Applying for the VA GI Bill® is Simple:

To receive benefits you must apply through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

For instructions and application forms, please visit the VA Website.

For assistance and/or questions you can contact the VA by dialing: 1-888-GIBILL1 (1-888-442-4551)

What happens next?

The VA will process your application and send you a letter notifying you of their decision. Please be aware that it may take the VA several weeks to process your claim. If you are approved to receive benefits, you will receive a certificate of eligibility letter from the VA. 

Applying for theMilitary Tuition Assistance

ARMYAIR FORCEMARINENAVYCOAST GUARD

NATIONAL GUARD - FEDERAL TANCTAP

Using Your Education Benefits at Charlotte

As a First-Time Benefit User or as a Transfer Student

You must be admitted to Charlotte and officially registered for courses. If you are an incoming transfer student, you will need to first enroll in classes here as well.

You will need to provide a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility Letter to Military & Veteran Services via the Certification Portal. If you do not have your Certificate of Eligibility you can find it in either your eBenefits or you can request it at VA.gov.  If you have only recently requested it, you can, temporarily upload the Statement of Benefits:

You will also need to complete the Benefits Enrollment process via the Certification Portal.

Note: Not providing proper documentation of your benefits can hinder and delay your educational benefits.

ACCEPTED EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS

Not Sure What Programs Are Available or What You Are Eligible For?

• VA Benefit Programs - Find out what benefit programs are available to you.
• VA Benefits Eligibility - Find out what makes you eligible for the various benefit programs. 

Applying for Benefits

Step 1. Apply for your benefits by visiting va.gov:

• Complete and submit your application.
• Submitted applications cannot be viewed or printed. However, you will be able to view and print your submission Confirmation Page. A copy of this page should be kept in case confirmation of application submission is needed by the School Certifying Official.

Step 2. Register for classes at UNC Charlotte as soon as your enrollment appointment opens. To see when your enrollment appointment opens, log into the My Charlotte portal.

Step 3. Access the Benefits Certification Portal – VA “Certification Request” after you have completed class enrollment. You can access the Certification Request by following the steps below:

• Military & Veteran Services > Student > Benefit Certification > Begin the Certification Process> NinerNet Login

Benefits Portal

Step 1. Select start a new application. 

Step 2. Select the correct VA educational benefit type. If you are unsure what type of benefit  you are eligible for, a brief overview of each benefit is available. Additionally, this information can be found on the Certificate of Eligibility document. 

Step 3. Next, you will have the opportunity to confirm your mailing address. If you live on campus, please include your hall and room number. 

Step 4. Upload a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (VA will email or mail this once Step 1 is complete) or supporting documentation listing your benefit eligibility.

Note: Click next until you arrive at the acknowledgement page. You must acknowledge your responsibilities as a student using VA benefits before submitting your certification. Once you have selected “SUBMIT”, you will receive an email notification confirming your submission for enrollment certification. 

When uploading your COE or supporting documentation:

Be sure to upload a pdf file. If you have a mobile device please click the links below for information on how to generate a PDF:

• How to scan documents using an iPhone or iPad
• Scan files as PDFs with an Android device

Important Notes for Chapter 35 (DEA) Students

• CH 35 users must enter their complete nine digit file number. Typically this is the same as the sponsor’s (veterans) social security number. To ensure you have the correct file number, please contact the VA at 888.442.4551.

• Your monthly stipend payment will be transferred on the 1st of the month for the previous month. Payments are only processed for days in the month when the student is enrolled in class.

Important Notes for Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) Students

• To initiate VA payment processing of your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and your Book Stipend, both consistent with your percent eligibility, your enrollment credit hours are reported to the VA as soon as your certification request is processed by the Veteran Services Office.

1. $0.00 tuition and fees are reported until after add/drop date. When you receive your letter from the VA reflecting your enrollment, it will note that $0.00 tuition was paid, this is correct and a new letter will be mailed or emailed to you after we report your tuition.
2. VA pays the Book Stipend at a rate of $41.67/credit hour with a maximum of $1,000 per year. This stipend is transferred to the bank account identified in your VA benefit application. It typically arrives three to four weeks after VA Enrollment Certification.
3. Your monthly Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) will be transferred to the bank account identified in your VA benefit application. It is paid on the first of the month for the previous month and is only paid for the days that you are enrolled in class.
4. For VA payment questions regarding book stipend, BAH, and/or tuition and fee payments, please contact the VA at 888.442.4551.

NOTE: VA Education Benefits pay for the classes in which you are enrolled. Any schedule change made after the term’s census date resulting in reduced credit hours may result in a VA or school debt. If you are unsure of the potential debt impact of contemplated enrollment changes, please check with the Veteran Services Office.

Important Notes for Chapter 31 (VR&E) Students

• If you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) can help.
• Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31) benefits are managed by the VA Veteran Readiness and Employment Division in the Winston-Salem, NC Regional Benefit Office. In order to receive CH31 benefits, you must have submitted an application and been approved for CH31 benefits.

