Get Educated! How to Use Your Veterans’ Benefits
Before you sign up for classes, know for sure that you are eligible to receive GI educational benefits and approximately how much of your expenses they will cover. This information is generally distributed during your out-processing. You can also contact the VA at any time to discuss the details of your eligibility. Have your DD Form 214 on hand when you call. They won't be able to tell you exactly how much money you will receive, but they can give you a rough idea based on your service record and any contributions you made under the MGIB.
Next it is time to actually go through the steps to take advantage of your benefits. For veterans who wish to use the MGIB or Post-9/11 GI Bill to go to college, this can mean a lot of searching. There are two main factors that are weighed in making this choice. Sometimes it is tough to decide which is more important:
- Going to a college that is close to home (and that you can afford)
- Going to a college that offers the qualified degree program that interests you
Thoroughly researching your options makes it more likely that you will find the perfect solution (or a compromise that still gives you what you need). Gathering information about which courses qualify for VA reimbursement at each university may seem like a daunting task. Fortunately, it is not necessary to call every college in the country to obtain this data. Online assistance and search tools are available to make the whole process much less time consuming. You can also discover what courses you may take as part of a qualified distance learning program. Degreed programs from accredited online colleges are often eligible under both versions of the GI Bill.
Documentation
Once you have decided which school to go to and what courses to take, it is time to apply. In addition to all the application forms the college requires, you will fill out the VA Form 22-1990. Take your time to make sure everything on your form is accurate before you send it in. This crucial set of paperwork will notify the VA that you are enrolled in an education program.
Usually, the veterans certifying official at your university will send your Form 22-1990 to the VA for you once you have completed and signed it. One or two months may pass before you hear from the VA that your application has been processed and exactly what your benefits will cover. You may be required to provide additional information to satisfy the VA regarding your eligibility. Don't get frustrated, just be patient.
Note: If you haven't made a final decision about which school to go to, you can still fill out the VA Form 22-1990 to get the ball rolling.
What's Next?
You will need to set up a user account on the VA's Web Automated Verification of Enrollment site (WAVE). At the end of each month, you must sign on to verify that you did attend your classes. If you don't remember to do this, the VA will not pay for that month's tuition. Under the MGIB, you can set up direct deposit to have your tuition reimbursement sent directly to your bank account. For the Post-9/11 GI Bill, payments will be made directly to your college.