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VA Educational Benefits

Welcome

Idaho State University is honored to  have the opportunity to educate and serve our nations heroes and their families.  We strive to provide responsive academic and administrative support to student Veterans, active duty military, and their families who are taking the next step in their education and career as a Bengal. If you’re just getting started, take a look at our getting started checklist. 

The Military Education Benefits office serves as your primary point of contact for VA Education Benefits at Idaho State University. To aid in tracking correspondence and providing fast, effective communications, please be sure to send all inquiries regarding VA Education Benefits to VCO@isu.edu to avoid delays in processing.

Who do we serve

We provide support for students utilizing the following military education benefits under VA Education Benefits:

  • Chapter 30 Montgomery Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
  • Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
  • Chapter 33 Post 9-11 & Chapter 33 Post 9-11 Transfer of Entitlement (Spouse / Dependents)
  • Chapter 35 Survivors and Dependents Assistance (DEA)
  • Chapter 1606 Montgomery Selected Reserve (MIGB-SR)
What we do
  • Process and submit your VA Enrollment Certification for payment each term
  • Provide a central information resource for V.A. Education Benefits

If you have questions about whether you qualify for our services, please contact us! We would be happy to assist you!

 

 

V.A. Education Registration Form navigation button

 

It can take 30 days for V.A. to determine your eligibility. If you are found eligible by V.A. for education benefits you will be sent a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) via USPS mail. You must submit a copy of your COE to the Veterans Certifying Official during your first semester at Idaho State University. Contact VCO@isu.edu for details.

2) Apply for admission to ISU
To ensure the most efficient handling of your questions, please contact the Office of Admissions regarding the application process.
 
OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS
921 S. 8th Ave, Stop 8270
Pocatello, ID, 83209-8270
Phone: 208-282-2475
Fax: 208-282-4511
Web Address: isu.edu/future
 
3) Apply for Financial Aid

Optional  - Apply for Financial Aid by completing a FAFSA online once a year.

ISU School Code for Financial Aid: 001620

Once accepted, complete these steps every semester utilize your benefits:

 

1) Meet with an Advisor

The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) will not authorize payment for any coursework that is not specifically required for graduation from your program of education as it is published in the Academic Catalog.

To ensure you register for the correct coursework it is strongly recommended that all students speak with an advisor from Central Academic Advising or your program advisor each term when determining the appropriate class schedule. To identify your assigned program & advisor log into MyISU and select the ‘My Registration and Schedule Information (MyProfile)’ link on the ‘Registration Tools’ card. You can review information under ‘Advisors’ to identify your Academic Advisor. It is important to consult your DegreeWorks degree audit when meeting with an Academic Advisor to confirm your remaining program requirements.

2) Register for Classes
               -Register for classes using MyISU
               -To view course offerings at ISU use the online Class Schedule
 
3) Submit a VA Education Registration Form

This form needs to be submitted every semester to activate your VA Education Benefits!

To begin the process or receiving benefits for the upcoming semester you must submit a VA Education Registration Form after you have registered by following these instructions:

To activate your benefits for the upcoming semester, please submit a VA Education Registration Form via MyISU by following these instructions:

Fill out the form completely and select the ‘SUBMIT’ button . Once submitted you will receive a 'VA Ed Reg Form Received' confirmation email from VCO@isu.edu confirming your submission.

 

OPTIONAL - Apply for Tuition Assistance (if eligible) through Army Reserves or National Guard

V.A. Education Registration Form navigation button

VERIFY ENROLLMENT [W.A.V.E.]

If you are eligible for VA Education Benefits under CH 30, CH 1606, or CH 1607, and your program or course is approved, VA determines your pay rate based the enrollment dates and number of hours the university submits for you (referred to as Rate of Pursuit). Payment will be released to you after you have verified your enrollment each month as outlined below.

 wave

You must verify your attendance each month in order to receive payments. You submit your verification on the last day of the month to cover the previous month’s training (the month you just finished attending). You have two options to verify:

  • Verify online utilizing the W.A.V.E. site (click on the banner above)
  • Verify by phone by calling 1-877-823-2378

Follow the instructions provided. When the system tells you that you’re certified, your verification is complete.

After processing your verification, if appropriate, VA will release your payment. If you have additional questions you can download the W.A.V.E. User Guide (http://benefits.va.gov/gibill/docs/WAVE_User_Guide_v2.0.pdf), and it will provide detailed step by step guidance on the process.

 V.A. Education Registration Form navigation button

Frequently Asked Questions

 

DO I HAVE TO BE A FULL-TIME STUDENT TO RECEIVE BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING (BAH) PAYMENT?

No. There are various pay levels of BAH based on your VA Rate of Pursuit . The minimum Rate of Pursuit to receive BAH is more than half time (i.e. 7+ credits for regular 16 week semester). Shortened enrollment periods (i.e. early 8 week, late 8 week, or summer terms) each have varying credit requirements. For more information, or for an estimate of your Rate of Pursuit, please contact a Military Education Benefits team member and we will be happy to guide you.

