Washington University provides assistance for veterans, active duty, Reserve, and Guard service members, dependents and survivors seeking educational benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Acceptance into a degree or certification program and registration for courses is handled individually by school.
eBenefits is the VA’s online resource that provides:
| Benefits status information | |
| Copies of letters from the VA with updates on your remaining benefits | |
| Rates of payment for housing allowance and book stipend |
Learn more about VA educational benefits and details of the steps below using the information found in this section.
Steps for using your benefits
New students should start at step 1. Returning students should move to step 7.
- Apply for VA Benefits
- Apply for benefits online
- If you have questions about which benefit is best for your personal circumstances, contact our office.
- If you used your benefits at another school, change your GI Bill school or program
- Receive Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA
- Used by the university to verify your eligibility to use VA educational benefits
- This process could take about 4-6 weeks
- The COE arrives by mail, but you can also access it online through eBenefits
- Request Yellow Ribbon Program benefits
- Contact your school’s financial services representative as early as possible to notify them of your intent to use these benefits
- Some programs allow an unlimited number of Yellow Ribbon students and for the full difference of tuition and fees while others have limits
- Registration and Certification
- After registering for classes, provide your COE by email to your VA School Certifying Official (SCO)
- Complete any additional forms from your SCO. Note: complete this step even if you’re still awaiting your COE. Your SCO will provide additional guidance.
- Check Status
- Use eBenefits to check the status of your benefits
- Note that your SCO will not receive certification of your status from the VA
- For additional questions about your status, contact the VA at 888-GIBILL-1 (888-442-4551) or use GI Bill Ask a Question Site
- VA payment
- VA will pay tuition and fees either directly to the university (Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon and Fry) or directly to you (MGIB-AD, MGIB-SR and DEA)
- If your benefit includes housing and book allowance, you will receive payment directly to your bank account through Direct Deposit
- Housing payments are made in arrears at the end of the month for the previous month, and only for the dates you are certified for course enrollment
- Request Certification Each Semester
- Certification is not an automatic process
- Following registration each semester, you must submit a request for certification to your SCO for each semester you intend to use VA educational benefits
Important notes
| Allow at least 4-6 weeks for VA to certify your benefits from the time the SCO submits your certification, depending on the time of year | |
| If you submit your certification request in a timely manner, you will not be assessed late fees or otherwise penalized due to the delayed disbursement of a payment by the VA. Visit the Policy on Protections for VA Educational Benefits for additional information. | |
| For students enrolling in the Olin Business School, coordinate with Olin Graduate Financial Services: this office will complete these steps and coordinate with the SCO on your behalf | |
| For students enrolling in Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS), coordinate with the CAPS Financial Aid Team: this office will complete these steps and coordinate with the SCO on your behalf |