VeteranBenefits
Trinidad State works with the Veterans Administration to help veterans and eligible dependents use their education benefits. Every degree and certificate program at TSC is approved for VA benefit payment.
All TSC degree and certificate programs are approved for VA education benefits.
School Certifying Officials are based in the Berg Building, Room 209.
GI Bill® and Military Tuition Assistance can often be used together.
Veteran Education Benefits
Veteran education benefits at Trinidad State are administered through the Financial Aid Office by the School Certifying Official (SCO). The SCO's primary job is to certify and report your enrollment to the VA so your benefit payments are processed correctly.
TSC is approved by the Colorado State Approving Agency for Veterans Education. SCOs complete yearly VA training and attend conferences hosted by the Colorado Approving Agency for Veterans Education and regional VA Education Liaison Representatives. They can also help you access Federal Title IV funding, state funding, scholarships, and other grants or payment options.
Applying for VA Education Benefits — First Time
Complete these steps before your first semester using VA education benefits at Trinidad State.
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Apply for VA benefits through the VA website: benefits.va.gov/gibill.
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Submit transcripts from every institution you have attended, including military transcripts.
Send official transcripts and your military joint transcript(s) to the Admissions Office at Trinidad State, 600 Prospect St., Trinidad, CO 81082, for transfer evaluation.
- Order Joint Service Military Transcripts online at jst.doded.mil/official.html.
- If you used education benefits at another school before transferring to TSC, submit VA Form 22-1995, Request for Change of Program or Place of Training, to the Financial Aid Office.
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Be seeking a degree or certificate program that is approved for education benefits.
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Submit a copy of your DD214 showing discharge status to the Financial Aid Office.
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Submit a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility Letter to the Financial Aid Office.
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Complete the Intent to Register Application.
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Submit a copy of your Degree Plan, signed by your Academic Advisor, for each degree or certificate you are seeking.
Every Subsequent Semester
Once you are certified, repeat these steps each term you want to use your benefits.
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Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
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Complete the Intent to Register Application.
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Submit a new Degree Plan signed by your Academic Advisor only if you are changing or adding a degree or certificate.
It is imperative that you submit the Intent to Register Application, and any new Degree Plans you may need, for every semester you wish to use your benefits at Trinidad State. If these forms are not received, you will not be certified in the VA system. This will delay your tuition and fee payments, as well as any housing and book stipends.
Staying Certified Each Term
Notify your School Certifying Official right away about any enrollment changes, course drops, withdrawals, or the date you stop attending classes. Enrollment is checked after the census date each semester — generally two weeks after classes begin — and adjustments are made at that time. Please allow the VA 30 days after enrollment certification to pay benefits to you or the school.
You are responsible for all debts resulting from reductions or termination of your enrollment, even if payment was submitted directly to the school on your behalf.
Contacts & Support Services
Your dedicated SCO can guide you through the process and connect you with the right office on campus.
VA Certifying Official
Tracy A. Richardson
Director of Financial Aid and VA Certifying Official
Berg Building, Room 209
Academic Counseling & Student Success
Student Services
Job search support, academic counseling, Student Success Center.
Trinidad Campus: 719-846-5665
Valley Campus Welcome Center: 719-589-7063
Records & Transcripts
Student Records
Trinidad Campus: Berg Building, Room 108 · 719-846-5550
Valley Campus: Student Services · 719-589-7026
Bookstore
Campus Bookstore
Trinidad Campus: Sullivan Center · 719-846-5610
Valley Campus: Virtual bookstore
Military Tuition Assistance
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) administers the Military Tuition Assistance Program (TA), available to members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and U.S. Coast Guard. National Guard and Reserve members may be eligible based on their service. TA can fund up to 100% of tuition and certain fees, subject to defined limits.
TA is separate from VA education benefit programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Some VA programs, such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, can work alongside TA to help cover school-related expenses TA does not. Learn more on the GI Bill® website. To speak with a military or veteran representative on campus, contact the VA Certifying Official above.
It is the service member's responsibility to apply for Tuition Assistance and provide TA authorization documents to the Cashier's Office (Berg Building, Room 209) before the start of each semester. Approval from a Military Educational Service Officer (ESO) is required before enrolling — without it, the service member may be solely responsible for all tuition costs. Each branch has its own eligibility rules and application process:
TA recipients are also eligible for other forms of financial aid, and are encouraged to apply for Title IV federal student aid, state aid, and scholarships — see the Financial Aid page for how to apply. If a TA recipient also qualifies for the federal Pell Grant, TA benefits are applied to the account before Pell funds. TA benefits cover tuition and course-specific fees only; Pell funds can be applied to other allowable educational expenses.
Return of Unearned TA Funds
If a service member drops courses before the census date, TSC is required to return all TA funds to the military branch. The return policy mirrors the federal student aid return policy: unearned TA funds are returned on a proportional basis through at least 60% of the period the funds covered. If a service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, TSC works with the student to help prevent resulting student debt. For unofficial withdrawals or drops, TSC determines the student's last date of attendance or participation and uses that date to calculate the return of funds.
| % of Course Completed | % of TA Unearned Funds Returned |
|---|---|
| 16–30% | 50% |
| 31–40% | 40% |
| 41–50% | 30% |
| 51–60% | 10% |
| 61–100% | 0% |
Other resources: DoD Tuition Assistance fact sheet (PDF).
Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
Funding may be available to help students who need vocational or occupational rehabilitation because of a physical or emotional disability. These funds can help cover tuition, fees, books, supplies, maintenance, medical services, and transportation. Contact your local Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Office to learn more.
Written Records & Retention
Trinidad State maintains a written record of each veteran's or eligible person's previous education and training, showing that appropriate credit was granted and the training period shortened proportionately. The veteran or eligible person and the Department of Veterans Affairs are notified accordingly.
- Trinidad State keeps all VA records for three years.
- Records are maintained and housed on the Trinidad main campus.
Trinidad State is approved by the Colorado State Approving Agency for Veterans Education. Our degree and certificate programs are approved for payment of educational benefits to veterans and dependents determined eligible by the Veterans Administration. This office cannot determine eligibility — the SCO's role is to certify and report enrollment information to the VA to facilitate benefit payments to eligible students.
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 benefits.va.gov/gibill.