Veteran Affairs

FAQ

 

 

 

 

 

How do I start my GI Bill benefits at NSU?

V.A. students may obtain information on available benefits  online through the following links:  http://www.nsula.edu/gibill , www.nsula.edu/registrar  or in the Veterans Affairs Office, Student Services Center, Room 335, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA  71497 – telephone: 318-357- 6171 or 800-844-8908.

 

Where can I find the V.A. Certification data form?

The V.A. Certification data form is available through the following link: http://registrar.nsula.edu/va-and-military-information/  or in the Veterans Affairs Office, Student Services Center, Room 335, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA  71497.

 

Am I eligible for military tuition assistance?

Contact the VA @ 1-888-GIBILL1 or visit the Education Service website at http://www.gibill.va.gov/

 

To receive veterans education benefits, you must be admitted as a degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student and adhere to the same tuition policies as other students. Benefit payments are sent directly to the veteran on a monthly basis and no advance payments are available.

What benefits are available?

Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) - Active Duty provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans. New students, who are chapter 30 veterans, need to turn in a copy of their DD-214 (member 4) along with a copy of a Form 22-1990 and any other paper work such as a kicker.

 

Chapter 33 Post -9/11 GI Bill

The Post – 9/11 GI Bill is a new education benefit program for individuals who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. You may be eligible if you served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty after September 10, 2001, and you are still on active duty or were discharged from the active duty; or placed on the retired list or temporary disability retired list; or transferred to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps Reserve; or released for further service in a reserve component of the Armed Forces.  New students, who are eligible veterans, need to turn in a copy of their DD-214 (member 4) along with a copy of a Form 22-1990 and any other paper work such as a kicker.

 

Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Program's primary benefit program is vocational rehabilitation services for veterans who have a service-connected disability.  To receive services a veteran must be found both eligible and entitled.  New and returning students must have an up-to-date 1905 before each semester.

 

Chapter 32 (VEAP) Veterans Educational Assistance Program

VEAP is available if you entered active duty between January 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985, and you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program.

 

Chapter 35 Survivor’s Benefits

Dependent's Educational Assistance Program provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service related condition, or who were POW/MIA.

 

Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)

The MGIB-SR program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.

 

Chapter 1607 (REAP) - Reserve Educational Assistance Program

This is a new Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or Congress. Reservist called to active duty as a result of 9/11.

What documentation must accompany my application?

 

Ø  For veterans:  Certified copy of DD214 (discharge papers) & VA Certification Data Form

Ø  For dependents:  Certificate of Eligibility & VA Certification Data Form

Ø  For reservists:  Copy of NOBE (Notice of Basic Eligibility) & VA Certification Data Form

 

What happens next?

The Veteran Certifying Official submits the original application and accompanying documentation to the appropriate VA Regional Processing Center. Due to the large volume of claims the center processes, it takes approximately 6 to 10 weeks to process a new application or a payment from the VA.  Please be patient and do not inquire about your initial claim until at least 45 working days have passed from the date we certify you. You may contact the VA office by email at:  www.vetaffairs@nsula.edu .

 

How do I keep receiving these payments?

Renewal is not automatic. You must complete a VA Certification Data Form each semester you are enrolled at NSU. The Veteran Certifying Official uses electronic certification for continuing students (excluding students concurrently enrolled at another college). You must notify this office if you change your major, withdraw, or drop hours below the amount certified to the VA. 

Chapter 30 & 1606 veterans must verify their own monthly attendance to receive each check.  Please choose one of these three ways to complete:

      1.         Dial the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system @ 1-877-823-2378, or

      2.         Visit the WAVE (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment) website at:  https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do

What if I used some of my benefits at another institution?

If you have remaining entitlement, contact the NSU Veterans Affairs Office for the appropriate VA application and Enrollment Data Form necessary to re-activate your benefits.

 

 

Can I get a tutor?

Eligible veterans who have a course deficiency may be eligible to receive reimbursement for payment to a tutor for individual tutoring.  Contact the NSU Veterans Affairs Office for the appropriate VA application. You must obtain a written memorandum from the instructor stating a need for tutorial assistance. The current tutorial amount is $10 per hour with a maximum of $100 per month.

 

Do VA benefits affect Financial Aid?

Yes, VA benefits must be reported and may be calculated in award packages. Please contact the NSU Financial Aid Office at 318-357-5961 or email them at nsufinaid@nsula.edu.

 

Are there VA Work-Study Jobs?

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a VA Work-Study program and there are positions available on a first-come first serve basis.  Students who are interested in working as VA work-study must apply for work-study, must be using VA benefits, and must be enrolled at least ¾ time.  Student workers are not allowed to work more than 7 hours a day and cannot work during scheduled class time hours.

 

How can I tell if I’m a full-time student for VA?

 

Semester Hour Equivalency Table

Number of Weeks Per Term

Semester

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hours Per

to

14

13

12

11

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

Term

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12 or more

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

11

3/4

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

10

3/4

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

9

3/4

3/4

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

8

1/2

3/4

3/4

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

7

1/2

3/4

3/4

3/4

3/4

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

6

1/2

1/2

1/2

3/4

3/4

3/4

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

5

<1/2

1/2

1/2

1/2

1/2

3/4

3/4

3/4

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

4

<1/2

<1/2

<1/2

1/2

1/2

1/2

1/2

3/4

3/4

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

FT

3

1/4

1/4

<1/2

<1/2

<1/2

<1/2

1/2

1/2

1/2

3/4

3/4

FT

FT

FT

FT

2

1/4

1/4

1/4

1/4

1/4

1/4

<1/2

<1/2

<1/2

1/2

1/2

3/4

FT

FT

FT

1

1/4

1/4

1/4

1/4

1/4

1/4

1/4

1/4

1/4

1/4

1/4

<1/2

1/2

3/4

FT