Military & Veterans
We are honored to serve you at Columbia College.
This institution is approved to offer GI Bill®* educational benefits by the Virginia State Approving Agency.
There are multiple GI Bill® benefits available depending on your service dates, veteran status, and other factors. Below is a guide to help you through the application process.
Steps for Your Education
The Post 9/11 GI Bill®* is an education benefit provided to individuals who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. In many cases, the dependents of an active-duty official can also receive benefits. These benefits are determined by certain criteria: the length of your qualifying active duty, the location of the college campus, how you've taken your courses and your "rate of pursuit" in college. Qualifying students can receive up to 100% tuition reimbursement.
Required Documents for GI Bill®
- F-G (Financial Guarantee) Letter
- Copy of Military ID
- High School Diploma or waiver form
Applications for Benefits
VA students can apply online: Apply for Benefits
If you cannot apply online, call 1-888-442-4551 to request a mailed application.
All VA students must file an application when they first start school:
New students (never received benefits):
- Veterans: VA Form 22-1990
- Dependents: VA Form 22-5490
- Transfer of Entitlement (ToE) students: VA Form 22-1990e
Previously received benefits:
- Veterans & ToE: VA Form 22-1995
- Dependents: VA Form 22-5495
- Applying for CH 33 in lieu of or relinquishing another benefit: VA Form 22-1990
Active-duty service members who are eligible for Chapter 33 benefits and have exhausted Tuition Assistance (TA) may request certification to use VA benefits by notifying Columbia College's School Certifying Official before enrolling.
Please note: It may take up to 12 weeks for the VA to process an application. Applicants typically receive a certificate of eligibility by mail, which must be submitted to the Admissions Office/Financial Aid to receive benefits.
Change of Address & Direct Deposit
Keep your address and direct deposit information current.
Chapters 30, 1606 & 1607 students can use the WAVE system (after logging in to the Main Menu).
To start or change direct deposit (Chapters 30, 33, 35, 1606, 1607), have the following ready:
- Account number
- 9-digit bank routing number
- Account type (checking/savings)
Even with direct deposit, keep your mailing address updated, as official correspondence is sent to your address.
Students not on WAVE can call 1-877-838-2778 to manage direct deposit.
eBenefits
Students are encouraged to register for eBenefits to:
- View up-to-date educational entitlement
- Update direct deposit and personal info
- Download VA letters and documents
- Check payment status (education & disability)
Students may register for either a Basic or Premium eBenefits account. To register, they must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
Students using Chapter 30, 1606, or 1607 benefits must complete a monthly enrollment verification using either:
- WAVE (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment), or
- IVR (Interactive Voice Response).
Note: Chapter 33 and Chapter 35 students are generally not required to verify monthly. The exception is Chapter 35 NCD students, who receive a monthly paper verification (VA Form 22-8979).
WAVE (preferred method)
WAVE allows students to verify enrollment online and offers additional features not available via IVR.
Students can access WAVE at: https://www.va.gov/education/verify-school-enrollment/
To use WAVE, students must be:
- Enrolled in an approved educational program, and
- Currently awarded benefits.
Through WAVE, students can:
- Verify there has been no change to enrollment
- Report an enrollment change
- Update mailing address
- Set up or change direct deposit information
- View enrollment dates and monthly benefit amount
- Check remaining entitlement
- Sign up for a monthly email reminder
IVR (phone-in option)
Students may verify enrollment by phone at 1-877-823-2378, as long as no changes were made to their enrollment in the previous month.
If changes did occur, students must contact their VA Certifying Official. Payments may be delayed until the change is processed.
Comparison of Education Programs
A full comparison is available on the GI Bill® Website.
| Program | Eligibility | Benefits for In-Service Students | Entitlement |
|---|
| CH 33 | Service members with 90+ aggregate days of active duty after 9/10/01. | Eligible after completing 90 days of aggregate service. | 36 months. May extend to end of term if expires during term. (If there's a kicker, the kicker doesn't extend.) |
| CH 30 | 2 years active duty, 3 years active duty, or 2 years active duty plus 4 years reserves. | Payable after 2 years continuous active duty. | 36 months. May extend to end of term if expires during term. (If there's a kicker, the kicker doesn't extend.) |
| CH 35 | Veteran's death or permanent and total disability result of service. | No | 45 months. No extensions. (Except for child in special restorative training) |
| CH 1606 | Completion of initial active duty for training. Must be active reservist with 6-year obligation. | Yes | 36 months. No extensions. |
| CH 1607 | 90 days or more active duty support of contingency operation or fulltime National Guard duty responding to national emergency. | Yes | 36 months. No extensions. |
Note:
- Eligibility criteria are complex. The following statements are general snippets about eligibility criteria. Students should file an application so the Regional Processing Office can determine if they are eligible and the conditions of their eligibility.
- Refer to the specific benefit for detailed information.
- 48 months maximum under two or more programs.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). For more information, please visit: https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/
Helpful Links & Resources
- VA Application System
- VA Facility & Location Finder
Virginia Department of Veterans Services
Sung Kim, School Certifying Official (SCO)