Step 1. If you have not been approved for CH31 benefits, follow these steps to apply online:

• Apply for Veteran Readiness & Employment (CH31) benefits online at https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/index.asp.

Step 2. Once approved for VR&E services, register for classes at UNC Charlotte as soon as semester enrollment is open. To see your appointment date and time, log into your Banner Self Service account.

Step 3. Visit and complete the VA Enrollment Certification Request

Step 4. Upload your CH31 Veteran Readiness & Employment approval letter. If you do not possess proof of benefit, please upload a Word document listing your VR&E counselor’s name and email address.

Step 5. Submit your Benefits Certification Request at vacert.charlotte.edu. 

NOTE: Upon completion of your Certification Request your student account is automatically coded to defer tuition/fee payment requirements. Invoicing will take place directly with the VA Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Division.

Chapter 30

The Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapter 30) assists students who entered active duty for the first time after July 1, 1985, and who agreed to have their pay reduced by $100 for 12 months. Veterans must have received an honorable discharge and active-duty personnel must have served at least two years to be eligible to use their benefits.

Certain veterans and active-duty military personnel who were eligible for educational assistance under the Vietnam Era GI Bill® (Chapter 34) on December 31, 1989, may be eligible for benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill® if they have served on active duty since October 19, 1984, without a break in service and served three continuous years on active duty from June 30, 1985, through June 30, 1988, or served two continuous years on active duty followed by four years in the selected reserves after June 30, 1985. A break in service of 90 days or less during the period October 19, 1984, through June 30, 1985, will not disqualify a person from eligibility for benefits. However, a break in active duty of any length after June 30, 1985, will disqualify a person for Chapter 30. These participants are not required to make contributions to the program. Certain individuals who are voluntarily or involuntarily separated from active duty with an honorable discharge may elect to participate and make a $1,200 contribution to the Montgomery GI Bill® program before separating from active duty. This includes individuals who may have participated in the Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP – Chapter 32).

Individuals are allowed 36 months of full-time entitlement. Participants who have eligibility through the Vietnam Era GI Bill® have 36 months of entitlement or the amount of entitlement they have remaining from Chapter 34, whichever is less. Benefits must be used within 10 years from the date the individual was last discharged from active duty.

The current payment rate for a full time student is $2,438 a month.  Because these funds are paid directly to the student, a protective hold is not placed on your account and arrangements to pay your bill must be made prior to the payment deadline to avoid having your classes dropped.

The amount you receive might be higher if you have a buy up or a kicker.

Chapter 31

Veteran Readiness & Employment (Chapter 31) provides assistance to veterans who have a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent and are in need of vocational rehabilitation. Vocational rehab covers a student’s tuition and fees, books, school supplies and also pays a monthly housing allowance.  Because these funds are paid directly to the university, a protective hold is placed on your account once you have been certified so that you will not be dropped from your classes.  You must be certified prior to 5 p.m. on the date payments are due for this hold to be put in place.  Once your Benefits Enrollment form has been certified you will receive a message through the Veterans Portal notifying you of this (and with your Certification ID #) and that is your way of knowing that a hold is in place.  You will continue to receive notifications about paying that you may disregard once you are certified.

Vocational Rehabilitation does not pay the school directly for non-tuition related costs such as: student health insurance (you must decline student health insurance coverage or you will be responsible for its cost), dorm costs, meal plans or any other costs that you choose to add to your student account. Please be aware that you will be responsible for paying for these costs out of pocket.

Currently, veterans eligible for this program can choose to receive either the Post 9/11 GI Bill® monthly payment amount or the Vocational Rehab Subsistence allowance.

Eligible veterans may be allowed up to 48 months of full-time benefits.

Veterans generally have 12 years from the date they are notified of their entitlement to use their benefits.

Current Subsistence allowance rates for Chapter 31.

Chapter 33

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. The VA pays tuition and fees directly to the school (the amount covered depends on the student's eligibility rating) and a monthly housing payment directly to the student. The housing payment is based on the zip code of the school the student is enrolled in. It is important to remember this amount is for someone who has a 100% eligibility rating. Lower ratings mean a lower housing allowance. The VA also pays a book stipend of up to $1000 per school year.

Post-9/11 does not pay the school directly for non-tuition related costs such as: dorm costs, meal plans, or any other costs you choose to add to your student account. Please be aware you will be responsible for paying for these costs out of pocket.

Approved training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® includes graduate and undergraduate degrees, and vocational/technical training. All training programs must be offered by an institution of higher learning (IHL) and approved for GI Bill® benefits. Additionally, tutorial assistance, and licensing and certification test reimbursement are approved under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. Check out the VA’s Post 9/11 GI Bill® website for more information.

It is important to notify our office of any changes in your enrollment information as soon as possible, as waiting may create a substantial debt to the VA.

