Veteran Certification Services
Welcome to the University of Northern Colorado's Veteran Certification Office. Our goal is to serve as a one-stop source for securing, interpreting, and exercising your VA Education Benefits, including the GI Bill®. Our office certifies enrollment to the VA for all VA Education benefits chapters.
You'll start by confirming that your program is approved by the VA, applying to UNC and being admitted, and end with submitting a Veteran Certification Request. If you run into trouble throughout the process, your UNC School Certifying Official is ready to assist you at VA.SCO@unco.edu.
Complete this checklist if you are using the following benefits.
-
Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapter 30)
-
Post 9-11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
-
Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)
-
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) (Chapter 31)
-
Survivors and Dependents Assistance (Chapter 35)
-
Reserve Educational Program - REAP (Chapter 1607)
-
Tuition Assistance Program
-
Colorado State Tuition Waiver
For more information about these benefits, go to: VA About GI Benefits.
If you are using Tuition Assistance, please visit the Tuition Assistance page for additional information.
1. Apply for Your VA Education Benefits
2. Apply to UNC and be Admitted
The VA requires that all prior credit be evaluated and military members must submit their military transcripts which can take as long as three weeks to three months to be received and evaluated. Submit your (JST) Joint Services Transcript (for all branches except Air Force) or (CCAF) Community College of the Air Force Transcripts to be evaluated. Some military-connected applicants will be required to submit additional forms when they apply, so be prepared to submit your DD214, if applicable.
Ensure your academic program is approved for VA Educational benefits by visiting WEAMS.
COF Authorization/Review (Undergrads Only): Select Authorized or Decline COF. It is recommended you select Lifetime Authorization so that funds are automatically applied each semester and only needs to be selected once.
3. Submit Your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
By completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you could be eligible for grants, loans, and scholarships. Grants are money given to students from the Federal Government based on financial need and does not need to be paid back. Loans are money that students can borrow, but must be repaid. Scholarships are money that students compete for and do not need to be repaid.
The FAFSA should be filled out annually, ideally in October when it opens, and will use your tax return information from two years ago.
4. Register and Enroll in Classes
To have the best chance of getting the courses you need for your program, you should register/enroll for classes through your student portal as soon as possible. Keep close track of the credit hours you’re taking each semester. Your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is based on what the VA recognizes as a full-time student.
Undergraduate students: 12 credits throughout a traditional 16-week semester are considered full-time. Graduate students: 6 credits throughout a traditional 16-week semester are considered full-time. If you take fewer than full-time credits, your BAH will be prorated.
It’s important to be sure the courses you’re enrolled in are required for your degree program. If they’re not required, the VA will not approve for certification. Students who take courses outside of their program will be responsible for those tuition and fees, so be sure to confirm that courses are required by running a degree audit or contacting your advisor.
5. Submit Your Veteran Certification Request
The Veteran Certification Request is what the UNC Veteran Certification team uses to track and submit your information to the VA. This must be completed every semester that you want to use your VA Education benefits. Please submit your certification request form prior to the start of the semester to allow for processing time.
If you make any enrollment changes after you’ve submitted your certification request form, please contact our office as soon as possible. Failure to do so may result in VA debt. When emailing our office, please include your full name and student ID#.
If your benefits end in the middle of a semester, please contact our office and the VA as soon as possible to discuss whether all your courses will be covered or not. Per VA policy, enrollment sessions with differing dates must be certified separately. This can affect your final semester and/or your housing stipend.
Veteran Certification Request Form
Veteran Certification Request (VCR) Help Sheet
