Military and Veteran Education Benefits

1. Apply for VA Education Benefits to receive documentation showing that you have been awarded education benefits by the VA.
   • If you applied for Vocational Rehabilitation, your assigned Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor will send an authorization to us directly.
   • Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for all other VA education benefits, including Post-9/11 and Montgomery GI Bill®
2. Submit the MVEB Application, which explains the regulations and procedures students must follow while using benefits.
3. This form can only be filled out after you have been accepted to APU and you have been assigned an APU email address.
4. You will be prompted to upload required documentation; an explanation of each required document can be found on the second page of the form.
5. After you have enrolled in classes, complete a VA Certification Request Form, which authorizes APU to certify your enrollment to the VA.
6. You should complete this form only after you have enrolled in classes for the term for which you wish to be certified.
7. You will need to complete and submit a VA Certification Request Form upon the start of each semester during which you would like to use your VA education benefits.
8. If you make any changes to your class schedule, please notify us immediately by submitting an Add/Drop Form to ensure we are able to submit your certification correctly.
9. After the add/drop deadline, APU will certify your enrollment so you can receive the funding you are entitled to.

• As soon as we have a completed file for you and you are enrolled in classes within APU's system, we can begin certifying your enrollment to the VA so that you can receive the education benefits you are entitled to.
• Per VA regulations, only classes that are part of your degree program can be certified for benefits. Undergraduate students should work with an academic advisor to ensure you are enrolling only in classes that are part of your degree program. Graduate and professional students should consult their academic department for required courses. Any classes outside your degree program cannot be certified, and VA education benefits will not be applied toward these classes.
• If you are not enrolled full-time in your program at any time, you will not qualify for the full monthly payment rate that VA pays to you directly. If you are enrolled half-time or less, you may not qualify for any monthly payment at all depending on the type of education benefit the VA has awarded you. We encourage you to use the VA's GI Bill® Comparison Tool for information regarding the payment rates you qualify for.
• 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 website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a variety of education benefits. Explore the benefit types below to find out more about the various veterans benefit programs available. Remember, only the Department of Veterans Affairs can determine your benefits eligibility.

Chapter 1606—Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve

This program provides education and training benefits to eligible members of the Selected Reserve. Under this entitlement, the VA sends funds directly to the student. Learn more about Chapter 1606 and eligibility requirements on the VA website.

Chapter 30—Montgomery GI Bill®

Active duty servicemembers and veterans may be eligible to receive Chapter 30 education benefits. Under this entitlement, the VA sends funds directly to the student. Learn more about Chapter 30 and eligibility requirements on the VA website.

Chapter 31—Veteran Readiness and Employment, VR&E (Formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment)

Individuals who qualify for Chapter 31 benefits work with a veteran readiness counselor to develop an educational plan. Under this entitlement, the VA sends funds for mandatory tuition and fees directly to the university. Learn more about Chapter 31 and eligibility requirements on the VA website.

Chapter 35—Dependents’ Educational Assistance

Chapter 35 provides educational assistance to dependents of veterans who meet specific criteria. Under this entitlement, the VA will send funds directly to the student. Learn more about Chapter 35 and eligibility requirements on the VA website.

Fry Scholarship

The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship) provides Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to some surviving spouses and children of servicemembers. Learn more about the Fry Scholarship and eligibility requirements on the VA website.

Chapter 33—Post-9/11 GI Bill®

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® is available to eligible servicemembers as well as to servicemembers’ dependents, when applicable. Eligible servicemembers may transfer their Chapter 33 entitlements to a qualifying dependent if he or she meets specific requirements set forth by the VA. Chapter 33 assists students with mandatory tuition and fees based on the student’s benefit level, which is determined by the VA. Learn more about Chapter 33 and eligibility requirements on the VA website.

