Using Your Education Benefit at FAU

Students Utilizing VA Education Benefit

Wait 30 Days

Thirty days before classes begin, visit our website to submit your “Semester VA Enrollment certification Request Form”. Repeat this step with each semester you wish to utilize your VA Education Benefit.

What Happens Next?

We accept or reject your submitted request (if the form is not accurately completed or missing required documents).

  • If Accepted, you will receive an email stating the request is in queue to be certified to VA. Email Subject: “VA Enrollment Certification Request has been Accepted and is In Queue for Certification.”(processed first in first out, and it can take up to 30 days with the MVSSC office).
    • A deferment is applied to your account for the semester.
    • You will receive an email from the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs, with the subject " Enrollment Manager – Record submitted by certifying official” that the semester enrollment certification to VA has been submitted by our office.
    • Review the enrollment detail section to ensure your semester start and end dates and credit hours enrolled are accurately reported to VA.
  • If rejected  – a rejection notification to your FAU email is will be sent to the student including the reason for the rejection. Students can correct issues on their submitted forms the by clinking on the link at the bottom of the rejection email.
    • A deferment is applied to your account for the semester.

Sign up for the  Side -X- Side Career Readiness Program .

Join the Mil & Vets student organization on campus -  Veteran Owls

Check out the FAQs page for any question you may have, or contact us at  veterans@fau.edu  or  561-297-4725   Note:  When contacting our office by email, make sure to share your Z# and use ONLY your FAU email

VA Education Benefits Breakdown

The Military and Veteran Student Success Center is here to assist you in understanding the education benefits provided to you from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense and the state of Florida. Students at FAU can utilize the benefits mentioned below towards a VA approved program at FAU. To learn more about how these benefits work at FAU, click on the below links or click on the TA/EDD or Scholarship tab for more.

You may be eligible for education benefits or training through the Montgomery GI Bill®®-Active Duty (MGIB-AD) if you served at least 2 years on active-duty. See if you eligible here and check out the current payment rates.

Note: If you are eligible for more than one benefit. You will need to choose which benefit you would like to use, and you cannot switch to a different benefit after that decision is made.

Also, if you have only 1 period of service beginning on or after August 1, 2011, and you start receiving payments for MGIB-AD, you may lose your eligibility for the Ch.33 Post-9/11 GI Bill. Contact VA (888-442-4551) and use the VA Comparison Tool for help on deciding which benefit to use.

How do I get this benefit?

  • Make sure your program is VA approved (the benefit can only be used toward an approved program at your school), you may contact the school or VA to find out if your program is approved.
  • Apply for the benefit, VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility letter if you are eligible and approved for the benefit – www.va.gov
  • Follow FAU’s Military and Veterans Student Success Center steps for Using Your Education Benefits at FAU to initiate the process each semester. Contact veterans@fau.edu for more.

 

How are payments made?
Students will directly receive a monthly stipend from VA that is based on the number of credits taken in a term.

Does VA require me to verify my enrollment at the end of each month in a semester certified?
Yes! You can verify your enrollment using the VA’s Web Automated Verification of Enrollment Portal (WAVE) or by phone 1-877-823-2378.

This program can help eligible veterans and active-Duty SM with service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevent you from working to explore employment options and

address education or training needs. Your assigned Vocational Readiness Counselor (VRC) will work with you to determine if you meet the entitlement criteria.

The program features 5 support-and-services tracks to help you get education or training, find

and keep a job, and live as independently as possible.

The tracks include:

  1. Reemployment
  2. Rapid Access to Employment
  3. Self-Employment
  4. Employment through Long Term Services
  5. Independent Living Trac

Learn more on the VR&E program here.

How do I get this benefit?

  • Apply for the benefit, VA will assign you a VR&E counselor that will work with you to determine your eligibility www.va.gov
  • If approved, be admitted/enroll in a VA approved program.
  • Follow FAU’s Military and Veterans Student Success Center steps for Using Your Education Benefits at FAU to initiate the process each semester. Contact veterans@fau.edu for more.

How are Ch. 31 Benefits applied at FAU?
Your VRC will submit a Purchase Order (PO#) for tuition and fees through the Tungsten Network Portal (electronically) typically before the start of the semester, and another PO# for books and supplies directly to the FAU bookstore (if applicable).

The university will invoice tuition and fees using the PO# through the Tungsten Network Portal after you submit the “Semester’s VA Enrollment Certification Request Form (electronically) EACH semester to initiate use of the benefit.

How are books and supplies obtained?
Book and supplies are typically obtained through the FAU Bookstore.

  1. VRC sends PO# (including the student’s Z#) for books and supplies to FAU’s bookstore office.
  2. Bookstore Office create the voucher for students to get their supplies.
  3. Student visit bookstore to order/purchase their items.

How long does a student have to order/purchase their supplies at the bookstore EACH semester?
FAU bookstore provide students utilizing VA Ch.31 benefits 4-5 weeks to make purchases each semester. Orders/purchasing can be made as early as 2-weeks before class will start through at least 2 (often times three weeks) after.

