Veterans' Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility
Semester Certification
Grades and the GI Bill
What the GI Bill Pays For
Miscellaneous
Eligibility
Who determines what I am eligible for? Can I talk to someone for more in-depth information regarding my VA status?
UNLV falls under the VA Regional Processing Office in Muskogee, Okla. Call 888-442-4551 for answers to your questions.
Semester Certification
What is certification? When should I turn in my paperwork?
Certification (VA Form 22-1999) is the information your school's certifying official sends to the regional processing office. The student's enrollment dates, training status, and class standing are all a part of the certification. The sooner you turn in your paperwork, the sooner you will start receiving your monthly benefits. Rule of thumb: Turn in your forms as soon as possible after class registration to ensure a timely certification. You have one year from the start of a semester to file for benefits.
What is a semester enrollment form?
For each semester, you need to turn in a completed semester enrollment form. Semester enrollment forms are available on this website under Forms to Process Your Veteran’s Benefits. They are also available at the office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, Student Services Complex, second floor. Fill out the student portion and then take the form to your academic advisor for a signature. Your academic advisor will review the form to make sure the classes listed are degree-applicable. The academic advisor will also provide your up-to-date degree sheet. The degree sheet lists all the classes you need to complete to receive your degree. Certification cannot be done without this degree sheet.
What should I do if I change my enrollment?
If you change your enrollment, immediately fill out and submit an updated semester enrollment form. Withdrawing from a course may reduce your benefits. You may have to repay benefits unless you can show the change was due to mitigating circumstances. (If you have mitigating circumstances, let the certifying official know so the information can be added to the updated certification.) Indicate on the semester enrollment form which classes were dropped and/or added. If you are adding a class that has not previously been approved by your academic advisor, the form must be signed by the advisor. If you are just dropping a class, the form only needs your signature.
What if I change my major?
You need to have your new academic advisor supply an updated degree sheet showing your completed credits. Your certification cannot be done until a new degree sheet is received.
Can I dual major and still receive benefits?
Instructions on how to apply for VA approval of a dual major are available from the certifying official in the office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Grades and the GI Bill
If I fail a class, will the GI Bill still pay? May I retake a class to improve my grade?
If you fail a class, credits to repeat the class can be re-certified. You can use your benefits to improve a grade only if the grade you received is not acceptable under your program. If you receive a grade that is acceptable under your program, you cannot use your benefits to retake the course for a better grade.
What if I'm placed on academic probation because of low grades?
The VA uses the same progress standards listed in the UNLV catalog. If your low grades lead to suspension due to unsatisfactory progress, the suspension will be reported to the VA.
Can I receive tutorial assistance?
Tutorial assistance can be reimbursed by the GI Bill for chapters 30, 33, 35 and 1606. Tutorial assistance is not available for chapter 1607 at this time. You must provide a letter from the course instructor stating you are deficient in the course and that individual tutoring would help correct the deficiency. You should contact the Academic Success Center for available tutors. The monthly amount reimbursed cannot exceed $100. To apply, complete VA Form 22-1990t, Application and Enrollment Certification for Individualized Tutorial Assistance. Forms are available on the GI Bill website, or, from the certifying official at the office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. You will be required to pay the tutor and the VA will reimburse you.
What the GI Bill Pays For
Can I take any courses I want?
The VA will pay only for classes that are degree-applicable. This means only classes within your course of study or major. Anything outside the degree program will not be eligible for benefits.
Will the VA pay for classes toward a minor?
If your degree has elective credits, you can use these electives to take classes for a minor. Otherwise, classes for a minor cannot be counted for certification. When you have filled your open electives, no future elective credits can be certified.
What if I am a non-admit student?
The GI Bill will pay benefits for two semesters as a non-admit student. After two semesters, benefits will stop until you are formally admitted. Courses taken while a non-admit student should be limited to classes that would be acceptable to any program on campus (i.e., core requirements). Have your semester enrollment form signed by an academic advisor in the Academic Success Center advising office.
Can I take degree applicable classes at the Nellis AFB campus?
Yes. File a semester enrollment form for those classes just like you were attending at the UNLV main campus.
What if I want to take degree applicable classes at another school?
Attending classes at two different schools at the same time is called concurrent enrollment. An example would be taking classes during the same semester at CSN and UNLV. Use the Concurrent Enrollment Form. The form is available on this website under Forms to Process Your Veteran’s Benefits. The form is also available at the office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Complete the form, have it signed by your UNLV academic advisor, and turn it in to the UNLV certifying official.
Will the GI Bill pay for remedial courses?
Yes, if you can demonstrate need. Low test scores on the ACT, SAT, or placement testing warrant need for remedial courses. UNLV provides placement testing through the Academic Success Center. Call 702-895-3800 for details. If you do not have qualifying test scores, your remedial course cannot be considered for GI Bill benefits.
Will the GI Bill pay for courses I audit?
No. Courses you do not receive a punitive grade for cannot be considered for GI Bill benefits.
Will the GI Bill pay for ROTC courses?
Yes. Currently UNLV offers Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC courses. Refer to the individual programs on the UNLV website for additional information.
Will the GI Bill pay for honors courses?
Yes, but only when those courses count toward your major/degree. If a course is not degree-applicable, you cannot receive benefits.
Can I receive benefits for a test for a license or certification?
Tests approved by the State Approving Agency may be reimbursed. Information about license and certification test reimbursement is at the GI Bill website.
Miscellaneous
What is break pay?
Break pay is pay for school breaks. In order to receive break pay, you need to file two consecutive semester enrollment forms with the certifying official. At the end of the semester prior to the break, your enrollment must be considered half-time. Your education entitlement is charged for break periods. You can elect not to be paid break pay by notifying Muskogee or the UNLV certifying official. There are several rules that apply to breaks during summer. Contact Muskogee or the UNLV certifying official about break pay during summer. Active-duty service members are not eligible for break pay.
How do I update my direct deposit information or my address?
Call the VA at 877-838-2778 to update your direct deposit information. Chapter 30, 1606 and 1607 students who verify their attendance online can change their address and direct deposit information at that site. Other chapter students should call the VA hotline number at 1-888-442-4551 to update their address.
Are VA education benefits taxable?
No. Any veterans benefits paid under any law administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs should not be reported as income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
What is enrollment verification and do I have to do one?
Only Chapters 30, 1606 and 1607 must verify. In order to receive your monthly benefits from the GI Bill, you must verify your enrollment at the end of each month. There are two ways to verify; both are available 24 hours a day.
- Go to GI Bill website under Information for Benefit Recipients/WAVE.
- Telephone 877-823-2378 and use the Interactive Voice Response.
Who pays my tuition and fees?
Chapters 30, 35, 1606 and 1607: It is your responsibility to see that tuition and fees are paid on time. Tuition and fees are due prior to the start of each semester. Your benefits are paid at the end of each month for that month.
Chapter 33: Students must supply their Certificate of Eligibility to the VA certifying official. A completed and signed semester enrollment form must also be supplied prior to the start of the semester. The VA certifying official will then figure the amount due from the VA and will place a hold on that part of the student’s tuition and fee bill. Students will be required to either pay the balance due or set up a satisfactory payment plan with the cashier’s office prior to the start of the semester. Students who fail to pay the remaining balance will accrue late fees and could be purged from classes. VA cannot be charged for late fees or reinstatement fees.