Under this entitlement, the VA will send funds for mandatory tuition and fees directly to the university up to an annual maximum cap based on your eligibility percentage. To find out more, use the GI Bill® Comparison Tool

The Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill® program also includes additional benefits that you may be eligible for:

Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon Program assists students at the 100% benefit eligibility level of the Post-9/11 GI Bill® in paying tuition and fees when tuition and mandatory fees exceed the annual cap for the academic year. It is a matching program that allows APU to contribute up to an additional $14,000 per year, which the VA will match. Note that active duty servicemembers and spouses of active duty servicemembers using transferred benefits are not eligible for Yellow Ribbon.

Basic Housing Allowance

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® may also provide a monthly Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for students who attend school at a rate above half-time. The amount of BAH a student receives depends on the student’s eligibility rating, as determined by the VA, as well as on course load. BAH also varies based on the location of the campus where you attend the majority of units. To find out more, use the GI Bill® Comparison Tool. Note that when a student enrolls in only online courses during a term, the VA will pay out a lower BAH rate. In order to qualify for the regular BAH rate, the student must enroll in at least one face-to-face class each term. Note that active duty servicemembers and spouses of active duty servicemembers using transferred benefits are not eligible for BAH. The VA sends BAH funds directly to the student.

If you are utilizing Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31) benefits, you may qualify for a computer at no cost to you (dependent on your VR&E counselor’s approval). Please follow the steps below in order to request a computer and other computer-related items:

1. Obtain a Request for Supplies Form from your VR&E counselor and fill out the areas relevant to you.
2. Submit the form to APU’s MVEB office; we will fill out the rest of the form.
3. We will then return the form to you and you must then submit it back to your counselor for approval.
4. After your counselor approves and signs off on the form, the approved form must be sent back to us and we will then notify APU’s Computer Store of the items you are eligible for.
5. You may pick up your items from APU’s Computer Store 48 hours after submitting the final approved form to us.

Please note that final approval rests with your VR&E counselor and APU is unable to release items that do not receive approval. Should you have any questions, please feel free to let us know.

If you are using VA education benefits (except Ch. 31 VR&E -- see note below) and you decide to take a course at another institution, that institution will need to certify your enrollment to the VA as your "Host School." Because APU is your degree-granting school, APU is known as your "Parent School." In order for the Host School to certify your enrollment, it will need to obtain a Parent Letter from APU. In order for us to generate the Parent Letter and send it to the Host School, we need the following items from you:

1. Documentation showing that the classes you want to take elsewhere will transfer into your program at APU. Once you obtain such documentation, you can move on to step 2 below.
2. Traditional Undergraduate Students: Take a look at the Articulation Agreements that APU already has in place with other colleges. If you cannot find an articulation agreement for the school and classes you want to take, please contact APU's Undergraduate Registrar's office and let them know that (1) you would like to take courses at another school and (2) you need paperwork showing that the courses will transfer into your program at APU.
3. Professional Undergraduate Students: Take a look at the Transfer Plans that APU already has in place with other colleges. If you cannot find a transfer plan for the school and classes you want to take, please contact APU's Graduate and Professional Registrar's office and let them know that (1) you would like to take courses at another school and (2) you need paperwork showing that the courses will transfer into your program at APU.
4. Graduate Students: Please contact APU's Graduate and Professional Registrar's office and let them know that (1) you would like to take courses at another school and (2) you need paperwork showing that the courses will transfer into your program at APU.
5. Fill out a Parent Letter Request Form to provide us with the information we need in order to send the Parent Letter to your Host School. You will be prompted to upload the transferability documentation that you obtained in step 1.
6. Once we receive a completed Parent Letter Request Form from you, we can issue the Parent Letter to your Host School, authorizing them to certify you for the courses you are planning to take there. Please let us know if you have any questions.

A student may request a Military Leave of Absence (MLOA) by contacting the undergraduate registrar’s office, and the request must be completed prior to the student’s absence from the university.

1. A copy of the student’s military orders, a letter from his/her commanding officer, or other documentation will be required to support the request for military leave.
2. The student may request any length for the leave, provided it does not begin more than 30 days prior to the assignment date and does not conclude more than 90 days after the end date stated on the assignment papers.
3. The return from the MLOA must coincide with a valid semester start date.
4. Students are eligible for readmission if, during their leave, they performed or will perform voluntary or involuntary active-duty service in the U.S. armed forces, including active duty for training and National Guard or Reserve service under federal authority, for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, and received a discharge other than dishonorable or bad conduct.
5. In general, the cumulative length of absence and all previous absences for military service (service time only) must not exceed five years.

