Veteran’s Educational Packet
**Please read all info contained in this packet, it will save you time, money, and frustration**
VA School Certifying Official
Kim Owen
Office Phone: 405-585-5120
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours
Monday – Friday
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (0800-1700)
Located in Thurmond Hall
2nd Floor, in the Academic Center
Revised 03/07/2017
Using Your VA Educational Benefit
Step by Step Instructions
1. Apply for your educational eligibility by mailing your application to the VA, or by going online to
www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/default.asp
Muskogee, OK VA
1-888-442-4551
Apply for admission to OBU online at www.okbu.edu/admissions/onlineapp.html
OBU Admissions Office
1-405-585-5000
http://www.okbu.edu/admissions/how.html
Apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
www.fafsa.ed.gov
2. Upon completion of your VA application, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility in the mail. Submit
your Certificate of Eligibility and your VA Student Information form to the OBU School Certifying
Official (SCO).
3. NEW STUDENTS: Meet with your advisor to discuss your degree and major choices to pursue at OBU.
Enroll in courses discussed with your advisor during your designated registration time.
4. RETURNING STUDENTS: Complete the Confirmation of Course Enrollment form and have it signed by
your advisor. One is included in this packet, form can also be downloaded from the Veterans page of
the OBU website. https://www.okbu.edu/financial-aid/veteran-benefits.html
5. Submit your form to the SCO. Upon receiving your form, the SCO will date it, add it to your VA file, and
certify your enrollment online with the VA within 10 business days. In addition, it can take the VA
another 30-45 days to award your benefits.
6. Report any dropped courses to the SCO. Any added courses require a new Enrollment Confirmation
Sheet with same approval signature listed in Step 5.
Repeat steps 4-6 at OBU every semester/term you intend to use your VA Educational Benefits.
Certifying to the VA for Spring & J-term begins after Thanksgiving. Certifying to the VA for summer term
begins late April. Certifying to the VA for fall term begins late June.
HELPFUL NUMBERS AND WEBSITES
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office – Muskogee, Oklahoma
Educational Services - 1-888-442-4551 (1-888-GI Bill 1)
All other VA Benefits - 1-800-827-1000
Monthly Verification of attendance - 1-877-823-2378
Direct Deposit Information (to start, stop, or change) - 1-877-838-2778
Hearing Impaired - 1-800-829-4833
VA's Debt Management Center - 1-800-827-0648
Veterans Crisis Line – 1-800-273-8255 Press 1
Visit the Department of Veterans Affairs at: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Readjustment Counseling Service
Oklahoma City Vet Center
1024 N.W. 47th St, Suite B
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
Telephone: 405-456-5184 or 1-800-927-8387
FAX: 405-521-1794 or 405-456-5125
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
www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
HELPFUL INFO
Parent School Letter - Students seeking a degree at OBU but taking classes at another institution must have
approval from OBU to be certified at that institution. You must show that the course you are taking will be accepted for
your OBU degree plan. See your OBU SCO (School Certifying Official) to secure your Parent School letter for the other
institution.
Students seeking a degree at another institution but attending courses at OBU must have approval from the institution
granting the degree prior to OBU certification of the OBU courses. The Parent School Letter must contain the following:
•
•
•
•
Your social security number or your file number and the chapter under which you receive your VA benefits
Your declared major
Courses approved by that institution to be taken at OBU
Whether you are concurrently enrolled at your Parent School
Certification - After the enrollment period opens, please pick up your OBU VA Confirmation Of Course Enrollment
form from the SCO in the Academic Center (One is also included in this packet, or can be downloaded from the Veterans
page on the OBU website. https://www.okbu.edu/financial-aid/veteran-benefits.html Once enrolled please complete
the form, sign it, have your Dean or Advisor sign and date it, then return it to your SCO (in person or scan and email).
This is required for each semester you wish to receive VA benefits and must be requested by the student. OBU is not
authorized to automatically certify your courses without this form.
•
•
Certifying to the VA for Spring & J-term begins after Thanksgiving. Certifying for summer term begins late April.
Certifying for fall term begins late June.
Applying for benefits is not the same as having documentation of benefits (Certificate of Eligibility). If the VA
determines that you are not eligible or, in the case of CH 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill®, that you are eligible at a rate less than
100%, the student is responsible for paying any outstanding unpaid tuition and fees.
EMAIL - Please check your OBU email regularly (at least once a week) as this is the preferred method of contacting
you for questions regarding your certification.
OBU COUNSELING SERVICES - The OBU Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic provides high quality therapeutic
services to individuals, couples, and families of the OBU community. Our therapists are graduate level therapists in the
Marriage and Family Therapy Program, and are supervised by graduate faculty. Common treatment issues include:
depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, grief, faith concerns, college success, self-harm, addiction and a variety of
other health concerns. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 405.585.5260. More info can be
found on our website https://www.okbu.edu/student-life/student-services/university-counseling.html
Therapy appointments are available Monday-Friday (08:00 AM-7:00 PM) and Saturday (09:00 AM-5:00 PM). Therapy
services are FREE for students, staff, and faculty of the OBU community. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Tara
Signs, MFT Clinic Director, at [email protected] or 405.585.5264
Keys to Success in Getting Paid Right and on Time
•
•
ENROLL AND CERTIFY EARLY
DO NOT CHANGE YOUR CLASSES
•
ATTEND ALL CLASSES
1. DO NOT take a course you already have credit for taking.
2. Class changes after certification – It is your responsibility to report all enrollments and schedule
changes to the SCO. If you change classes after being certified, you run the risk of adding a class that is
not approved for VA payment.
