Veterans education benefits
Certification required
To receive education benefits, you must be certified, a process that can take up to three months. Your first step is to submit all required documentation to the University's Veterans Certification Office in 200 Fraser Hall (EXCEPTION: Applicants for Chapter 31 must meet with a USDVA counselor). The documentation will be forwarded electronically within 2 business days to the USDVA Regional Processing Office in St. Louis. Their decision on your eligibility may take up to 12 weeks.
If you choose to complete and submit the Application for VA Benefits (22-5495) or the Change of Program or Place of Training (22-1995) online, be sure to send your VONAPP signature page directly to USDVA St. Louis Office, not the University Certification Office, to avoid a hold on your payments.
Keep in mind that any veterans education benefits you receive must be reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you have specific questions, please contact USDVA St. Louis Office toll-free at 1-888-442-4551 or go to the USDVAWeb site, www.gibill.va.gov.
Verify your enrollment
Chapter 30, 1607, and 1606 recipients: Once you are certified for your benefits, you must verify your enrollment with the VA at the end of each month before you will receive your payment. To verify enrollment, go to the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) or call 1-877-823-2378.
Benefit programs
Eligibility criteria and benefits vary for veterans education benefit programs from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA). Descriptions of monthly stipends, eligibility periods, financial aid criteria, and the documentation required are described in the links below.
- Minnesota GI Bill
- Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30)
- Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)
- REAP (Reserve Educational Assistance Program - Chapter 1607)
- VEAP (Veterans Educational Assistance Program - Chapter 32)
- DEAP (Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program - Chapter 35)
- Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31)