Veterans Service Information:

Getting Started:

Certifying:

About Pay:

30. If I am a Chapter 33, can I use other grants, scholarships, and loans along with my GI Bill money?

31. Whom do I talk to if I have a Purple Heart or other combat award or Ribbons?

School Courses:

Miscellanies Information and Links:

Answers

Veterans Service Information

http://uwf.edu/mvrc/
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Bldg 38, Rm 147
Email mvrc@uwf.edu
Phone 850-474-2550

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Department of Veterans Affairs
Atlanta Regional Processing Office
P.O. Box 100022
Decatur, GA 30031-7022
1-888-442-4551 (the call center is closed on Thursday and Fridays)

Getting Started

Start by visiting the UWF website for Undergraduate, Graduate, and On-line campus websites and apply on-line for admission.

Military students and family members should contact the Veteran Service Office for VA benefits information. You can apply on-line for VA educational benefits at VONAPP.

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Provide the signature page only of the VONAPP application and all supporting documents.

VA needs the copy 4 of your DD214 (multiple activations require all copies). Additionally, first-time reservists should provide a copy of their Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE). If you paid additional contributions (kicker), submit one of the following: DD Form 2366; LES, if deductions are payroll deducted; or DD Form 1131, Cash Voucher. These can be attached to your on-line VONAPP application.

If you are using Chapter 33 benefits that were transferred to you, provide the approved Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) and Transfer Of Entitlement (TOE) (VA from 1990E) showing you have applied for benefits. Once the award letter or Certificate Of Eligibility (COE) is received provide a copy for your file. The cashier will be notified to complete the financial refund if applicable.

The VA requires proof of eligibility to receive benefits. The VSO doesn’t require copies of your supporting documentation but it is wise to provide the copies so we can answer VA question when they are asked during audits or when VA has problems with your file.

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You need to provide the Admissions Office with a copy of your military transcript. They will evaluate and post the amount of credit recommended by the American Council on Education. It is ultimately up to your department advisor to grant any credit towards your major.  

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Once you are admitted to UWF, you can contact the Military and Veterans Resource Center (MVRC) for information on how to process your file for benefits.  First time users of the Guard, Reserves, active duty, veteran or Chapter 1607 should go to the GI Bill Web site, complete Form 22-1990 (Application for VA Benefits), submit it to the VA and bring a copy to our office. If you have used your veterans benefits before but are new to UWF, then print and complete Form 22-1995 (Request for Change of Program or Place of Training) and submit it to our office to transfer your benefits.

If you are using Chapter 33 benefits that were transferred to you provide the approved TEB and TOE showing you have applied for benefits. Once the award letter or COE is received provide a copy for your file. The Cashier’s office will be notified to complete the financial refund if applicable.

Certifying

Every semester you wish to receive benefits you must submit your VA Enrollment Certification Form request on-line via your Argus account AFTER you have registered for classes.

Students who do not have access to My UWF may print and complete the VA Enrollment Certification Request form and mail, email, or fax (850) 474-2671, to the MVRC.

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Chapter 30: You were, or are, active duty who has completed the initial obligation period of at least two years.

Chapter 31: You are a veteran who has a service connected disability of at least 10% or more.

Chapter 33: You are a veteran that has qualified for either chapter 30 or chapter 1607 benefits, or the dependent of a veteran who has qualified for either chapter 30 or chapter 1607 benefits and they have transferred their benefits to you.

Chapter 35: You are the dependent of a veteran who is 100% permanently disabled or deceased.

Chapter 1606: You are currently serving in the National Guard or the Reserves.

Chapter 1607: You are currently serving in the National Guard or the Reserves and have been deployed for at least 90 days under Title 10 orders.

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The MVRC will need a copy of your VA application or the change of school/program form, (It is best to submit these on-line via VONAPP). Your chapter will determine which forms you will need to complete or bring with you.

If you are using Chapter 33 benefits that were transferred to you, I need the approve TEB and TOE showing you have applied for benefits. Once the award letter or COE is received I need a copy for your file to complete the financial refund if applicable.

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This can only be done as a chapter 33.
Go to https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB/consent?continueToUrl=%2FTEB%2f and complete the Transfer of Educational Benefits (TEB) form. Print and keep a copy for your records.

Once the TEB is completed, your dependent must go to http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp. They will need to complete a 1990e Transfer of Entitlement (TOE) application form through the Veterans’ Online Application (VONAPP). Print and keep a copy for your records.

Once both the TEB and TOE have been completed, bring copies of these to the school’s MVRC to finish processing.

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Yes to both questions. Once you are registered EACH semester you must submit a VA enrollment certification request on-line via your Argus account.  

Attendance questions

Question under development. Please check back Oct. 30, 2011.

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You are charged a health & welfare fee in your tuition.  

Yes. You can email or stop by the office after you have changed your major or added a minor and we can update our records.  

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You can do a double major or add a minor at any time (see the University Advising Center about adding a major/minor). Once they appear on your SASS you need to notify the MVRC so that they can update your records. 

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There are two ways to conserve entitlement. You may choose not to receive benefits over breaks, or you may use the benefits at a reduced rate. You can ask to do this when you request certification for the next semester. Contact the MVRC for more information. 

