To apply for Veteran’s Administration (VA) benefits for yourself or a dependent under the GI Bill®, you should contact the Veteran’s Administration (VA) directly at 1-888-442-455. You can also apply for benefits by visiting https://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/Applying.asp
The Veteran’s Administration determines eligibility and your benefit amount.
If eligibility is granted you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). After you have applied for admission you will need to provide your COE to the School Certifying Official (SCO) at the University.
Once you have been accepted to the University and registered for classes the SCO will certify your enrollment with the VA. Certification automatically take place 30 days prior to the start of classes. If you do not wish to use your benefits please notify the SCO in writing prior to the certification. The VA will not pay any benefits until your enrollment is certified by the University.
It is recommended that in addition to applying for VA Benefits that you complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). FAFSA could cover any expenses not covered by the VA. To apply please visit www.studentaid.gov. If you are a Vermont Resident it is recommended that you apply for Vermont grants and scholarships through VSAC (Vermont Student Assistance Corporation). To apply please visit www.vsac.org. Any expenses not covered will be the responsibility of the student.
Chapter 30, 35, 1606, & 1607 (Active duty, Selected Reserve, Reserve Educational Assistance Program):
On the LAST CALENDAR DAY of each month, YOU MUST either call in to the VA to self-certify your enrollment, or do so online through the GI Bill Website’s WAVE program. You must set up an account to use the WAVE program at https://gibill.va.gov/wave . Failure to self-certify on a monthly basis will result in delayed payment of your benefits by the VA.
Benefits for those receiving Chapter 30, 1606, 1607, or 35, will be paid directly to the student. Arrangements for payment of your bill are the student’s responsibility.
Your parent/spouse should have received an approval notice from the Department of Defense (DOD). If the parent/spouse has not received an approval notice of the benefit transfer, he/she should contact the DOD. If your parent/spouse needs instructions on how to submit a request to transfer his/her benefits, please contact the base personnel office.
Once the DOD approval has been received the STUDENT must then apply for benefits, using form VA 22-1990E. The STUDENT will then receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) letter from the VA at the student’s home address. A copy of the COE letter must be submitted to the SCO.
The VA will pay tuition and mandatory fees for Chapter 33 recipients directly to the University. The percentage paid will be determined by the VA and indicated on your COE. Chapter 33 recipients also receive a book stipend and a monthly housing allowance (MHA), based on your eligibility percentage. These funds will be paid directly to you.
If you charge your textbooks to your student account, at the College Store, you are responsible for those charges. Payment for room and board is also your responsibility.
It is your responsibility to arrange for payment of any charges not considered to be tuition or mandatory fees. Tuition, fees and the insurance are examples of covered expenses. Room, board, supplies, parking fines, housing fines and travel expenses are not considered covered expenses. The VA does not cover travel/ transportation, food or lodging for Study Abroad semesters.
Pursuant to Section 103 of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, beginning August 1, 2019, for any student using Ch. 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill or Ch. 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment benefits, even if the VA has not yet paid tuition and fees, Castleton will not:
However, Castleton will require that such students:
For more information:
Stephanie Cleveland
School Certifying Official
802.468.1274
stephanie.cleveland@castleton.edu
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 web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.