Veterans Educational Services


HCHC is a military-friendly school that strives to assist military members, veterans, and their dependents in utilizing their education benefits. We provide information on education benefit programs, the application process for obtaining education benefits, and the certification process for using these benefits. If you have any questions not answered below, please contact the HCHC School Certifying Official, Janice King, at jking@niagarafishingservices.com.For further information, use this link for GI Bill Benefit Eligibility.

Principles of Excellence

President Obama signed Executive Order 13607: Establishing Principles of Excellence for Educational Institutions Serving Service Members, Veterans, Spouses and Other Family Members on April 27, 2012. These principles were developed to strengthen oversight, enforcement, and accountability of education programs, and to ensure our service members, veterans, and their families have the information they need to make informed decisions concerning their well-earned educational benefits. For more information, click here for a copy of this executive order.

Veterans Benefits

In accordance with Sec. 103 of The Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018:

Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (HCHC) permits any covered individual* to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to HCHC a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website – eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:

  • The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution, OR
  • 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility

    *A covered individual is any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits.

Delayed VA Payments

Under S2248 PL 115-407 Section 103, Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology does not penalize Chapter 31 or 33 students if/when the VA is late making payments. HCHC will not prevent enrolling, require alternative or additional sources of funding, deny access to facilities, or impose a late fee or any other penalty against a veteran or eligible dependent due to a late payment of tuition and/or fees from the VA up to the certified benefits amount. Any portion of the student bill not covered by VA benefits is still expected to be settled by the due date.

In order to prevent outstanding student accounts, Chapter 31 or 33 students must:

  • Submit a COE or Statement of Benefits by the first day of classes
  • Submit a written request to be certified
  • Provide any additional information needed for certification

Prior Credit

HCHC maintains written records of previous education and training of the veteran or eligible person and indicates appropriate credit has been given for previous education and training.

HCHC Non-Discrimination Policies

Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology is committed to establishing and maintaining a campus free of all forms of harassment and discrimination and will not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, color, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran status, religion, age, or disability.

We seek to provide opportunities and experiences for all students on an equal basis. HCHC is in compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, with the Internal Revenue Service Procedure 75‐ 50, and complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. We strongly encourage reporting any incident of harassment or discrimination and/or misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator.

HCHC is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment free of all forms of discrimination and harassment for all members of the College community. HCHC prohibits discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military service, or because of marital, parental, veteran status, or any other protected class. (HCHC Academic Guide 2020-2021, 105).