Veteran Student
Your go-to resource for navigating and using your VA Education Benefits, including the GI Bill®
Welcome to UNC’s Veteran Certification Office!
We’re glad you’re here! Our office is your go-to resource for navigating and using your VA Education Benefits, including the GI Bill®.
We certify enrollment for all VA Education Benefit chapters and are here to help make the process as smooth as possible.
Here’s how to get started:
- Check if your program is VA-approved
- Apply to UNC and get admitted
- Submit your Veteran Certification Request
Need help along the way?
Your UNC School Certifying Officer is just an email away—reach out anytime. We’re here to support you!
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.
How to Use Your VA Education Benefits
Step 1
Apply for Your VA Education Benefits
To use your VA education benefits, you need to apply with the Veteran’s Online Application on the Veterans Affairs website.
Step 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.
Step 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.
Step 4
Register and Enroll in Classes
To stay on track—and get the most from your VA benefits—be sure to register for classes as early as you can through your student portal.
Keep an eye on your credit hours:
Your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) depends on being enrolled as a full-time student, according to VA guidelines:
- Undergrads: 12 credits in a 16-week semester = full-time
- Graduate students: 6 credits in a 16-week semester = full-time
Taking fewer credits? Your BAH will be prorated.
Only take courses required for your degree.
The VA won’t cover classes that aren’t part of your program. If you enroll in courses that don’t count toward your degree, you’ll be responsible for the tuition and fees.
Need help double-checking?
Run a degree audit or connect with your advisor to make sure everything’s good to go.
Step 5
Submit Your Veteran Certification Request
Each semester you plan to use your VA Education Benefits, you’ll need to submit a Veteran Certification Request. This is how our team reports your enrollment to the VA.
Here’s what to know:
- Submit your request before the semester begins to allow time for processing
- You must complete this form every semester you want to use your benefits
Made changes to your schedule? Let us know right away—unreported changes could result in VA debt
If your benefits are set to end during a semester, contact our office and the VA as soon as possible. Enrollment sessions with different start/end dates must be certified separately, and this could impact your final semester or housing stipend.
When emailing us, don’t forget to include your full name and student ID number so we can help you quickly.
VA.SCO@unco.edu – We’re here to help!
Benefit Information
If you have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after September 10, 2001, and are still on active duty, or if you are an honorably discharged Veteran or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days, you may be eligible for this VA-administered program.
Benefits Include:
- Percentage of Tuition Coverage. Tuition and Fee amount is paid directly to UNC.
- BAH (Housing Allowance). Paid directly to the student.
- Book Stipend. Paid directly to the student.
- Yellow Ribbon option (for non-residents who qualify)
- Transfer of Entitlement
This is for dependents of service members who have been rated at 100% totally and permanently disabled by the VA, died in service or from service related causes, or been taken as a POW.
Benefits Include:
- Funds paid directly to the student
This is available to those who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces. Active duty members who enroll and pay $100 per month for 12 months are then entitled to receive a monthly education benefit once they have completed a minimum service obligation.
Benefits Include:
- Up to 36 months of funds while enrolled as a student
- Funds are paid directly to the student
Chapter 31 applies to veterans discharged with a service related disability. The service member must apply and be accepted into the Vocational Rehabilitation program.
Benefits Include:
- Tuition and fees covered by VA
- Funds are paid directly to the student
- Book Stipend
- Living Stipend
Chapter 1606 applies to Reserve or National Guard members attached to and drilling with a unit.
Benefits Include:
- Funds are paid directly to the student
Important: To utilize Tuition Assistance (TA), the Service member must receive approval from the student’s Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within the Military Service prior to enrolling.
Tuition assistance is a benefit paid out to service members by their respective branches. Congress has granted the ability for each service to pay up to 100% of tuition expenses for their members. Each of the five services – Air Force/Space Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy – has their own criteria, service obligations, and applications for their tuition assistance programs. For your convenience, we have included the links below for information regarding each service’s tuition assistance program.