Tuition and Fees

VA will pay the approved percentage (based on your eligibility) of in-state tuition and fees directly to the university. **This does not include parking permits, meal plans, living on campus and out-of-state tuition charges.  Because these funds are paid directly to the university, a protective hold is placed on your account once you have been certified so that you will not be dropped from your classes.  You must be certified prior to 5 p.m. on the date payments are due for this hold to be put in place.  Once your Benefits Enrollment form has been certified you will receive a message through the Veterans Portal notifying you of this (and with your Certification ID #) and that is your way of knowing that a hold is in place.  You will continue to receive notifications about paying that you may disregard once you are certified.

Monthly Stipend

• $2,160.00 per month (if a student is considered 100%).
• An undergraduate student must be in at least 7 credits Fall or Spring semester to receive at least a portion of the Monthly Housing Allowance; graduate students must take at least 5 hours.
• Students must be enrolled in at least one in-person class (students not enrolled in at least one in-person class will only receive 50% of their Monthly Housing Allowance.

Book/Supply Stipend

• $41.67 per credit hour (at the% eligibility rate)
• Up to 24 credit hours per academic year.

Chapter 35

Survivors and Dependents Benefits (Chapter 35) provide educational benefits to spouses and children of veterans who either died while in service, died as a result of a service-connected disability, or became totally and permanently disabled as a result of their military service.

Survivors and dependents are allowed 45 months of full-time benefits. Spouses have 10 years from the date of the veteran’s effective date of permanent and total disability rating or the veteran’s death to use the benefit. Dependents’ benefits end on their 26th birthday or eight years from the veteran’s effective date of permanent or total disability rating or the veteran’s death, but not after the dependent’s 31st birthday.

Enrollment Status & Monthly Rate

Full Time - $1,536.00

3/4 Time - $1,214.00

1/2 Time - $890.00

> 1/2 < 1/4 Time - $890.00**

1/4 Time or Less - $384.00**

Because these funds are paid directly to the student, a protective hold is not placed on your account and arrangements to pay your bill must be made prior to the payment deadline to avoid having your classes dropped.

Chapter 1606

Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserves (Chapter 1606) benefits are available to reservists who enlist, reenlist, or extend an enlistment in the Selected Reserve for not less than six years on or after July 1, 1985. For officers, the six-year period is in addition to any other obligated period of service. Eligibility for the program requires the reservists to have obtained a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition, the reservist must have completed Initial Active Duty Training (IADT). Finally, a reservist must be participating in training at the time benefits are used.

A reservist is allowed 36 months of full-time benefits.

Enrollment Status & Monthly Rate

Full Time - $481.00

3/4 Time - $360.00

1/2 Time - $240.00

1/4 Time or Less - $120.25

Because these funds are paid directly to the student, a protective hold is not placed on your account and arrangements to pay your bill must be made prior to the payment deadline to avoid having your classes dropped.

Post 9/11 (Chapter 33)

Tuition and Fees

VA will pay the approved percentage (based on your eligibility) of in-state tuition and fees directly to the university. 

Monthly Housing Stipend

• $2,160.00 per month (if a student is considered 100%).
• An undergraduate student must be in at least 7 credits Fall or Spring semester to receive at least a portion of the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA); graduate students must take at least 5 hours.
• Students must be enrolled in at least one in-person class (students not enrolled in at least one in-person class will only receive 50% of their MHA again, effective spring 2022, as the COVID exemption expires at the end of the fall 2021 term).

Book/Supply Stipend

• $41.67 per credit hour (at the100% eligibility rate) up to $1,000 annually
• Up to 24 credit hours per academic year.

*This does not include parking permits, meal plans, living on campus and out-of-state tuition charge.

MONTGOMERY GI BILL®- ACTIVE DUTY (CHAPTER 30)

Monthly Stipend-Effective October 1, 2024

ENROLLMENT STATUS

MONTHLY RATE

Full Time

$2438.00

3/4 Time

$1828.50

1/2 Time

$1219.00

> 1/2 < 1/4 Time

$1219.00**

1/4 Time or Less

$ 609.50**

*Tuition and Fees ONLY. Payment cannot exceed the listed amount.

MONTGOMERY GI BILL®- SELECTED RESERVE (CHAPTER 1606)

Monthly Stipend-Effective October 1, 2024

ENROLLMENT STATUS

MONTHLY RATE

Full Time

$481.00

3/4 Time

$360.00

1/2 Time

$249.00

1/4 Time or Less

$120.25

SURVIVORS' AND DEPENDENTS' EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CHAPTER 35)

Monthly Stipend-Effective October 1, 2024

ENROLLMENT STATUS

MONTHLY RATE

Full Time

$1536.00

3/4 Time

$1214.00

1/2 Time

$890.00

> 1/2 < 1/4 Time

$890.00**

1/4 Time or Less

$ 384.00**

Please check the rate tables for more information.

*Tuition and Fees ONLY. Payment cannot exceed the listed amount.

Chapter 31

 For Veteran Readiness & Employment (Chapter 31) benefit increases, please contact your counselor (Winston-Salem: 336-714-0817).