Using VA Benefits
Below, you will find information that will help you use your VA education benefits at KU, including instructions for new, transfer, continuing and guest students, an overview of the various benefits, a list of frequently asked questions, and additional contact information.
Other Helpful Information
Steps for New/Transfer Students, First-Time Users & Those Switching Chapters
(Complete once)
- Option for Post-9/11 GI Bill who have used benefits before: you can obtain a Statement of Benefits (SoB) in lieu of a COE.
- For all other VA benefits users who have used benefits before: If you don't have your original COE, submit a query through the Ask VA portal or call 888-442-4551 for a copy of your COE.
- New users ages 19 & younger: you may have trouble setting up ID.me during this process. If so, doing a video appointment to verify your identity should resolve that issue.
- Note for Ch. 31 VR&E users only: upload a document with your VR&E counselor's name/contact info since you will not have a COE. Please also note, your bookstore purchases will require a different process than the rest of your benefits. Follow these steps for book purchases.
- KU Direct Deposit is independent of VA Direct Deposit. Click here for VA Direct Deposit.
Returning & Continuing Students
(Complete each semester)
After your first semester and as long as you are using the same VA benefits, you will only need to complete the KU Continued Request for Benefits application. Please do 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.
Retroactive Requests
Use this form only for requests older than 9 months (*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
(Complete monthly)
or call 1-877-823-2378
Post-9/11 GI Bill users who receive a monthly housing allowance (MHA) and/or kicker payments began monthly enrollment verifications in Spring 2022. Texting will be the easiest way to verify monthly.
- As your enrollment approaches, the VA will text from the number 44354 to the phone number listed on your VA account letting you know you've been registered to receive texts. You'll receive a second text asking if you wish to submit your monthly enrollment verification via text. You must reply before the text message link expires 14 days after receipt.
- You will verify at the end of each month for the time you were in classes. Once enrolled, the VA will text you and you will simply respond to the text. If you don't reply within 6 days, the conversation will expire and you will need to call the VA: 888-442-4551.
- Students who fail to verify their enrollment monthly for 2 consecutive months will have their MHA and/or kicker payments put on hold.
- Learn more about monthly enrollment verifications.
If you opt out of text messages, can’t verify by text, or do not have a US mobile phone number, you can call the GI Bill Hotline or use the Ask VA tool (select GI Bill as the category)
Enrollment Status & Training Time
Are you part time or full time in the eyes of the VA (which may differ from how KU classifies you)?
The VA benefits you can expect if you're taking short classes and/or classes with different start/end dates
The VA looks at your enrollment by day and uses enrollment status and training time to determine whether you are a part-time or full-time student by their standards. This may differ from how KU classifies you.
The VA also requires that all classes meet a graduation requirement for them to consider your full-time/part-time status, so it's important to visit with your advisor every semester.
Disclaimer: The information below is kept as up-to-date as possible and should only be used as a planning estimate. Individual circumstances may cause a deviation from the amounts listed. Contact us with any questions.
These programs provide a monthly payment made directly to student, not to KU. It is the student's responsibility to ensure their university bill is paid. Current rates can be found by going to the GI Bill Comparison Tool, selecting the appropriate program, and searching for the location where you are taking a majority of your classes.
Undergraduate Students
For courses with the same start/end dates, enrollment status is calculated by dividing the number of credit hours you are taking by the amount of credit hours to be considered full time in a semester (12 hours for fall & spring and 6 for summer). This percentage is rounded down to the nearest 25% to get your enrollment status:
Enrollment Status | Fall & Spring Hours | Summer Hours | % of Benefit |
---|---|---|---|
Full time | 12 or more | 6 or more | 100% |
3/4 time | 9-11 | 4-5 | 75% Ch. 30/1606 79% Ch. 35 |
1/2 time | 6-8 | 3 | 50% Ch. 30/1606 58% Ch. 35 |
<1/2 time, >1/4 time | 4-5* | 2* | *50% Ch. 30/1606 *58% Ch. 35 |
1/4 time | 3 or less* | 1* | *25% |
* Students whose enrollment status is less than 1/2 time may only receive up to the amount charged for tuition and fees. Because the VA now requires us to wait to report tuition/fees until after the add/drop date, this may mean a delay in receiving your benefits.
Note for non-standard courses: For courses that do not run the full semester or have different start/end dates, the VA will calculate a value referred to as "Credit Hour Equivalency" (CHE). CHE can then be added to all other credit hours being taken to determine enrollment status. This may mean you're considered part time or full time at different points in a semester, depending on your course dates.
