Veterans

Ridgewater College recognizes and thanks veterans for their service to our country. We are committed to helping veterans succeed in their educational pursuits.

Educational Benefits

Ridgewater College is approved by the Minnesota State Approving Agency to offer Veterans Education Benefits and complies with Minnesota Statute 197.775, which meets and exceeds the requirements of Title 38, United States Code, Section 3679(e).

Veterans/military members are directed to receive approval from your ESO, military counselor, or service prior to enrolling at Ridgewater College.

Veterans, dependents of veterans, National Guardsmen, or reservists who are eligible for educational benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs must contact the Ridgewater VA certifying official for certification. Recipients will be given instructions and the forms necessary to apply for benefits. Contact should be made at least 45 days prior to the first day of attendance as processing time may take six to eight weeks.

A person applying for VA benefits needs to complete a 22-1990 form. Along with this form, a certified copy of the DD-214 for prior active duty and a Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) form for National Guard is required to process the application.

Once you are an enrolled student, you will be required to verify your enrollment each month that you attend class for payment purposes. This can be done by phone or online. If your enrollment status changes at any time during the semester, you must notify the VA certifying official immediately. For more information about veteran benefits, visit the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

Please contact the VA certifying official in the financial aid office for further information. Because certain veterans and their children may be eligible for benefits under the GI Bill^® and other laws, all veterans, war orphans and children of disabled veterans must notify the admissions/counseling office of their status at the time of their application.

Veterans Resource Center

Ridgewater has great resources on campus for veterans, current military and their family members. We participate in the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), Higher Education Veterans Program. As part of this program, an MDVA regional coordinator visits the Veteran Resource Center on both campuses to assist veterans.

VA representative:

Kari Johnson
Cell: 320-491-2734
[email protected]

Willmar: Room A241
Hutchinson: Room 405