Veteran and Military Families
Child dependents and spouses of veterans and service members may be eligible for one or more education benefits. Read about each benefit below and select the appropriate Enrollment Checklist to get started:
- Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)
- Transferred Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
- Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
- My Career Advancement Account Scholarship (MyCAA)
FCC Enrollment Checklists
Checklist for Students Using Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)
Required steps for students using Dependents' Educational Assistance.
*Please submit any documents containing personally identifiable information using
the Secure Document Submission form or you may bring documents with you to an in-person intake appointment.
1. Submit the following military documents to Veteran and Military Services (VMS):
- VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or current statement of benefits
- If you are using your benefit for the first time and have not yet applied for it, fill out VA Form 22-5490 (Dependents’ Application for VA Education Benefits). Submit a copy of your COE to Veteran and Military Services once you receive it.
2. Fill out the free FCC online application for admission.
3. Submit official transcripts to FCC’s Registrar’s Office to be evaluated for credit and determine if you are exempt from the reading, writing, and/or math placement tests.
- Submit official transcripts from any colleges and/or universities where you earned credit. For more information visit our incoming transfer students page.
- Submit SAT, ACT, AP, or CLEP score reports if they exempt you from taking the placement tests or yield credit [AP and CLEP score reports must be official to be awarded transfer credit].
4. Submit unofficial copies of college/university transcripts to VMS for advising purposes if possible
5. Take the placement tests if you are not exempt. Visit our Testing Center for more information about placement tests. Also review the placement test study guide.
6. Optional: Apply for federal student aid to see if you are eligible to receive a need-based
Pell Grant.
For more information visit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) page.
7. Schedule an intake appointment. Please complete any required placement testing AND provide copies of unofficial
college transcripts to VMS prior to your appointment (or bring copies with you to
an in-person appointment).
Please note, your benefit documentation is not required to be on file before you register
for classes.
Checklist for Spouses and Dependents Using Transferred Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter
33)
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.
Required steps for students using the transferred Post 9/11 GI Bill®:
*Please submit any documents containing personally identifiable information using
the Secure Document Submission form or you may bring documents with you to an in-person intake appointment.
1. Submit the following military documents to Veteran and Military Services (VMS):
- Certificate of eligibility (COE) and Department of Defense Transfer of Entitlement
document
- If you are using your benefit for the first time and have not yet applied for it, fill out VA Form 22-1990e (Application to Use Transferred VA Education Benefits). Submit your COE to Veteran and Military Services once you receive it.
- Submit your Department of Defense Transfer of Entitlement (TOE) document to expedite your enrollment certification
2. Fill out FCC’s free online application for admission.
3. Submit official transcripts to FCC’s Registrar’s Office to be evaluated for credit and determine if you are exempt from the reading, writing, and/or math placement tests.
- Submit official transcripts from any colleges and/or universities where you earned credit. For more information visit our incoming transfer students page.
- Submit SAT, ACT, AP, or CLEP score reports if they exempt you from taking the placement tests or yield credit [AP and CLEP score reports must be official to be awarded transfer credit].
4. Submit unofficial copies of college/university transcripts to VMS for advising purposes if possible
5. Take the placement tests if you are not exempt. Visit our Testing Center for more information about placement tests. Also review the placement test study guide.
6. Optional: Apply for federal student aid to see if you are eligible to receive a need-based
Pell Grant.
For more information visit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) page.
7. Schedule an intake appointment. Please complete any required placement testing AND provide copies of unofficial
college transcripts to VMS prior to your appointment (or bring copies with you to
an in-person appointment).
Please note, your benefit documentation is not required to be on file before you register
for classes.
Checklist for Students Using the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
Required steps for students using the Fry Scholarship:
*Please submit any documents containing personally identifiable information using
the Secure Document Submission form or you may bring documents with you to an in-person intake appointment.
1. Submit the following military documents to Veteran and Military Services (VMS):
- Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
- If you are using your benefit for the first time and have not yet applied for it, fill out VA Form 22-5490 (Dependents’ Application for VA Education Benefits). Submit a copy of your COE to Veteran and Military Services once you receive it.
2. Fill out FCC’s free online application for admission.
3. Submit official transcripts to FCC’s Registrar’s Office to be evaluated for credit and determine if you are exempt from the reading, writing, and/or math placement tests.
- Submit official transcripts from any colleges and/or universities where you earned credit. For more information visit our incoming transfer students page.
