Veterans Educational Benefits

Veterans Educational Benefits 

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers a wide variety of education benefit programs for veterans and their dependents. 

Students who wish to apply veterans education benefits towards their student account at Barnard should follow the steps below:

Checklist for Getting Benefits

1. Apply online. Complete the VONAPP application for education benefits.
2. The VA will process your application and forward a Certification of Eligibility to the veteran student or dependent. This letter will show the percentage of benefit and the delimiting date.
3. Register for classes during the appropriate registration window.
4. Each semester in which you are enrolled and want to apply your veterans benefit towards your student account, you must complete the Veterans Benefits Certification Request form. 
   • Important: If you do not submit this form each semester, we will not be able to certify your enrollment with the Veterans Administration and you will not receive funds.
   • You should submit the form as soon as you register for classes — and no later than the add deadline for the semester.
   • If this is your first time receiving veterans benefits at Barnard – or if your benefits have changed –  you will need to upload the Certificate of Eligibility as part of the Slate form.
5. Be sure to declare a major by the end of your sophomore year.  This is required by the VA.
6. Barnard’s School Certifying Official (SCO), Marybeth Kemm, will certify your enrollment with the Veterans Administration, for each semester in which you submit the Slate form.  
   • **It is your responsibility to track your eligibility for these benefits (e.g. end date of benefits, maximum number of semesters, etc.**) 
   • For questions about your certification, please contact mkemm@barnard.edu.
7. Enrollment information will be reported to the VA.
8. If your enrollment status changes for the term – for instance, if you drop below full-time status or are withdrawing entirely from the semester – please notify mkemm@barnard.edu. 
9. Payment will be issued by the VA.
   • Ch 33 benefits are automatically sent to the College and will be applied towards your student account and reflected in your term bill. Please note that the funds may cover only a portion of your tuition and fee charges for the academic year.
   • Ch 35 benefits are automatically sent to the veteran or dependent student, depending on your specific circumstance.  

To follow up on payment status or find out where your payment is, please call the VA directly at 1-888-442-4551.

Please note that the College can only certify your enrollment when you have completed the application process and registered for classes. You may only register for classes that apply credit toward graduation in your chosen major/curriculum.

Covered Programs

Chapter 33 Post 9/11 G.I. Bill®

Individuals who have served for a minimum of 90 days on active duty after September 10, 2001, are generally eligible. Students eligible for this benefit receive a percentage for tuition, fees, monthly housing allowance, and book stipend based on their aggregate active duty. 

Chapter 35 Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program

A child or spouse of a veteran may qualify for assistance if the veteran died on active duty, has become permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, has died of a service-related disability, or is listed as a prisoner of war or missing in action. Please be advised that this entitlement does not pay for tuition.

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.