GI Bill Education Benefits

If you are a veteran and enrolled either full or part-time, you are eligible to receive educational assistance through the GI Bill.  VA education benefits may fall into one of these chapters:

• Chapter 30 – Active duty service person
• Chapter 31 – Vocational rehabilitation employment
• Chapter 35 – Veteran’s dependent (spouse, surviving spouse, or child)
• Chapter 1606 – Active selective reservist or National Guardsperson
• Chapter 1607 – REAP – (Reserve Educational Assistance Program)
• Chapter 33 – Post 9/11 (effective August 1, 2009)

For a complete description of each chapter, go to the GI Bill website http://www.gibill.va.gov/.

How do I know if I qualify for benefits and what amount do I qualify for?

Veterans can call the Regional VA office in St. Louis at 1.888.GIBILL1 and speak with an education benefits counselor.  You will need to provide your file number to the counselor.  For chapter 30, 31, 1606 and 1607, your file number is your social security number.  For chapter 35, you will need the file number of the eligible veteran.

How do I become eligible for VA education benefits?

You need to apply for benefits through the VA, which determines your eligibility.  The STI Business Office has applications for most of the chapters, however the VA prefers you apply online at http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/How_to_Apply.htm. 

When can I become certified for VA education benefits?

Once you are accepted and registered for classes at STI, Mark Weinmann will certify you with the VA.  If at any time before or during the semester your course load changes, you must notify Mark Weinmann in the Business Office as soon as possible to avoid an overpayment to the VA. 

How much will I receive if I qualify for benefits?

The monthly benefit paid to you is based on the type of training, length of service, chapter, and if you receive a ‘kicker’.  The benefit payment rates can be found at http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/rates.htm.  The STI VA representative, Mark Weinmann, is unable to give payment rates.  Contact the regional VA Office at 1.888.GIBILL1 for your payment rate.

Student Responsibilities

• You must be accepted in a degree program at STI
• The VA does not pay for courses a student withdraws from unless the student has mitigating circumstances.  If you withdraw from a course, you must contact Mark Weinmann at STI as soon as possible.  Failure to do so will result in an overpayment situation to the VA.
• If you are repeating a course for a better grade (not because you failed the course), that class will not count in your certification for VA benefits. 
• If you are changing your major/program, you need to inform Mark Weinmann.  The VA requires that paperwork be completed in order to pay benefits for a different major/program.
• STI will not submit an enrollment certification to the VA until notified by the student to do so.
• All students receiving Chapter 30, 1606 or 1607 benefits are required to verify their enrollment monthly to receive payments.  Verification must be done on the last day of each month enrolled by either the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) application at https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do or by calling 1.877.823.2378 and following the prompts.  Payment will not be processed until this verification is completed.
• The VA takes up to 10-12 weeks to process an enrollment certification.  Keep this in mind when applying for benefits. 

How do I apply for Education Benefits?

• Students applying for GI benefits must first be accepted into a degree program at STI
• Go to the GI Bill Website at https://www.gibill.va.gov
• Select Education form from the “Apply Online” menu
• Select “Start VONAPP” and begin the application process.  When you are finished with the end of the application, print a copy and return it to the STI Veteran’s Rep, Mark Weinmann in the Business Office.

If you are a National Guard member applying to use the GI Bill under Chapter 1607 (REAP), please indicate that at the top of the application you return to the STI Veteran’s Rep.  To expedite the application process, please include a copy of your DD-214. 

• Register for your courses and notify your STI Veteran’s Rep so an enrollment certification can be submitted to the regional VA processing center
• When you receive your COE (Certificate of Eligibility) from the Department of Veteran Affairs, you must bring a copy to your STI Veteran’s Rep
• If you are a transfer student who has used the GI Bill at your previous school, obtain a “Change of Program or Place of Training form from your STI Veteran’s Rep
• If you have any questions regarding the application process, contact Mark Weinmann, Veteran’s Representative at STI, at 605.367.7124