3. Attending Class and Grades –
A. OBU policy: Students who enroll in classes will be responsible for paying all tuition and
fees, whether they ever attend the class or not. Exception: If the student officially
drops by the last scheduled day to drop, they will not be charged for the class.
B. Non-Punitive Grades: AW, U, I, and W are non-punitive grades. They do not affect your
GPA but the VA will not pay for any class in which you receive an AW, U, I or W. All AW,
U, I or W are reported to VA. You do not get paid for classes in which you receive nonpunitive grades.
C. F Grades: If you receive an F AND do not attend the class through FINAL EXAMS, you will
owe the VA money. VA will NOT pay if you are not attending class. ATTEND CLASS
THROUGH FINAL EXAMS
4. Involuntarily deployment or are called to active duty during the semester.
A. Notify your SCO by submitting a copy of your orders so they can submit them to VA on
your behalf, when they terminate your enrollment verification. This will prevent an
overpayment for you and may allow you to keep any funds you have already received.
W.A.V.E
Web Automated Verification of Enrollment
MGIB-Active Duty (Chapter 30), MGIB Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606), and
RESERVE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (REAP, CHAPTER 1607) must
certify their enrollment monthly.
Your enrollment can be verified starting on the last calendar day of the month by
using the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (W.A.V.E.) at
https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave or by calling the VA’s toll free INTERACTIVE
VOICE RESPONSE (IVR) telephone line at 1-877-823-2378.
REMEMBER: YOU CAN NOT BE PAID UNTIL THE MONTH IS OVER
AND YOU VERIFY YOU WERE IN ATTENDANCE.
VONAPP INSTRUCTIONS
APPLY FOR YOUR EDUCATION BENEFITS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Go to https://vabenefits.vba.va.gov
Click “I am a new VONAPP user”
Click “continue”
Click “continue”
Click “No, Create a VONAPP Account”
Create Username and Password
(NOTE: Write down and save this username and password)
7. Click “continue”
8. Log in with the username and password you created.
9. Once logged in select (form you need to fill out)
10. Fill out form
11. Once finished with form, VONAPP will ask if you wish to “submit any documents”
a. If you have a digital version of your DD-214, select “Yes” and upload it.
b. If you do not, select “No”, You will need to send the VA a copy of your DD-214.
12. Right after you SUBMIT the document you will be asked if you would like to print. Please print the
document and take to your SCO. (NOTE: You are given the option to print before you submit. For the
purpose of getting your benefits started, your SCO needs this document printed AFTER you submit.)
13. Please bring all other supporting documents on the checklist to your SCO to get your file created and
process your certification.
OBU
VA – Student Information Form
Name:
____________________________
OBU ID #:
__________________________
Address:
____________________________
VA FILE #:
__________________________
____________________________
Major:
__________________________
(“Undecided is not a VA option)
Phone #:
____________________________
Degree Level:
Have you submitted your application through the VA ?
•
•
Undergraduate
Yes
Graduate
No
If no, please go to www.gibill.va.gov and submit your application. You should receive a Certificate of Eligibility
within 8 weeks. You must provide a copy of that form to us.
If yes, we need a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility. We cannot certify you without this form.
Which chapter of VA educational benefits are you applying to use? (check one)
Chapter 1606
Guard/Reserve
Chapter 1607
Guard/ Reserve activated for 9/11
Chapter 30
Served as Active Duty
Chapter 30 Active
Currently serving on Active Duty
Chapter 31
VA Vocational Rehab
Chapter 33
Post 9/11 GI Bill (select one of the three below)
Prior active duty
Chapter 35
Currently active duty
Dependent
Dependent
Suffix Letter ___
If applicable, which will you be receiving from the National Guard / Reserve?
Tuition Waiver
FTA
Read and Initial
I understand that I must inform the OBU Certifying Official of any and all changes that I make to my schedule other than time
changes.
I understand that dropping below full-time will affect my pay and create a debt.
I understand that when adding a class I must submit a revised confirmation sheet to my advisor for approval.
I understand that at the end of the term, all F’s, FX’s and U’s will be investigated and reported to the VA regional office. If
any these grades are a result of non-attendance this will result in the termination of that particular course, and a debt to the VA.
Signature of Applicant
Date
OMB Approved No. 2900-0564
Respondent Burden: 15 minutes
DIRECT DEPOSIT ENROLLMENT
IMPORTANT: You can use this form to enroll in Direct Deposit or to make a change to an existing direct deposit
account. Please read the Privacy Act and Respondent Burden information shown below.
ATTENTION VA BENEFICIARY!
WE'VE MADE ENROLLING IN DIRECT DEPOSIT EASIER THAN EVER!
