What educational benefits am I eligible for as a student at WSU?
You may be eligible for several types of VA education and training benefits, but there are many things to consider before you apply for a GI Bill program. Your decision to apply for a certain education benefit could affect your eligibility for other benefits. Here are a few factors to keep in mind:
- If you are eligible for more than one education benefit, such as Chapter 33 Post-9/11 and the Montgomery GI Bill, you must choose which benefit to receive, a decision that may be final and cannot be changed.
- Once you elect to utilize the Chapter 33 Post 9/11 Education Benefit program and your application with the Department of Veterans Affairs has been approved, this decision is final, and requires you to give up any additional education benefits for which you might also be eligible.
In addition to VA educational benefits, there are also other Tuition Assistance programs available.
Eligibility for benefits is not determined by WSU Veterans Services, but by the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in St. Louis. In order to determine eligibility, a service member, veteran, or dependent should complete the Application for Benefits. To apply for benefits online, please use the Department of Veterans Affairs VONAPP site.
You can find descriptions of benefits here.
Who do I contact regarding my VA benefits?
If you have questions in regards to qualifying for VA educational benefits, it would be best to contact the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs directly, as only the Department of Veteran Affairs can determine eligibility. The VA Regional Office in St. Louis can be reached by calling 1-888-442-4551.
If you have questions in regards to enrollment certification and how to use your benefits at Wichita State University, please contact the WSU Office of Veterans Services. You can reach us by phone at (316) 978-3547, in person in Grace Wilkie Hall, room 105, or by email to Veterans.Services@wichita.edu.
How long does it take to certify my VA benefits?
The WSU Office of Veteran Services completes enrollment certifications on a weekly basis. Depending on when you have turned in all of the necessary documents, you can expect your enrollment to be certified by WSU with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs within 1-2 weeks.
Due to an increase in documents received during peak processing times, this may increase the time for enrollment certification. It is always best to turn in your documents and class schedule signed by your Academic Adviser as early as possible.
When will my VA benefits pay my bill?
Benefit payments (apart from Post-9/11 Chapter 33 tuition payments) are made directly to the student, unless advance payment is authorized. If you have a check mailed, you can expect your monthly benefit payment approximately 14 days after you verify your enrollment. If you have your benefits sent to a direct deposit account, you can expect your payment within 7 days of verifying your school attendance. Chapter 33/33 TOE (Post-9/11) Tuition and Fees payments will be sent directly to WSU. All other chapters will be expected to pay for their tuition or set up a Installment Agreement with the Office of Accounts Receivable during Fee Payment of each semester.
To view current pay rates for VA educational benefits, please visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
Do I need to submit my enrollment verification every semester?
WAVE monthly enrollment verification for all Chapters other than Chapter 33 (Post-9/11): https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do.
I want to change my chapter benefits, what do I do?
For information about changing benefits and to submit the benefit application online, please visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.