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Veterans Educational Benefits
Veterans Educational Programs (VEPs) | Veterans Education Benefits | Transfer Applicants
Guest Students | Current Students | Change of Major/Program of Study | Enrollment Status
Change in Enrollment Status | General Information for Chapter 30, 1606, or 1607
Tuition Assistance | Chapter 30 and 33 Recipients | Chapter 1606 and 1607 Recipients
Veterans Educational Programs (VEPs)
- Montgomery G.I. Bill – Chapter 30
- Post 9/11 GI Bill – Chapter 33
- Selected Reserve – Chapter 1606
- Reserve Education Assistance Program – Chapter 1607
- Survivors' and Dependents' Program – Chapter 35
The Veteran's Administration (VA) website, www.gibill.va.gov offers descriptions and eligibility requirements for these programs. Additional questions about eligibility can be answered by contacting the VA at 1.888.442.4551.
- Vocational Rehabilitation Program – Chapter 31
The Veterans Administration (VA) website, http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre offers eligibility requirements for this program.
Veterans Education Benefits
First Time Applicants
Step 1: VA students applying for benefits for the first time must complete a VA application. Applications can be submitted online through VA's online application system (VONAPP) http://www.gibill.va.gov/apply-for-benefits/application.
- Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill – Form 22-1990
- Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill – Form 22-1990
- Chapter 33 Post 9/11 Transferred benefits to Dependent (33 TEB) – Form 22-1990e (Transfer of benefits must be approved before completing the VA application form https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect)
- Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill Select Reserve – form 22-1990
- Chapter 1607 Reserve Education Assistance Program – form 22-1990
- Chapter 35 Dependent Education Assistance – form 22-5490
- Chapter 31 VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program – form 28-1900 found at http://www.vetsuccess.gov
Step 2: Complete a MSU VA Enrollment Form each semester once you have registered for classes.
- The MSU VA Enrollment Form can be submitted online at http://www.mountainstate.edu/forms/va_enrollment.htm or by visiting the VA Certifying Official at your campus.
- Chapter 31 VA Voc Rehab students must also provide the VA Certifying Official the VA Authorization Form VA Form 28-1905 obtained from their VA Counselor before enrollment information can be submitted for processing.
- VA programs will pay only for courses that are required for your program of study. The VA will not pay for additional classes (fillers) that are not required for your program of study that you may take in order to be considered a full time student unless it is your absolute last semester to complete your degree.
- VA will not pay for remedial classes (ENGL 100 and MATH 100) in any distance education format (online or independent study).
- VA calculates training time differently that Financial Aid (12 credit hours in a semester does not guarantee full-time status for VA purposes). If you have questions about how VA will view your training time please contact your campus VA Certifying Official or the Veterans Services Office.
- Post 9/11 GI Bill BAH payments are based on the zip code of the campus where you are attending classes not the zip code of your personal residence. Students taking all distance education classes will receive their eligibility percentage of half the national average of BAH (currently $673.50 for full-time status).
Please note:
VA processing time varies greatly throughout the year. Enrollment certifications submitted for new applicants during non-peak enrollment periods may be processed in a little as 30 days but during peak periods the processing time may be as much as 60 days or more.
Transfer Applicants
If you have received VA benefits at another school and are transferring to MSU, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Complete a Change of School/Change of Program Form. This form is available at http://www.gibill.va.gov/apply-for-benefits/application
- For Chapter 30/33/33 TEB/1606/1607 – use form 22-1995
- For Chapter 35 – use form 22-5495
- For Chapter 31 – you must see your VA Voc Rehab Counselor
Step 2: Complete a MSU VA Enrollment Form each semester once you have registered for classes.
- The MSU VA Enrollment Form can be submitted online at http://www.mountainstate.edu/forms/va_enrollment.htm or by visiting the VA Certifying Official at your campus.
- Chapter 31 VA Voc Rehab students must also provide the VA Certifying Official the VA Authorization Form VA Form 28-1905 obtained from their VA Counselor before enrollment information can be submitted for processing.
- VA programs will pay only for courses that are required for your program of study. The VA will not pay for additional classes (fillers) that are not required for your program of study that you may take in order to be considered a full time student unless it is your absolute last semester to complete your degree.
- VA will not pay for remedial classes (ENGL 100 and MATH 100) in any distance education format (online or independent study).
- VA calculates training time differently that Financial Aid (12 credit hours in a semester does not guarantee full-time status for VA purposes). If you have questions about how VA will view your training time please contact your campus VA Certifying Official or the Veterans Services Office.
- Post 9/11 GI Bill BAH payments are based on the zip code of the campus where you are attending classes not the zip code of your personal residence. Students taking all distance education classes will receive their eligibility percentage of half the national average of BAH (currently $673.50 for full-time status).