Note: Due to this time window, it is important that students get their vouchers processed early enough for them to be able to take full advantage of their benefit.

Ch.31 Bookstore Point of Contact
Hope Walker + Kelly
2076asm@follett.com

Cheri McLeod-Pearcey
2076mgr@follett.com

Follett Higher Education Group
FAU Campus Store
777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton Fl 33431
FAU Bookstore

Including Transfer of Entitlement & Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

This education benefit can help individuals pay for school or job training if you served on active duty after September 10, 2001. Some veterans or service-member may also be eligible transfer this benefit to their dependents and/or spouse. For eligibility requirement visit the Department of Veterans Affairs here and here for the transfer of Entitlement requirements.

Eligible participants may receive the following benefits based on the benefit percentage.

  1. Cost of tuition and fees - paid directly to the university
  2. Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) - paid directly to the beneficiary
  3. Book stipend up to $1000/year – paid directly to the beneficiary

How do I get this benefit?

  • Make sure your program is VA approved (the benefit can only be used toward an approved program at your school), you may contact the school or VA to find out if your program is approved.
  • Apply for the benefit, VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility letter if you are eligible and approved for the benefit – www.va.gov
  • Follow FAU’s Military and Veterans Student Success Center steps for Using Your Education Benefits at FAU to initiate the process each semester. Contact veterans@fau.edu for more.

Does VA require me to verify my enrollment at the end of each month in a semester certified?
Yes! VA require Ch. 33 students who receive (MHA) and/or kicker payments to verify their enrollment (at the end of each month during a semester) to continue receiving their payments.

How can I verify my enrollment each semester?
VA Provides options to verify enrollment easily and securely via text message, email, and online at www.vA.gov. Check out the How to Verify Enrollment for Post-9/11 GI Bill® Students video or the VA’s Enrollment Verification page.

What happens if I fail to verify my enrollment?
If you fail to verify enrollment for two consecutive months, VA will place your MHA/kicker payments on hold. To have your payments released, you will need to use online verification, Ask VA or call the Education Call Center (ECC) at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) to verify your enrollment.

What are the steps for transferring the Ch.33 to a spouse or dependent?

  • While still on active duty, the service member will request a Transfer of Education Benefit (TEB) from the Department of Defense (DoD) through their milconnect accounts.
    • The DoD will determine whether you meet the requirement to transfer the benefit to your family.
  • If the TEB is granted through the DOD, the spouse or dependent can now visit the VA website (www.va.gov) to apply and initiate use of the for the benefit.
  • If benefit was transfer and eligibility is found, VA will provide student with a Certificate of Eligibility Letter.

Visit the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more on transferring the benefits.

What is the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship?

The Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship allow eligible veterans using Ch. 33 and Fry scholarship dependents to get added benefits of up to 9 months (or $30,000) of benefits for training in high-demand fields. See if you’re eligible and how to apply with VA STEM scholarship.

If you are a dependent spouse or child—or the surviving spouse or child—of a totally disabled or deceased Veteran, you may be eligible for education benefits or job training under the VA’s Dependent Education Assistance (DEA) program-Ch. 35. See if you’re eligible and how to apply with VA here.

How do I get this benefit?

  • Make sure your program is VA approved (the benefit can only be used toward an approved program at your school), you may contact the school or VA to find out if your program is approved.
  • Apply for the benefit, VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility letter if you are eligible and approved for the benefit – www.va.gov
  • Follow FAU’s Military and Veterans Student Success Center steps for Using Your Education Benefits at FAU to initiate the process each semester. Contact veterans@fau.edu for more.

How are the payments made under the DEA program and Fry scholarship?
DEA - Students will directly receive a monthly stipend from VA that is based on the number of credits taken in a term.

Fry scholarship – Tuition and fee payment are paid directly to the school (covers full-in state tuition cost), Money for books and supplies is paid directly to the student (covering up to a certain amount each year that’s divided amongst the terms), Monthly Housing Allowance is paid directly to the student. See the current Fry Scholarship rates here.

What is the difference between the DEA program and Fry scholarship benefits under Ch.35?
The Fry Scholarship is for children and spouses of service members who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, or Members of the Selected Reserve who died from a service-connected disability on or after September 11, 2001.

The DEA program offers education and training to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently or totally disable from a service -related condition or a service member who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.

Note: if you qualify for both the DEA and Fry scholarship. You will need to pick 1 and you cannot switch to the other benefit after you’ve made your decision.State Benefit (matching the Ch.35 criteria’s) that you may also be eligible for:

Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans
If you are eligible for the above benefit from VA, you may also be eligible for the state scholarship while pursuing an initial baccalaureate degree or certificate program.

You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of educational benefits if you are a member of the Selected Reserve for the Army, Navy Reserve, Air Force, Marine Corps., Coast Guard, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. For eligibility requirement visit the Department of Veterans Affairs. and check out the current payment rates.

How do I get this benefit?

