Collecting VA Educational Benefits:
Benefits are paid to eligible veterans, dependents, reservists, and service members while they are in an approved training program.
Are you:
- A Veteran who has served on active duty?
- A Reservist?
- A Dependent of a Veteran who is deceased or has a service-connected disability?
If so, you may be eligible for the GI Bill® and other educational benefits. The eligibility of Veterans, Servicemembers and dependents for benefits is determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs. If you have questions regarding your eligibility, call the VA toll free at 1 (888) 442-4551(1-888-GI-BILL) or visit the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides education benefits to eligible Servicemembers, Veterans, and certain dependents and survivors. You may receive financial support for undergraduate/graduate degrees, vocational and technical training, licensing and certification test, apprenticeships/on-the-job training, and more.
How can I determine my veteran status for Financial Aid?
Veterans and active duty military personnel are considered automatically independent for federal need analysis purposes. However, the Veterans Administration and the US Department of Education use a different definition of veteran, leading to some confusion.
https://finaid.org/military/veteranstatus/
I am enrolled in school. When will I receive my benefits from the VA?
Once you submit your enrollment information, it must be entered into the VA system. The VA is generally overwhelmed with enrollments at the beginning of each semester. Please allow up to 6 weeks for processing time.
If you are receiving benefits under MGIB-AD (Chapter 30) or MGIB-SR (Chapter 1606), you must also verify your enrollment at the end of each month in order to receive payment for that month. Benefits are paid after each month of school is completed. For instructions on how to verify your enrollment.
You will generally receive payment within two weeks of verifying your enrollment (or within one week if using Direct Deposit). If you don't receive payment in this timeframe, please contact the VA using the Ask a Question tab, or by calling 1-888-442-4551.
What if I am receiving VA education benefits, I am called to active duty, and leave the insitution without receiving credit?
You are entitled to receive MGIB, MGIB-SR, VEAP, or DEA benefits through the date you dropped out of school.
If you were called up under Title 10 (Federal Authority), we will restore the entitlement you were charged for the period that you received benefits when you send us a copy of your orders or DD-214 verifying service under Title 10.
For example, if you were in school one month and had to drop out, you keep the money for that period and we will add back a month to your entitlement for you to use at a later time. If you were called up under Title 32 (State Authority), you don't receive the entitlement restoration benefit.
If you have been overpaid education benefits, collection action will be postponed if deployed to a combat area. However, once you return, you are responsible for any overpayment of benefits.
Can I receive credit for military training?
As a veteran, active-duty, or reserve status member of the US Armed Forces, depending on your basic active-duty service date/basic pay entry dates (BASD/BPED), you may be eligible to receive college credit for your military service time, military courses, military occupation, or any college-level exams completed during active duty, that have been evaluated by American Counsel of Education (ACE).
It is important for you to take advantage of these valuable tools that may add college credit to your program of study, at no cost to you by requesting your Joint Services Transcript. JST is the Joint Services Transcript that has replaced the Coast Guard Institute Transcript, the Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS) and the Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART). JST is an academically accepted document approved by the American Council on Education (ACE) to validate a service members military occupational experience and training along with the corresponding ACE college credit recommendations.Click here to request your JST transcript.
I’m already using my benefits at another school. How do I transfer them to UNT Dallas?
To change from one school or training program to another, individuals receiving benefits under MGIB-AD (Chapter 30), MGIB-SR (Chapter 1606), and VEAP (Chapter 32) will need to submit a VA Form 22-1995 "Request For Change of Program or Place of Training" to the Regional Processing Office serving your state.
Individuals receiving benefits under the Dependents Educational Assistance Program will need to submit VA Form 22-5495 instead of Form 22-1995.
Will the VA pay for me to have a tutor?
Yes, tutorial assistance is available if you’re receiving VA educational assistance at the half-time or higher rate and have a deficiency in a subject that makes tutoring necessary. You can be reimbursed up to $100 per month up to a maximum of $1200.
To apply for tutorial assistance you must complete VA Form 22-1990t, which can be found here. The school certifying official and tutor must sign the form.
When the form is complete, please mail it to the VA Regional Processing Office that serves the state in which your school is located. Contact information can be found here
For additional help, please use the "Ask a Question" tab at the top of this page, or call 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551).
I am a former UNT Dallas student, and I would to return. How do I re-enroll?
Please click here for more information on the returning student process.
U.S. Government Forms:
Many of the VA forms can be submitted online. Below are the most frequently used printable forms. All other printable forms may be found at the Main VA Forms web site. Printable forms should be mailed to the VA Regional Office.
VA Form SF-180 (Request for Military Records/DD-214)
VA Form 22-1990 (Application for Education Benefits)
VA Form 22-1990e (Transfer Benefit to Dependent Form)
VA Form 22-5490 (Application for Education Benefits for Dependents)
VA Form 22-1995 (Change of Program/Place of Training for Veteran/Servicemember)
VA Form 22-5495 (Change of Program/Place of Training for Dependent)
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill