Education Benefits
Before using your VA education benefits, you must first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This document is required to submit a certification request to Military & Veteran Services.
Once you are officially registered for classes, submit your certification request through the Certification Portal at vacert.charlotte.edu using your NinerNet credentials. After submission, you will receive a confirmation email from Military & Veteran Services. A certification request must be submitted for each semester in which you intend to use your VA education benefits at UNC Charlotte.
Important: Failure to submit the required documentation for your benefits may result in delays or disruptions to your educational benefits.
Once the VA processes your application, you will receive a letter notifying you of their decision. If you are approved to receive education benefits, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) letter from the VA. Please be aware that the average time to process your application is 30 days.
First Time Benefit User & Transfer Students
As a first time benefit user or transfer student–we understand students want to be proactive but you must be admitted to UNC Charlotte and officially registered for courses before you can apply for certification. If you haven’t already applied to the university, please review our Admissions page for next steps to apply to the university.
Military & Veteran Services is the primary point of contact for questions related to your VA education benefits. However, for more specific or detailed inquiries, you may also contact your School Certifying Official (SCO) at askyoursco@charlotte.edu.
The SCO can assist with questions regarding certification requests, including status updates, corrections, and back pay requests. They can also provide CHAMPVA enrollment verification letters and help clarify any balances or charges on your student account related to VA benefits.
For students using VR&E (Chapter 31), the SCO can offer guidance on required documentation such as purchase order (PO) numbers, as well as questions about approved supplies (including books, laptops, and parking).
If you need assistance or have questions about your benefits, Military & Veteran Services and your SCO are available to support you.
Keep everything in In-State Tuition Documentation Section
If using VR&E, Chapter 31, you will need to have your 1905 authorization (in the Tungsten system) already completed by your counselor.
As a member of the armed services, the North Carolina National Guard or a military dependent, if you do not qualify as a North Carolina resident-for-tuition-purposes, you may still be eligible to pay a reduced tuition rate if you meet the eligibility requirements.
To be eligible for the Military Tuition Benefit as a member of the armed services or a dependent of one:
- You must be a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, North Carolina National Guard, or a member of one of the reserve components of previously mentioned services
- Be on active duty, be stationed on permanent status inside of NC.
- Be a dependent of someone that meets the requirements above
To be eligible for the 702 Veterans Choice Act:
- You must be using VA educational benefits under Chapter 33, 30, 1606, 31 or 35.
- You must qualify as a “covered individual” (veteran, spouse, or child)
- You must live in the state of North Carolina when you start classes
To be eligible for in-state tuition through NC Senate Bill 118 you must meet both of the following requirements:
- Served on active duty for not less than 90 days in the Armed Forces and,
- Received an Honorable Discharge from the Armed Forces and meet at least one of the following:
- Graduated from high school in North Carolina on or after January 1, 2004.
- Served active duty in the Armed Forces with a permanent duty station in North Carolina for at least 90 continuous days.
- Was awarded a Purple Heart.
Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is a DOD benefit that pays active-duty, Guard, and Reserve service members up to 100% of college tuition. TA is capped at $250 per credit hour or $4,500 annually. It covers accredited degree and certificate programs but excludes most fees.
Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process' and restrictions. This money is usually paid directly to the institution by the individual services.
Additionally, active duty members may elect to use the GI Bill® "top-up" in addition to their service provided TA to cover high-cost courses.
It is important TO REMEMBER THAT TA IS A DIRECT PAYMENT TO THE INSTITUTION. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY PAID OUT OF POCKET TO SECURE YOUR CLASSES YOU MAY BE REIMBURSED ANY OVERAGES COVERED BY TA.
Tuition Assistance is invoiced and processed by the Office of Financial Aid.. Please contact Financial Aid through Niner Central if you have questions regarding the processing of TA.
It is important to note that Financial Aid will not receive your TA request until you have completed all the steps on the DOD side first.
The North Carolina Tuition Assistance Program (NCTAP) is a reimbursement program for actively drilling members of the North Carolina Army and Air National Guard. It funds baccalaureate degrees, graduate degrees, or graduate certificates at state educational institutions.
To qualify, members must have at least two years remaining in the North Carolina National Guard from the application date or extend their service by at least two years. The benefit pays up to the in-state tuition rate, and any nonresident National Guard member is eligible for this in-state rate.
A complete application packet requires both the program application and the school invoice or bill.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT NCTAP IS A DIRECT PAYMENT TO THE INSTITUTION. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY PAID OUT OF POCKET TO SECURE YOUR CLASSES YOU MAY BE REIMBURSED ANY OVERAGES COVERED BY TA.
Tuition Assistance is invoiced and processed by the Office of Financial Aid.. Please contact Financial Aid through Niner Central if you have questions regarding the processing of TA.
It is important to note that Financial Aid will not receive your NCTAP request until you have completed all the steps with NC Guard first.
If you have questions about your student account:
- Email: Office of the Bursar
- Email: Niner Central
- Pall: 704-687-8622
- Schedule a virtual appointment with Niner Central staff
If you are a member of the Reserve or National Guard and receive activation or travel orders, please follow these steps based on your situation:
1. Short-Term Activation (10 Days or Less)
- Notify Instructors: Immediately email your professors. Let them know you have military orders and that your access to Email/Canvas will be limited or unavailable. Official military orders, signed by a commanding officer and showing your name and exact departure/return dates, should be sent directly to your faculty members for consideration.
- Absence Verification: To request additional verification, you can submit an Absence Verification Request through Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS). Keep in mind that faculty have full authority to work with students with or without verification by the SASS office.
- Required Documentation: You must provide official military orders signed by a commanding officer, showing your name and exact departure/return dates.