  • Make sure your program is VA approved (the benefit can only be used toward an approved program at your school), you may contact the school or VA to find out if your program is approved.
  • Apply for the benefit, VA will send you a Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) letter if you are eligible and approved for the benefit – www.va.gov
  • Follow FAU’s Military and Veterans Student Success Center steps for Using Your Education Benefits at FAU to initiate the process each semester. Contact veterans@fau.edu for more.

What document for eligibility VA will provide?
Eligible reservist will receive a Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) letter from VA. Follow the steps under the “Using Your Education Benefits at FAU” section for more.

How will the VA disburse funds from this benefit?
The VA will send funds directly to the student. The student is responsible for submitting payment directly to the university.

Does VA require me to verify my enrollment at the end of each month in a semester certified?
Yes! You can verify your enrollment using the VA’s Web Automated Verification of Enrollment Portal (WAVE).

 

Helpful Links

Military TA / EDD

The U.S. Armed Forces offers Tuition Assistance (TA) to active service-members,. TA is a separate source of financial aid for eligible service-members and mandated to be the first payer of their college tuition program. Service members must contact their Education Service Officer (ESO) within their branch and receive approval prior to enrollment at FAU.

Tuition Assistance (TA) covers up to 100% tuition, not to exceed $250.00 per semester credit hour or $4500 per fiscal year. Please note that TA may not cover all tuition and fees for your enrollment. It is the student’s responsibility to pay any portion of their tuition or fees not covered by TA.

Apply for Military Tuition Assistance (TA) / Education Dollars for Duty (EDD) (By Service Branch)

Students Utilizing EDD or TA

For questions contact  561-297-4725  or  veterans@fau.edu   Note:  Be sure you are using your FAU email (if applicable), and your Z# is included in the email.

  • Submit your TA or EDD request by the deadline(s) established from your service branch. Failure to submit the TA/EDD request for approval by the deadline may result in zero funding from your service branch.
  • Once approved, email a PDF copy of your TA or EDD vouchers to FAU Controller’s office at  sponsoredstudents@fau.edu  and cc  veterans@fau.edu .

To receive a deferment while awaiting TA or EDD approval, you must complete and submit the Semester’s VA Enrollment Certification Request Form.  This form is available to students as early as 30 days before the start of each semester.

  • Visit the Military and Veterans Student Success Center (MVSSC) website (www.fau.edu/vets) and complete the Semester’s VA Enrollment Certification Request Form to receive a deferment for the semester (prevent course cancellation and late fees while the university is processing the TA or EDD).
  • Simultaneously receiving benefits from VA under Ch.1606, 30, or 33 during a semester?
    Submit a second Semester’s VA Enrollment Certification Request Form, select the appropriate benefit and assure you attach your updated COE to the request. Refer to the  “Students Utilizing VA Education Benefit”  section for more.

Apply for Your VA Education Benefits

Review and explore your eligibility for VA education benefit. Some students may be eligible for more than one benefits program.

Before applying

  1. Determine which federal VA educational benefit program(s) you qualify for.
  2. Use the GI Bill®  Comparison tool to compare the monetary assistance provided by each VA educational benefit program with your institute of interest or choice.
  3. Gather the information and paperwork needed for your benefit program. 
  4. Make sure your program of study is VA approved at your institute. Our approved programs list is located on the homepage of our (MVSSC) website, the list is updated with each new catalog or fiscal year. 
  5. Complete the VA Education Benefits Application Process. *You do not have to be an FAU Student to apply

VA Links

  1. GI Bill®  and other education benefit eligibility 
  2. Use the GI Bill® Comparison Tool to see programs by school. 
  3. VA education and training information
  4. School Decision Resources

Note:       Please review the off-campus resources tab on our website for a more general list webpages relevant to military and veterans in our area. 

VA Benefit Chapters

  1. Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty 
  2. Chapter 31 Veterans Readiness & Employment (VR&E)
  3. Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill®
  4. Chapter 35 Dependents Educational Assistance
  5. Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill®- Selected Reserves

VA Forms

If this is your first time using the GI Bill®, be sure to apply for your education benefits with the VA. If you use your GI Bill®  at another institute, made sure to complete a request for change of program/place of training form with the VA. 

  1. Apply for education benefits ( VA-Form 22-1990 ) for Service Members and Veterans, Ch. 30, 33, 1606
  2. Apply for education benefits ( VA-Form 22-5490 ) Dependents’ application, Ch. 33 (transferred) & Ch. 35
  3. Request for Change of Program or Place of Training ( VA Form 22-1995 ) – (Service Members and Veterans) Beneficiaries of Chapter 30, 33, and 1606 who have previously used their GI Bill® at another institution. 
  4. Dependents’ Request for Change of Program or Place of Training ( VA Form 22-5495 ) – Dependents using Chapter 35 or the Fry Scholarship who have used their GI Bill® at another institution
  5. Apply for veteran  Readiness and Employment (VR&E)  Benefits for disabled veterans Ch. 31

Note: VA form are accessible via the Department of Veterans Affairs webpage at   www.va.gov   

  Veterans Crisis Hotline Dial 988 and press 1