How do I apply to ̽̽ as a veteran or dependent using VA benefits?
Veterans: There are two main paths to become a ̽̽ student when using VA education benefits after serving in the military. You may register as a continuing education student (path #1), or apply as a transfer student (path #2). With either path, apply for or update your VA benefits online when you apply or register to ̽̽.
Dependents: Apply to ̽̽ as a first year or as a transfer student if you attended another college/university. Apply for VA benefits online or update VA with your choice to attend ̽̽ at vets.gov when you apply to ̽̽.
Dependents must apply for their VA benefit after it has been transferred to them by their military sponsor, usually a parent, through the .
I'm a parent / sponsor of a VA student, how do benefits work at ̽̽?
Review education benefits for dependents, based on your benefits chapter here.
Make sure to understand what to expect for payments, the in-state rate eligiblity, and encourage your student to submit a Request for Enrollment Certification for each semester they intend on using benefits.
If you are a Proxy with account and billing or financial aid access for your dependent student, review the VA Parent / Proxy information here.
How do I know which VA benefit(s) I am eligible for?
Only VA can tell you what education benefit you are eligible for and the only official notification is through a Certificate of Eligibility which they send you in the US Mail. Research and apply.
Do I qualify for in-state tuition?
̽̽ bills some eligible VA students at the in-state rate even if they are classified as out-of-state students. To qualify, covered individuals must live in VT and be using Chapter 30, 31, 33 (Post 9/11) GI Bill®, or Chapter 35 DEA benefits, including transfer of entitlement for eligible dependents, for the semester they are billed in-state. Request enrollment certification in the my̽̽ Portal in order to keep your in-state rate, or have your bill changed from the out-of-state rate to the in-state rate.
See the University Operating Procedure for details:
/sites/default/files/̽̽-Policies/policies/armedforcesbilling.pdf
Do VA benefits affect financial aid?
Yes, VA benefits will be calculated in your ̽̽ financial aid award. They will not affect your Title IV aid, such as Pell Grant or Loan Eligibility, but will affect ̽̽ specific aid.
Additional calculations may apply for ̽̽ specific aid. If you are an out-of-state student being billed at the in-state rate in honor of your GI Bill® VA education benefits, any out-of-state scholarship may be reduced to 40% of it's offered total to account for the difference in tuition. Check your financial aid package in the my̽̽ portal SFS tab for details to view your revised award (see “Important Messages” for information from your SFS aid counselor).
What do I do when I get my bill from ̽̽?
Your bill is your responsibility no matter who is paying it. Review your bill against what you anticipate VA paying to ̽̽. You are responsible for paying any charges (e.g. tuition and fees beyond what VA is paying or room and board charges) that are not covered by your VA benefits when your bill is due. For assistance, contact veterans@uvm.edu or sfs@uvm.edu. To respond to your bill, contact billpay@uvm.edu.
What do I need to do each semester or year to continue receiving benefits?
Each semester you want to use benefits complete a Request for Enrollment Certification in the my̽̽ Portal Veterans Tab once you are registered for classes. ̽̽ will send your enrollment information to VA and update your schedule to VA after the add/drop period and with any changes you make during a term.
If you are using Yellow Ribbon Scholarship, reapply with Student Financial Services each May. Note many students are now billed at the in-state rate while using benefits, eliminating the need for a Yellow Ribbon Scholarship application.
When will I receive payments from VA?
Payments from VA for new benefits usually arrive 6-8 weeks after your confirmation email from VAOnce@vba.va.gov stating your enrollment information has been received by VA.
Payments for returning students usually take 4-6 weeks after that confirmation email.
Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® housing stipend is always paid at the end of the month, for the previous month of school attended. E.g. September stipend is paid on or around September 30 or October 1.
In all cases, only VA can determine what your payment is, and when it can be sent according to the chapter of law your benefit falls under.
Can I use VA benefits to study abroad?
Yes, but only in limited programs. Contact veterans@uvm.edu or oie@uvm.edu for more information.
What if I’m ordered to Active Duty?
Military service comes first and ̽̽ has your back if you are called to serve. If you are ordered to active duty, send a copy of your orders to veterans@uvm.edu and tell us if you’d like to drop your courses, or take incompletes based on an agreement with your instructor. You may resume the next semester after you return.
See page 3 of the Refund and Bill Adjustment plolicy at the link below:
How do I contact the VA with a question?
Some questions have to be answered by the US Department of Veterans Affairs rather than ̽̽.
Call, or use AskVA.gov:
What course fees will VA pay?
When using Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® VA will pay your comprehensive fee and course fees prorated to your eligibility tier directly to ̽̽ after the add/drop period. Courses must be required for your degree program.
Fees NOT paid by VA include:
• Inter-Residency Association fee ($15 for on campus students),
• Meal plan charges or upgrades
• Housing / dorm and related charges
• Parking permits (except Chapter 31 students with a Tungsten Authorization)
• Late payment fees
What courses can I take while using benefits?
You may take any courses that you choose – however, VA will only pay for courses that apply to your degree program. In some cases Student Veteran Services will verify that a course is required for your program by contacting your College Dean’s Office or your academic advisor. If you know of an exception being made ask your advisor to email veterans@uvm.edu.
- my̽̽ > Advising (Degree Audit) > Academic Profile > Advisor
- Graduate student's may need to contact their academic advisor to confirm course applicability before certification
What happens if VA pays my ̽̽ bill after the due date?
VA often pays after your ̽̽ bill is due. Always request enrollment certification before your bill is due, and make satisfactory arrangement to pay any portion you are responsible for with Student Financial Services by emailing billpay@uvm.edu prior to the due date. When your enrollment is certified to VA a positive indicator will be placed on your student account so you do not receive a late fee, as long as you make appropriate arrangement for your portion of your bill, if applicable.
What happens if I receive a failing grade, incomplete, or choose to withdraw from a course VA paid for?
Generally, if you receive an “F” you don’t have to pay VA back, but if you receive a “W” you do have to pay VA back. Incomplete’s must be made up according to the agreement with your instructor. When you have a letter grade contact Student Veteran Services to avoid a debt to VA.
VA considers a failing grade punitive and a withdrawal non-punitive.
More information is on .
How do I change my schedule, or add/drop/withdraw from courses I am currently enrolled in?
Understand the potential changes to your VA benefits and consider that you may have to repay VA if you withdraw.
Complete the schedule change in the my̽̽ Portal Registrar tab after consulting your academic advisor.
Inform student veteran services by clicking “Update my Enrollment Information” in the my̽̽ Portal Veterans tab. We will update VA so they pay any additional tuition or fees, or calculate a debt to you based on your change.
What are my health requirements as a new student at ̽̽?
New undergraduate first year/transfer students are required to complete a number of health requirements (see link to the CHWB website below).
While many(perhaps most) student veterans obtain health services at the VA or off campus health offices, they are eligible to obtain health care on campus if they are full time
and have the full time comprehensive fee on their account. Also, they are required to complete the New Student Health Requirements which apply to them (i.e. the immunization
requirement for undergrads, and the online health insurance decision form for any student registered for 9+ credits).
/health/new-student-information
The requirements that most VA students have questions about are #1 and #3 at the link above.
What is ̽̽'s Cohort Default Rate (CDR)?
The CDR or Cohort Default Rate is the percentage of a school’s borrowers who enter repayment on certain FFELs and/or Direct Loans, and who default (or meet the other specified condition) within prescribed cohort default period(s). It is available at: (navigate to link and search on ̽̽'s OPEID number 003696 or name "The Unviersity of Vermont and State Agricultural College".