The Tennessee College of Applied Technology welcomes veterans, service members and dependents who want to continue their education! We are here to help you meet your goals as you transition from military service to student life. 

Our college is the ideal environment for transitioning veterans to fulfill their higher education goals. TCAT military students enjoy the benefits of quality training with the recognition and honor they deserve.

We understand the unique challenges veterans, active-duty service members, guardsmen, reservists and their family members face in pursuing a college education. Your military background has been an incredibly important part of your journey so far, and we value the unique perspective you can contribute to our student body.

For more information about these programs, contact Veterans Services.

How to Apply for Education Benefits

  1. Visit the Veterans Affairs Education Benefits page
     
  2. If you need assistance with the application for benefits, you can contact the School Certifying Official [RW1] at the college for assistance.
     
  3. If you are unsure of the benefits available to you, please contact the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-442-4551 or 1-800-827-1000.

Frequently Asked Question

How much money will I receive?

Monthly education pay is based on which GI Bill® the veteran is entitled to receive and the length of the qualifying military service. Current payment rates can be found by visiting the VA online rate tables. 

For students using the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, tuition and fees are paid directly to the school. Monthly housing allowances and book or supply stipends are paid directly to the student.

What must I do to receive payment?

Submit copies of the following documents to the School Certifying Official in Student Services:

  • Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of training
  • DD Form 214 by the first day of training
  • Post-secondary transcripts within two trimesters of starting training

When a student is admitted to a program, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) requires the college to review prior education and training and award any appropriate credit.

The School Certifying Official will certify the student’s enrollment with the VA. After the VA receives that information, payment may take 6 to 8 weeks.

Enrollment Verification

Some students using veteran education benefits must verify enrollment each month to receive payment. Visit the VA enrollment verification page to see if this applies to you.

What can impact my payments?

Your payments may be affected by: 

  • Failure to submit the required VA documents to the TCAT
  • Prior training that results in awarded credit
  • Breaks in training longer than 7 days
  • Failure to verify enrollment
  • Dropping or withdrawing from classes
  • Non-attendance

Where can I find information about State and Federal Financial Aid?

The School Certifying Official (SCO) can direct you to the TCAT’s Financial Aid staff, or you may visit the Financial Aid page. TCATs do not offer student loans.

What if I attended another school or training program?

If you used veteran education benefits at another school or training program, visit the VA page for changing GI Bill® benefits to transfer your training to TCAT.

Which GI Bill® chapters can be used at the TCATs?

  • Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
  • Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty (Chapter 30)
  • Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31)
  • Montgomery GI Bill® - Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)
  • Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA) (Chapter 35)

What documents do I need to submit to the School Certifying Official?

  • DD 214
  • Certificate of Eligibility
  • Military transcript

How do I request my military transcript?

Additional requirements are listed on the Admissions page. 

How do I submit documentation for prior learning credit?

If you already have a TCAT email, use the Prior Credit Evaluation Request Form for Current Students.

If you are new or do not have a TCAT email, use the Prior Credit Evaluation Request Form for New Students.

You can also learn more about prior learning credit on the Placement Test and Transfer Credit page.

Where can I find more information?

You can view benefit information through your VA account.

You can also contact the VA by:

  • Calling the GI Bill® hotline at 1-888-442-4551
  • Using Ask VA

Where can I find information about additional resources?

You will be assigned an academic advisor through Student Services.

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 at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

VETS Campus Certification

VETS CAMPUS CERTIFIED

Our campus has earned VETS Campus certification from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), demonstrating the college’s commitment to programs and services to help veterans succeed as they pursue their education.

The VETS Campus program was established by the Tennessee Veterans Education Transition Support (VETS) Act, enacted by the state legislature in 2014, to assist veterans in continuing their education. The Act details a rigorous set of programs, requirements and qualifications that colleges and universities must meet to earn VETS Campus certification. These standards include offering student veterans mentoring and support services;  creating and maintaining a process for assessing prior learning that grants academic credit to veterans for transferable training and experience attained through their military service; conducting annual surveys of student veterans’ views, needs, issues and suggestions; providing special orientation programs for student veterans; special outreach to veterans and more.

View the VETS Campus certification requirements.

Veterans and active-duty military personnel may be eligible to earn academic credit for their military training and experience, depending on the applicability of the credit to their chosen program, under provisions of the VETS Act.

The Act requires colleges to prioritize outreach to veterans, allocate resources to support their successful transition from military service to college, and deliver services that create a supportive environment where student veterans can prosper while pursuing their education.

THEC administers the program, awards certifications and reviews institutions for the renewal of their certifications.