Required Documents By Benefits Type

Does the VA help pay for books?

If you are using Post 9/11 GI Bill (CH 33) or Dependent Education Assistance (DEA) (CH 35), you will be receiving a book stipend. The Post 9/11 book stipends is disbursed directly from the VA to your bank account. Ch 35 book stipends are disbursed to WWU student accounts.

If you are using Veteran Readiness & Employment (CH 31) Requesting supplies whenever possible, VR&E will use IPPS to authorize the purchase of required books and supplies from the Service member’s or Veteran’s training facility bookstore.

Do I Start Accruing Interest/Late Fees If Tuition and Fees Aren’t Paid?

In accordance with federal law any student with a certificate of eligibility on file awaiting VA benefit payments is not allowed to be charged late fees and interest or have a hold put on their account for non-payment. Any charges that are placed on the students account that are due to the VA paying late and not for items the student is responsible for will be removed by the Student Business Office (SBO).

If I am using CH35 Benefits and Have an Eligible Sponsor, How do I get the Tuition Waiver?

If you are the child (dependent) of an eligible veteran, then you may qualify for the WA State tuition waiver. To find out more about this waiver please see our application form here at this link (add link). 

Some additional guidance and definition can be found here (WA Tuition Fact Sheet)

What is my Monthly Housing Stipend

Monthly housing stipends are zip code based and prorated based on student full-time status. Please either view the payment calendar of the home page or contact our office for your specific benefit chapter payments. 

NOTE: To receive one’s full housing stipend as a chapter 33 or 31 you must be enrolled in at least one Face-to-Face class. If you are a Chapter 35 note that this will count towards your federal stipend but not your tuition waiver if applicable. 

I’m a Veteran, Do I Receive Priority Registration?

Any student receiving veteran benefits or any veteran not using benefits will receive priority registration after the first quarter of attendance. Priority registration will be in the phase 1 registration period of every quarter opening at 8:30 AM. Important Dates & Deadlines | Registrar’s Office | Western Washington University

What if I Don’t Want to Use My Benefits for a Quarter?

We only certify your benefits through the VA if you request certification on our website. If you don’t fill out a Certification Request and get it to our office, then you won’t get benefits for the quarter. It is helpful to notify the office if you don’t plan to use benefits so we can make a note in your records.

What do I do if I receive a Debt Letter from the VA?

Notify the VSO that you have received a debt letter as soon as you are able. The school will pay back the VA the Debt and depending on the reason the debt was generate (for example a withdrawal after the 100% payback date) then you may have to pay the University for the debt they covered.

I Have Received a Scholarship. How Does this Affect My VA Benefits?

Any tuition-based scholarship will be applied toward tuition and fees. The remainder of tuition and fees balance on the student account is what we will request to be covered by the VA. If the scholarship is not tuition based or you have a Grant, then the money will be refunded to you after the VA has paid your tuition and Fees.

How Can I Find Out What My Financial Aid Award Will Look Like?

Financial Aid created a Shopping Sheet which allows prospective students to get a good idea of what their Financial Aid award would be if they attend Western Washington University. Knowing this in advance would help veterans calculate what their living expenses would be if they attend Western. Please visit www.finaid.wwu.edu for more information on your own shopping sheet. It can be accessed under the award tab in Financial Aid Web4U.

I’m Not a Resident of WA State, Can I qualify for In State Tuition?

If you are a veteran on active duty, a member of the national guard or you are the dependent of one of these people you may be eligible to be considered a resident for tuition and fee purposes please follow the instructions and fill out this application Click here for the Application 

Under the New law that was passed, any Veteran can receive In-State tuition as long as they submit to the University the WA State Military Residency Application. You will only need to send in a Certification of Eligibility, DD-214 and valid photo ID such as your Western ID card for supporting documentation.

Does the VA Pay for My Confirmation Fee?

The VA pays all required fees for certain chapters. If you are receiving Chapter 33 or Chapter 31 benefits these required fees are covered by the VA. Traditionally students pay the larger confirmation fee and are reimbursed on your school account when your first VA payments arrive. The smaller fees are often paid directly by the VA.

If you are receiving Ch 35, a student that is eligible and approved for the State Tuition Waiver the University will reimburse the confirmation fee once processed through the VSO.

Does the VA Pay for My Graduation?

The VA will pay for the graduation application fee that shows up on your account but will not pay for the actual costs to participate in the commencement ceremony. If you are Chapter 31 the ceremony can be covered by the VA.

When Will I Get Paid?

You should receive your money on or around the 1st of the month for the previous month you attended.

If I’m a Reservist, what do I need?

You will need to get a NOBE (Notice of Benefits Eligibility) from your command in your S1 shop. This will allow us to certify the benefits that you have through the VA. 

How Much do I Get as a Reservist Utilizing Chapter 1606?

