Assistance with Veteran Educational Benefits

Erika Kampschnieder and Deb Cumming are your School Certifying Officers. They will provide assistance in determining your educational benefits and how to access them.

Erika Kampschnieder
School Certifying Official
North Platte, Broken Bow, & Valentine Campuses
308-535-3708
kampschniedere@mpcc.edu

Deb Cumming
School Certifying Official
McCook, Imperial, & Ogallala Campuses
308-345-8111
cummingd@mpcc.edu

Types of VA Educational Benefits

For information on benefits and eligibility visit VA Comparison Tool/Payment Rates.

Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
Typically for individuals who served at least 90 days active duty after 9/10/2001. Benefits tiered based on days of active service.  Pays tuition and fees directly to the institution.

Post-9/11 Transfer of Entitlement (Chapter 33)
For immediate family members of career service members.  Member must request approval to transfer benefits to eligible person then the student must apply through the VA to receive the benefits.  Tuition and fees payment made to the school.

Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30)
For individuals who began active duty after 6/30/1985 and had pay reduced by $100 a month for the first 12 months. EFT payment made to students who must pay their bill with MPCC.

Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)
For dependents of a member of the Armed Forces who died while on active duty  or as a result of a service-connected disability or is 100% disabled for a service-related reason. EFT payment made to students who must pay their bill with MPCC.

Montgomery GI Bill– Selected Reserve  (Chapter 1606)
For members actively participating in Select Reserve. Basic eligibility requires a 6-year obligation to serve. Benefits paid to reservist directly on a monthly basis.

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1607)
For active members of the Selected Reserve called to active duty  on or after 9/11/01 who served at least 90 consecutive days. Program ends 11/24/2019.

Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31)
For veterans with a disability rating. Contact Patricia Nelson (patricia.nelson442@va.gov) for more information.

Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs Waiver of Tuition Program

Nebraska  residents qualifying for Chapter 35 Benefits may also qualify for  a tuition waiver that would pay for all tuition and fees.

Information on this program as well as the student portion of the application can be found at:
Nebraska Department of Veteran Services Waiver Tuition Program

In-state Tuition and Fees for U.S. Military Veterans

All active duty, former, or retired military personnel and their immediate dependents qualify for Nebraska In-State resident tuition regardless of their state of residency.

Peer Support for Military Veterans and their Dependents

Student Veteran Organization

Stars and Stripes Student Veteran Organization is your link to a community that understands your experiences and can help you navigate the college experience as a Veteran, a Veteran’s Dependent, or as Active Duty Military.

Brady Heinz
Student Activities Coordinator
McCook Campus - Mid-Plains Community College
308.345.8108
heinzb@mpcc.edu

Chase Grabau
Student Activities Coordinator
North Platte Campus - Mid-Plains Community College
308.535.3729
grabauc@mpcc.edu

The following people or departments are available to help you be successful while you are in school and after you graduate from MPCC:

Counselor
Our counselors provide mental health support to our veterans and active duty military as they transition to the life as a student at MPCC. For those dealing with trauma or military related PTSD, we can provide support and build connections to long-term resources, if desired. 
308-535-3722

Disability Services
As part of its mission, Mid-Plains Community College seeks to ensure that no person who meets the academic and technical standards requisite for admission to, and continued enrollment at the college is denied benefits or subjected to discrimination solely by reason of his or her disability. Services for students with disabilities (learning, ADD, ADHD, physical or psychological) may include special accommodations, tutoring and counseling.
McCook: 308-345-8128
North Platte: 308-535-3637

Student Success Centers
Student Success Centers provide a variety of services to students including tutors for all students (including online students!), proctored examinations, placement testing, controlled study environment, computer access, and career assessment and planning.
McCook: 308-.345-8105
North Platte: 308-535-3702

Library Resources
Our staff will help you navigate the Library’s academic resources, find helpful database video tutorials, research paper citation assistance, and so much more.
McCook: 308-345-8117
North Platte: 308-535-3726

Career Services
Choosing a career is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Taking time to explore several career paths can help you find a fulfilling career. The Career Services Center can assist you in selecting a rewarding career by using various assessments to identify your interests, abilities, and values. The center also has resources that will allow you to explore the projected job outlook, salary level, education required and schools offering training in your area of interest.
McCook:  308-345-8128
North Platte: 308-535-3621

Follett Bookstore
This is where you will go to get books for class, student materials, and gear to represent your college.

