Applying for VA Education Benefits

• Your first step is to submit your initial application for benefits electronically to the Veterans Administration. Exception: Applicants for Chapter 31 must follow the instructions found on the https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/how-to-apply/.
• Not sure what benefit to apply for? Go to the GI Bill® Comparison Tool
• If you have specific questions regarding the type of education programs you are eligible for or application procedures, please contact the US Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-442-4551, or go the USDVA website.
• Once the application has been submitted, you will receive two hard copies of the “Certificate of Eligibility” from the Veteran’s Administration. Bring one copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to the Veteran Services office located in the Grady Clack for further processing.

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Certification

The university’s Office of Military and Veteran Services is required to have specific information on file for each veteran-student, in order that the veteran can be “certified” by academic calendar dates and credit hours of enrollment.

• Submit a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to the Office of Military and Veteran Services.
• For receipt of VA education benefits throughout your academic career, you will be required to complete a Veterans Advisory Form each semester you are enrolled.
• Chapter 30, and 1606 recipients must verify enrollment with the VA at the end of each calendar month before receipt of payment for that month. To verify enrollment, go to the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) or call 1-877-823-2378.
• Chapter 33 recipients must verify enrollment with the VA at the end of each calendar month. To verify enrollment set up text messaging with the VA, set up email correspondence or call 1-888-442-4551.
• Students will also need to fill out the following forms their first semester or when information changes:

Complete these forms the first semester you are enrolled and resubmit when your information changes.

• New VA Student Intake Form (pdf)
• Release of Information Form (pdf)

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Military Education Transfer Credit

OSUIT awards credit as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE), as published in “The Guide to the Evaluation of Military Experiences in the Armed Services,” for selected educational experiences provided by the armed forces. Veteran students utilizing VA benefits are required to submit any and all prior credit not limited to but including military credit.

 

Websites for military credit:

• Army, Navy/Marine, Coast Guard (use of Microsoft Edge to access website is recommended)

Coursework and occupations listed on a Joint Service Transcript (JST) are carefully evaluated for prior learning credit by the Office of Military and Veteran Services, as well as the advisement office of your program of study. Any credit that will count toward your degree completion will be applied to your OSUIT transcript once you have earned 12 credit hours at OSUIT. Up to 75% of required credits for your program can be prior learning credit. 

• Air Force

All Community College of the Air Force credit will be transcribed to your OSUIT transcript. If courses transcribed will satisfy graduation requirements, your Academic Advisor will request substitutions be applied to your program of study.