Using VA Benefits: Steps & Important Info


Steps for New/Transfer Students, First-Time Users & Those Switching Chapters

  • Ch. 31 VR&E users only: provide your VR&E counselor's name/email in the form since you don't get a COE. Also, follow these steps for KU Bookstore purchases.

Once you complete step 2, we'll email your KU email when:

  • 1. We receive your KU request for benefits form

  • 2. An advisor verifies your classes count toward graduation

  • 3. We send your enrollment to the VA

  • Monitor your KU email in case we have any questions

Returning & Continuing Students

(Complete each semester if using the same VA benefit as before)

Complete this right before or after you enroll in your next semester to mitigate payment delays.

Note: If you are switching chapters (e.g. from Post-9/11 to Ch. 35 DEA), please follow the first 2 steps under "New & Transfer Students" above.

You'll get emails to your KU email when:

  • 1. We receive your KU request for benefits form

  • 2. An advisor verifies your classes count toward graduation

  • 3. We send your enrollment to the VA

  • Monitor your KU email in case we have any questions

Retroactive Requests

Use this form only for terms that started more than 6 months ago (*KU login required)

*If your KU login has expired/you don't remember it, visit KU's MyIdentity page and click on the green "password reset" button (**KU online ID needed)

**If you don't remember your KU online ID, visit KU's MyIdentity page and click on the green “Set up your Online ID” button (Student ID number and birth date needed)

Contact us if you need any help

Monthly Enrollment Verification

 

Ch. 35 DEA users: As of Spring 25, some of you will be required to do monthly enrollment verification. You will receive an initial email message (or paper letter if if VA does not have an email on file) with instructions on how you can do so. 

Eventually, VA will require all Ch. 35 users to verify. VA will notify you when you are required to do so.

Enrollment Status & Training Time

Your "full-time" or "part-time" status with KU isn't always the same for VA benefits.

Here's what you need to know:

  1. VA counts enrollment by day.
    • VA looks at the exact days you’re in class to decide if you’re full-time or part-time.
    • Short sessions (e.g. 4-week or 8-week courses) or courses with different start/end dates can change your VA status — even if KU still calls you full-time.
  2. Only graduation-required classes count toward full-time status.
    • VA will credit only courses that apply toward your degree.
    • Always meet with your academic advisor each semester to confirm you’re taking the right classes.
  3. Repeat courses generally aren’t covered.
    • VA won’t pay for repeats and won’t count them toward your full-time status — unless: (a) You originally earned an F or (b) You failed to meet the minimum grade required to take the next higher course.
  4. Use this as a planning guide. Rules can vary by individual and by benefit chapter.

Contact us with any questions.

VA pays a monthly stipend to students, not to KU. Students are responsible for their KU bill. Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool for current rates.

Courses with the same start/end dates:
Enrollment StatusFall & Spring HoursSummer Hours% of Benefit (approx.)
Full time12 or more credits6 or more100%
3/4 time9-114-575%
1/2 time6-8350%
<1/2 time, >1/4 time4-5*2**50%
1/4 time or less1-3*1**25%

* If your enrollment status is less than 1/2 time, VA may pay you only up to the amount charged for tuition and fees.


Non-standard/short courses (your courses have different start/end dates):

VA converts each short/offset-date course into a Credit Hour Equivalency (CHE), then totals them using this formula:

StepCalculationExample
Determine raw weeksTotal days from start to end ÷ 7Course from 8/18 to 10/15 = 54 days ÷ 7 → 7.7 weeks (7 weeks and 5 days)
Adjust weeks1–3 extra days → round down; 4–6 days → round up7 weeks and 5 days → round up to 8 weeks
Calculate CHE per course(18 × course credits) ÷ weeks in session(18 x 3 credits) ÷ 8 weeks = 6.75 CHE

When different course dates overlap

Add your CHEs together to get your enrollment status during those overlapping days. 