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• Non-attendance in class (last date attended)
• Non-attendance of the first day of class (beginning of term)
• Dropping any classes (date you dropped)
• Increase in credit hours (number and date)
• Non-payment of fees
• Classes not pertaining to your degree
• Deployment (provide a copy of your orders)

About Pay

Because the Post-9/11 GI Bill may lower your financial need, you need to talk with the financial aid counselors.

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If you qualify for benefits under Chapter 30, Chapter 1606 or Chapter 1607, a monthly benefits check is deposited directly into your personal bank account. If you qualify for Chapter 35 benefits, the check is issued directly to you. Either way, it is your responsibility to ensure payment is received by the UWF Cashier’s Office by the tuition payment or deferment deadline. Check here for the current monthly pay charts: www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/rates.htm.

Under the new Post 9/11 GI Bill tuition and fees are paid directly to the school at the percentage level of the entitlement. The BAH and book stipend will be paid directly to the student by whatever means you have requested. 

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Contact the Atlanta VA at 1-888-442-4551.

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If you drop a class and your status changes between full-time and part-time, yes you will. If you provide the VA with reasons for the withdrawal, you may be able to keep the money paid to you until the drop date. Failing grades are not reported to the VA.  

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Benefits will not be paid for a course in which you already earned a passing grade.

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You can change your address or direct deposit information by calling (877) 838-2778. Be sure to have your bank’s routing number and account number available.

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If you see through you’re my ARGUS account (under “Account Balances”) that your tuition and fees have not been deferred, yet you already certified with the UWF MVRC, it is because Financial Aid has not updated this yet. The reason is Financial Aid does not update this to the school until after the drop/add week of the semester, at which time they determine who receives deferrals. After the drop/add week, it may take a week or two for your fee invoice to reflect your deferral date.

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You can read updated charts of the GI Bill payouts at http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_BILL_INFO/RATES.HTM

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When you filled out your application, there was a block for you to write in your financial information for direct deposit. You may also have elected to receive your benefits by mailed check. Chapter 35 is the only chapter that cannot choose to receive direct deposit. Chapter 35 receives benefits by mailed check only. If you initially set up your benefits to be sent by check, you may change to direct deposit through https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/.

Note: it may take a few pay cycles before you receive your benefits by direct deposit after you switch.

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There are many reasons why you may not have received your benefits:

You may not have applied for your benefits with the Veteran Affairs. If you have not applied yet, you can apply at: http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp

You need to apply to VA each time you change your degree or location of schools. You may not have certified with the University of West Florida (UWF) Military and Veterans Resource Center(MVRC).

If this is the case, you will need to submit your VA enrollment certification on-line via Argus, under the MY INFO tab.

You may have certified with UWF MVRC within 30 days of the start of the semester.

You may not have submitted your paperwork early enough to be fully processed. Generally, your paperwork is processed by the UWF MVRC within 10-14 business days. If your paperwork was submitted near the beginning of the semester, please allow two weeks for the UWF MVRC to process. After we submit your certification to Veteran Affairs (VA), it may take the VA 6-8 weeks to process your paperwork. VA Once will send an automated email to your UWF student account telling you when the enrollment is submitted.

Have you recently changed your direct deposit information or mailing address?
If you have, it will take some time for Veteran Affairs to process the change. If you receive your benefits by check, the check may have been sent to your old address. If you receive your benefits by direct deposit, Veteran Affairs may have tried to make a deposit in your previous account.

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University of West Florida (UWF) financial aid office can qualify you for up to a $600.00 short-term advance meant for books. You can find this form here http://finaid.ucf.edu/index.htm and clicking “Forms,” then the respective aid year in the drop-down list. On the newly loaded webpage, click “Short Term Advance for Books.” Fill out the form and bring it to the UWF MVRC to be approved so you can turn it in to Financial Aid.

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You can change your direct deposit information by logging in to https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/, and making your adjustments. Note: it may take at least 30 days before you receive your benefits by direct deposit.

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Unfortunately, the list of benefit programs that Veteran Affairs (VA) allows you to collect along with the chapter 33 is limited. VA will not allow chapter 33 students to receive money from two federal funds at the same time. You can check with the MVRC for information.

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If you have a combat award please contact the UWF Cashier for more information and entitlements.

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Tuition and fee VA deferrments at the University of West Florida (UWF) are not automatic. Once you have registered for classes you need to submit a VA enrollment certification request with the UWF MVRC via your student account (Argus). This is done every semester you wish to receive benefits. You can the VA deferrement if you submit your certification by the end of drop/add week for that semester.

Students who do not have an Argus account  enrolled in a certificate program cannot request a VA deferment.

School Courses

In order to certify here with the MVRC, you need to make sure the classes you are taking at the transient school will count as credit toward your degree at the University of West Florida (UWF). Go to http://uwf.edu/registrar/tsf.cfm  and complete the online Transient Student Form. You will receive an email confirming the courses at your transient university can be credited to your degree here at UWF. Print out the confirmation email and turn in to the MVRC along with your certification form. At the end of the semester, you will need to send/turn-in your transcripts from the transient institution to UWF or you will not be able to receive veteran benefits the following semester.

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The VA will pay for any course you take that falls under your degree program; minors and certificate programs as required for graduation.

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Contact the University of West Florida’s (UWF) MVRC to find out if the course(s) you are taking have been approved by the Veteran Affairs (VA) State Approving Agency (SAA).

Miscellanies Information Links

Want to give access to a third-party to discuss your VA file? Students need to provide a signed written statement to the MVRC stating they give access to some one by name.