Please note:
VA processing time varies greatly throughout the year. Enrollment certifications submitted during non-peak enrollment periods for students who have received VA Education Benefits in the past may be processed in a little as 17 days but during peak periods the processing time may be as much as 45 days or more.
If you are transferring to MSU from a school that is processed out of a different VA Regional Office than the VA Office overseeing your MSU campus VA processing times can be longer due to VA record transfer procedures.
MSU Beckley Campus, Center Township Campus, and Martinsburg Campus are processed at:
VA Regional Office
P. O. Box 4616
Buffalo, NY 14240-4616
MSU Hickory, Mooresville, and Orlando Campuses are processed at:
VA Regional Office
P. O. Box 100022
Decatur, GA 30031-7022
Guest Students
Step 1: Provide MSU VA Certifying Official with a Primary School Letter
Students who are taking classes at MSU to complete a degree at another school will need to have the VA Certifying Official at their Home School submit a Primary School Letter to the VA Certifying Official at the MSU campus the guest student is attending before a VA enrollment certification can be processed.
Step 2: Complete a MSU VA Enrollment Form each semester once you have registered for classes.
- The MSU VA Enrollment Form can be submitted online at http://www.mountainstate.edu/forms/va_enrollment.htm or by visiting the VA Certifying Official at your campus.
- Chapter 31 VA Voc Rehab students must also provide the VA Certifying Official the VA Authorization Form VA Form 28-1905 obtained from their VA Counselor before enrollment information can be submitted for processing.
- As a guest student VA programs will pay only for courses that are listed on the Primary School Letter.
- Post 9/11 GI Bill BAH payments are based on the zip code of the campus where you are attending classes not the zip code of your personal residence. Students taking all distance education classes will receive their eligibility percentage of half the national average of BAH (currently $673.50 for full-time status).
Please note:
VA processing time varies greatly throughout the year. Enrollment certifications submitted during non-peak enrollment periods for students who have received VA Education Benefits in the past may be processed in a little as 17 days but during peak periods the processing time may be as much as 45 days or more.
Current Students
Complete a MSU VA Enrollment Form each semester once you have registered for classes.
- The MSU VA Enrollment Form can be submitted online at http://www.mountainstate.edu/forms/va_enrollment.htm or by visiting the VA Certifying Official at your campus.
- Chapter 31 VA Voc Rehab students must have a current Authorization Form (VA Form 28-1905) on file in the VA Certifying Officials Office before enrollment information can be submitted for processing.
- VA programs will pay only for courses that are required for your program of study. The VA will not pay for additional classes (fillers) that are not required for your program of study that you may take in order to be considered a full time student unless it is your absolute last semester to complete your degree.
- VA will not pay for remedial classes (ENGL 100 and MATH 100) in any distance education format (online or independent study).
- VA calculates training time differently that Financial Aid (12 credit hours in a semester does not guarantee full-time status for VA purposes). If you have questions about how VA will view your training time please contact your campus VA Certifying Official or the Veterans Services Office.
- Post 9/11 GI Bill BAH payments are based on the zip code of the campus where you are attending classes not the zip code of your personal residence. Students taking all distance education classes will receive their eligibility percentage of half the national average of BAH (currently $673.50 for full-time status).
Please note:
VA processing time varies greatly throughout the year. Enrollment certifications submitted during non-peak enrollment periods for students who have received VA Education Benefits in the past may be processed in a little as 17 days but during peak periods the processing time may be as much as 45 days or more.
Change of Major/Program of Study
The VA will only pay for classes that are required under the program of study (major) the VA currently shows in their database. If you decide to change your major, please follow the step below:
Complete a Change of School/Change of Program Form. This form is available at http://www.gibill.va.gov/apply-for-benefits/application
- For Chapter 30/33/33 TEB/1606/1607 – use form 22-1995
- For Chapter 35 – use form 22-5495
- For Chapter 31 – you must see your VA Voc Rehab Counselor
Dual Majors,Minors, and Dual Objectives
Students may pursue a dual major or a minor as part of a single objective.
- Dual Major: Dual majors pursued under an academic policy that defines the dual major's requirements can be certified if both majors are approved. Only courses required to complete the dual major can be certified.
- Minor: A minor pursued as part of an approved major can be certified, even if the minor will require additional credit to graduate. Only courses required to complete the degree, including the minor, can be certified.
Enrollment Status
VA students may be required to enroll in more than 12 credit hours to be considered full time for VA purposes. The VA calculates training time based on the number of credit hours and the length of the term. Classes or groups of classes that have different beginning and ending dates have to be submitted separately. This applies to students enrolling in a combination of traditional, cohort, online, independent study, hybrid, and/or directed study classes within the same semester. VA then calculates the training time for each separate date range then adds the training times together when terms overlap.