Example: Enrolled in three 16-week, 3-credit courses and one 8-week, 3-credit course: 

Time PeriodCredits VA Sees (CHE)enrollment status % of benefit
Weeks 1–89 full-term + 6.75 (CHE) short = 15.75 CHEMore than full time100%
Weeks 9–169 full-term only9 ÷ 12 = 75% = 3/4 time75%

VA pays a monthly stipend to students, not to KU. Students are responsible for their KU bill. Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool for current rates.

Graduate students' enrollment status is based on KU's academic policy: Full-Time Enrollment for Graduate Students. For most programs, this is 9 credits (6 credits for active duty). 

Courses with the same start/end dates:

Find your full-time enrollment status in the policy above. Divide your credits by that full-time number. (Example: enrolled in 6 credits and 9 credits is full-time = 0.66 or 66%). Round down to the nearest 25% to get your enrollment status:

Enrollment StatusFall & Spring HoursSummer Hours% of Benefit (approx.)
Full time9 or more credits6 or more100%
3/4 time7-84-575%
1/2 time5-6350%
<1/2 time, >1/4 time3-42**50%
1/4 time or less1-21**25%

* If your enrollment status is less than 1/2 time, VA may pay only up to the amount charged for tuition and fees.


Non-standard courses (your courses have different start/end dates):

VA converts each short/offset-date course into a Credit Hour Equivalency (CHE), then totals them using this formula:

StepCalculationExample
Determine raw weeksTotal days from start to end ÷ 7Course from 8/18 to 10/15 = 54 days ÷ 7 → 7.7 weeks (7 weeks and 5 days)
Adjust weeks1–3 extra days → round down; 4–6 days → round up7 weeks and 5 days → round up to 8 weeks
Calculate CHE per course(18 × course credits) ÷ weeks in session(18 x 3 credits) ÷ 8 weeks = 6.75 CHE

When different course dates overlap

Add your CHEs together to get your enrollment status during those overlapping days. 

Example: Enrolled in two 16-week, 3-credit courses and one 8-week, 3-credit course: 

Time PeriodCredits VA Sees (CHE)enrollment status% of benefit 
Weeks 1–86 full-term + 6.75 (CHE) short course = 12.75 CHEMore than full-time100%
Weeks 9–166 full-term only6 ÷ 9 = 66% round down to 1/2 time50%
Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)

Typically paid monthly in arrears (1st of each month covers days attended the prior month).

To calculate your monthly MHA rate:

  1. Current MHA rate - Visit the GI Bill Comparison Tool. Look for the MHA based on where you are taking a majority of your classes. Edit the details in the left column.
  2. Rate of pursuit percentage, rounded  - See tables below

Daily MHA estimate: Divide the monthly MHA rate by 30 (for VA purposes, every month has 30 days).

Note: Active duty and their spouses are not eligible for MHA from VA.

Books & Supplies Stipend

Up to $1,000 (24 credit hours) per academic year (August to July). 

$41.67 x credit hours x benefit %.

  • At 100% benefit level → $41.67/credit (max 24 credits)
  • At 50% benefit level → $20.84/credit (max 24 credits)

Rate of Pursuit (RoP) at a glance

RoP is the % of a full-time load you’re taking. It sets your Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA).

Standard courses (all your courses have same start/end dates):
Enrolled in all
16-week courses 
Enrolled in all
8-week courses 
Enrolled in all
4-week courses
Rate of Pursuit
(approximate)
12 or more hours6 or more hours3 or more hours100%
 5 hours 93%
11 hours  92%
10 hours  83%
9 hours4 hours 75%
8 hours  67%
7 hours  58%
 3 hours 56%
6 hours  50%**
5 hours  42%**
 2 hours 38%**
4 hours  33%**
3 hours  25%**

Round to the nearest 10% to get your MHA rate. **Only RoPs greater than 50% are eligible to receive MHA.