- Submit SAT, ACT, AP, or CLEP score reports if they exempt you from taking the placement tests or yield credit [AP and CLEP score reports must be official to be awarded transfer credit].
4. Submit unofficial copies of college/university transcripts to VMS for advising purposes if possible.
5. Take the placement tests if you are not exempt. Visit our Testing Center for more information about placement tests. Also review the placement test study guide.
6. Optional: Apply for federal student aid to see if you are eligible to receive a need-based
Pell Grant.
For more information visit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) page.
7. Schedule an intake appointment. Please complete any required placement testing AND provide copies of unofficial
college transcripts to VMS prior to your appointment (or bring copies with you to
an in-person appointment).
Please note, your benefit documentation is not required to be on file before you register
for classes.
Checklist for Active Duty Spouses Using the My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA)
Scholarship
Required steps for students using MyCAA:
*Please submit any documents containing personally identifiable information using
the Secure Document Submission form or you may bring documents with you to an in-person intake appointment.
1. Review the information for MyCAA and register.
2. Fill out FCC’s free online application for admission.
3. Submit official transcripts to FCC’s Registrar’s Office to be evaluated for credit and determine if you are exempt from the reading, writing, and/or math placement tests.
- Submit official transcripts from any colleges and/or universities where you earned credit. For more information visit our incoming transfer students page.
- Submit SAT, ACT, AP, or CLEP score reports if they exempt you from taking the placement tests or yield credit [AP and CLEP score reports must be official to be awarded transfer credit].
4. Submit unofficial copies of college/university transcripts to VMS for advising purposes if possible.
5. Take the placement tests if you are not exempt. Visit our Testing Center for more information about placement tests. Also review the placement test study guide.
6. Optional: Apply for federal student aid to see if you are eligible to receive a need-based
Pell Grant.
For more information visit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) page.
7. Schedule an intake appointment. Please complete as many of the above steps as possible prior to your appointment.
After meeting with you, VMS staff will provide the Education Training Plan (ETP) required
by the MyCAA Scholarships.
FCC Benefits
- In-County Tuition – Children and spouses of veterans or service members who live outside Frederick County should refer to FCC’s Determination of Residency for Tuition Purposes Policy and Procedures to check their eligibility for in-county tuition. Contact VMS with questions.
- Recognition at Commencement – Children and spouses of veterans or service members receive a cord that can be worn at the spring commencement ceremony when graduating with a credit certificate or degree. Contact VMS for more information.
- Senior Waiver – Students ages 60 and older who are Maryland residents may take classes tuition-free if they register on or after a specified date each registration cycle. Students are required to pay course fees. See the credit class schedule for more information.
Additional Resources
- The Veteran & Military Student Centerin Annapolis Hall, room 109, is a campus space that welcomes all veterans, service members, and military-affiliated students. The Center includes a lounge, student computers, free coffee and snacks, and proximity to VMS staff.
- Financial Aid - Students may use VA education benefits and financial aid simultaneously. Students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for financial aid programs. Students may also be eligible for state and institutional grants or scholarships.
- Douglas J.J. Peters Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship Program (VAIC) – This scholarship through the state of Maryland provides financial assistance to U.S. Armed Forces personnel who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts and their son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, or spouse attending a Maryland Post-Secondary Institution. Apply before April 1.
- Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program – Students who are eligible for Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) are also eligible for the Conroy Scholarship through the state of Maryland. Students must apply through the FCC Financial Aid Office before July 15.
- Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) provides quality and accessible opportunities for intellectual stimulation and personal enrichment for retired adults.
- Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic (Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic) at Easterseals provides high-quality, accessible behavioral healthcare focused on post-9/11 veterans, active-duty service members, their families, and caregivers.
Contact Us
All new students are required to submit the electronic VMS intake form prior to scheduling an appointment. Once you submit the intake form, we will email
you a checklist of “next steps” to complete along with the link to schedule an intake
appointment with a VMS staff member.
Current and continuing students may schedule an appointment using Navigate360.
VMS Office - Annapolis Hall (A-109)
Amy Coldren, Veteran and Military Services Coordinator
Office Hours: Monday 8:30 - 6:00; Tues-Friday 8:30 - 4:30
acoldren@frederick.edu
301.624.2838
VMS Office - Annapolis Hall (A-109)
Amy Coldren, Veteran and Military Services Coordinator
Office Hours: Monday 8:30 - 6:00; Tues-Friday 8:30 - 4:30
acoldren@frederick.edu
301.624.2838