Veteran Affairs

The Montgomery G.I. Bill establishes a program of education benefits for essentially four groups or categories of individuals based on their active duty service. The benefits available to each person may vary depending on their particular situation and length of active duty service.

If you are uncertain as to your Chapter 30 eligibility, please visit the Department of Veteran Affairs web site which provides detailed information on the categories in which you can qualify for benefits. Also see: http://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH30/CH30_Pamphlet.pdf

A veteran who wishes to apply for Chapter 30 benefits will need to have completed the following:

1. Provided Official Transcripts of all prior accredited institutions of higher education attended/attending currently to the Cameron University Undergraduate Admissions Office. (This is a requirement for all students using veterans benefits, even if the Admissions Office does not need them for your admission to the university. The reason for this requirement is the Department of Veteran Affairs requires the CU-VA Office to officially report all prior credit completed at other higher educational institutions.) For additional information visit Cameron's Undergraduate Admission's web site.

   *Graduate students would need to provide official transcripts to Cameron Graduate Admissions Office. (See Graduate Studies for more information.)

   Students must be admitted to Cameron University before the CU-VA will proceed with processing a student's paperwork for veterans benefits.

2. Either an Application for educational benefits VA Form 22-1990 or a request for Change of Program or Place of Training, VA Form 22-1995 - completed. IMPORTANT: The CU-VA office is required to maintain a student file for everyone using veterans benefits. Any VA form should be processed through the CU-VA office for purposes of checking for correctness & completeness; as well as to provide the CU-VA with basic information if a problem should arise. For students within state we recommend contacting our office for free preprinted forms to ensure completion of the correct forms, but VA forms may be accessed through: http://www.va.gov/vaforms

   ***NOTE: We always recommend a copy of the DD-214(copy 4) accompany the Application for benefits for veteran students to avoid problems with establishment of eligibility. (If the DD-214(copy 4) has been recently issued we strongly recommend a copy of it accompanying the application in case the DOD record has not been updated and transferred to DVA yet.) We do not encourage delaying submission of your application due to not having your DD-214. Individuals may go to the National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis for military records requests.

3. Chapter 30 students with remaining entitlement under the Vietnam Era GI Bill (Chapter 34 benefits):

   In addition to the basic MGIB benefit rate, you will receive ½ of the Vietnam Era GI Bill rate, including the allowance paid for veterans with dependents. As a result additional paperwork needs to accompany the application and the copy of your DD-214. You will need:

   1. Marriage licenses for present marriage
   2. Birth certificates for all children under 18 years and attending school
   3. Divorce decrees for previous marriages of applicant and spouse
   4. Approval for school attendance (for children over 18 years & still in high school or full-time college students
   5. Completed form VA 21-686c for Declaration of Status of Dependents Form (if applicable). See Dependent Documentation and Certification of Documents at http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/education_forms.htm.
   6. Completed form VA 21-674 for Request for Approval of School Attendance (if applicable). See http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/education_forms.htm under the section entitled 'Form 21-674, Request for Approval of School Attendance'.

Pay Status Information:

To be considered a full-time student by VA for undergraduate students you must be enrolled in at least 6 hours of 8 week courses each 8 week term or 12 hours of 16 week courses for the semester. For graduate students you must be in 9 hours of graduate level 16 week courses, or 4 hours of graduate level 8 week courses each 8 weeks, or consecutively meeting 3 hour 4 weekend courses (with no breaks between weekend meeting dates).

Mixtures of courses with different lengths requires special attention and advice. Graduate Assistantship's will not count toward your VA pay status.

Note: The university considers a full-time student for the whole semester DIFFERENTLY than the VA for payment purposes!!

With the exception of Chapter 31 all less than half-time students will be paid automatically in a lump sum.

Contact the CU-VA for information concerning your VA payment status. VA Educational Benefits are non-taxable.

Special Tips & Information for Veteran Chapter 30 students:

1. Chapter 30 students must do monthly verifications of attendance.
   • You can either call (toll free): 1-877-823-2378 (follow the instructions provided to you) or
   • you can go on the internet to http://www.gibill.va.gov/. Follow the link to WAVE Program and instructions are provided online.
   If there is a problem, please notify the CU-VA office at 580-581-2301, so we may assist you.

   Note: You must allow Muskogee & the CU-VA Office time to process your claim. Normally, about 60-90 days. The Muskogee Office will reimburse any back payment owed once your claim is processed and your verification is received. The CU-VA Office strongly encourages students to utilize early enrollment when possible.

2. A change in your class schedule may affect your VA benefits. Frequent changes often can cause a student to have an overpayment of benefits. Frequent changes of schedule often can cause a student to have an overpayment of benefits. Frequent changes of schedule may also delay your certification process, especially if non-required courses for your approved VA Educational Objective are taken.

3. For additional benefit usage information see appropriate pages under CU-VA Resident Student Information.

For more information, contact Vicki Henson, Coordinator of Veteran Affairs