Non-standard/short courses (your courses have different start/end dates):

VA converts each short/offset-date course into a Credit Hour Equivalency (CHE), then totals them using this formula:

StepCalculationExample
Determine raw weeksTotal days from start to end ÷ 7Course from 8/18 to 10/15 = 54 days ÷ 7 → 7.7 weeks (7 weeks and 5 days)
Adjust weeks1–3 extra days → round down; 4–6 days → round up7 weeks and 5 days → round up to 8 weeks
Calculate CHE per course(18 × course credits) ÷ weeks in session(18 x 3 credits) ÷ 8 weeks = 6.75 CHE

When different course dates overlap

Add your CHEs together to get your RoP during those overlapping days. Round to the nearest 10% to get your MHA rate.

Example: Enrolled in fall in three 16-week, 3-credit courses and one 8-week, 3-credit course: 

Time PeriodCredits VA Sees (CHE)RoP %MHA %
Weeks 1–89 full-term + 6.75 (CHE) short = 15.75 CHE15.75 ÷ 12 = 131%100%
Weeks 9–169 full-term only9 ÷ 12 = 75%80%
Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)

Typically paid monthly in arrears (1st of each month covers days attended the prior month).

To calculate your monthly MHA rate:

  1. Current MHA rate - Visit the GI Bill Comparison Tool. Look for the MHA based on where you are taking a majority of your classes. Edit the details in the left column.
  2. Rate of pursuit (RoP) percentage, rounded  - See tables below

Daily MHA estimate: Divide the monthly MHA rate by 30 (for VA purposes, every month has 30 days).

Note: Active duty and their spouses are not eligible for MHA from VA.

Books & Supplies Stipend

Up to $1,000 (24 credit hours) per academic year (August to July). 

$41.67 x credit hours x benefit %.

  • At 100% benefit level → $41.67/credit (max 24 credits)
  • At 50% benefit level → $20.84/credit (max 24 credits)

Rate of Pursuit (RoP) at a glance

RoP is the % of a full-time load you’re taking. It sets your Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA).

Note: Confirm your full-time status at the KU policy library. The chart below is for students who are full-time at 9 credit hours.

Standard fall/spring courses (all courses have same start/end dates):
Enrolled in all
15-19-week courses 
Enrolled in all
8-9-week courses 
Enrolled in all
6-7-week courses 
Enrolled in all
4-5-week courses
Rate of Pursuit
(approximate)
9 hours

4 hours

3 hours2 hours100%
 

3 hours

  75%
6 hours

 

  66%
3 hours

 

  33%**

Round to the nearest 10% to get your MHA rate. **Only RoPs greater than 50% are eligible to receive MHA.

Standard summer courses (all courses have same start/end dates):

Enrolled in all
12-14-week courses 
Enrolled in all
6-8-week courses 
Enrolled in all
1-5-week courses
Rate of Pursuit
(approximate)

4 hours

2 hours1 hour100%

3 hours

  75%

Non-standard courses (your courses have different start/end dates):

VA converts each short/offset-date course into a Credit Hour Equivalency (CHE), then totals them using this formula:

StepCalculationExample
Determine raw weeksTotal days from start to end ÷ 7Course from 8/18 to 10/15 = 54 days ÷ 7 → 7.7 weeks (7 weeks and 5 days)
Adjust weeks1–3 extra days → round down; 4–6 days → round up7 weeks and 5 days → round up to 8 weeks
Calculate CHE per course(18 × course credits) ÷ weeks in session(18 x 3 credits) ÷ 8 weeks = 6.75 CHE

When different course dates overlap

Add your CHEs together to get your RoP during those overlapping days. Round to the nearest 10% to get your MHA.

Example: Enrolled in fall in two 16-week, 3-credit courses and one 8-week, 3-credit course: 

Time PeriodCredits VA Sees (CHE)RoP %MHA % 
Weeks 1–86 full-term + 6.75 (CHE) short course = 12.75 CHE12.75 ÷ 9 = 141%100%
Weeks 9–166 full-term only6 ÷ 9 = 66%70%

Guest students

Seeking a degree at another school but taking a class at KU? You are considered a "guest student." The institution where you are seeking a degree is your "parent" school.

VA Benefits Overview

VA benefits users may also apply for VA Work Study in the MASC (part-time student employment). Contact us if interested.

