For terms starting on or after December 17, GI Bill students using Post-9/11 benefits at Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) facilities are required to verify their enrollment monthly. Given the holiday schedule and to allow for further testing by VA, IHL students were automatically verified at the end of December. This change did not affect the enrollment process for students at Non-College Degree (NCD) facilities who began verifying with terms starting on or after August 1, 2021.

For this month, please remember to opt into text verification and verify your enrollment at the end of the month. Students who fail to verify enrollment for two consecutive months will have their Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) and/or kicker payments placed on hold. Learn more about enrollment verification.

The VET TEC program has become an extremely popular program for Veterans and transitioning Service members who are eager to improve their technology skills and land a career in the high-tech industry. Check out this recent video which highlights the experience of a VET TEC graduate and explores his journey to finding employment at Accenture, an employer partner in the VET TEC Employer Consortium. If you are a Veteran or transitioning Service member, or you know one who might be interested in a career in technology, learn how the VET TEC program can help.

Have you set new goals for the school year? You may be on winter break right now, but with the start of the new year, this is the perfect time to plan and organize any educational goals you have. How can your GI Bill® benefits help you on your path to accomplishing your goals this year? Start by logging into your VA.gov account to check your benefits status and see how much of your education benefit you have remaining. Wishing you a successful semester.

Are you looking to take advantage of everything VA.gov has to offer? With a VA.gov account using ID.me, you'll be able to submit your questions online using Ask VA and utilize future Digital GI Bill (DGIB) enhancements. Check out this helpful video we developed that outlines the steps of making an ID.me account.

If you’re eligible for VA education benefits, then you’re also eligible for Personalized Career Planning and Guidance, a free benefit that provides:

• Career counseling to help you decide which civilian or military jobs you want
• Educational counseling to help you find a training program or field of study
• Academic and adjustment counseling to help you address issues or barriers that get in the way of your success
• Resume support and goal planning

Visit our website to learn more and apply!

Have you transferred GI Bill benefits to a spouse or child? Are you using benefits that were given to you by a parent or spouse? If so, there may be start and end dates for the transfers. VA is strongly urging Veterans to log into the Transfer of Benefit (TEB) Portal now to remove these dates, because the TEB Portal only allows the Veteran to access their account. If the Veteran dies or becomes unable to log in, these benefits could be lost due to the date limitations.  If you are using transferred benefits, check with your family member whether they put dates on the transfer. Protect your transferred benefits, protect your family, and protect your future!

Not sure how to read your award letter?  We have a step-by-step guide to help you understand each section.

The GI Bill Comparison Tool has been updated to help you quickly find, filter and view schools and training facilities. You can now use the updated comparison feature to review up to three institutions side-by-side to highlight similarities and differences between them, making it easier to pick the best facility for you. The map feature improves the search by location function, allowing you to view and utilize a map to see the location of facilities in a certain area.

We’re coming up on a peak enrollment period, where the number of incoming GI Bill claims can slow down processing.  To ensure you receive your benefits in a timely fashion, we have four recommended tips.

1. Stay in contact with your School Certifying Officials (SCOs), especially if you add/drop training. Search the GI Bill Comparison Tool for your school and scroll down to “Contact Details” to find them. 

2. Understand your school’s procedures for submitting an enrollment. 

3. Keep your contact and payment information up to date. You can update direct deposit information online. You can also update contact or payment information through Ask VA or by phone at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551). 

4. Use the address of the Regional Processing Office handling your claim if you need to contact VA by mail.

Have questions about your housing or books stipend?  Read these FAQs to identify the amount you’ll get paid, why, and when to expect payments.  They include:

• Who qualifies for housing payments?
• How much will my housing payment be?
• What if I don’t take classes/training every day that month?
• Will I receive a books and supplies stipend?
• When will my payments arrive?
• Will the payment arrive in one lump sum?
• Who qualifies for housing payments?

Do you have a question or concern about your benefits? Contact us safely and securely with Ask VA!