µÛÍõ»áËù

How do I use my VA education benefits?

Step 1: Have you applied for your GI Bill® already?

    • Post 9/11 GI Bill® - Chapter 33
    • Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) - Chapter 30
    • Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance (DEA) - Chapter 35
    • Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) - Chapter 1606
    • Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) - Chapter 31

Step 2: Certificate of Eligibility
  • Once approved, the VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
    • Can take up to 30 days.
  • Upload your COE to our office though the Secure Upload Portal on our website /veterans-center
    • OU email and password required for login.
  • You may also email your COE to veteranscenter@ohio.edu, fax it to 740-593-4145, or drop it off in-person at the Veterans Center, located in Baker Center 350, Monday-Friday, from 8am-5pm.

Step 3: µÛÍõ»áËù Residency Review (for out-of-state residents only)
  • Go to /admissions/tuition/ohio-residency
  • Download the Residency Questionnaire to determine if you qualify.
  • Complete the µÛÍõ»áËù Request for Residency Review Form (if qualified) and submit it with required documentation to Undergraduate Admissions or Graduate College.

Step 4: DD-214 or Proof of Service (for Veterans and currently serving only)
  • If you are an incoming student who is a Veteran or is currently serving (i.e., Active-Duty, National Guard, or Reserves) please provide our office with a copy of your DD-214 using one of the options in Step 2.

Step 5: File Card
  • Go to our main website, click on the File Card box, or click here , complete the required information, and submit.
    • OU email and password required for login.
    • Make sure you choose the correct academic year.
      • Each new academic year starts with the Fall semester.
      • A new File Card MUST be completed each academic year for us to be able to certify your VA benefits.

Additional Information & Tuition Assistance Opportunities
  • We cannot certify VA benefits for classes that do not meet your degree requirements, so please make sure you are verifying your class selections with your DARS requirements.
  • Ensure that you have sent copies of all official transcripts from prior accredited institutions and military courses (i.e., JST, CCAF, etc.) to µÛÍõ»áËù Admissions.
  • Apply for Financial Aid at 
  • For Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) information, please use the following links:
    • For all branches of Armed Forces go here: 
    • For Army National Guard go here: 
  • µÛÍõ»áËù National Guard Scholarship Program
    • Apply here: 
  • µÛÍõ»áËù War Orphan & Severely Disabled Veterans' Children Scholarship Program (WOS)
    • Apply by May 15th here: 

VA Education Benefit Payments FAQ's
  • When will I receive my Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) housing allowance (MHA) payment?
    • Housing allowance payments are dispersed at the end of each month.
    • Your monthly rate is based on a 30-day period. The rate for a month that has 31 days (like October) is the same as the rate for a month with 30 days (like September).
    • If your enrollment starts after the first of the month or ends before the last day of the month, we’ll pay you a prorated housing payment for the part of the month you’re enrolled in classes. Classes often begin and end somewhere in the middle of a month, instead of on the first and last day of a month. So we’ll base your payment only on the part of the month you attend classes. For example, if your monthly rate is $800, and your classes start on August 19, we’ll pay you $320 for August 19 to 31.
  • When do I receive my book stipend (Post 9/11 GI Bill only)?
    • You should receive your book stipend prior to the first week of classes, if your enrollment verification was submitted to the VA prior to the start of the semester.
  • If I am using Chapter 1606 GI Bill Selected Reserve, when should I see my monthly payments?
    • Payments are made at the end of each month.
    • You will receive funds based on your enrollment status for each term.
    • The VA prorates payments for partial months of school.
    • You are required to verify your enrollment at the end of each month to receive payment. See link below for more information.
  • If I am using Chapter 35 Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA), when should I see my monthly payments?
    • Payments are made at the end of each month.
    • You will receive funds based on your enrollment status for each term.
    • The VA prorates payments for partial months of school.
  • Verifying your enrollment each month...
    • If you’re using Post-9/11 GI Bill or Montgomery GI Bill (Active-Duty or Selected Reserve) benefits, you are required to verify your enrollment at the end of each month.
    • You can visit for more information.

IMPORTANT: If you have NOT submitted a File Card for the current academic year, there could be a delay in your tuition & fees, housing and book stipend payments if you are using Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits OR your monthly stipend if using Chapter 1606 (GI Bill Selected Reserve) or Chapter 35. Schedule changes may also impact your entitlement amount, creating a VA debt you will be responsible to repay.