University Registrar Home

Veterans Affairs Benefits

While you are attending Virginia Tech, the Office of the University Registrar will assist you in using your VA entitlement by processing VA forms for educational benefits and certifying enrollment to the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. We also provide information regarding certain procedural requirements and other processes relevant to the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. Our office is located at 250 Student Services Building on Washington Street.

It is the responsibility of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to approve applications and to make decisions regarding payment, issuance of checks, and eligibility.  Beneficiaries who have questions regarding payment or eligibility should contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at (888) 442-4551.  

Instructions for applying for VA Educational Benefits:

If you are applying for educational benefits for the first time, complete:

  • VA Form 22-1990 – Application for VA Education Benefits for Chapter 30, 1606, 1607 and Active Duty. Include a copy of the Member 4 copy of your DD 214 or a copy of your NOBE for reservists/national guard.
    OR
    VA Form 22-5490  - Application for Survivor’s and Dependents’ Educational Assistance for Chapter 35. Include a copy of your marriage license for dependent spouses or birth certificate for dependent children.

  • Mail the application and any supporting documentation to:

    VA Regional Office
    P.O. Box 4616
    Buffalo, NY 14240-4616

  • Complete the 2009-2010 V.A. Certification Form* and submit it to the Office of the University Registrar.
    Dependents: please do not submit the enrollment form to our office until you receive your VA file number. We cannot submit your certification to the VA without your file number.

 

If you received benefits at another school prior to attending Virginia Tech:

Transfer your educational benefits to Virginia Tech by completing:

  • VA Form 22-1995 – Request for Change of Program or Place of Training for Chapter 30, 1606, 1607 and Active Duty.
    OR
    VA Form 22-5495 – Request for Change of Program or Place of Training Survivor’s and Dependents’ Educational Assistance for Chapter 35.

  • Submit both the VA form and the enrollment form to the Office of the University Registrar.


If you have received benefits at Virginia Tech in the past:

 

*The V.A. Certification Form must be submitted at least once each academic year in order to receive your benefits.  All semesters may be submitted on the same form..

 

 

Additional Information:

  • Those applying for benefits for the first time will receive a Certificate of Eligibility from the V.A. when your application has been approved. Your Certificate states your benefit chapter, your V.A. file number, the amount of time you have to use your benefits and the amount you will be eligible for each month at full time status. Please bring or mail a copy of your certificate to the Office of the University Registrar when you submit your enrollment hours.

  • Please note that new applicants should expect an average time of approximately 45 days for the V.A. to process their applications. Beneficiaries who are renewing their benefits should expect an average processing time of approximately 30 days.  This does not include the number of days it takes to receive actual payment

  • A new enrollment form must be submitted by all V.A. education beneficiaries to the Office of the University Registrar at least once each academic year. All semesters may be submitted on the same form.  Submitting this form indicates to our office which semesters you plan to attend and we will then certify your enrollment to the V.A. Without this form, we cannot notify the VA of your enrollment.

  • If you receive Chapter 30, 1606 or 1607 benefits, you must verify your enrollment to the V.A. on the last day of each month and the last day of the semester. The V.A. uses the “post-payment” system which pays benefits on or after the first of the month following the month for which payment is due. You will not receive your V.A. payment until you have verified your attendance. You can verify your attendance online via the W.A.V.E. System at https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do or by calling 1-877-823-2378. This is not necessary for Chapter 35 beneficiaries.
  • Army College Fund (or Kicker):  If you opted for this benefit at the time of your enlistment, you will receive an additional amount included with your V.A. monthly stipend. However, if you are Active Duty or are a veteran enrolled at less than half-time and 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. The V.A. determines benefits. The Office of the University Registrar only handles certifications for the Montgomery GI Bill benefit.

  • Tuition Assistance (Top Up):  Active Duty members may use their GI Bill in conjunction with tuition assistance. This 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 V.A. If you are receiving 100% tuition assistance for a course, you would not be eligible for Top Up. Using Top Up reduces your GI Bill entitlement. This program is handled through the Office of the University Bursar but you must first apply for the program through your unit.

  • Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (formerly Virginia War Orphans Education Program):  This program is for spouses and children of military service members killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who became at least 90 percent disabled as a result of military service in an armed conflict.  For more information, visit http://www.dvs.virginia.gov/statebenefits.htm or call 540-857-7104 to determine if you qualify. This program is also handled through the Office of the University Bursar but you must first apply to the Virginia Dept. of Veterans Services.

 

  • You can also find more helpful information about scholarships, the new Post 9/11 GI Bill, etc. at http://military.com/.
  • To determine if you can get transfer credit for military service, please visit https://aarts.army.mil for Army, Army Reserves, and National Guard and https://smart.navy.mil for Navy and Marines and request an official transcript be sent to the Office of the University Registrar.

DO YOU STILL HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING YOUR BENEFITS?

If you should need assistance with application/certification for V.A. educational benefits, please feel free to call our office, contact us via e-mail or call to schedule an appointment. You may request that Virginia Tech renew your certification for your VA benefits via e-mail if you provide all of the information contained on this form in your e-mail note. Please note that any correspondence to the Office of the University Registrar concerning your VA benefits should be marked ‘ATTN: Veterans Affairs’. Please retain copies of all forms that you submit to the Office of the University Registrar for your records.

To contact the Office of the University Registrar:

Virginia Tech
Office of the University Registrar
ATTN: Veterans Affairs
250 Student Services Bldg (0134)
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Phone:  (540) 231-6252
E-mail:  registrar@vt.edu

To contact the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs:

U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
V.A. Regional Office
P.O. Box 4616
Buffalo, NY 14240-4616
Phone:  888-442-4551
E-mail: BUFFRPO@VBA.VA.GOV