- Questions? Contact SASS at 704-687-0289 or studentsupport@charlotte.edu.
2. Long-Term Deployment: Withdrawal & Refund Policy
If you are called to active duty during an active semester, you can choose a Complete Withdrawal with no academic penalty (courses are dropped without record).
If you choose a military withdrawal, UNC Charlotte provides the following protections:
Expense Category | Refund / Action Policy |
|---|---|
Tuition & Fees | Full refund of all payments made; financial aid accounts will be adjusted. |
Textbooks | Full refund for books bought at the university bookstore (bring books, receipts, and orders). |
Housing & Meals | Prorated refunds for campus room rent and meal plans based on your check-out date. |
Campus Funds | Remaining balances in 49er accounts will be fully refunded. |
Parking Permit | Return your permit to Parking and Transportation Services for a prorated refund. |
Account Balances | No collection actions will occur during deployment; custom payment plans are available. |
Important Financial Notes:
- Financial Aid: Unearned financial aid must be repaid according to federal and state regulations. Our office will notify the Financial Aid Office on your behalf.
- VA Benefits: If you are utilizing VA Educational Benefits, the VA will determine if an overpayment is created due to your military call-up.
Charlotte Military & Veteran Services (MVS) uses a two-part certification process to protect your benefits.
- Phase 1: We initially certify your credit hours at $0 tuition so the VA can release your Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) and book stipends on time.
- Phase 2: We certify your actual tuition and fees after the drop/add period ends. The VA typically sends these funds to the university 2 to 3 weeks later.
- Protective Holds: If you are using Chapter 33 (Post-9/11) or Chapter 31 (VR&E), a protective hold is placed on your account. You will not be dropped from classes for non-payment while we wait for the VA funding.
- Important Note on Financial Aid: If you receive scholarships, grants, or student loans, the University applies them to your account first. You will not receive a refund for those funds until after the VA payment arrives.
For personal payment details, direct deposit setup, or tracking your remaining months of benefit entitlement, you must contact the Department of Veterans Affairs directly:
- Phone: 1-888-GIBILL (1-888-442-4551)
- Online: Visit GIBILL to access the Questions and Answers section.
- WAVE Accounts: If you use Chapter 30, 1606, or 1607, you must verify your enrollment monthly via the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) system or by calling 1-877-823-2378. Note: WAVE is not available for Chapters 31, 33, or 35.
- FERPA Privacy: All student records, including billing, registration, and certification details, are protected by the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
- How to Grant Access: MVS staff cannot share your information with family members unless you formally grant them access. You can set this up through the Guest Access Portal at Niner Central.
- Submission Requirement: Yes, you must submit a benefit enrollment form every single semester as soon as you finish registering for classes to prevent a lapse in benefits. MVS will not automatically certify your enrollments.
- Timeline: During peak certification times, MVS generally can process your request within 14 days from receipt. You can track its progress in your Certification Portal. You will receive three automated emails confirming receipt, MVS certification (with a Cert ID), and final VA-Once confirmation.
- Fall and Spring: Full-time status is 12 credits for undergraduates and 9 credits for graduate students.
- Summer Terms (Undergraduate): You need 7 credits for the Full Summer (10-week) session, or 4 credits in Summer 1 or Summer 2 individual 5-week sessions.
- Summer Terms (Graduate): You need 5 credits for the Full Summer (10-week) session, or 3 credits in Summer 1 or Summer 2 individual 5-week sessions.
- Summer Housing Note: Taking separate classes in Summer 1 and Summer 2 leaves a 5-day gap between terms. The VA will prorate your housing allowance for those days, reducing your July 1 payment.
- Prorated Rates: You do not have to be full-time, but Chapter 33 undergraduates must take at least 7 credits (5 credits for graduates) in Fall or Spring to cross the 50% threshold required to receive a stipend.
- Distance Learning: If you take exclusively online classes, your monthly stipend is capped at 50% of the national average. To get the full location-based stipend, you must take at least one on-campus credit hour.
- Active Duty Exception: Active-duty service members and spouses utilizing transferred benefits are not eligible for the monthly housing stipend.
- Book Stipend: Paid via direct deposit at $41.67 per credit hour (max $1,000 per academic year), usually within two weeks of initial certifications. We suggest paying for books in advance and using this as a reimbursement.
- Health Insurance: The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) is the only benefit that pays for the school's student health insurance, scaled to your eligibility percentage. You must indicate your choice to accept or waive it via the Student Health Insurance Portal. Note: Tricare, CHAMPVA, and VA healthcare are not accepted on campus.
- Financial Aid Eligibility: Yes, you can absolutely receive financial aid alongside VA benefits.
- Refunds: Because VA funds arrive later in the term, any financial aid or non-tuition scholarships will initially cover your bill. Once the VA pays the university, any overage will be fully refunded to you.
- Tuition-Specific Aid: Any institutional aid explicitly designated only for tuition and fees will reduce the amount the VA pays.
- Notification: If you need to drop a class, email the MVS office immediately so your certification can be adjusted.
- Debts: The VA will issue a debt letter regarding overpayments. You may be held responsible for repaying tuition, fees, housing stipends, and book allowances. MVS cannot calculate these exact debt amounts, so please visit the office to discuss your options before withdrawing.
- CHAMPVA: Submit or email your enrollment paperwork to the MVS front desk. The team will verify, fax it to the VA, and store a copy in your portal.
- Military Credits: Submit your Joint Services Transcript (JST) to the Office of the Registrar for credit evaluation.
- Retaking Classes: The VA will only pay for a retake if your degree program requires a specific minimum grade that you failed to achieve. They will not pay for a retake simply to raise a passing GPA.