CALL TOLL FREE - 1-877-838-2778
or TDD 1-800-829-4833 (Telephone Device for the Hearing Impaired)
Direct Deposit is the safest, fastest and most cost efficient method to receive your payment. In addition, you no longer
have to worry about your check being late, lost, or stolen. NOTE: The "Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996" which
was signed into law on April 26, 1996 required all Federal payments to be made by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT or
Direct Deposit) beginning January 1, 1999. Waivers will be available where the conversion from paper checks imposes a
hardship. Write to the address shown below for more information concerning a waiver. To have your VA compensation,
pension, education, or spina bifida payment deposited into your account right away with Direct Deposit just call VA's tollfree number above or complete this form and mail to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
125 S. Main Street Suite B
Muskogee OK 74401-7004
When you call, be sure to have a personal check or bank statement available as well as your VA Claim Number or Social Security Number. The VA
representative will ask for information from these documents to start your Direct Deposit. If you prefer to enroll by mail, just complete the information
below, and attach a voided personal check from your checking account or call your Financial Institution and verify the information requested below for a
savings account.
SECTION I - VA BENEFICIARY INFORMATION
NAME OF BENEFICIARY (Last, First, MI) (Please Print)
BENEFICIARY CLAIM NUMBER
TYPE OF BENEFIT
COMPENSATION
PENSION
EDUCATION (CHAPTERS 30, 33, 1606,1607 & National Call to Service)
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 31
VA CLAIM NUMBER OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
TELEPHONE NUMBER (PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER IN THE EVENT THAT WE NEED TO CONTACT YOU) (INCLUDE AREA CODE)
DAYTIME TELEPHONE NUMBER
EVENING TELEPHONE NUMBER
SECTION II - FINANCIAL INSTITUTION INFORMATION
PLEASE ATTACH A VOIDED PERSONAL CHECK AND SKIP TO SECTION III OR CALL YOUR FINANCIAL
INSTITUTION FOR THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
ROUTING TRANSIT NUMBER
ACCOUNT NUMBER (PLEASE CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX
CHECKING
SAVINGS)
NAME OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
ADDRESS OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
TELEPHONE NUMBER OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTION (Include Area Code)
SECTION III - PAYEE CERTIFICATION
I CERTIFY THAT I am entitled to the payment above, and that I have read and understand this form. In signing this form, I authorize my payment to
be sent to the financial institution named above, to be deposited to the designated account.
DATE SIGNED
SIGNATURE OF PAYEE (Do NOT print)
Privacy Act Notice: VA will not disclose information collected on this form to any source other than what has been authorized under the Privacy Act of
1974 or Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations 1.576 for routine uses as identified in the VA system of records, 58VA21/22/28, Compensation, Pension,
Education, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Records - VA, published in the Federal Register. An example of a routine use is that the information
will be used to process the payment data from VA to the beneficiary's designated financial institution. Your obligation to respond is voluntary.
Respondent Burden: We need this information to ensure proper transmission of your funds via electronic transfer to your financial institution (31 CFR
208.3 and 210.4). Title 38, United States Code, allows us to ask for this information. We estimate that you will need an average of 15 minutes to review the
instructions, find the information, and complete this form. VA cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless a valid OMB control number is
displayed. You are not required to respond to a collection of information if this number is not displayed. Valid OMB control numbers can be located on the
OMB Internet Page at www.whitehouse.gov/omb/library/OMBINV.VA.EPA.html#VA. If desired, you can call 1-800-827-1000 to get information on where to
send comments or suggestions about this form.
VA FORM
NOV 2009
24-0296
SUPERSEDES VA FORM 24-0296, FEB 2006,
WHICH WILL NOT BE USED.
VA _____
GI Bill CH _____
Oklahoma Baptist University
VA Confirmation of Course Enrollment
Complete & Sign this form to ensure certification for VA Educational Benefits
INFORMATION BELOW TO BE COMPLETED BY STUDENT
______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Name
Semester
_______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Student ID Number
E-Mail Address
Year
_______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Degree Level in Progress (Undergraduate, Graduate)
Current Mailing Address
_______________________________________________________
____________________
_________________
_____________
Major
City
State
ZIP
_______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Expected Date of Graduation
Daytime Phone #
Department
Course
Number
Section
Number
Credit
Hours
Semester Dates
Repeated
Course?
Total: ___________
I certify that I am enrolled in the courses listed above, that repeated courses are indicated and that I will report any changes in
my enrollment to the School Certifying Official immediately. I assume responsibility for attendance in these courses.
_____________________________________________________________
Signature of Veteran/Dependent
INFORMATION BELOW TO BE COMPLETED BY COLLEGE ACADEMIC DEAN OR ACADEMIC ADVISOR
I CERTIFY THAT ALL COURSES LISTED ABOVE ARE APPLICABLE TOWARD THE STUDENT'S DEGREE PROGRAM
(EXCEPT FOR):
1)
2)
Total number of hours required for the degree program
Number of hours student has completed toward degree
requirements, not counting courses listed above
__________
__________
________________________________________________
_____________________
______________________________
College Academic Dean/Advisor
Counselor Date
Office phone #