To see if your KU program is eligible for VA education benefits, visit WEAMS and click the following links:

  • Under institution name, click "University of Kansas"
  • Near the top, click on "Programs"
  • Under program types, click on "Institution of Higher Learning"

If you do not see your program listed, contact us before enrolling.

Undergraduate certificate programs: Currently, no KU undergraduate certificate programs are eligible for VA education benefits. However, you may take certificate courses if the course meets another graduation requirement. Visit with your academic advisor to make sure your courses count toward graduation, and be sure to let them know you are a GI Bill user.

Graduate certificate programs: Several are approved for VA education benefits. Visit the WEAMS public site to verify your program is approved before enrolling.

Eligibility

  • Active duty service member or veteran with an honorable discharge who enrolled and pay $100 per month for 12 months.
  • At least 2 years of active duty.
  • Must fall into one of four service categories.

Benefits

  • Up to 36 months.
  • Depend on the following factors:
    1. Length of service.
    2. Type of educational or training program.
    3. Whether you qualify for a college fund or kicker.
    4. If/how much you paid into the $600 Buy-Up program.
  • Can be converted to Ch. 33.
  • May be eligible for additional 12 months of Ch. 33 after exhausting all of Ch. 30.
  • VA pay rates are based on your full-time/part-time status. View current rates. For those still on active duty, payment is limited to reimbursement of tuition and fees.
  • Does not pay anything to KU.
  • Recipients must verify school attendance each month.

For more information on Ch. 30, visit the VA benefits website.

Also using military tuition assistance? Go to our Tuition Assistance page for more information.

Eligibility

  • Veterans who have received, or will receive, a discharge that is "other than dishonorable."
  • Have a service-related disability rating of at least 10% or a VA disability rating of 20% or more.
  • Are in need of vocational rehabilitation due to disability and employment handicap. 
  • Veterans must apply and be approved for this program. Approval process can take several months or more.

Benefits

  • Dedicated VA counselor who can help you along your educational journey.
  • Tuition/fees, books, supplies paid at the 100% rate.
  • Monthly allowance.

Eligibility

Servicemember or veteran with an honorable discharge with:

  • At least 90 days of aggregated active duty service after 9/10/01.
  • Discharged with service-connected disability after 30 days.
  • Purple Heart recipient awarded on or after 09/11/01, regardless of time spent on active duty.

Family members who have received transferred benefits.

Benefits

  • Up to 36 months of education benefits.
  • Up to full tuition & mandatory course fees are paid directly to the school (classes must count toward a student's degree to be eligible for payment).
    • Students living in Kansas while attend KU should apply for in-state tuition via Armed Forces Residency Benefit (AFRB). (No need for Yellow Ribbon Program)
    • Students living outside of Kansas and paying out-of-state tuition may be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program. (Students living in Kansas do not need Yellow Ribbon - apply for AFRB instead)
  • A monthly housing allowance (MHA) directly to you (even if you live in on-campus housing). View current housing rates.
    • Does NOT pay KU housing/dining, parking, etc. charges to the school; students must pay those.
  • 100% online students receive half of the MHA national average, which is less than the on-campus rate.
  • An annual books & supplies stipend (up to $1,000) to you. Paid out each semester at $41.67 per credit hour enrolled until you hit the max ($1,000) rate.
    • Does NOT pay bookstore charges to KU. Students must pay those.

For more information on Ch. 33, visit the VA benefits website.

Eligibility

  • Servicemembers and veterans eligible for any VA educational benefit.
  • Spouses/dependents eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.
  • Free service - does not cause you to use any of your other GI Bill benefits.

Services include

  • Major/career path selection: Guidance in selecting a major/career path compatible with your interests, aptitudes, abilities
  • Benefits awareness: Information on other VA benefits, e.g. disability compensation, Veterans Readiness & Employment
  • Benefits coaching: Maximizing VA benefits and/or other resources to achieve education and career goals
  • Personalized support: Academic or adjustment counseling and personalized support to help remove any barriers to success

To receive this benefit

Eligibility

  • Spouses and children of veterans who died, or are permanently and totally disabled, as a result of service.
  • Children may use benefits between the ages of 18 and 26.

