•  You are invited to visit the GI Bill website at http://www.gibill.va.gov/
•  If you are the military person you will need to complete VA Form 22-1990, include a copy of you DD-214 (member copy 4), also if you have a NOBE and/or KICKER you may wish to include copies to expedite the processing of your benefits.
•  If you are a dependent/spouse you will need to complete VA Form 22-5490, include a copy of your birth certificate/marriage license.
• Once you have applied for entitlement it will take six to eight weeks to receive a response from the VA.

Where to retrieve forms

• You may wish to visit our office or.
• You may wish to print and review forms at http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/educationforms.htm or.
• You may wish to apply online at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/about_vonapp.asp

Enrollment Certification

Once the Department of Veteran Affairs has processed the application, the student will receive a Certificate of Eligibility.   A copy of this Certificate should be submitted to the University's Office of the Registar.   This certificate includes the Chapter for which the student is eligible, the student's file number (very important information for dependent/spouse entitlement), and the date benefits expire.

Continuing Benefits

Each semester, students wishing to use their benefits for that particular semester/term must submit to the University's Office of the Registrar, a

Veteran Student Clearance Form.   Without this form on file we will not be able to notify the VA of your intent. The University's Certifying Official will review the information provided and submit an Enrollment Certification for processing and payment.   Initial certification during Fall and Spring will take place at least four - six weeks prior to the start of the semester.            

Transfer of  benefits from one institution to another

Complete VA Form 22-1995 or VA Form 22-5495 (dependent/spouse) these forms are in our office or can be printed from:
http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/educationforms.htm

Submit the proper form to CNU's VA Office along with member copy 4 of your DD-214 or a copy of your birth certificate/marriage certificate (dependent/ spouse).

How much will be received

The amount of your monthly payment will be determined the by amount of credits you are enrolled in, applicable to your degree program.   Rates are posted and updated by the VA. Rates can be found on their web page at   http://www.gibill.va.gov/education/rates.htm .   The actual amount you will receive is determined by the VA.

Break Pay/Interval Pay

These are benefits paid between semesters in which you attend at least half-time (i.e. the time between Christmas and the start of the Spring semester may be considered).   The VA will determine who is eligible for break/interval pay and it will be paid whenever possible.   If you do not wish to receive interval pay you must notify the VA prior to receipt of benefits.

Using Vocational Rehabilitation

The majority of students on this campus using the Voc Rehab through the VA have been assigned a representative through the VA. Unless you have been assigned another representative, the Vocational Rehabilitation Representative for CNU is Vanessa Starks.   She can be reached at 757-441-6762 ext. 26.   Your VA representative will send us your VA Form 28-1905, Authorization and Certification of Entrance or Reentrance into Rehabilitation and Certification of Status at the start of each semester. You must submit to our office a Veteran Student Clearance Card.   Our office will then confirm your enrollment status and forward it to them on your behalf.

How to contact CNU's Vocational Rehabilitation Representative

       Department of Veteran Affairs
       Attn: Vanessa Starks
       5200 W. Mercury Blvd., Ste. 295
       Hampton, VA   23605
        Phone:   757-441-6762 ext. 26
        Fax:   757-441-3783

Other Vocation Rehabilitation Representatives that work with our student.

      Richard Swett         757-441-6762 ext. 18
      Ira Tillem                 757-441-6762 ext. 12

*All representatives are located at the same address.                                   

Did you know that:

• If you are using Chapter 30 or Chapter 1606 benefits you must report your status to the VA at the end of each month.   You can do this online at https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/default.cfm or phone the VA at 1-877-823-2378.

• Anytime you make an adjustment or change to your degree program or major, schedule, or residential changes you must report it to CNU's VA Officer.   Reporting schedule adjustments will prevent over/under payments.   The VA will notify you of overpayments and request repayment.
• Students receiving education benefits must maintain satisfactory academic progress as established by the University and printed in the catalog http://undergradcatalog.cnu.edu/.
• Benefits will not be paid for repeated courses that were successfully completed during a prior semester at this university or any other.
• If you are using or applying for Federal Student Aid (Financial Aid) you must give an accurate report of the benefits you have received when completing your FAFSA.   If you have additional questions for our FA Office they may be reached at 757-594-7170, visit their website http://www.cnu.edu/admin/finaid/ , e-mail them finaid@cnu.edu.   You may also wish to view the Federal Student web page http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. 

Kicker

Your college fund money (kicker) is an additional amount of money that increases your basic MGIB monthly benefit and is included in your VA payment. However, while you are on active duty, if your tuition and fees are less than your monthly MGIB benefit with the kicker, you will be limited to the total amount of your tuition and fees. In addition, veterans that are training at a less than the half-time rate, are subjected to the same rule and may not receive more than the cost of tuition and fees.

Tuition Assistance (Top Up)

Active duty members may use their GI Bill in conjunction with tuition assistance. The program allows the VA to pay the difference between the total course cost and the cost covered by your military branch, up to a maximum rate determined by the VA.   If you are receiving 100% tuition assistance for a course, you would not be eligible for Top Up. Using Top Up does reduce your GI Bill entitlement.  

Work Study

• VA work-study is available to most students using their benefits.  
• The number of applicants selected will depend on the available VA-related positions available at CNU
• You may be able to apply for a position at another VA facility in the area
• Applications (VA Form 22-8691) may be picked up from our office or    on-line.
• Additional information pertinent to work-study is available on-line at the Virginia GI Bill website.

Virginia War Orphans Education Fund

• Virginia War Orphans Education Benefits Program: Under this program, a child of either a deceased veteran or a veteran who is totally disabled from wartime service may receive free tuition to attend a Virginia state-supported institution of higher education.

• Students who believe they qualify for this program should contact the Division of War Veterans Claims at (540) 857-7104.

• About the War Orphans Fund:  

Military Transcripts

To receive your military transcript(s) translating your military education and job experience into college language and civilian experience:
(AARTS)  http://aarts.army.mil/
(SMART) https://smart.cnet.navy.mil/

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