While the official amounts are calculated by the VA, the following formula may be used to estimate your course's CHE:
- 18 * number of credit hours / number of weeks the course is in session = Credit Hour Equivalency
Weeks are calculated by counting the total number of days the course is in session (looking at the course's start and end dates, not just the days you have class), dividing by 7 and rounding to the nearest whole number. For partial weeks, 3 days or less are rounded down and 4 days or more are rounded up.
Graduate Students
Graduate students' enrollment status is based on KU's academic policy: Full-Time Enrollment for Graduate Students. For courses with the same start/end dates, enrollment status is calculated by dividing the number of credit hours you are taking by the amount of credit hours to be considered full time in a semester. This percentage is rounded down to the nearest 25% to get your enrollment status:
Enrollment Status | % of VA Benefit |
---|---|
Full time | 100% (all chapters) |
3/4 time | 75% (Ch. 30/1606); 79% (Ch. 35) |
1/2 time | 50% (Ch. 30/1606); 58% (Ch.35) |
<1/2 time, >1/4 time | *50% (Ch. 30/1606); 58% (Ch.35) |
1/4 time | *25% (all chapters) |
* Students whose enrollment status is less than 1/2 time may only receive up to the amount charged for tuition and fees. Because the VA now requires us to wait to report tuition/fees until after the add/drop date, this may mean a delay in receiving your benefits.
Note for non-standard courses: For courses that do not run the full semester or have different start/end dates, the VA will calculate a value referred to as "Credit Hour Equivalency" (CHE). CHE can then be added to all other credit hours being taken to determine enrollment status. This may mean you're considered part time or full time at different points in a semester, depending on your course dates.
While the official amounts are calculated by the VA, the following formula may used to estimate your course's CHE:
- 18 * number of credit hours / number of weeks the course is in session = Credit Hour Equivalency
Weeks are calculated by counting the total number of days the course is in session (looking at the course's start and end dates, not just the days you have class), dividing by 7 and rounding to the nearest whole number. For partial weeks, 3 days or less are rounded down and 4 days or more are rounded up.
The information below may not include all situations a student may find themselves in. Under Ch. 33, you should expect to receive tuition and mandatory fees reimbursement (paid directly to KU), as well as a monthly housing allowance and book & supplies stipend (paid directly to you).
All amounts are prorated by your length of service percentage, which is certified by the VA and can be found on your Certificate of Eligibility. If you have not yet received your Certificate of Eligibility, check out this chart to see what you may be eligible to receive.
Tuition & Fee Reimbursement
Tuition and fees will be paid up to the maximum in-state student rates per credit hour, regardless of enrollment status (full-time or part-time) and level (undergraduate or graduate).
Most out-of-state students are eligible to apply for the Armed Forces Residency Benefit to convert to in-state status, which is a better benefit than Yellow Ribbon. Those not living in Kansas while attending KU may be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon program to help offset the out-of-state/in-state costs.
Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)
The VA pays MHA for the days you attended class, e.g. if your term starts in the middle of January, the payment you receive in the beginning of February will be prorated accordingly.
To calculate a full month of your MHA, multiply the following items together:
- Current MHA rate - Visit the GI Bill Comparison Tool and look for the appropriate MHA listed based on where you are taking a majority of your classes. Students not taking any on-campus courses or who are in an all-online program should answer "No" to the question in the left column, "Will you be taking any classes in person?" to get the rate for online students.
- Rate of pursuit percentage, rounded - See tables below
- Length of service percentage - listed on your Certificate of Eligibility or on this eligibility chart.
To get an estimate of your daily MHA rate, divide this rate by 30 (for VA purposes, every month has 30 days).
Note: You may not get MHA stipends if you or your spouse is on active duty.
Books & Supplies Stipend
The books & supplies stipend is paid directly to you as a lump sum each semester. At 100% level it is calculated by multiplying $41.67 by the number of credit hours you are certified to take, but only up to $1000 (or 24 credit hours) per academic year starting in August and ending in July.
For Guard/Reservists and families whose benefit level is less than 100%, it's based on percentage (e.g. 50% benefit level = $41.67 x 50% = $20.84 per credit certified, up to 24 credits for the academic year).
Rate of Pursuit
Important note if taking a combination of short and full-term courses or courses with different start/end dates: The VA looks at your enrollment by day, which may differ from how KU looks at your enrollment.
