VA Education Benefits
You may be eligible for educational benefits through numerous GI Bill® programs to advance your education and skills.
Our VetSuccess on Campus Counselor offers active duty service members, veterans and eligible dependents personalized counseling and support to ensure most effective use of VA benefits.
Spouses and family members may also be eligible for education and training assistance. In fact, 25 percent of those benefiting from VA educational programs are non-veterans. Some might find they're eligible for more than one benefit or that one program is more suited to certain education and training goals than another.
Learn about these education and training programs administered by VA or start your application.
- VA Chapter Benefits
- How Do I Get Paid?
- VetSuccess on Campus Counselor
Apply for VA Educational Benefits
Once you are admitted to UWF, you can contact the Military & Veterans Resource Center (MVRC) for information on how to process your file for benefits.
- Apply to the University.
- Order your military transcripts.
- Identify your VA Educational Benefit Chapter.
- Apply for VA Educational Benefits via va.gov Account and complete the correct VA application.
- Provide MVRC with a copy of your confirmation page.
- Spouses and Dependents must also provide a copy of your Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) to MVRC
- Provide a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) upon receipt.
- Set up an appointment with your advisor, as they will assign you a registration PIN number so that you may register for your classes.
- Set up a VA file with the school's Military and Veterans Resource Center (MVRC) and certify your classes.
- Submit the VA enrollment certification form (ECF) located on my.uwf.edu to certify your classes. This step must be done every semester you want to use your benefits and any time your schedule changes. The ECF is the only way the MVRC knows to send your request to the VA.
- Complete your monthly enrollment verification if you are utilizing your Reserve GI Bill®, Montgomery GI Bill® or Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits.
First-time reservists should provide a copy of the 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.
Once you are registered, EACH semester you MUST submit a VA enrollment certification request online via your MyUWF account.
What Chapter Am I?
Several types of VA education and training benefits that may be available to qualifying military-affiliated students. While this page offers a quick overview, be sure to review the VA's detailed information about these benefit types. You can also review our MVRC - VA Education Benefits at UWF page for essential information about getting started using your benefits.
Chapter 30 Overview
- The Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty (Chapter 30) (MGIB-AD) benefits generally apply to eligible veterans who began active duty service for the first time after July 30, 1985, had their pay reduced by $100/month for the first 12 months of service and received an honorable discharge.
- Up to 36 months of education benefits.
- Generally payable for 10 years after your release from active duty.
- VA sends funds directly to the student, who is responsible for paying the university directly for tuition and fees.
Chapter 30 Resources
Chapter 31 Overview
The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (Chapter 31) assists veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare, find and keep suitable jobs. Veterans are eligible if they:
- Have received or will receive an honorable or other than dishonorable discharge.
- Have a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% with a serious employment handicap or 20% or more with an employment handicap.
- Apply for VR&E services.
Chapter 31 Resources
Chapter 33 Overview
Eligibility for the Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) includes:
- Active duty service at least 90 aggregate days after Sept. 10, 2001.
- Individuals honorably discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days of continuous service.
- For 100% of the benefit, must have continuously served an aggregate of 36 months after Sept. 10, 2001.
Effective Aug. 1, 2009, eligible participants (veterans, service members, and dependents) pursuing a VA-approved training program may receive benefits at a percentage based on length of active duty service:
- Cost of tuition and fees paid directly to the school. Tuition should not exceed the most expensive public institution in-state undergraduate rate.
- Monthly housing allowance paid directly to the veteran or dependent. See the Current Rate Payments based on eligibility. Active duty and spouse of active duty are not eligible for this allowance.
- Yearly book and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year paid directly to the service member, veteran or dependent.
The VA does NOT pay for the meal plan or dorm fees. This is the responsibility of the student.
Chapter 33 Resources
Survivors' & Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)
The Survivors' & Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) is for eligible spouses and dependents. A beneficiary must be the dependent of one of the following:
- A veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service.
- A veteran who died from any cause while such service-connected disability was in existence.
- A service member missing in action or captured in the line of duty by a hostile force.
- A service member forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power.
- A service member hospitalized or receiving outpatient care for a VA-determined service-connected permanent and total disability may be eligible.
Benefits overview:
- Monthly allowance based on the training time.
- Student submits tuition and fee payments directly to the university.
- UWF cannot submit your certification to the VA without your sponsor's Social Security Number.
Chapter 35 Resources
Chapter 1606 Overview
The Montgomery GI Bill® - Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606) education program is for eligible members of the Selected Reserve. You may be considered an eligible reservist or National Guard member if:
- After June 30, 1985, you signed a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve and
- You completed your Initial Active Duty for Training (IADT) and
- You received your high school diploma or GED before you completed your IADT and
- You are in good standing in a drilling Selected Reserve Unit.
