Welcome veterans, reservists, active duty, military spouses and dependents!

We are proud to have you at GCC and greatly appreciate your service to our nation. We know that balancing college life with your military, career, family, and personal responsibilities can be very challenging. GCC would like to facilitate your success by providing support, resources, and information to meet your unique needs.

Mission

The function of the Office of Veteran Services at Greenfield Community College is to assist our veterans, service members, and their dependents in pursuing their educational, professional, or vocational objectives. We are dedicated to serving those who served us by assisting them in receiving their education benefits, facilitating their transition into our college, and providing support for their ongoing academic success.

Applying to GCC–Your First Step!

You can begin the online filing process to register for classes by visiting Admissions. Veteran Services can work concurrently with Admissions during the application and registration process.

Applying for Benefits

New students at GCC who have not used any VA educational assistance programs should begin the process by applying for education benefits online at Vets.gov.

Continuing students can be certified for benefits each semester as soon as they have registered and have notified the Certifying Official and complete the Categorical Tuition Waiver and GI Bill Certificate Request. (these two documents must be turned in every semester)

Transfer students who have received VA educational assistance benefits at other institutions of higher education only need to update your education benefits online.

Disabled veterans are eligible for considerable financial help when they apply for Veteran Readiness & Employment Service. You must have a VA certified disability rating of at least 10 percent. You will receive authorization directly from the VA.

Reservists who have not used any of their Montgomery GI Bill® - Selected Reserve Educational Assistance (Chapter 1606) benefits will need the original DD Form 2384-1: Notice of Basic Eligibility from their Reserve Unit.

For all active, part-time, or full-time, members of the National Guard, the Massachusetts Army and Air Force National Guard Tuition & Fee Reimbursement Program will provide you with up to 130 credits for most of the degrees or certificates here at GCC. For additional information from the Massachusetts National Guard, follow this link. To request a state tuition and fee waiver, follow this link.

Dependents who have not received Dependents' Educational Assistance Benefits Chapter 35 will need to apply online or provide a previously issued Certificate of Eligibility.

Please note that GCC does NOT participate in the Air Force Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). If you are eligible for TAP, please call our Veterans Services Office  so we can discuss other financial aid options that may be available to you.

You may have earned college credit during your military service. It is well worth your time to request a military transcript because it could save you a significant amount of both money and time. For all branches of military service, go to https://jst.doded.mil/smart/signIn.do

GCC participates in the VALOR Act Academic Credit Evaluation Policy regarding military transfer credit. Learn more about the VALOR Act »

Interested in earning college credits FREE? You are encouraged to explore CLEP testing to earn college credit by exam. The VA will pay for this testing! Learn more about CLEP exams »

There is a law regarding student veterans who have been regarded as "Out of State" students: The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014. The law makes it possible for many of these students to pay tuition and fees at the "In State" rates in many cases beginning July 1, 2015. To see if you qualify, call GCC's certifying Official (413) 775-1885

(Public Law 113-146) changed the amount of tuition and fee charges which can be reported to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Effective July 1, 2015, public institutions of higher education must charge qualifying veterans and dependents tuition and fees at the rate for in-state residents.

Public Law 116-315, the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D., Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, which modifies 38 U.S.C. 3679(c). The amendment requires that for all courses, semesters, or terms beginning after August 1, 2021, public institutions of higher education must charge qualifying veterans, dependents and eligible individuals tuition and fees at the rate for in-state residents.