VA students must report any changes in enrollment to the contact person on the appropriate campus within 7 days of registering for additional courses, dropping courses, or withdrawal. Failure to report this information can lead to overpayments. If an overpayment occurs, you will be required to refund the money to the VA. Students who have questions about how changes to their enrollment status will affect their VA Education Benefits should contact their campus VA Certifying Official or the Veterans Services Office before processing any paperwork to discuss options.
Change in Enrollment Status
VA students should be aware that drops or withdraws from a class(es) may require repayment of funds awarded for that class(es). If there is a special circumstance involved in the drop/withdrawal, the student is responsible for contacting the VA Certifying Official so it can be reported to the VA. Examples would be: illness, accidents, deployment, and other situations beyond the student's control.
If you are deployed, call your campus contact immediately. Documentation of deployment will be required.
General Information for Chapter 30, Chapter 1606, or Chapter 1607
VA students receiving benefits under Chapter 30, Chapter 1606, or Chapter 1607 must verify enrollment each month under a program called Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE). This can be done via the Internet (www.gibill.va.gov/wave) or by calling 1.877.823.2378. Failure to verify each month will result in the VA holding the monthly benefit payment.
Tuition Assistance
Students wishing to apply for tuition assistance through the West Virginia National Guard or Air Guard need to apply online at https://www.wvguardtuition.com. Students must apply for this benefit at least 60 days before the start of the term. Student with questions about the WV National Guard or Air Guard tuition assistance program may contact:
WVEEP Education Officer
Ms. Kathy Kidd
State Finance
1703 Coonskin Drive
Charleston WV 25311
COMM: 304-561-6306
DSN: 623-6306
COMM FAX: 304-561-6307
DSN FAX: 623-6307
Kathy.kidd@us.army.mil
Students wishing to apply for Federal Tuition Assistance should contact their Education Officer and complete the appropriate paperwork. Information for each branch of the service can be found below.
- Army/Army Reserve/National Guard: https://www.goarmyed.com
- Marine: http://www.usmc-mccs.org/education/mta.cfm
- Navy: https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/nta.cfm#form
- Air Force: https://www.my.af.mil
- Coast Guard: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/capemay/Education/ta.asp
Please Note:
If a student receives education benefits from VA and receives TA benefits from the military, duplication of benefits may be an issue. The issue might involve VA regulations, DoD regulations, or both since VA and DoD both have regulations about receiving VA benefits and TA at the same time. Potential duplication issues are outlined below.
Chapter 30 and 33 Recipients
Active duty servicepersons may not receive standard VA benefits for the same courses for which they receive TA from the military. If a student takes several courses, the student can't receive Chapter 30 benefits for the courses for which TA is paid, but the student can receive Chapter 30 benefits for the courses for which TA isn't paid.
Chapter 30 and 33 "Top-up"
Servicepersons and veterans eligible for Chapters 30 and 33 and approved for TA are eligible for Top-up.
What is Top-up? If TA doesn't pay the full cost of a course, Top-up will pay the difference between what TA pays and the cost of the course.
Duplication of benefits isn't an issue because the student is receiving Top-up, not Chapter 30 or Chapter 33. As noted above, active duty students may not receive regular Chapter 30 or 33 benefits and TA for the same course. Top-up is the only VA program that will pay a student on active duty and receiving TA for the same course.
Detailed information about Tuition Assistance Top-up and about applying for Top-up is available on the GI Bill website (http://gibill.va.gov/documents/pamphlets/tuition-assistance-top-up.pdf).
Chapter 1606 and 1607 Recipients
VA regulations state active duty servicepersons may not receive VA benefits for the same courses for which they receive TA from the military. Some Active Guard Reserve (AGR) members receiving Chapter 1606 or Chapter 1607 benefits are considered to be on active duty. The active duty prohibition would apply to these AGR members.
DoD regulations state service members may not receive Chapter 1606 and TA for the same courses if they are less than half-time. Although DoD regulations permit Chapter 1606 and TA for service members training half-time or more, the military generally does not provide TA to members who receive VA benefits because TA funding is limited. Chapter 1607 benefits can never be paid for the same courses as TA regardless of training time. Also, keep in mind that Chapter 1606, Chapter 1607, and TA cannot be paid for the same courses for service members on active duty.
Army National Guard and Air National Guard TA is complex because Guard TA may be federal or state funded. Most National Guard units use federal money for TA. When federal funding is used, some Guard units will ask students to get a letter from their school that says they're not receiving VA benefits for the same credits for which they applied for TA. If you certified a student for 12 credits (full-time) and he or she is taking 16 credits, you can report 4 credits to the Guard as credits for which the student is not receiving VA benefits.
Some states have appropriated state money for TA for their National Guard units. When state funding is used for TA, duplication (subject to state regulations) is not an issue because the funding is not "federal" funding; the funding is not from two (duplicate) federal sources.
Reserve TA—Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve—and Chapter 1606 or Chapter 1607 is always federal funding, so duplication is always an issue.