For example, if you're an undergrad in 12 credit hours and one of those classes is a 3-credit, 8-week course, while KU will consider you full time for the entire semester, the VA will only consider you full time while that 8-week course is in session and will consider you 3/4 time the remainder of the semester and your MHA will be adjusted accordingly (see Student B example below). If you're in 15 credits and one of those is a 3-credit, 8-week course, you'll be considered full time the entire semester because you're still in 12 credits when that 8-week class is completed.
Undergraduate students
Round to the nearest 10% to get your MHA rate.
Enrolled in all 16-week courses with same start/end dates | Enrolled in all 8-week courses with same start/end dates | Enrolled in all 4-week courses | Rate of Pursuit (approximate) |
---|---|---|---|
12 or more hours | 6 or more hours | 3 or more hours | 100% |
5 hours | 93% | ||
11 hours | 92% | ||
10 hours | 83% | ||
9 hours | 4 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%** |
**Only students whose rate of pursuit is greater than 50% will be eligible to receive the MHA.
Graduate students
Note: some graduate students' full-time status differ, including active duty military, GTAs, GRAs and GAs. Visit the KU policy library for more info.
Round to the nearest 10% to get your MHA rate.
Enrolled in all 16-week courses with same start/end dates | Enrolled in all 8-week courses with same start/end dates | Enrolled in all 4-week courses | Rate of Pursuit (approximate) |
---|---|---|---|
9 or more hours | 4 or more hours | 3 or more hours | 100% |
3 hours | 75% | ||
6 hours | 66% | ||
3 hours | 33%** |
**Only students whose rate of pursuit is greater than 50% will be eligible to receive the MHA.
Note for non-standard courses: For courses that do not run the full semester or have different start/end dates, the VA will calculate a value referred to as "Credit Hour Equivalency" (CHE). CHE can then be added to all other credit hours being taken to determine enrollment status. This may mean you're considered part time or full time at different points in a semester, depending on your course dates.
While the official amounts are calculated by the VA, the following formula may be used to estimate your course's CHE:
- 18 * number of credit hours / number of weeks the course is in session = Credit Hour Equivalency
Weeks are calculated by counting the total number of days the course is in session (looking at the course's start and end dates, not just the days you have class), dividing by 7 and rounding to the nearest whole number. For partial weeks, 3 days or less are rounded down and 4 days or more are rounded up.
Examples of how benefits may vary based on RoP
For all examples below, it is assumed the courses have all been certified by their academic advisor and count toward graduation and the student is an in-state student for residency/tuition purposes who has the benefit at the 100% rate based on length of military service.
Student A is an on-campus student asking why they received partial housing allowance for part of the semester
- Undergraduate or Graduate: Undergraduate
- Semester: Fall semester (e.g. Aug. 23 to Dec. 15)
- # of hours: 12, but one, 3-credit class does not start until Oct. 15
They can expect to receive the following payments:
- Full in-state tuition/fees made in 2 payments – one for the 9 credit hours and one for the 3-credit hour course
- Because the student will attending class for 9 out of their 12 credit hours until Oct. 15, their MHA will be adjusted for the first part of the semester:
- 80% of MHA per month from Aug. 23 to Oct. 14 (75% is the rate of pursuit based on the chart above, but it gets rounded to 80% for MHA).
- Full MHA per month from Oct. 15 to end of semester
- October and December are partial months. To get a better estimate, divide the full month rate by 30 and multiply by the number of days in non-full months to get the partial MHA rate for those months. Note that October has 31 days, so the VA will not pay for Oct. 31 in this scenario because they calculate every month as 30 days.
- 2 books and supplies stipend payments - one for $375 (for 9 credits) and a second payment of $125 closer to Oct. 15 ($41.67 per credit hour)
Student B is asking why they did not receive a housing allowance
- Undergraduate or Graduate: Undergraduate
- Semester: Spring semester
- # of hours enrolled: 6 credits from Jan. 18 to May 15
They can expect to receive $0 MHA per month. Because their rate of pursuit is less than 51%, they will not receive MHA.
Student C is taking summer classes
- Undergraduate or Graduate: Undergraduate
- Semester: Summer semester
- # of hours enrolled: 3 credits from June 5-29 and 3 credits from June 5 to July 28
They can expect to receive the following:
- Full MHA from June 5 to June 29, because their rate of pursuit (RoP) is greater than 100%
- 60% of MHA from June 30 to July 28, because their RoP is 56%
- From June 30 to July 28, they will not be using a full day of VA benefits each day since they are not full time (e.g. a student with a 50% RoP uses 1/2 day of benefits each day vs. a full day).
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.
Guest students should do the following:
- Complete the New KU request for benefits form if this is your first semester taking a KU class or the Continued request for benefits if you have taken KU classes before.
