I am enrolled in school. When will I receive my benefits from VA?

Because most schools start at about the same time, the VA is generally overwhelmed with enrollments at the start of a semester. It takes the VA about 10 to 12 weeks to process an enrollment during those times. Please be patient- the VA will process all of the enrollments, in order, by the date received. If you try to log into the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment system (WAVE) system and either cannot log in or see that your record has not been updated from last semester, the VA has not processed your current enrollment.

If you are receiving benefits based on your status as a service person, veteran, or reservist you must verify your enrollment at the end of each month to the VA in order to receive benefits. Benefits are paid after each month of school is completed. Verification can be done beginning the last day of the month by using the VA Web Automated Verification of Enrollment system (WAVE) or by calling toll free 1-877-823-2378 and using your touch tone phone. Both of these services are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

If you are receiving VEAP (CH32) or Dependents Educational Assistance (CH35), benefits are sent automatically at the end of each month with no action required on your part.

Can I change programs?

If you change your educational, professional, or vocational objective and this change requires a change in the courses you are taking, VA considers this a change of program. The law permits one change of program without prior VA approval if your attendance, conduct, and progress in the last program were satisfactory. VA may approve additional changes if the proposed programs are suitable to your abilities, aptitudes, and interests. VA will not charge a change of program when you enroll in a new program provided you successfully completed your immediately preceding program.

Must I maintain satisfactory attendance, conduct, and progress?

Once you start receiving benefits, you must maintain satisfactory attendance, conduct, and progress. If you do not meet the standards set by your school, the certifying official must notify VA. VA will stop your benefits if the school reports unsatisfactory attendance, conduct, or progress. VA may resume benefits if:

• You reenter the same program at the same school; and

• Your school approves your reentry and certifies it to VA.

If you do not reenter the same program at the same school, VA may resume benefits if:

• The cause of your unsatisfactory attendance, conduct, or progress has been removed; and

• The program which you intend to pursue is suitable to your abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

VA will review your application and inform you if anything else is needed. If you have started training, take your application to your school, or to your employer or union if you are in a job training program. Ask the certifying official to complete VA Form 22-1999, Enrollment Certification, and send both forms to VA.

How do I receive monthly payments?  What must I do to qualify?

Once you find a school with a program you want or a company or union offering an apprenticeship or job training program in your field, there are two important steps.

FIRST, make sure the program you choose is approved for VA training. If you are not clear on this point, contact your local VA regional office.

SECOND, complete VA Form 22-1990, Application for Education Benefits. Send it to the VA regional office in Buffalo, New York. If you are not on active duty, send copy 4 of your

DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. If you are on active duty, you must have your enrollment approved by your base Education Services Officer, and you must have your service verified by your Commanding Officer.

After selecting a school and submitting your application to VA, ask the school official to complete an enrollment certification. The school official will send the enrollment certification to the appropriate VA regional office. If you have basic eligibility for benefits, and your program or course is approved, VA will process your enrollment based on certified training time. If you are in a degree program at a college or university, or a certificate or diploma program at a business, technical, or vocational school, you will not receive payment until you have completed a form to verify your attendance.

What should I do if I disagree with a VA decision?

You may appeal VA decisions on education benefits. You must file an appeal within one year of the date you receive notice of a decision. Each notice of decision issued by VA contains your legal rights and appeal procedures. You may request a personal hearing on your claim. If you need assistance in filing an appeal, contact the nearest VA regional office or a veterans service organization.

Can I receive an advance payment?

You may receive an advance payment for the initial month or partial month and the following month, if:

• You train at one-half time or more;

• The school agrees to handle advance payments;

• You request an advance payment in writing; and,

• VA receives your enrollment certification at least 30 days before classes start.

What should I do if I do not receive a check?

If you attend school, you must verify your enrollment for each month by using the WAVE system. Remember that you cannot be paid for a month until the month is over and you verify that you were still in attendance for that month.
May I attend part-time?

If you are unable to attend full-time, consider going part-time. Benefit rates for part-time training are less than the full-time rates. Likewise, the entitlement charge for part-time training is less than the charge for full-time training. For example, if you receive full-time benefits for 12 months, the charge is 12 months. If you receive one-half time benefits for 12 months, the charge is six months.

VA will mail an advance payment check, made out to you, to the school for delivery to you at registration. VA cannot issue the check more than 30 days before classes start. Before you request an advance payment, ask the certifying official if your school has agreed to process advance payments. Your request for an advance payment must be on VA Form 22-1999, Enrollment Certification, or a sheet of paper attached to the enrollment certification. If you receive an advance payment at registration, be sure that the school certifies to VA that you received the check. If you reduce your enrollment or withdraw from all courses during the period covered by an advance payment, you will have an overpayment that VA is required to collect from you if you cash the check. If you think the amount of a VA check is incorrect, contact VA before cashing the check.

Can I receive payments by Direct Deposit?

You can get your chapter 30 payments sent directly to your savings or checking account. VA does this through Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer. For information about how to get your payments sent through direct deposit, contact your local VA office or your bank.