HOW DO I USE MY BENEFITS EACH SEMESTER

To request your schedule to be reviewed and submitted for payments under VA Education Benefits at ISU you must submit a VA Registration Form after you have registered for classes as outlined below:

  • Log in to MyISU
  • Click on the University Resources tab
  • Within the ‘Veteran Students’ block select VA Registration Form
  • Fill out the form completely and hit the Submit button - Ensure you complete the form all the way to the 'Confirmation Page' and select 'Submit'. If a page appears blank after hitting ‘Continue’ on the previous page, attempt to scroll to the top of the page to ensure all information has been entered.

This form needs to be submitted EVERY semester to activate your VA Education Benefits.

I AM FAILING A CLASS AND IT IS AFTER THE DROP OR WITHDRAW DEADLINE, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

You should continue to attend the course, making a good faith effort to successful complete all assignments, quizzes, and the final exam even if you expect to receive a grade of “F”.  If you do not meet the attendance policy set forth by the instructor in the syllabus, and do not make a good faith effort to complete all required coursework, you may be issued a non-passing grade with a last date of attendance indicating you stopped participating in the course. Non-passing grades issued with a last day of attendance will place you in debt to VA for benefits received for those credits.

WHERE’S MY MONEY?

After you have submitted your VA Education Registration Form for the semester, we will review your schedule and submit your enrollment certification to VA for payment. If you have basic eligibility for benefits, and your program and courses are approved, VA will process your certification based on the enrollment dates, credit hours, and tuition and fees submitted. To check on the status of your certification you may log into your VA eBenefits account and review the status of your claim, or contact the VA Helpdesk directly at 1-888-442-4551.  If you are using Chapter 30, 1606 or 1607, you need to verify your attendance each month to release payment. Verify your attendance on the last calendar day of the month using the Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) or by calling 1-877-823-2378.  If you are using Chapter 31, 33, or 35 no additional action is necessary.

I AM A NATIONAL GUARD MEMBER, WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM CALLED UP TO ACTIVE DUTY?

ISU has several policies designed to protect the status of military students when called up to active duty. This allows for flexibility in the review of individual circumstances leading to the withdrawal and student standing. If you have received orders you will need to send a written request for military withdrawal along with a copy of your military orders to the Office of the Registrar for review by the Military Education Benefits Chief. For specific questions please contact a Military Education Benefits team member and we will be happy to guide you.

I HAVE RETURNED FROM DEPLOYMENT, DO I QUALIFY FOR MORE VA EDUCATION BENEFITS?

Whenever you generate more active duty time it is recommended to speak with a member of the Military Education Benefits team. We will guide you regarding how to determine if your additional active duty qualifies you for an increase in VA Education Benefits and assist you in submitting your application to VA for review.

WHAT IF I DROP A CLASS? WHAT IF I WITHDRAW FROM A CLASS? WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

CH 33 Post 9-11, CH 33 Post 9-11 Transferred Entitlement, CH 31 Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment.

If you drop on or before the first day of class the University will return overpayment for tuition and fees directly to VA. If you drop after the first day but before the last day to add/drop outlined on the academic calendar you will be eligible for a refund from the University that you will use to return overpayment for tuition and fees to VA. If you drop after the last day to add/drop but before the last day to withdraw as outlined on the academic calendar you will owe the overpayment for tuition and fees to VA out of pocket.

If you drop below full-time status for that enrollment period, your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) will be affected.  If the VA has already paid you before the change was submitted, you may owe money back to the VA for overpayment of your BAH. You will also owe money back to VA for any books and supplies stipend submitted to you for the credits you dropped.

All other chapters (1606, 1607, 30, 35):  You will be paid by the VA up until the date you dropped the class. If the drop changed your rate of pursuit, your pay will reflect the change in status. If the VA has already paid you before the change was submitted, you may owe money back to the VA for overpayment of your benefit.

I AM NOT A RESIDENT OF IDAHO, WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?

Bring a copy of your DD214 member 4 copy to the Residency Specialist in the Office of the Registrar. There are several options for you including Section 702 of the Veterans Choice and Accountability Act and Yellow Ribbon grant. To determine your eligibility under these programs you will need to complete an application in the Bengal Online Scholarship System (BOSS). There are several factors including your separation date from the military, current active duty status, or eligibility as a dependent using transferred benefits (Post 9/11). For specific questions please contact a Military Education Benefits team member and we will be happy to guide you.

WHAT IS THE YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM?

Idaho State University is a Yellow Ribbon school under VA Education Benefits. If you are a student utilizing Chapter 33 Post 9/11 at 100% eligibility -or- Chapter 33 Post 9/11 TOE at 100% eligibility, an undergraduate student, and a non-resident of Idaho you may qualify for additional benefits under Yellow Ribbon. To apply please log into the Bengal Online Scholarship System (BOSS) and submit an application for Yellow Ribbon for review. It is important to note that Yellow Ribbon awards are granted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

WHY SHOULD I REQUEST MY MILITARY TRANSCRIPTS?

To request information on obtaining credits for your JST please contact a Military Education Benefits team member and we will be happy to guide you.