828) 726-2703
Debra Johnson
(Watauga Campus)
Counselor/Program Specialist, Financial Aid
Student Services Building, Watauga, W-460-102
Email: djohnson@cccti.edu
Phone: (828) 297-3811, x5226
Mark Barber
Veteran Resource Center Representative
We’ve Got Your Six, Student Veterans Mentor
Executive Director, Community Engagement and Outreach
Student Services Building, Caldwell, F-142
Email: mbarber@cccti.edu
Phone: (828) 726-2610
Tuesday Sigmon
Director, Counseling & Disability Services
Student Services Building, Caldwell, F-150
Email: tsigmon@cccti.edu
Phone: (828) 726-2716
Shannon Brown
Executive Director, Student Development & Success/Counselor
Student Services Building, Caldwell, F-149
Email: csbrown@cccti.edu
Phone: (828) 726-2288
