Veterans' Benefits

Eligibility for VA educational benefits are determined by the US Department of Veterans Affairs in St. Louis, MO.  Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) educational benefits are designated to provide eligible individuals with an opportunity for educational and career growth.  It is certainly one of the most valuable benefits afforded to veterans and qualified dependents and should be wisely utilized.  Veterans have earned the right to use their educational benefits for the purpose it was intended for, and we at OCTC are both pleased and honored to assist you in utilizing it to your best advantage.  We welcome you to our campus and hope you will significantly benefit through your studies.

Kentucky Tuition Waiver Program

This program is an educational benefit provided for children, step-children, adopted children, spouses, and un-remarried widows and widowers in recognition of military service of certain disabled or deceased Kentucky veterans. Additional information about this program and the application process is available at Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, http://veterans.ky.gov/benefits/tuitionwaiver.htm.

Credit for Prior Training and Experience

OCTC is required to evaluate prior educational training and experience. This includes military training and experience received while on active duty and any coursework taken at educational institutions even if the coursework was not paid for with VA benefits.

Before Applying for VA Educational Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) requires each applicant utilizing their VA educational benefits to be formally accepted into an approved curriculum (Program of Study) before initial certification of attendance can be sent to the DVA.

Normally, formal acceptance is achieved by completion of the following:

• OCTC admissions application for the program you are attempting to attend (this should be completed and submitted before any other steps are taken). VA will not pay for students to list a major of ‘Undecided.’
• Submission of official high school transcripts, official copies of GED scores or Adult High School diploma (if required).
• Submission of official transcripts from all other colleges attended.
• Any other documentation required by the program you are applying for.

Contact Information for OCTC Veterans’ Benefits

OCTC Veterans’ Affairs Representative/Veterans Certifying Official
4800 New Hartford Rd.
Owensboro, KY 42303
Phone: (270) 686-4631
octc.va@kctcs.edu

The OCTC Veterans’ Affairs Representative is not part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).  His/Her responsibility is to interpret, explain, and administer VA regulations as they apply to you at OCTC  The Regional Office that we have been assigned to by Department of Veterans Affairs is the St. Louis Regional Processing Office.  Their mailing address for all correspondence is: DVA St. Louis Regional Processing Office, P.O. Box 66830, St. Louis, MO, 63166-6830.