Benefits

  • 36 months.
  • Monthly stipend paid directly to the student. View current Ch. 35 payment rates.
  • Does not pay anything to KU. Student is responsible for paying everything.
  • Students living in Kansas while attend KU are eligible to apply for in-state tuition via Armed Forces Residency.

For more information on Ch. 35, visit the VA benefits website.

Eligibility

  • Provides Ch. 33 benefits for children and spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after 9/10/11.

Benefits

  • 36 months of education benefits
  • Tuition & fees are paid directly to the school for all public university in-state students.
    • Students living in Kansas while attend KU are eligible for in-state tuition via Armed Forces Residency. (No need for Yellow Ribbon Program).
    • Students living in Missouri while attending KU may be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
  • A monthly housing allowance directly to you. View current housing rates.
  • 100% online students receive half of the BAH national average.
  • An annual books & supplies stipend (up to $1,000) to you. Paid out each semester at $41.67 per credit hour enrolled until you hit the max ($1,000) rate.

For more information on the Fry Scholarship, visit the VA benefits website.

Eligibility

  • Actively drilling Guard/Reservists with a six-year obligation in the Selected Reserve.
  • Eligibility for the program normally ends the day you leave the Selected Reserve.
  • You get the DD Form 2384-1, Notice of Basic Eligibility, when you become eligible for the program from your unit. Your unit will also code your eligibility into the DoD personnel system so VA may verify your eligibility.

Benefits

For more information on Ch. 1606, visit the VA benefits website.

The Edith Nourse Rogers Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Scholarship allows some eligible Veterans and Fry Scholarship recipients in high-demand fields to extend their Post-9/11 GI Bill or Fry Scholarship.  

Eligibility   

  • Some Ch. 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill student or Fry Scholars with 6 months or less of your benefits left who are 

  • Enrolled in one of the following programs 

    • Undergraduate in approved STEM degree program or qualifying dual-degree program 
    • Earned a post-secondary degree in an approved STEM degree field and 

      • Are seeking a teaching certification 

      • In a covered clinical training program for healthcare professionals 

    • Note: Cannot use this scholarship for graduate degree programs at this time 

  • Full eligibility details, including approved STEM programs, is available on the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship website. You can also watch the VA's Q&A video on the scholarship for frequently asked questions about the benefits.

 

Benefits

  • May be eligible for up to nine months (or $30,000, whichever occurs first) of additional Ch. 33 benefits.

 

To apply for this benefit: 

GI Bill Frequently Asked Questions

  • Post-9/11 GI Bill users: get a copy of your Statement of Benefits if you have already applied for your benefits and received a COE before.
  • All other GI Bill/VA benefits users: Click the "Ask a Question" button (login required) on the GI Bill website and submit a query for the VA to mail copy of your COE. Or call the GI Bill hotline at 888-442-4551 to request a copy.
  • If you have never applied for benefits and received a COE before, visit the VA's website to apply.

Submitting your COE

  • Students will upload their COE when they complete the New KU Request for Benefits form. Students only need to submit a COE the first time they are using a VA benefit.

The VA will send you a letter each semester regarding the amount of entitlement you used and the amount remaining.

  • Chapter 31 (VR&E): check with your VR&E counselor.
  • Chapter 33: check your Post-9/11 GI Bill Statement of Benefits on the VA's website.
  • All other chapters: Use the Ask VA tool or call the GI Bill hotline at 888-442-4551 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT.
  • Minors/Majors: Yes, the GI Bill will cover additional majors and minors. Effective Fall 2024, we received updated information from our Education Liaison Representative that VA doesn't limit the number of majors/minors a student can have.
  • Certificate program: 
    • Undergraduate certificate programs are not approved for the GI Bill, unfortunately. Certificate program courses must meet some other KU graduation requirement in order for the VA to approve the courses.
    • Graduate certificate program: If your program is listed in WEAMS, VA will cover it. If it is not in WEAMS, contact us.