Leave Duration

By default, all students requesting a Military Leave of Absence are granted the longest possible leave without exceeding 90 days beyond their assignment end date. Military and Veteran Services ensures that the MLOA return date coincides with a valid semester start date, and contacts students on Military Leave of Absence within 30 days after the end of their deployment to confirm or adjust the timing of their return as needed.

Courses in Progress

Students going on military leave are given a W grade for all in-progress courses, or dropped from courses if the last day of attendance is before the drop deadline. Such students are considered in Leave status; when they return from their critical military duty, they are assigned an enrollment appointment time in their online student center for the semester they are returning, and is responsible for enrolling in courses via the online student center. Students on military leave return to their studies without incurring financial penalty.

In the event of deployment and/or other circumstance related to military service that will disrupt a student’s course of study, the student is required to submit the Leave of Absence form to the Office of the Graduate and Professional Registrar. Attachment of student’s military orders and/or any other supporting documentation connected to leave is required. The form must be signed by the student’s program director or department chair and the dean. The student may request any length for the leave,as long as it does not begin more than 30 days prior to the assignment date, and does not conclude more than 90 days after the end date stated on the assignment papers. The university will allow more than one military leave of absence if the student is deployed and/or other circumstance related to military service arises. If a subsequent leave of absence is requested that is not related to military service, then the student must comply with the general Leave of Absence policy for professional programs. If the student begins the military leave of absence after the add/drop deadline and has courses in progress, the student will be granted a W (withdrawal) for those courses. Late drops will be considered via written request. Students with this status need not reapply or pay readmission fees.

1. Apply for Tuition Assistance benefits through your service area. The exact application process varies by branch of service. Military.com’s guide to Military Tuition Assistance is a helpful starting point for determining the process you should follow. Additionally, it is recommended that you speak with your Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within your service area prior to enrolling in classes. Additionally, it is recommended that you speak with your Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within your service area prior to enrolling in classes.
2. Submit the MVEB Application, which explains the regulations and procedures students must follow while using benefits.
3. After you have enrolled in classes, complete a TA Certification Request Form that will authorize APU to request benefits on your behalf. Please note that you can submit this form only after you have enrolled in classes. You must also submit a TA Certification Request Form prior to every semester for which you want to receive TA education benefits.
4. After the add/drop deadline, APU will certify your enrollment so you can receive the funding you are entitled to.

How much Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) will I receive?

Please contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at (888) 442-4551 or use the GI Bill® Comparison Tool to find out how much you will receive in Basic Housing Allowance. The VA pays BAH based on the location where you complete the majority of your classes and only the VA can determine your eligibility. Note that BAH is paid only to Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. Additionally, active duty servicemembers and spouses of active duty servicemembers using transferred benefits are not eligible for BAH.

Will I receive BAH if I am not a full-time student?

You will receive less BAH if you are not enrolled full-time. Additionally, you must be enrolled more than half-time to receive any BAH at all. Note that BAH is paid only to Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients.

I am also receiving federal, state, or institutional financial aid (i.e., Pell Grant, APU Support Grant, student loans, etc.). Can I receive a refund from this additional aid?

Yes, refunds are available for various financial aid awards. When the financial aid award disburses into your student account, it will be applied toward your outstanding balance. If your financial aid exceeds your outstanding balance, you can request a refund of the excess. After the VA has sent the tuition payment to APU, you can then request a refund for the remaining financial aid funds that were originally applied to your balance.

To request a refund, contact the appropriate area to begin the process:

• Traditional undergraduate students: Email your Student Account Specialist in the Student Services Center.
• Graduate and professional students: Email your Student Account Specialist in the Student Services Center (SSC) at [email protected].

I am a Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipient and I received a letter from the VA that states that my certification was submitted with $0 in tuition. What does this mean?