Benefits overview:
- Up to 36 months of education benefits.
- VA sends funds directly to the student. Student submits tuition and fee payments directly to the university.
Chapter 1606 Resources
Chapter 33 (Surviving Dependents) Overview
The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Chapter 33) provides Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to:
- Children and surviving spouses of an active duty service member who died in the line of duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001.
Benefits overview:
- Up to 36 months of benefits at the 100% level.
Chapter 33 (Surviving Dependents) Resources
STEM Undergraduate Scholarship Overview
The Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship is a provision of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Forever GI Bill®). This provision provides up to nine months of additional Post-9/11 (Chapter 33) VA education benefits (not to exceed $30,000) to eligible undergraduate students training in the high demand fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Veteran applicants for the scholarship will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) with the amount of additional entitlement added. To certify courses to the VA under the STEM scholarship program, a copy of the STEM COE will need to be provided to the UWF MVRC at mvrc@uwf.edu. Students approved for the STEM Scholarship must do a monthly verification of attendance with the Department of Veteran Affairs at STEM.VBABUF@va.gov. For additional information, contact the MVRC at mvrc@uwf.edu or 850.474.2550.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible, you need to meet all of the requirements listed for your current undergraduate enrollment situation:
STEM degree or qualifying dual-degree program
- Enrolled in a qualifying undergraduate STEM degree program that requires at least 120 standard semester credit hours (or 180 quarter credit hours) to complete and
- Completed at least 60 standard credit hours (or 90 quarter credit hours) toward degree and
- 6 months or less of your Post-9/11 GI Bill® (or Fry Scholarship) benefits remaining. Check your Post-9/11 GI Bill® Statement of Benefits.
Covered clinical training program for health care professionals
- Already earned a qualifying degree in a STEM field and
- Accepted to or enrolled in a covered clinical training program for health care professionals and
- 6 months or less of your Post-9/11 GI Bill® (or Fry Scholarship) benefits remaining. Check your Post-9/11 GI Bill® Statement of Benefits.
Working toward a teaching certification
- Already earned a qualifying post-secondary degree in a STEM field and
- Accepted to or enrolled in a teaching certification program and
- 6 months or less of your Post-9/11 GI Bill® (or Fry Scholarship) benefits remaining. Check your Post-9/11 GI Bill® Statement of Benefits.
STEM Scholarship Resources
How Do I Get Paid?
If you qualify for benefits under Chapter 30, Chapter 35 or Chapter 1606, a monthly benefit check is deposited monthly into your personal bank account. 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. Expand the below accordion for frequently asked questions.
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.
Where do I determine the amount of benefits I have remaining?
Log into your va.gov account. Click on Check Your GI Bill® Benefits. You can also contact the VetSuccess on Campus Counselor (VSOC) at the Military and Veterans Resource Center (MVRC) for assistance in obtaining this information.
Will I have to pay back the money if I drop a class or get a failing grade?
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.
Will the VA pay for a repeated course?
Benefits will not be paid for a course in which you already earned a passing grade. However, if during the first attempt, you were unsuccessful in the course and the course is a core requirement for, not an elective, then yes, they will pay for the second attempt.
How do I change my address or direct deposit information with the VA?
Go to va.gov. Sign in using DS Logon, MyHealtheVet or ID.me information. This will update your direct deposit information for Compensation & Pension and Post 9/11 GI Bill® Education. Be sure to have your bank's routing number and account number available.
Why have I not been deferred?
If you see through your MyUWF account (under Account Balances) that your tuition and fees have not been deferred, yet you already certified with the UWF Military and Veterans Resource Center (MVRC), it is because the Cashier's Office has not updated this yet. The Cashier's Office 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.
How do I get my money?
When you completed your application, there was a block for you to write in your financial information for direct deposit.You may have also elected to receive your benefits by mailed check. If you initially set up your benefits to be sent by check and wish to change to direct deposit, log into your va.gov account and select Update Direct Deposit and Contact Information for Compensation & Pension and Post 9/11 GI Bill® Education. Be sure to have your bank's routing number and account number available. It may take a few pay cycles before you begin receiving your benefits by direct deposit after you switch from receiving the paper check.
Why have I not been paid?
There are many reasons why you may not have received your benefits:
- You may not have applied for your benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs. If you have not applied yet, you can apply on the va.gov website. You do not need to apply to the 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 your MyUWF account.
- You may have certified with UWF MVRC with 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 the Veterans Affairs (VA), it may take the VA 6-8 weeks to process your paperwork. Enrollment Manager (EM) will send an automated email to your UWF student account telling you when the enrollment is submitted.
- Have you recently changed your direct deposit or mailing address? If you have, it will take some time for Veterans 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.