Only classes that meet a graduation requirement for your degree program, minor, dual degree, or dual major, can be reported to the VA for the purpose of determining your rate of pursuit (full-time status). Speak with your advisor to make sure your course fits some sort of graduation requirement (e.g. in your major, KU Core goals, junior/senior hours, etc.).

The VA will not pay for repeat courses unless you received an “F” OR must pass with a certain grade in order to move forward in your program.

Part of it depends on when you submit your KU request for benefits. On average, it takes KU 10-14 business days to send your info to VA (peak times, i.e. August & January, may take longer). VA has 30 days from that point to process your paperwork and will notify you once it's complete. You should then receive your monthly stipend at the beginning of the next month for the time you were in classes the previous month(s).

VA typically pays around the first of every month for the previous month. For example, around Sept. 1 (though it could be a few days later) you’ll get a payment for the days you were in classes in August. For VA purposes, each month has 30 days so you can calculate prorated amounts by dividing your monthly stipend by 30 and multiplying by number of days school is in session (e.g. if classes being Aug. 20 and BAH is $1494, your BAH for August would be $498). Visit the GI Bill Comparison Tool to see your specific rates.

When you complete your Using VA Benefits web form for the semester, we push your deadline back to Dec. 15 (fall), May 15 (spring), Aug. 15 (summer), giving you/the VA until the end of the semester to pay your tuition and fees.

You will still receive e-bills each month, but KU Enroll & Pay will always show your actual due date. 

If you get a late fee, it likely means you did not complete your VA request for the semester. Contact us with questions.

Ch. 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill users: We first tell the VA just the credit hours you're enrolled in to get your book stipend/housing allowance going. A second certification will occur after the add/drop period with your tuition and fees, as required by law. This means it will take longer for the VA to pay your tuition/fees - that's why we push your deadline back.

Ch. 31 VR&E users: VA should pay everything on your Enroll & Pay account, except bookstore charges. Bookstore charges require a separate purchasing process. If you see bookstore charges on your Enroll & Pay account, contact us

Other VA benefits users: The VA will pay nothing on your KU Enroll & Pay account. You are responsible for paying your entire bill. 

Contact us by Dec. 1/May 1 if you still have charges on your account that you feel should not be there.

First, when you complete your KU request for VA benefits each semester, we push your KU tuition/fees deadline back to Dec. 15 (fall), May 15 (spring), Aug. 15 (summer). You will still get e-bills, but Enroll & Pay will always show your actual due date.

Ch. 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill & Ch. 31 VR&E users: Did you complete your KU request for VA benefits? If so, we first tell the VA just your credit hours to get your book stipend and/or housing allowance going. We will report the tuition a bit later, as required by law. This means it may take longer for the VA to pay your tuition/fees.  

Contact us by Dec. 1 (fall)/May 1 (spring)/Aug. 1 (summer) if you still have charges on your KU account that you feel should not be on there.

Other VA benefits users: VA will pay nothing on your KU Enroll & Pay account. You are responsible for paying your entire bill. 

Students must be enrolled full time in term-long classes to receive full GI Bill benefits, as your benefits are charged by day. This means short-term and non-standard courses can affect your full-time status and your benefits (e.g. housing allowance if you're using the Post-9/11 GI Bill). 

For example, undergraduate students must be in 12 credits that run the whole semester. If you are only in 12 credits and one of those courses starts later (e.g. October), you will be part time until that course starts. If you're in 15 credits and one of the 3 credit hour courses starts later, there is no issue since you're in 12 credits for the entire semester. 

Before you enroll in short classes, contact us to learn how short courses might affect your benefits. Or see the "Enrollment Status and Training Time" section on this web page for more details.

Withdrawing from a class, especially outside the 100% refund window, can result in you owing KU and/or the VA money. This is regardless of which VA benefit you are using.

Contact us before dropping a class to understand the potential financial implications.