Post-9/11 GI Bill® certifications are originally submitted with a tuition amount of $0. After the add/drop deadline, once tuition has been finalized, we will edit your certification to reflect the actual amount of tuition charged so the VA can send its contribution.

Do I qualify for Yellow Ribbon?

To qualify for Yellow Ribbon, you must be a Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipient at the 100% eligibility level as determined by the VA. Additionally, active duty servicemembers and spouses of active duty servicemembers using transferred benefits are not eligible for Yellow Ribbon.

I am a Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipient at the 100% rating and eligible for Yellow Ribbon. Why do I still owe a balance to the university?

There are some charges that are not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill® or Yellow Ribbon. Any non-mandatory fees charged to your student account cannot be paid for by the Post-9/11 GI Bill® or Yellow Ribbon. These include parking permit, vehicle fines, housing, and dining plans, to name a few.

There are instances in which you may incur a debt to the VA. This typically occurs when you drop a course after the add/drop date, or if you receive a “W” in a course.

Yes, you must submit a Certification Request Form for every semester that you wish to use your education benefits. Use the appropriate form below:

• VA Certification Request Form
• TA Certification Request Form

You should submit a Certification Request Form after you have enrolled in courses for that term. APU cannot certify you for courses that you plan to take; we can only certify you for courses you are enrolled in. It is in your best interest to submit your Certification Request Form as soon as possible after you have enrolled in courses.

When you submit a Certification Request Form online, you can expect to receive a confirmation reply via email within 48 hours. Once your certification has been processed, you will receive an automated email from VA-ONCE, which is the system we use to submit your certification to the VA. If for any reason we cannot move forward with your request, you will receive an email explaining what we need from you in order to move forward. It is important that you check your APU email regularly.

If you make a change to your enrollment, you must notify us right away by submitting an Add/Drop Form.

No. The VA will pay benefits only for courses that apply to the student’s degree program. The only exception to this is during a student’s last enrollment period if the student does not have enough required courses left to take in order to reach full-time enrollment. In this situation, the student can enroll in additional, nonrequired courses in order to reach (but not exceed) full-time enrollment status—this is called “rounding out.” Note that this can be done only during the last enrollment period. The VA defines an enrollment period as an individual set of dates. Therefore, students enrolled in multiple sessions within a semester (e.g., Fall 1 and Fall 2) can round out only in one session or the other (whichever one in which they’ll complete the last remaining required courses).

Additionally, the VA allows students to utilize the Rounding Out policy only if the classes used to round out are classes that could have been used to satisfy graduation requirements specific to a student’s program of study. Classes that have been previously completed cannot be used to round out the student’s course load.

For example: a student pursuing a degree in political science may be required to take one of three potential courses in government as a graduation requirement: GOV 101, GOV 201, or GOV 301. Let's say the student decides to meet the graduation requirement by taking GOV 101. Later on, if the student does not have enough graduation requirements left to meet full-time enrollment during the last term of enrollment before completing the program, then the student can round out by taking GOV 201 or GOV 301. The VA will allow the student to take those additional government courses because they are included in the student’s program of education. If the student chooses a course outside of their program of study to round out, we will not be able to certify it for full-time enrollment.

No, these VA entitlements do not send payment to the university directly. Instead, you will receive a monthly stipend sent directly to you. Note that, while you can use your stipend to help pay your tuition and fees, the amount of the stipend is typically not enough to pay your entire balance.

To obtain more information about the various VA entitlements and see what you may qualify for, please call the VA’s education hotline at (888) 442-4551.

Visit vets.gov/education to apply for VA education benefits.

Unfortunately, we do not have access to VA records and are, therefore, unable to verify whether you are eligible for benefits or how much entitlement you have remaining. To obtain this information, please call the VA’s education hotline at (888) 442-4551.

After you apply, it can take up to 30 days for the VA to process your application and send you your Certificate of Eligibility. Our office needs a copy of this form from you, because it contains information we need to reference when we submit your enrollment certification to the VA. Without a copy of this letter, we are unable to complete your certification correctly.