Apply for Benefits

All VA students must file an application when they first start school. VA students can submit applications online at www.gibill.va.gov or provide the VA Certifying Official with a paper copy. VA students must provide the School Certifying Official with a Certificate of Eligibility

Address and direct deposit information must be current with the VA. Chapter's 1606, 1607, and 30 can use the WAVE system to update this information. All other chapters can request or change direct deposit information by calling 1-877-838-2778. Address changes can be made by calling 1-888-442-4551.

• Students who haven't received benefits before must file an original application with the VA.
  • Veterans use VA Form 22-1990.
  • Dependents use VA Form 22-5490.
  • ToE Students VA Form 22-1990e.

• Students who have used benefits before must submit a request to change the place of training.
  • Veterans and ToE students use VA Form 22-1995.
  • Dependents use VA Form 22-5495.

Registration

Students register for classes using BengalWeb. VA students must submit a VA Registration Form every semester to activate education benefits. If the student changes their class schedule the VA Certifying Official must be notified immediately. If the VA does not receive a prompt notice of the change, the student could be liable for an overpayment of benefits.

• The VA Certifying Official will notify the VA Regional Office of the enrollment change.

VA Benefits are paid based on the time students are actually enrolled in classes. Registering for eight week or workshop courses may affect monthly housing payments. Only classes required for the declared program of study will be covered by the VA. Only full-time students will receive full VA Education Benefits. Attending less than full-time will pro-rate benefits.

Students receiving the Post-9/11 GI Bill must take at least 7 credits for undergraduate or 5 credits for graduate students to receive any portion for the housing allowance.

Tuition

The VA will send tuition and fee money directly to the school for those students receiving the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Students are required to pay tuition and fees not covered by the VA. If the student completely withdraws on or before the first day of the term the debt is the school responsibility.

Changes in class schedules that cause an overpayment of tuition or fees will be the school's responsibility if the change occurs before the first day of the term and will be the student's responsibility if the change occurs on or after the first day of the term.

Attendance

Students are paid based on attendance, not attending or withdrawing from classes may cause an overpayment with the VA. Chapter's 1606, 1607, and 30 must verify attendance the last day of each month. Attendance may be verified by calling 1-877-823-2378 or by using the WAVE system.

Grades

The VA does not pay for non-punitive grades. A non-punitive grade is a grade that does not count as earned credit and is not considered in progress standards for graduation. Earning a non-punitive grade may cause an overpayment with the VA. Examples of non-punitive grades are: "W" withdraw, "AU" audit, "U" unsatisfactory, and "I" incomplete.

Incomplete "I" grades are an agreement between the student and the instructor. Incomplete grades are given at the end of the term and require a Course Completion Contract.

• If an "I" is not changed to another grade within one year then it will automatically become an "F" for undergraduate students.
• If an "I" remains on the transcript for longer than one year then it will be reported to the VA as a non-punitive grade and may create an overpayment.

Repeats

Courses that are successfully completed may not be certified for VA purposes. If a program requires a higher grade than achieved, that course may be repeated. The VA has a onetime forgiveness policy; each class may be repeated once if the original grade doesn't meet university requirements.

• If the second grade is failing or unacceptable then the original grade is reported to the VA as non-punitive and may create an overpayment.

Mitigating Circumstances

Mitigating circumstances are circumstances beyond the student's control that prevent the student from continuing in school or that cause the student to reduce credits. Reporting Mitigating circumstances may prevent overpayments. Examples are:

• An illness or death in the student's immediate family.
• An illness or injury afflicting the student during the enrollment period.
• An unavoidable change in the student's conditions of employment.
• An unavoidable geographical transfer resulting from the student's employment.
• Immediate family of financial obligations beyond the control of the student that require him or her to suspend pursuit of the program of education to obtain employment.
• Discontinuance of the course by the school.
• Unanticipated difficulties with childcare arrangements the student has made for the period during which he or she is attending classes.

If evidence of mitigating circumstances is not provided then the VA may create an overpayment.

Study Abroad

Study abroad can be certified if the student is enrolled in courses that will meet graduation requirements. All other benefit programs will pay benefits on a monthly basis directly to the student just like attendance at U.S. schools.

Additional information about study aboard can be found on the VA's website.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay:

• Home school's tuition and fees;
• Books and supplies.
• Monthly housing allowance based on the home school's address.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill will NOT pay:

• Costs related to travel (airfare, lodging, and meals), or
• Third party charges.

Guest Students

A guest student is a student who is pursuing a degree at another college or university. Students may take courses at more than one school that apply to their degrees. The school that grants the degree is the "primary" school. All other schools are "secondary" schools. The VA will pay for a secondary school or combine the enrollment between the primary and secondary schools. The primary school must provide a "Primary School Letter" to the secondary school to certify the enrollment.

If Idaho State University is your "primary" school please provide the VA Certifying Official with the following information:

• The name and contact information of the VA Certifying Official at the secondary school.
• The name/number, title, and credits of the course you are taking at the secondary school.
• When you have completed the course an official transcript must be sent to ISU to ensure transfer credit was granted.

If Idaho State University is your "secondary" school then you must notify the VA Certifying Official at your primary school. ISU will certify your enrollment with the VA once the Primary School Letter is received.

VA Education Forms

All applications can be submitted on the VA's website, www.gibill.va.gov, or you may fill out a paper form and return it to the VA Certifying Official at ISU.

VA Form 22-1990 Application for VA Education Benefits for Chapter 33 - Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Veterans only), Chapter 30 - Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty, Chapter 1606 - Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve, and Chapter 1607 - Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP).

VA Form 22-1990e Application for VA Education Benefits for Chapter 33 - Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Dependents only).

VA Form 22-5490 Application for VA Education Benefits Chapter 35 - Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

VA Form 28-1900 Application for Chapter 31 - Vocational Rehabilitation.

VA Form 22-1995 Change Place of Training for Chapter's 1606, 1607, 30, and 33.

VA Form 22-5495 Change Place of Training for Chapter 35.

VA Form 22-0803 Reimbursement of Licensing or Certification Test Fees.

VA Form 22-8010 Reimbursement of National Exam Fee.

VA Form 22-8030 Agreement to release VA education information to a third party.

VA Form 22-8691 Application for Work Study Allowance.

VA Form 21-4138 VA Appeal Form.

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 http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Resources

• ISU Veteran Student Service Center
• ISU Army ROTC
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Submit a Request to Change Place of Training, www.gibill.va.gov

Applying on the VA's website is the preferred method; however you may click on the links below and fill out a paper application. Please return all paper applications directly to the VA or to the VA Certifying Official at ISU.

Meet with an Advisor

• Central Academic Advising, www.isu.edu/advising
  Pocatello Campus (208) 282-3277
  Idaho Falls Campus (208) 282-7800
  Meridian Campus (208) 282-1700 or in Boise (208) 373-1700
  Twin Falls Campus (208) 282-4840 or in Twin Falls (208) 736-2101

• College of Technology, www.isu.edu/ctech
  Pocatello Campus (208) 282-2622

Apply for Federal Financial Aid, www.fafsa.ed.gov

• ISU school code 001620

Submit a VA Registration Form

• To activate your VA Education Benefits, you must complete and submit a VA Registration Form after you register for classes.

Apply for Tuition Assistance (if eligible)

• Army Reserves or National Guard www.goarmyed.com