Financial Aid for Veterans

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website provides valuable information regarding all chapters of the GI Bill® as well as other VA benefits. As you learn about VA education benefits, keep in mind that each program offers different amounts of financial assistance and has different eligibility requirements. If you are eligible for more than one education benefit, choose the benefit that is best for you because you cannot receive payment under more than one benefit.

The VA education benefit programs are among the most valuable benefits available to military members and veterans. Applying is the best way to determine your eligibility. www.ebenefits.va.gov is the VA/DoD benefit information secure portal.

• Chapter 30/1606 – Montgomery GI Bill® – assists active duty and Reservists with the pursuit of higher education degrees, certificates and other education and training
  • US Department of Veterans Affairs pays a monthly stipend to the Veteran directly
  • Student is responsible for payment to RCU
• Chapter 31 – Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)– provides for the training and rehabilitation of Veterans with service-connected conditions
  • US Department of Veterans Affairs pays RCU directly for tuition, mandatory fees, books and supplies
  • Student receives monthly housing allowance paid directly from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, based on enrollment
• Chapter 33 – Post-9/11 GI Bill® – offers higher education and training benefits to veterans, service members and their families who served after September 10, 2011
  • US Department of Veterans Affairs pays RCU directly for tuition and mandatory fees only
  • Student receives monthly housing allowance paid directly from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, based on enrollment
  • RCU is partnered with the US Department of Veterans Affairs in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon Program is specifically designed for those who are fully eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.
  • Transfer of Entitlement Option – specific to Post-9/11 GI Bill®
• Chapter 35 – Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) Program– provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans
  • Important: please provide the name and SSN associated with benefits to ensure accurate certification with the US Department of Veterans Affairs
  • US Department of Veterans Affairs pays a monthly stipend to the Veteran directly
  • Student is responsible for payment to RCU

• Determine eligibility – applying is the best way to determine your eligibility. Answering a few basic questions on the official U.S. government website va.gov/education/how-to-apply/ will guide you to the correct education benefits form. In the middle of the page, select the green bar titled, “Find your education benefits form.”
• Which form should I fill out?
  • Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 22-1990) – This form is used if you are applying to use your GI Bill® benefits for the first time. You will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in the mail once your education benefits are approved by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Please submit a copy of your COE to Rochester Christian University when received. Learn more here: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-22-1990/.
  • Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (VA Form 22-1995) – This form is used if you are transferring from another institution where you used US Department of Veterans Affairs educational benefits. Please submit a copy to Rochester Christian University upon completion. Learn more here: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-22-1995/.
• Prepare – to fill out the Application for Education Benefits, you will need:
  • Social security number (required)
  • Military history (required)
  • Basic information about the school or training facility you want to attend (required)
  • Bank account direct deposit information
  • Education history
• Complete and Submit the Application for Education Benefits – online is the fastest way to apply. Other options listed below:
  • Online – va.gov/education/how-to-apply/
  • By mail – Call 1-800-442-4551 to request a paper application. You will return the completed application to the VA regional claims processing office in St Louis, MO.
  • In-person – Go to a VA regional office and a VA employee will help you.
• How long does it take? – The VA review process usually takes 30 days.

*Keep in mind that it is not uncommon to get a letter from the VA requesting additional information. Apply early!

• Submit official transcripts – from colleges/universities previously attended to Rochester Christian University for evaluation of transfer credit
• Request military transcript – for evaluation of credit for military service (in accordance with the recommendation of the American Council on Education)
  • Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript
    • Option 1: Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC) – Note: only available if you are accessing AFVEC from a .mil network
    • Option 2: mail in transcript request form – no charge
    • Option 3: Parchment  – third party company offers first class mail and overnight delivery (for a fee) of CCAF transcripts
  • Joint Services Transcript (JST) 
• Complete FAFSA form – studentaid.gov to apply for federal student financial aid
• Register for classes – work with your admissions recruiter for information on how to get registered at RCU
• Chapters 30/1606: Verify your enrollment – each month with the VA via the Web Automated Veteran’s Enrollment (WAVE) system
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
  • SAP standards are found in the RCU course catalog
  • Note: students who are certified for veteran educational benefits but who fail to obtain the minimum cumulative GPA within one semester after being placed on academic/financial aid warning may not be recertified until their cumulative GPA meets the minimum standards identified in the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
• Schedule changes or withdrawals – can cause interruption of benefits or overpayment that must be repaid directly to VA before receiving future benefits
  • Email veterans@rochesteru.edu – when adding a class, changing sections, dropping or withdrawing from a class and when registering for a future semester
  • Note: The VA School Certifying Official is required to report all schedule changes to the VA, including adds/drops and if a student never attends or stops attending a class

• ACE The Military Guide
• Building Your Future with the GI Bill® : Education Pathway Guide
• Building Your Future with the GI Bill® : Benefits Guide
• Colmery Act Section 107- specific resources:
  • Campus Definition Reference Guide
  • Monthly Housing Allowance Communications Toolkit
• Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship
• Forever GI Bill®: Monthly Housing Allowance Guide
• Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program (MINGSTAP)
• Request Military Service Records (DD Form 214)
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Education and Training
• VA Rate Tables
• Veterans Benefits Administration YouTube Channel
• Veterans Crisis Line
• Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (W.A.V.E.)