Tips for Using the GI Bill
Tips for Using the GI Bill
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has offered some guidance on getting your GI Bill benefits in a timely fashion. If you are currently using your GI Bill benefits, then you may have already received an email from the VA outlining the following information. Here’s a quick breakdown of their suggestions:
Plan Ahead
You can use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to estimate the general level of benefits you should expect. However, don’t rely solely on that tool to gather information about the schools you are comparing.
It is important to compare basic features (whether the school participates in the Yellow Ribbon program, how much BAH you may qualify for and related issues) and any unique options you may qualify for (scholarships or programs meant to supplement the GI Bill, who the “first payer” may be for state or school-level military financial aid.
Enroll as Early as Possible
Enroll in classes as early as you can and if at all possible, avoid changing your course schedule once you are enrolled. Some colleges have classes which fill up quickly, so the earlier you begin, the better.
Get to Know Your School Certifying Official
Get to know who your School Certifying Official (SCA) is and stay in contact with them. You can find your school’s SCA by again using the GI Bill Comparison Tool, finding your school, and then scrolling down to “Contact Details”. Every school that accepts VA benefits MUST have an SCA.
Familiarize Yourself with School Procedures
Become familiar with the procedure your school uses regarding requests for certification to the VA. Most schools use a similar process, but they must all certify your courses and enrollments to the VA before any money is released for your education. Most importantly? Learn what the school policy is toward delayed GI Bill payments. Is the student liable if the VA is delayed in paying the GI Bill benefit?
Contact School Certifying Official if Adding or Dropping Courses
If you do add or drop hours or courses, contact your SCA as soon as possible to avoid any potential for overpayment. If the VA overpays you, you’ll be notified of a debt that must be settled before full access to your benefits is reinstated.
Updating Your Bank Account Info
If you have changed your bank account or moved to a new address, contact the VA Education Service to update your information. You can do this through either the:
- GI Bill website,
- VA’s “Ask a Question” link
- By phone at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551).
NOTE: If the VA doesn’t have your correct information, your payment will be delayed.
Contacting the VA by Mail
If you need to contact the VA by mail, use the Regional Processing office handling your claim. You can find the office that services you and their mailing address on this website.
NOTE: If you use a different address than the one that services your claim, they may not receive your message.
If you are experiencing financial hardship due to a delay in payment, contact the VA’s Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551, between 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. If you have a hardship request, ask the VA to expedite it for you.
General GI Bill Timelines
The VA is committed to processing enrollments as quickly as possible, and they process them in the “date order” they are received. Hence, get your enrollments in as soon as you can and you’ll be at the earliest processing times.
The VA makes every effort to process original (first-time) applications within 24 days of submission. For supplemental, or re-enrollment claims, the target is 12 days. The VA projects that they will continue to hit these target windows as they push through this Spring enrollment period. Keep in mind that unique factors may cause some claims to take longer. This is where staying in contact with your school’s SCA is important. They are your direct connection to your enrollment.
Need to find additional funding sources for school? Check out our Scholarship Finder tool that can connect you with scholarship opportunities.
(Image courtesy of U.S. Army Media)
RELATED:
- Post-9/11 GI Bill: The Ultimate Overview
- The GI Bill Certificate of Eligibility
- 6 GI Bill Myths Debunked
- Getting the Most from Your GI Bill
About the author
Terry Howell is a retired Coast Guard veteran, where he served for 20 years.
He is currently the Executive Director for Veterans' Legacies, a non-profit that works to preserve veterans personal stories to help educate our youth.
Terry is also the author of The Military Advantage, an annually updated guide to military and veteran benefits.