- Have the VA Certifying Official at your other school send the KU VA Certifying Official a "Parent School Letter" so your KU enrollment can be certified to the VA.
- If needed, apply for in-state tuition based on Armed Forces Residency (or ONLY if you're using the Post-9/11 GI Bill at the 100% rate and live in another state: the Yellow Ribbon Application).
VA Benefits Overview
Read more about the Forever GI Bill.
In addition to the benefits below, students using their VA education benefits may apply for VA Work Study in the Military-Affiliated Student Center (part-time student employment) for the semester they are receiving them. Contact us if you're interested in VA Work Study.
Undergraduate students may have up to two majors and one minor.
To see if your KU program is eligible for VA education benefits, please go to the WEAMS public site 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, please contact us before enrolling.
Undergraduate certificate programs: Currently, no undergraduate certificate programs are eligible for VA education benefits at KU Lawrence and Edwards campuses. However, you may take courses that count toward certificate requirements if the course also fulfills another graduation requirement. Please visit with your advisor to make sure each of your courses count towards 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 that your program is approved before enrolling.
Eligibility
- Active duty servicemember 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:
- Length of service.
- Type of educational or training program.
- Whether you qualify for a college fund or kicker.
- 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.
- The VA will pay students based on enrollment status (full-time, part-time). View current rates. For trainees on active duty, payment is limited to reimbursement of tuition and fees for the training taken.
- Does not pay tuition/fees, housing or books.
- Recipients must report school attendance each month by logging into WAVE or by calling (877) 823-2378.
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 while servicemember was on active duty.
Benefits
- Up to 36 months of education benefits. (Based on length of active duty service).
- Full tuition & mandatory course fees are paid directly to the school for all public university in-state students (classes must count toward a student's degree to be eligible for payment).
- 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. (Students living in Kansas do not need Yellow Ribbon)
- 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
- 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.
- Spouses - visit the Ch. 35 site for latest criteria.
Benefits
- 36 months for those who first use benefits on or after Aug. 1, 2018.
- Monthly stipend paid directly to the student. View current Ch. 35 payment rates.
- Does not pay tuition/fees, housing, or books. Student responsible for paying everything.
- Students living in Kansas while attend KU are eligible for in-state tuition via Armed Forces Residency.
For more information on Ch. 35, visit the VA benefits website.
Eligibility
- Servicemembers and veterans eligible for any VA educational benefit
- Spouses/dependents eligible for Post-9/11 VA education 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
- Contact our VSOC today to schedule an appointment
Eligibility
- Provides Ch. 33 benefits for children and spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after 9/10/11.
- Spouses have the benefit until they remarry.
Benefits
- 36 months of education benefits
- Full 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
- Guard/Reservists with a six-year obligation in the Selected Reserve who are actively drilling.
- 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
- Up to 36 months.
- Monthly stipend paid directly to student. View current payment rates.
- Does not pay tuition/fees, housing or books.
- Recipients must report school attendance each month by logging into WAVE or calling (877) 823-2378.
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:
Apply via the VA Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship website.
GI Bill Frequently Asked Questions
- Post-9/11 GI Bill users who are military/veterans: obtain a copy of your Statement of Benefits. This is the equivalent of a COE if you have already applied for your benefits and received a COE previously. To log in, you must have either a: premium My HealtheVet account, a DS login account, or a verified ID.me account. At this time, the statement is not available online to spouses/dependents.
- 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 will only need to submit a COE the first time they are using a VA benefit.
- GI Bill users applying for the Armed Forces Residency Benefit will not have to submit a COE if they already completed the New KU Request for Benefit form and uploaded their COE.
The VA will send you a letter each semester regarding the amount of entitlement you used and the amount remaining.
- Chapter 31 (VR&E): you can check with your VR&E counselor for the details of your benefits.
- Chapter 33 (Post 9-11) who are military/veterans: check your Post-9/11 GI Bill Statement of Benefits on the VA's website. To log in, you must have either a: premium My HealtheVet account, a DS login account, or a verified ID.me account. At this time, the statement is not available online to spouses/dependents.
- All other GI Bill users: Use the Ask VA feature or call the GI Bill hotline at 888-442-4551 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT.
- Minor: Yes, the GI Bill will cover all of the classes for one minor. Students may change minors before they complete all the requirements for the minor, but cannot have more than one minor at a time.
- Students can also have up to 2 majors AND one minor.
- Certificate program: Certificate programs are not approved for the GI Bill, unfortunately. The certificate program courses must fulfill some other graduation requirement in order for the VA to approve the courses.
