Current Students

Continuation of Benefits

Certification to the VA is not automatic. All students using VA Educational Benefits must request certification of their courses by the EWU VRC. To ensure they receive their benefits on time and accurately, students should follow these steps and meet the deadlines specified by EWU VRC.

Every quarter or semester students must submit their class schedule to the VRC.

For specific instructions on how to submit the class schedule, students can refer to the directions provided at this link: Schedule Submission Directions.

The VRC will check the degree applicability of your class registration and certify all eligible courses for payment by the VA. Please note that the VA will not pay for any courses that are not directly applicable to your declared program objective (degree, minor, certificate).

Enrollment Requirements

VA Education benefits are paid out based on the number of credits you are certified for. See the chart below for the number of credits you must be certified for to maintain proper standing:

Certified For:	Undergraduate	Graduate
Full Time	12+ Credits	8+ Credits
Three-Quarter Time	9-11 Credits	6-7 Credits
Half Time	6-8 Credits	4-5 Credits

Reporting Changes in Your Enrollment

It is the responsibility of the student to inform the VRC of any changes promptly. This ensures that your benefits are processed accurately and efficiently.

Prompt notification helps prevent overpayments of benefits, which can occur if the VA disburses funds based on an outdated or incorrect course schedule.

By being proactive and informing the VRC immediately when there are changes to your schedule, you can help maintain the smooth processing of your VA Educational Benefits and avoid potential complications down the road. This ensures that you receive the support you need for your education without interruptions or errors.

Monthly Verification of Enrollment

Students receiving the Post-9/11 GI Bill are required to verify attendance with VA each month. VA will text or email you at the end of each month to do this. If you need to verify this with VA, contact them at 888-442-4551

Students receiving benefits under CH 30 MGIB-AD and 1606 MGIB-SR are required to complete a monthly verification of enrollment with the VA before payments will be released to their account. The verification of enrollment must be done at the end of each month and may be done online at: Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) or by calling the following toll-free number: 1.800.827.1000.

Students receiving CH35 DEA and CH31 VR&E students do not verify attendance

Renew Applications for Financial Aid

It’s true that filing for FAFSA is ultimately a personal decision for each student, but understanding how different forms of financial aid can work together is crucial in making informed choices about funding options.

It’s important for students to communicate with both the financial aid office and the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) to ensure that they are maximizing all available resources. Sometimes, certain forms of financial aid, like VA GI Bill funding, may impact how other types of aid are disbursed or utilized. By sharing their financial aid award package with the VRC, students can receive guidance on how to navigate the complexities of combining different forms of funding.
The FAFSA and the VA Educational Benefits are completely separate programs, and one does not affect or determine the other.

Guest Students

A question that comes up is “Can I attend another school while attending EWU?” The answer is Yes, if the class(es) will transfer back to EWU for your declared degree.

When using VA Educational Benefits at another school (secondary or guest school) while enrolled in a primary school (parent school), coordination between both schools’ School Certifying Officials (SCOs) is essential. By working closely with the SCOs at both your primary and guest schools, you can ensure that your VA Educational Benefits are properly certified and that you receive the support you need to pursue your education across multiple institutions.

Here’s how you can navigate this process effectively:

Consult with your faculty academic advisor the transferability of courses between schools. You can view course equivalencies via the EWU Transfer Guide online at: Eastern Washington University Transfer Guide
Ensure that both SCOs are aware of your dual enrollment status. They may need to communicate directly to verify your enrollment details and ensure accurate processing of VA benefits.
- Inform your primary school’s SCO about your intention to take courses at another institution using VA benefits. Provide them with any necessary documentation or forms required by your primary school.
- Contact the SCO at your guest school to initiate the certification process. They will need information such as your enrollment status, course schedule, and any specific requirements they have for certifying VA benefits.
Send parent school (EWU) class schedule of guest school requesting letter be sent to the guest school
EWU will send the guest school the parent letter so the SCO can update VA on attendance there.
Once completed with class, it is the student’s responsibility to have transcripts submitted from guest school to EWU for update of their EWU student record.