McCook: 308-345-8130
North Platte: 308-535-3769

Financial Aid
The Federal programs of financial aid at Mid-Plains Community College include loans, grants, and part-time employment. The purpose is to assist qualified students who desire financial assistance to make possible their attendance at college. Persons interested in general information about federal financial aid should contact or write the Office of Financial Aid at either McCook or North Platte Community College.
McCook: 308-345-8111
North Platte: 308-535-3708

Veteran and Active Duty Military Commencement Cords

MPCC U.S. Military and National Guard Veterans are encouraged to wear the Red, White, and Blue cords on their graduation regalia in honor of their military service. These cords will be made available to Veterans and active military at Commencement practice.

Career Services

MPCC Career Services offer resources to support our students toward gainful employment. Complete a vocational assessment to determine what career path may be best for you. Get assistance in developing and polishing your resume. Visit Employment Resources to find available positions in your career field.  

Kathy Fickenscher
Area Career Services Coordinator
Mid-Plains Community College
308-535-3621
fickenscherk@mpcc.edu

Student Activation to Active Duty Process

Mid-Plains Community College Procedure for Student Call to Active Duty with United States Armed Forces or National Guard

When MPCC students are called to active duty in any branch of U.S. military or national guard, our goal is to assist the service members’ transition out of MPCC with as little financial or academic penalty as possible within the guidelines below.  
The student is responsible for providing written evidence of the call to duty. Written military orders or a letter from the Commanding Officer explaining the call to active duty are acceptable documentation. This responsibility applies to all students regardless of armed forces service branch (Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, National Guard, Reserves or Active Duty) or timeline for call-up to active duty. 

MPCC Guidelines:

• Activation to active duty must be a non-voluntary activation to duty of a member of an armed forces service branch.
• Rules and regulations of agencies awarding grants, aid, scholarships, loans, or other benefits to the student will guide processes and outcomes. MPCC will work with the student to find the best possible outcome for the activating student within these rules and regulations.
• Short-term activation (i.e., state emergencies) may not require action unless the students’ ability to complete their course work would be in jeopardy.
• Before any refunds are made to the activating student, all outstanding charges owed to the college must be paid.

Brian Obert
Area Dean of Student Life
McCook, Imperial, and Ogallala Campuses
308-345-8109
obertb@mpcc.edu

Janelle Higgins
Area Associate Dean of Student Life
North Platte, Broken Bow, & Valentine Campuses
308-535-3708
higginsj@mpcc.edu

Angel Fund

MPCC has funds set aside to assist students with unexpected emergencies. If you have such an emergency, contact the campus Dean to talk about your situation and what can be done to provide assistance.

Brian Obert
Area Dean of Student Life
McCook, Imperial, and Ogallala Campuses
308-345-8109
obertb@mpcc.edu

Janelle Higgins
Area Associate Dean of Student Life
North Platte, Broken Bow, & Valentine Campuses
308-535-3708
higginsj@mpcc.edu

VA North Platte Outpatient Clinic
308-532-6906

VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
Patricia Nelson, MA, NCC, LPC
308-203-1234 or patricia.nelson442@va.gov

McCook

Red Willow County Veterans Services
Tom Stritt—Veterans Service Officer
308-345-2385 or vetserv@gpcom.net

American Legion – McCook Post 203
Dan Strammel – Post Commander
308-345-2531

North Platte

Lincoln County Veterans Services
Paul L. Cooper—Veterans Service Officer
308-534-4350 or cooperpl@co.lincoln.ne.us

American Legion – North Platte Post 163
Tom Leet – Post Commander
308-650-9168