If you are using the Chapter 1606 benefit as a reservist, you will need to provide your Notice of Basic Eligibility when you become eligible for the program from your unit and provide the completed form to our office. Your unit will also code your eligibility into the DoD personnel system so VA may verify your eligibility.

Currently the benefit provides a monthly living stipend which is prorated depending on how many credits you are taking with 12 being full time, 9-11 being three quarters time, and 6-8 being half time. Currently the rates are as follows. Montgomery GI Bill-SR (Chapter 1606) Increased Educational Benefit – Education and Training (va.gov)

Will the VA Pay for Failed Grades and NP Grades?

If a student fails a course the VA will not penalize the student for the F. If a student is at risk of failing a course or is considering withdrawing from a course, they should visit the VSO. There might be additional options available to students who are needing assistance and changes in the course load may affect the entitlement you receive from the VA. If you elect to take a NP (no Pass) then the VA will NOT cover the class and you will receive a debt however, you will receive that entitlement back.

What if I Want to Use Tuition Assistance at WWU?

Tuition Assistance programs are branch specific and must be worked out between the service member pursuing the benefits and their respective Chain of Command Education Counselor. Our office has no oversight regarding your Tuition Assistance benefits nor do we process any paperwork associated with the benefit. Service members need to first check with an education counselor for the specifics involving TA by visiting their local installation education office or by going online to a virtual education center. www.militaryonesource.mil.

Are There Benefits Available for National Guard Members?

Yes there are benefits available for Washington State National Guard members. Refer to this informational sheet for more information: WA National Guard Info.

How Do I Get My Military Transcripts?

For any of the training or schooling you have completed while you were in the military, you can request a Joint Service Transcript to get those credits applied toward your degree. Follow this link to request your JST: Home page (doded.mil)

What Discounts are Available for Veterans?

Military personnel, including veterans, qualify for a huge range of programs, services, and retailer discounts. Often, their spouses and children are eligible, too. This guide explains which businesses offer discounts to the military community and discusses where to find other benefits such as free online classes and free tax filing.

Please follow this link to learn more: Savings.com Military Discounts Guide

What Additional Funding is Available for Veterans?

Administered by the VA, the NCS program provides funding to individuals who perform national service. For military students, this program can be seen as an alternative to the GI Bill programs — any NCS money reduces the amount of GI Bill money an individual qualifies for.

Are There Military-Related Teaching Programs?

Troops to Teachers

Jointly run by the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Education (ED), the Troops to Teachers program helps service members and veterans become K-12 teachers at public and charter schools. In addition to counseling and referral services to help participants meet state teaching certification requirements, the program provides financial assistance up to $10,000.

All current and former members of the U.S. armed forces who received an honorable discharge can receive counseling and referral services through this program. Participants must meet certain other requirements to receive financial assistance, including applying within three years of their last day of service and transferring to the Retired Reserve.

Individuals can receive a $5,000 stipend to help pay for the cost of their education at an accredited teacher preparation program or a $10,000 bonus for committing to teach in a high-need school for a period of at least three years. Participants cannot receive both a stipend and a bonus through the program, and individuals must be registered before they begin teaching to be eligible for the bonus.

Applicants can apply through the DoD’s online registration system. If accepted, program counselors help aspiring teachers find a job in their state and within their area of expertise.

Teach for America’s Veterans Initiative

TFA’s veterans recruitment initiative, called “You Served America, Now Teach for America,” encourages former military personnel to become teachers. The program provides an opportunity for veterans to continue their service to their country by working in some of the highest-need classrooms in the country.

Participants receive the same initial teacher training as other TFA corps members. After this training, TFA matches participants with open teaching jobs at public and charter schools within a member’s chosen region. TFA members must commit to teaching for at least two years. Individual districts pay TFA teachers, and salaries typically range from $33,000-$58,000 per year.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree earned with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. After completing a general application, applicants may be invited to an interview where they must present a five-minute sample lesson. If admitted, participants receive a teaching assignment, which they can accept or decline.

TEACH-NOW Veterans Initiative

TEACH-NOW is a private school of education based in the District of Columbia. It offers an online certification program that enables participants to become a certified teacher in as few as nine months, as well as a 12-month program that confers a master’s in education. Students can complete much of the coursework for this online teaching degree on a part-time basis, although they must complete at least 200 hours of teaching practice in the classroom to receive certification. Graduates of these programs can teach in the District of Columbia or Arizona, and they may also apply for licensure reciprocity in other states.

TEACH-NOW’s Veterans Initiative provides current and former members of the armed forces with a pathway into the teaching profession. Students can choose to enroll in cohorts made up entirely of military service personnel, allowing them to learn alongside others who understand the unique strengths and challenges possessed by veterans. Students can use VA education benefits on any of the programs offered by TEACH-NOW. The organization also provides free consultations to veterans considering a career in teaching. To enter either of these programs, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and complete an online application.

Teaching Scholarships for Military and Veterans

AMVETS’ Scholarships$1,000-$4,000