F r e q u e n t l y A s ke d
Questions
When will I get my payments?
The VA aspires to pay initial claims within 12 business days,
and supplemental claims within 6 business days. Monthly GI
Bill benefit payments arrive at the end of each month a
student is enrolled in classes.
What if I don’t get my payment as expected?
First, contact Clarkson’s Certifying Official to find out when
your enrollment information was sent to VA. Then, call the GI
Bill Hotline to inquire about the status of your payment.
C l a r k s o n ’s S c h o o l
Certifying Officials
Krista LarockWells
2001F1 Graham Hall
Phone: 315-268-4134
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 315-268-2321
Jennifer Stokes
2002C Graham Hall
Phone: 315-268-6527
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 315-268-2321
Rhonda Sheehan
How much will my monthly benefit payment be?
Your monthly payment depends on several variables. Contact
the VA for specific information regarding what you are entitled
to receive.
Can I use GI Bill benefits during the summer?
Yes! As long as you have entitlement remaining, you may use
your GI Bill benefits for any term that you are enrolled in
classes. Contact Clarkson’s Certifying Official if you have
specific questions about summer enrollment.
80 Nott Terrace Room 107
Phone: 518-631-9835
Fax: 518-631-9901
Email: [email protected]
Other Important Contacts
Demetrius Dowell
Director of Student Diversity Programs and Veterans Liaison
Phone: 315-268-2258
Email: [email protected]
Can I re-take classes to get a better grade using GI Bill?
Clarkson’s regulations allow students to repeat courses in
which they earned any grade lower than a C. However, your
GI Bill benefits will not pay for the same class twice, if you
passed the class the first time.
C o m m o n Te r m s
Entitlement: The number of months of benefits you have to
use. Veterans are generally given 36 months of entitlement.
Eligibility Level: For Post-9/11 GI Bill, a value between 40%
and 100%, depending on your length of service. Determines
the total amount you are eligible to receive.
GI Bill Education Hotline: 1-888-442-4551
GI Bill on the web: http://gibill.va.gov
eBenefits: http://www.ebenefits.va.gov/
Direct Deposit Enrollment: 1-877-838-2778
VA Debt Management Center: 1-800-827-0648
VA’s Online Inquiry System (aka “Ask A Question”):
https://gibill.custhelp.com/
Monthly verification of attendance (Ch 30, 1606, and 1607 only):
www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do or 1-877-823-2378
VA Eastern Region Processing Office:
PO Box 4616
Buffalo, NY 14240-4616
Fax: 716-551-3241
An Informational
Guide to Using
Veterans’ Education
Benefits at
Clarkson University
Yo u r R e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s
as a Student
C l a r k s o n ’s
Responsibilities
Applying for Benefits
Reporting Enrollment
Students using benefits for the first time must file an
application for benefits with the VA (VA Form 22-1990).
Students who have received VA benefits at another school
before coming to Clarkson must file a Request for Change
of Program or Place of Training (Veterans and ToE students
use VA Form 22-1995; dependents VA Form 22-5495).
Students wishing to switch to the Post-9/11 GI Bill from
another benefit should complete a VA Form 22-1990.
Clarkson’s School Certifying Official will report enrollment at
the start of each term to the VA. Clarkson is obligated to notify
VA when your enrollment changes during the term due to
adding, dropping, or withdrawing from courses, which impact
your enrollment status or tuition & fees. Changes in
enrollment may effect your eligibility to receive benefits.
Receiving benefit payments
Clarkson must report to VA the amount of tuition and fees for
any student receiving the Post-9/11 GI Bill, or any student
enrolled less than half time. For students using the Post-9/11
GI Bill, Clarkson must subtract any financial aid provided
directly to the institution and specifically designated for the
sole purpose of defraying tuition and fees from the amount
reported to VA.
It is your responsibility to alert the VA should your address
or direct deposit information change. You may call 1-877838-2778 to begin or change direct deposit.
eBenefits [http://www.ebenefits.va.gov/]
The VA strongly encourages students to register and utilize
eBenefits to assist in the following:
 Obtaining up to date information on educational
entitlement
 Updating Direct Deposit and personal information
 Downloading VA letters and personal documents
 Viewing the current status of payments
Reporting Unsatisfactory Progress
Clarkson is required to report to VA any time a student fails to
make satisfactory progress toward graduation. This includes
reporting when a student receives a failing grade due to not
completing a course, or is placed on academic separation or
probation. Individual course grades are not reported to VA.
Factors that may effect your payments
Verification of Enrollment
Students receiving Chapter 30, 1606, and 1607 must verify
their enrollment with VA every month by Web Automated
Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) or by Interactive Voice
Response (IVR). The monthly verification of enrollment
does not apply to students receiving benefits under
Chapter 33 or Chapter 35.
Students receiving benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill can
expect 3 separate benefit payments. All benefit payments
are prorated by the student’s eligibility level.
1.
Tuition & Fees: Payment is sent directly to Clarkson
by the VA. The VA will not pay for non-mandatory fees
such as parking fines, meal plan fees, etc.
2.
Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA): VA will pay
MHA directly to the student at the end of each month
the student is enrolled in classes. MHA payments are
prorated for partial months of enrollment. Students
enrolled entirely in distance learning receive MHA at a
rate determined by VA each August. Students enrolled
half-time or less, Service Members on active duty (or
their spouses) are not entitled to MHA payments.
3.
Books and Supplies stipend: VA will pay a stipend
directly to the student at the start of each term (not
to exceed $1000 per academic year) to off-set the cost
of books and supplies.
Reporting Tuition & Fees
Cancelling Benefits
If you should decide you do not wish to use your VA
benefits for an upcoming term, you must notify the School
Certifying Official in writing or through your Clarkson e-mail
address a minimum of 30 days prior to the start of the term
in which you do not wish to use your benefits.
Post -9/11 GI Bill
Information
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Enrolling as a part-time student
Enrolling in entirely distance learning courses
Yellow Ribbon Program
Clarkson is happy to participate in the VA’s Yellow Ribbon
Program, helping eligible students off-set the cost of tuition
and (mandatory) fees not covered by the standard Post9/11 GI Bill. Clarkson does not limit the number of students
who may receive benefits under the Yellow Ribbon
program, and will match the maximum VA Yellow Ribbon
amount.
Dropping or withdrawing from courses
Other GI Bill Benefit Programs
Ceasing attendance in a course
Montgomery GI Bill, Dependents Educational Assistance
(DEA), and Reserve Educational Assistance (REAP) pay a
monthly benefit directly to the student at the end of each
month the student is enrolled in classes. Benefit amounts
are determined by VA and prorated for partial months of
enrollment.
Retaking courses you have already passed
Failing to update VA should your direct deposit
information change
 Failing to declare a major by your Junior year (undergrads)
 Exhausting your entitlement mid-term