Welcome to FCC Veteran and Military Services (VMS).  We are excited to work with you as you pursue your educational and career goals.

Getting Started

• If you plan to use Tuition Assistance, visit your service branch's portal and create your account.
   
  • Once you log into your account, complete the required In-Processing Steps.
  
  
  • Contact your Education Counselor/ESS to activate your account.


• 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. If you have TA paperwork or have already applied for a VA Educational Benefit and have a Certificate of Eligibility, please email it to Veteran and Military Services using the Secure Document Submission form or bring it to your intake appointment.


• All active duty military students should have their official military transcripts and any prior college transcripts submitted to the Records and Registration Center for evaluation of transferrable credit. FCC will accept up to 45 credits in military and other transfer credits toward an FCC program of study. Official military transcript requests may be made via the following links:
   
  • Joint Services Transcript (JST) for Army, Navy, USMC and Coast Guard
  
  
  • Air University Transcript Request for Air Force


• Attend the Veteran and Military Services Orientation program for new students. (Details will be provided at your intake appointment.)


• To learn more about College Credit by Examination (CLEP & DSST), check out the DANTES site.

Paying for College

As an active duty military student, you may have several options to consider for financing your education. The VMS staff will discuss the various options with you during your appointment.  

• Military Tuition Assistance (TA) -  Each military service branch has an education program to help its service members reach their education goals. Visit the service branch education portals to discover the resources available for you on your educational journey. Check out the service branch education programs individual websites below.
  • Air Force
  • Army
  • Navy
  • Marine Corps
  • Coast Guard

• VA Educational Benefits: FCC is approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) for the training active duty personnel. FCC may certify enrollment to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for approved programs of study. If you are unsure which type of VA education benefit you qualify for, you may contact the VA Call Center by phone at 1.888.442.4551 or visit the VA website. You will need to provide your social security number when you make the call.
  • Post-9/11 GI Bill ^®(Chapter 33) Both Tuition Assistance and the Post 9/11 GI Bill ^® (Chapter 33) benefit can be utilized for applicable courses for approved programs of education. The School Certifying Official will reduce the tuition and fees they report to VA by the amount received from the military service Tuition Assistance. The VA will then issue any remaining tuition and fees and books stipend that you are due. These payments will follow normal Post 9/11 GI Bill ^® rules and entitlement.  For information regarding the transfer of any of your unused Post-9/11 GI Bill ^® benefits to your spouse or dependent children, visit the VA Education website.
  • Montgomery GI Bill ^®Active Duty (MGIB Chapter 30) Tuition Assistance Top Up : Tuition Assistance TOP-UP was authorized by Public Law 106-398 and allows VA Education benefits to cover the out of pocket costs for courses partially paid by Tuition Assistance. Tuition Assistance TOP-UP can only be paid to claimants receiving the Montgomery GI Bill ^® – Active Duty (MGIB-AD / Chapter 30) benefit.
    • Top Up Fact Sheet

• Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31): You may be eligible for VR&E benefits and services if you are an active duty service member and you meet at least one of the requirements listed below.
  • You have a 20% or higher pre-discharge disability rating (memorandum rating) and will soon leave the military, or
  • You are participating in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) process or awaiting discharge due to a medical condition resulting from a serious injury or illness that occurred in the line of duty. Learn more about accessing VR&E services through IDES.

• Educational and Career Counseling (Chapter 36) 

• Financial Aid and Scholarships: Active duty service members may apply for local, state, and federal aid options including scholarships, grants, work-study positions, and student loans.  The FCC Financial Aid staff are available to discuss options.

Priority Registration

Active Duty service members are eligible for Priority Registration. To participate in Priority Registration, students must provide documentation of their service.

Application for Priority Registration

In-State Tuition Rate

Please refer to the FCC Residency Policy for information regarding tuition and fees for veterans, military members, and dependents.
 

Current Students

• Active duty service members that are current students should regularly check the FCC Veteran and Military Services Blackboard Site for information and updates.

• If you apply to use Tuition Assistance, any type of employee/third party reimbursement, and/or any scholarship paying tuition and fees at the same time as you are using VA benefits at FCC, you must immediately notify the FCC VA Certifying Official by email at [email protected]. 

Commencement

Veterans/Reservist/National Guard and Active Duty Military graduates should contact VMS (Annapolis Hall, A109) to request the Military Cord for the Commencement ceremony. See the Commencement page for other important reminders.