If you have mitigating circumstances, let us know BEFORE you drop the class so that we can inform the VA. If you don't let us know VA will mail you a letter explaining they were notified about your drop. They may ask you to submit any mitigating circumstances that led to the drop. In response, you’ll need to mail the reasons to your Regional Processing Office or send them using the “Submit a Question” button on VA's website. VA will notify you by letter if your reasons are accepted and the amount of any final benefit debt. VA also automatically grants mitigating circumstances for up to 6 credits the first time, and only the first time, you drop classes.

You may still owe money, though, even if VA grants you mitigating circumstances.

The VA requires certain users to verify their enrollments at the end of each month for the time they were in classes. Visit the VA's website to learn more and to verify your enrollment. 

Visit the GI Bill Comparison Tool for specific information.

It depends on whether you are getting restricted aid or unrestricted aid. Visit our aid page for more information.

Post-9/11 GI Bill users: to receive that money while waiting on the VA to pay your tuition and fees, complete the VA Educational Benefits - Early Release of Funds* form each semester*A link to this form is included in the KU request for VA benefits form you complete each semester.

You can update your direct deposit information in your VA.gov profile. You'll need your bank's routing number and account number to make the updates.

For steps on setting up or updating your KU direct deposit information in Enroll & Pay, visit Student Accounts & Receivables.

It depends.

Veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill and this is the first VA benefit you have used: Yes, VA should pay for the entire term for all classes that started while you still had benefits left.

Veterans who combined benefits (e.g., used 36 months of the Montgomery GI Bill and 12 months of the Post-9/11 GI Bill) and will exceed your 48th month during the semester: VA will only make payments for tuition and BAH up to the last day of that 48th month.

Spouses and dependents using Post-9/11 GI Bill: the VA will stop payments on the last day of your benefits (and prorate the tuition/BAH), unless you are the very last family member to use the very last day of benefits. If you're the last family member, VA should pay for the entire term for all classes that started while you still had benefits left.

Ch. 35 DEA and Ch. 1606 MGIB-SR students: VA typically stops paying the day you run out of benefits.

If you are switching your VA benefits program, complete a "New KU Request for Benefits" instead of a "Continued Request" and upload your new Certificate of Eligibility.

If you qualify for multiple benefits you can only use one at a time, but you can switch which one is active between semesters.

To change benefits you can request a new COE through the VA.

**There is one exception. Students eligible for Ch. 35 benefits under two parents may use both at the same time. If you elect concurrent payments, you will receive double the rate but be charged double the entitlement for each semester you are certified. To use both Ch. 35 benefits:

  1. Apply for the COE for Ch. 35 under both parents. Choose 1 parent’s SSN to enter for the veteran’s SSN.
  2. Once you get the COE, call VA (888-442-4551) to indicate that you want to use both benefits at the same time. VA annotates your record of this (called a work order).  This is so when the school enters enrollment, VA will see to process concurrent payments under CH35.  Request has to come from you to the VA (the school is not involved with this part).
  3. Continue to use the same parent’s SSN info you used before completing the KU continued request for benefits each semester. When we send enrollment info to VA, VA will see the work order and process concurrent enrollment/payment under both parents.

Yes, but most KU students do not need Yellow Ribbon.

The VA's Yellow Ribbon program is only for Ch. 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill users at the 100% benefit level paying out-of-state tuition who do not meet the Armed Forces Residency Benefit (AFRB) criteria.

  • Living in Kansas (on or off campus) while going to KU? Apply for in-state tuition rates per AFRB instead of Yellow Ribbon. 
  • Using Post-9/11 GI Bill at 100% benefit level, living another state while going to KU AND paying out-of-state tuition? Please complete the Yellow Ribbon Application each academic year.
  • Online students in a flat-rate program? You do not need Yellow Ribbon or AFRB.
  • Non-Ch. 33 user? VA's Yellow Ribbon is not an option for you, but AFRB may be

Note for KUMC students only: KUMC does not currently offer Yellow Ribbon, but does offer AFRB. Visit their Military Residency page to learn more.

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