GI Bill® Benefits
Are you eligible for Chapter 1606, 31, 33, or 35?
Have you applied for your GI Bill® Benefits?
If yes, skip the next step, if no then proceed to the following information:
- Apply for the appropriate chapter (Vets.gov) that you are eligible for
- Gather your appropriate documents, and click "Select Correct Form"
- If you are unsure of the best benefits for you, contact the Military and Veteran Resources Center
- Once you apply for benefits and fill out the application, it takes approximately four to six weeks to hear back from the VA and receive your Certificate of Eligibility in the mail.
Bring in a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility and your DD-214 to the Military Resources Center – Student Services Center - Room 013. If you are changing schools to Bloomsburg University, you need to update your current education benefits at Vets.gov by clicking “Select Correct Form” and selecting “Updating my current education benefits”.
Undeclared Status
Undeclared students are those who have not yet identified the program of study they wish to pursue. Military Students utilizing their GI Bill® to pay their tuition can only be in undeclared status for two semesters. Bob Heckrote is the primary academic advisor to all undeclared military students (and the secondary academic advisor to all declared military students), please be in constant communication with him about academic planning.
GI Bill® Chapters
This chapter is for National Guard and Reservists who have not been on active duty or deployed (entry-level training is not considered active duty for the purposes of GI Bill eligibility – regardless of length of entry-level training).
For all Chapter 1606 (MGIB Selected Reserve) recipients:
YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE PAYMENT UNTIL YOU VERIFY YOUR ATTENDANCE AT THE END OF EVERY MONTH YOU ARE IN CLASSES
You can verify your attendance starting on the last calendar day of the month by using the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) at or by calling the toll free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone line at 1-877-823-2378.
This chapter is for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Eligible veterans should contact Matthew Dragwa, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1123 East End Blvd. Wilkes Barre, PA 18702, 570-821-2501, Matthew Dragwa.
The VR&E will approve your eligibility and forward the necessary paperwork to the Military Resources Center at Bloomsburg University. For more information on Chapter 31 please see the VA webpage.
After eligibility determination, ensure you fill out the proper application.
This chapter is for current or former active duty service members, who have served after September 11, 2001 (National Guard and Reservists who have been deployed or on active duty orders, other than entry level training, qualify for this chapter as well). This chapter is also for spouses and dependents who have had benefits transferred to them.
The maximum basic benefit under Post 9/11 (Chapter 33) provides the following:
- Cost of tuition and fees, percentage of eligibility will be based on an individual’s aggregate period of active duty after Sept. 11, 2001 and will not exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher learning in Pennsylvania;
- Monthly housing allowance equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to an E-5 with dependents, in the same zip code as the school;
- Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year.
Benefits are prorated based on the percentage of your eligibility. Each service member will be different based on their length and type of service.
This chapter is for qualified spouses / dependents of deceased, disabled, or MIA veterans. Students need a copy of their birth certificate listing the names of both parents and documentation listing the veterans Social Security Number, percentage of disability and entitlement in order to apply for benefits.
The VA requires that the veteran be 100% disabled for dependents to receive benefits under Chapter 35. VA-22-5490 must be completed to apply for chapter 35 benefits.
NOTE: Students can hear an automated message confirming the processing of their latest payment by calling 1-888-442-4551. Choose option 1 for information on your educational benefits and enter the requested information.
If you hear a recorded message stating there is no information available the VA has not completed the processing of your certification. You may also press 0 to be connected to a VA representative.
Additional Information
At the beginning of each Fall and Spring semester, the number of credits scheduled for students currently receiving benefits will be verified and you will be automatically enrolled. If there are no changes to your status and you will be continuing to attend Bloomsburg University there is nothing you need to do. Schedules are routinely checked each semester to ensure military students are receiving the proper amount of benefits.
After the start of each semester please contact the Military Resources Center if you drop, add, or withdraw from classes, withdraw from the University, or are deployed / activated.
Winter / Summer Semesters: Any benefit recipient who will be taking classes during a Winter / Summer semester and wishes to continue to receive their benefits over the semester must notify the Military Resources Center. Otherwise, your credits will be certified for the Fall and Spring Semesters only.
Deployment: In the event you are called to active duty during a semester, it is imperative that you contact the Military Resources Center to discuss your best options.
Official Military Transcripts: Students who have served in the military and wish to obtain credits for military training or courses taken must have official transcripts submitted to the Registrar’s Office.
NOTE: The American Council on Education makes recommendations for the transfer of credit for training / courses taken while in the military. Bloomsburg University considers issuing credit based on those recommendations when the course is appropriate to educational experiences at Commonwealth University. Credit is only considered for the courses listed on a prospective student’s Official Military Transcript.
For many incoming military students, their current financial status could be inaccurately portrayed by their previous year’s tax return. Considering that financial aid awards are based off the FASFA (which pulls its information from the IRS), this can become a large problem. If this is the case, students need to contact the Commonwealth University Financial Aid Office to fill out a special conditions form, so their needs are adequately addressed.
