GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
The Alabama GI Dependents’ Scholarship
Students interested in applying for the Alabama G.I. and Dependents Education Benefit program should contact their county Veterans Affairs Office or the Student Aid Office at the University. Requires an award certificate from the Alabama Department of Veteran Affairs: http://www.va.state.al.us/gi_dep_scholarship.aspx
Federal Benefits – GI Bill®
The Federal Department of Veterans Affairs determines eligibility and maintains veteran records. Students must be admitted and registered at the University before enrollment is certified to the VA. Students must also submit a completed VA Request for Certification form and an updated Certificate of Eligibility to the School Certifying Official for each academic year.
To have your enrollment certified with the VA, you will need to submit the following and then see the School Certifying Official before leaving campus on the day you register for classes.
- A copy of your Certificate of Eligibility – it is your awards letter from the VA listing your percentage of coverage and remaining months of eligibility.
- The UM Request for Certification – the online certification form is available here.
VA Vocational Rehabilitation (CH 31)
To have your enrollment certified with the VA and your caseworker, you will need to submit the following and see the School Certifying Official before leaving campus on the day you register for classes.
- VA Form 1905 – completed and signed by caseworker
- The UM Request for Certification – the online certification form is available here.
Military transcript
Send UM a copy of your military transcript in order to receive college credit for your training. Order your military transcripts here (except Air Force).
Current UM students using Federal Benefits
- For each academic year (fall, spring, and summer semesters) you must submit the following to the School Certifying Official:
a. UM Request for Certification form, indicating the semesters for which you
want to be certified, and
b. An updated Certificate of Eligibility or your latest Certification Letter from the VA. - If you change your schedule, major, degree, or concentration after the end of the drop/add period (usually the first week of class), you must notify the School Certifying Official.
New Freshmen using Federal Benefits for the first time:
- To apply for admission to UM click here.
- If you are a veteran, request an official copy of your military transcripts be sent to UM.
- Apply for Federal VA or DOD education benefits at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/apply
a. Once approved, the VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility – your awards letter.
b. Federal Benefits include:
i. Montgomery GI Bill®
Active Duty – Chapter 30
ii. Montgomery GI Bill®, Selected Reserve – Chapter 1606
iii. Post 9/11 GI Bill® – Chapter 33
iv. Reserve educational Assistance Program (REAP) – Chapter 1607
v. Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Asst. Program (DEA) – Chapter 35
vi. VA Vocational Rehabilitation – Chapter 31 - Meet with the School Certifying Official at UM the day you register for classes, or before registering for classes.
a. Complete the UM Request for Certification Form (needed each academic year) indicating the semesters for which you want to be certified.
b. Bring your Certificate of Eligibility provided by the VA. - UM will then be authorized to certify your enrollment for the indicated semesters with the VA.
- If you change your schedule, major, degree, or concentration after the end of the drop/add period (usually the first week of class), you must notify the School Certifying Official.
New Transfers to UM with existing Federal benefits:
- To apply for admission to UM click here.
- Request official copy of any and all transcripts from other institutions including your military transcripts to be sent to UM.
- Complete VA for 22-1995 (Request for Change of Program or Place of training). You may complete and submit this form online at gibill.va.gov or in the UM Registrar’s Office.
- Meet with the School Certifying Official at UM the day you register for classes, or before registering for classes.
a. Complete the UM Request for Certification Form (needed each academic year) indicating the semesters for which you want to be certified.
b. Bring an updated copy of your Certificate of Eligibility provided by the VA. - UM will then be authorized to certify your enrollment for the indicated semesters with the VA.
- If you change your schedule, major, degree, or concentration after the end of the drop/add period (usually the first week of class), you must notify the School Certifying Official.
New Transfers using Federal benefits for the first time:
- To apply for admission to UM click here.
- Request official copy of any and all transcripts from other institutions including your military transcripts to be sent to UM.
- Apply for Federal VA or DOD education benefits at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/apply
a. Once approved, the VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility – your awards letter.
b. Federal Benefits include
i. Montgomery GI Bill®, Active Duty – Chapter 30
ii. Montgomery GI Bill®, Selected Reserve – Chapter 1606
iii. Post 9/11 GI Bill® – Chapter 33
iv. Reserve educational Assistance Program (REAP) – Chapter 1607
v. Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Asst. Program (DEA) – Chapter 35
vi. VA Vocational Rehabilitation – Chapter 31 - Meet with the School Certifying Official at UM the day you register for classes, or before registering for classes.
a. Complete the UM Request for Certification Form (needed each academic year) indicating the semesters for which you want to be certified.
b. Bring an updated copy of your Certificate of Eligibility provided by the VA. - UM will then be authorized to certify your enrollment for the indicated semesters with the VA.
- If you change your schedule, major, degree, or concentration after the end of the drop/add period (usually the first week of class), you must notify the School Certifying Official.
Current UM students using Federal benefits for the first time:
- Apply for Federal VA or DOD education benefits at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/apply
a. Once approved, the VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility – your awards letter.
b. Federal Benefits include
i. Montgomery GI Bill®, Active Duty – Chapter 30
ii. Montgomery GI Bill®, Selected Reserve – Chapter 1606
iii. Post 9/11 GI Bill® – Chapter 33
iv. Reserve educational Assistance Program (REAP) – Chapter 1607
v. Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Asst. Program (DEA) – Chapter 35
vi. VA Vocational Rehabilitation – Chapter 31 - Meet with the School Certifying Official at UM the day you register for classes, or before registering for classes.
a. Complete the UM Request for Certification Form (needed each academic year) indicating the semesters for which you want to be certified.
b. Bring a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility provided by the VA. - UM will then be authorized to certify your enrollment for the indicated semesters with the VA.
- If you change your schedule, major, degree, or concentration after the end of the drop/add period (usually the first week of class), you must notify the School Certifying Official.
Special Note – VA benefits and paying for on-campus housing
Just a quick reminder regarding VA benefits and on-campus housing: The VA will not pay the University directly for housing regardless of which benefit you use. If you live on campus, the Cashier’s Office offers a payment arrangement service that will allow you to pay for on-campus housing monthly. If you receive a monthly stipend directly to you from the VA, you may use that to pay for housing on or off campus, but housing is your responsibility to pay.