Only classes that fulfill a 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. Speak with your advisor to ensure 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.
When you have completed your Using VA Benefits paperwork forms (above) for the semester, you are placed on deferment, giving you/the VA until the end of the semester to pay your tuition and fees.
If you receive a late fee, it most likely means you have not completed your request for the semester. Contact us to confirm you have completed your paperwork for the semester.
Ch. 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill users: Beginning Jan. 2021, your enrollment is first certified to the VA without tuition and fees. A second certification will occur after the add/drop period with your tuition and fees, as now required by law. This means it will take longer for the VA to pay my tuition/fees, but a deferment is placed on your account.
Contact us by Dec. 1/May 1 if you still have charges on your account.
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, therefore, your benefits (and housing allowance if you're using the Post-9/11 GI Bill).
For example, undergraduate students must be in 12 credits that all start at the beginning of the semester and end at the end of the semester. If you have 12 credits but 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 shorter classes, it's a good idea to reach out to someone in the Military-Affiliated Student Center or the VA Certifying Official to learn how the short courses can potentially affect your benefits. You can also see our "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.
It is best to speak with someone in the Military-Affiliated Student Center before dropping a class to understand the potential financial implications.
If you need to submit mitigating circumstances, let us know BEFORE you drop the class so that we can inform the VA. If you wish to not let us know you’ll receive a letter from the VA explaining they were notified about your change in hours and asking you to submit any mitigating circumstances that led to the drop. In response, you’ll need to write the reasons and mail them to your Regional Processing Office or send them using the “Submit a Question” button on our 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 reduce or terminate and ask for mitigating circumstances.
Part of it depends on when you submit your KU request for benefits. On average, it takes KU 7-10 business days to send your paperwork to the VA (peak times, i.e. August & January, may take longer). The VA has 30 days from that point to process your paperwork and will email you once it's complete. You should then receive your monthly stipend at the beginning of the next month.
The 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 check for the days you were in classes in August. Payments are prorated, meaning you will received less based on semester start/end dates (i.e. August, December, January and May). For VA purposes, each month has 30 days so you can calculate prorated amounts by dividing your 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.
Visit the GI Bill Comparison Tool for specific information.
If you receive grants/scholarships that are designated solely for tuition, you may want to think twice about using your VA benefits. The VA requires KU to apply those funds toward tuition first and, if you have the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the VA will pay any remaining tuition/fees. Contact us or the VA Certifying Official at the contact info at the bottom of the page. Financial aid awards to be deducted before reporting your tuition to the VA include: Federal or State Tuition Assistance, Hero's Scholarship and any other types of restricted aid designated for tuition and required fees only.
Not all scholarships/grants are designated for tuition, however. Unrestricted financial aid funds like the Pell Grant, student loans, unrestricted scholarships, etc. will be yours to pay other bills on your KU account. Anything left over will be dispersed to you.
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.
It depends. If you are a veteran using the Post-9/11 GI Bill and this is the first VA benefit you have used, yes, the VA will pay for the entire semester. If you have 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, the VA will only make payments for tuition and BAH up to the last day of that 48th month.
For spouses and dependents, no, the VA will stop payments on the last day of your benefits. For Ch. 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill users, that means your tuition and BAH will be prorated. Similarly, Ch. 35 DEA students may not exceed the limit of their benefits, except under rare circumstances (which must be approved by the VA). Spouses/dependents may combine their Ch. 33 and 35 benefits for a maximum of 81 months of combined eligibility.
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.
Chapter 30 and 1606 students can use the WAVE system to update address and financial institution information. Links are on the "Main Menu" available after they log onto WAVE. Students who cannot add their account information through WAVE should call 1-877-838-2778 to begin and change direct deposit.
For steps on setting up or updating your KU direct deposit information in Enroll & Pay, visit Student Accounts & Receivables.
If you are switching your VA benefits program while at KU, you will need to complete a second "New KU Request for Benefits" instead of a "Continued Request" and upload your new Certificate of Eligibility.
Yes, but if you plan to live in Kansas while attending KU, you will not need Yellow Ribbon. Apply for in-state tuition rates per the Armed Forces Residency Benefit instead. If you are using Post-9/11 GI Bill at 100% and live in Missouri while attending classes at KU, please complete the Yellow Ribbon Application each semester you have benefits.
Yellow Ribbon is only available for Post-9/11 GI Bill users at the 100% rate per the VA.
Need Assistance?
- Military-Affiliated Student Center - Contact us
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