Veterans Benefits FAQ

To apply for VA Education Benefits, please visit the Department of Veterans Affairs. Click on Education & Training > For Students > Get Started > Apply for Benefits > Find your education benefits form > Answer benefit questions > Apply now. After you submit the application and it is approved, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility in the mail in three-four weeks. Submit a copy of the certificate along with your DD-214 to the VA Certifying Official. You can also sign up for an account through eBenefits at Department of Veterans Affairs. This site will give you immediate access to educational and non-educational benefit information and various forms.  You can also request an official copy of your military transcripts. Note: Military transcripts are not mandatory for admission into the college but are reviewed for transfer credit.  You can request transcripts for Air Force or  transcripts for Army, Navy/Marines, and Coast Guard.

If you have used your benefits at another institution, please visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website and complete the “Change of Program or Place of Training” form. Submit a copy of the completed form to the VA Certifying Official.

The following is a list of commonly used forms:

• 22-1990 – Application for VA Education Benefits (use this form if you are the veteran or have had post-9/11 benefits transferred to you by a veteran)
• 22-5490 – Application for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (use this form if you are a dependent of a veteran that has a 100 percent service-connected disability or is deceased due to the disability)
• 22-1995 – Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (use this form if you are the veteran and you are transferring to another institution)
• 22-5495 – Request for Change of Program or Place of Training for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (use this form if you are the dependent of a veteran and you are transferring to another institution)

First you must notify your Certifying Official that you have registered so they can send your information into VA. The certification process begins approximately 30 days before the start of any given term. Once you are certified, you should receive an email confirmation.

You can receive financial aid and VA education benefits at the same time. However, VA does mandate that HOPE is the first payer and the balance remaining is submitted to the VA. The Pell Grant is not affected by VA Education benefits.

You can access payment rates on the Department of Veterans Affairs website.

The following chapters are required to verify enrollment monthly. This can be done via the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) on the website or calling 1-877-823-2378.

Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI BILL)

Chapter 33 (Post – 9/11)

Chapter 1606 (Selective Reserve)

Chapter 1607 (REAP)

With the exception of some Chapter 33 and Chapter 31 students, all students are required to pay tuition/fees/books out of pocket. If a Chapter 33 student is not covered at 100 percent or is considered out-of-state, they will be required to pay the difference. You can also apply for financial aid at studentaid.gov to see if you qualify for HOPE or the Pell Grant. For Chapter 33 recipients only: VA only covers the in-state portion of tuition and fees. If you are classified as an out-of-state student, you are responsible for the out-of-state portion of tuition.

Payments begin the month after the beginning of each semester. If you have not received your monthly payment and it has been at least 30-45 days since your enrollment certification was submitted by WGTC, please call the VA directly at 1-888-442-4551.

Due to issues with overpayments, the VA Certifying Official reports credit hours separately from tuition and fees. Credit hours are reported before the start of the term. However, to ensure that tuition and fees are reported accurately to the VA, they are submitted after the add/drop period has ended and HOPE is processed.