How do I start my VA Educational Benefits if I have never used them before?
Students must submit an
Application for Educational Benefits, VA Form 22-1990 or VA Form 22-5490,
in order to start their Educational Benefits. Please contact the Veterans Affairs
Office on campus in order
to start this process and obtain any additional documents that may be needed
to start a new student file.
I received GI
Bill benefits last semester but didn't get a check this semester. What should
I do?
You need to certify your classes every semester (including summer semesters)
by filling out the
Veteran Intent to Enroll and bringing it to the Office of Veterans Affairs
in the Student Services
Building. We encourage students to do this as soon as they have registered for
the upcoming
semester to prevent any delays in payment.
What if my certification status changes?
Changes in enrollment status
are required to be reported promptly to the Office of Veteran
Affairs. Failure to do so can result in overpayments made by the VA.Changes
in enrollment
status include: increasing or decreasing the number of hours enrolled, withdrawal
and nonattendance,
What if I've been taking classes and found out I could have been receiving benefits?
You will need to come by
the Veterans Affairs Office so that we may evaluate your situation.
You could possibly receive backpay for up to one year prior.
What if I already have my Certificate of Eligibility?
Bring your certificate and
your signed degree plan to the Veterans Affairs Office so we can begin
processing your certification.
When will I receive my first check?
New applications take approximately
6 to 8 weeks from the date received to process for certification.
You will be paided retroactively from the start of the first day of the semester
of eligibility.
What if I fail/repeat a course?
VA has specific regulations
in regards to which courses may be retaken. If a grade of "F" is received,
the course may be repeated and included in certification from the VA. If a grade
of "D" is received, it
may be retaken and certified through the VA only if it is a course pertaining
to the major and is required
to have a "C" or better. Please contact the Veterans Affairs Office
on campus if you plan to retake any
course.
Can I enroll in any course that I want?
You can only receive benefits
for courses that are listed on your current degree plan. Any course not on
the degree plan must be approved by your Academic Advisor prior to certification.
If the Academic
Advisor cannot approve the course in question, the course will not be included
in certification for benefits.
Will I be able to receive advance payments from the VA?
No. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi does not accept advance payment checks from the VA.
How will I be paid?
Checks are mailed at the
end of the month for the preceding month of enrollment. Chapter 30 students
and Chapter 1606 students can receive these payments via direct deposit because
they must verify
enrollment on the last calendar day of each month. All other chapters must wait
for the check to be mailed
from the VA and can only deposit the check on or after the first day of the
month.
What if I transfer from a different school? How do I use my benefits again?
Students who have already
applied for their educational benefits and have received them at another institution
must submit a Change of Place or Program, VA Form 22-1995 or VA Form 22-5495.
Can I change my program?
Yes, you must submit a Change of Place or Program, VA Form 22-1995 or VA Form 22-5495.
Do I have to certify my courses every semester?
Yes,
a Veterans Intent to Enroll
must be completed each semester and submitted to the office for certification.
If this form is not in your file, you will not be certified for the terms you
are enrolled in; this will cause a delay
in receipt of benefits.
Do my VA Educational Benefits pay for my tuition and fees?
No, the VA Educational Benefits
are a monthly stipend that you receive while enrolled in school. This money
is meant to supplement living expenses while attending institutions of higher
education. It is the student's
responsibility to arrange for payment of tuition and fees for the terms in question.
Please contact the Office of
Financial Aid or the Business Office to discuss options available for payment
of tuition and fees.
How can I request a copy of my Military Service Record, including my DD Form 214?
Please visit http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/get-service-records.html
to request a
copy of your military service record.