Oakland University - Office of the Registrar - Veterans Certification

VETERANS CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

General Information About Educational Benefits
Chapter 1606 (National Guards/Reserves Education Benefits)
Chapter 1607 (Reserve Educational Assistance Program [REAP])
Chapter 30 (Active Duty Education Benefits)
Chapter 35 (Dependent’s Education Benefits)

General Information About Educational Benefits
(The most current information can be found at http://www.gibill.va.gov/).

Audited Courses - You cannot be certified/draw benefits for an audited course.

Changing Majors - If you are changing your major, you must notify the VA by filling out the Change of Program form, 22-1995 (22-5495 for Chapter 35 recipients), and submit it to the Registrar’s Office. This form can be picked up at in the Registrar’s Office or the application can be completed online at http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/education forms.htm.

Changing Schools - If you are transferring either to Oakland University or from Oakland University to another school and are already receiving your benefits; you need to fill out a Change of Program or Place of Training form, (22-1995), (22-5495 for Chapter 35 recipients). This form can be picked up at the Registrar’s Office or the application can be completed online at http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/education forms.htm. Submit this form to the school to which you are transferring your benefits.

Drop Period (no record) - For VA purposes, the drop period is a reasonably brief period of time at the beginning of a term officially designated by the school for dropping courses. The school’s last day to drop a course will be the end of the drop period, providing it does not exceed 30 days from the first day of the term.

Dropping a Course - If you drop a course during the semester/term, the VA may consider the drop retroactive to the start of the semester/course provided mitigating circumstances exist. If dropping classes changes your enrollment status, an overpayment situation may occur.

Guest Student Certification – If you are a guest student requesting VA certification, your home school must complete and forward to the Registrar’s Office a parent letter indicating that the courses you are taking at Oakland University will satisfy the degree requirements at that school.

Independent Study - During a regular semester independent study can be counted toward your enrollment status. (It is best to check with the Registrar’s Office as other criteria may also apply.)

Miscellaneous - Classes with hours by arrangement, internship, etc. may require additional information from your department before OU can complete the certification process. Please submit any documentation regarding special classes to the Registrar’s Office.

Plan of Work – The Plan of Work (may also be called a Plan of Study, Advising Form, or Individual Program Plan) should list all course work you will be required to complete to obtain your intended degree. Any class you wish certified to the VA for receipt of benefits must be either: 1) listed on the Plan of Work OR 2) confirmed (in writing) by your academic advisor that the course will be applicable to your degree program.

Repeating a Course - Courses that are failed or for which the grade does not meet minimum requirements for graduation may be certified for VA purposes if they are repeated. Courses that are successfully completed may not be certified for VA purposes if they are repeated.

Unsatisfactory Progress - You must maintain satisfactory progress in order to continue receiving your benefits. The VA will terminate your benefits when probationary status continues past two semesters.

“W” Grades - The VA will not credit a course toward your enrollment status if the final grade is a “W”. This can lead to an overpayment situation at the end of a semester.

Chapter 1606 (National Guards/Reserves Education Benefits)

Eligibility

Must have a six-year contract with the Guards or Reserves and have completed your basic training. Note: You must currently be in the Guards or Reserves to receive your education benefits.

To apply

To apply for Chapter 1606 benefits, the student needs to fill out an Application for VA Educational Benefits, 22-1990. (If transferring from another institution or changing your major please see Changing Majors or Changing Schools). This form can be picked up at the Registrar’s Office or the application can be completed online at http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/education forms.htm. Also a copy of the veteran’s DD-2384, Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE), a Request for VA Enrollment Certification form, a signed 0.0 Reporting form and an OUVA Student Record form, as well as a signed plan of work needs to be provided to the VA Certifying official in the Registrar's Office.

NOTE: Students returning to Oakland University and continuing to utilize benefits should complete a Request for VA Enrollment Certification form, provided all other information is on file.

Benefits

Please refer to http://www.gibill.va.gov/. or call the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1.

Direct Deposit

Direct deposit is available for MGIB-Active Duty and Selected Reserve. For more information, please contact the VA Direct Deposit Center at 1-877-838-2778 or speak with an Education Case Manager at 1-888-GIBILL1 (1-888-442-4551). You can also visit the WAVE application website to sign up for direct deposit using the direct deposit form. The WAVE application is available at https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave.

Chapter 1607 (Reserve Educational Assistance Program [REAP])

Eligibility

Eligibility will be determined by the Department of Defense (DoD) or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as appropriate. Generally, a member of a reserve component who serves on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 under title 10, U.S.C., for at least 90 consecutive days under a contingency operation is eligible for REAP. National Guard members are also eligible if their active duty is under section 502(f), title 32 U.S.C. and they serve for 90 consecutive days when authorized by the President or Secretary of Defense for a national emergency and is supported by federal funds. Note: You must currently be in the Guards or Reserves to receive your education benefits.

To apply

To apply for Chapter 1607 benefits, the student needs to fill out an Application for VA Educational Benefits, 22-1990 or if changing schools or benefits, 22-1995 form and print “Chapter 1607” on the top of the VA form. (If transferring from another institution or changing your major please see Changing Majors or Changing Schools). This form can be picked up at the Registrar’s Office or the application can be completed online at http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/education forms.htm. Also a copy of the veteran’s DD-2384, Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE), a Request for VA Enrollment Certification form, a signed 0.0 Reporting form and an OUVA Student Record form, as well as a signed plan of work from an academic adviser needs to be provided to the VA Certifying Official in the Registrar’s Office. NOTE: Students returning to Oakland University and continuing to utilize benefits should complete a Request for VA Enrollment Certification form, provided all other information is on file.

Benefits

Please refer to http://www.gibill.va.gov/ or call the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1.

Direct Deposit

Chapter 30 (Active Duty Education Benefits)

Eligibility

Must have completed a two or four year contract (or more) with any branch of the military services (If you are not sure if you qualify, please call the Veteran Services Office at 1-888-GIBILL-1).

To Apply

To apply for Chapter 30 benefits, the student needs to fill out an Application for VA Educational Benefits, 22-1990. (If transferring from another institution or changing your major please see Changing Majors or Changing Schools). This form can be picked up at the Registrar’s Office or the application can be completed online at http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/education forms.htm. Also a copy of the Veteran’s DD-214 discharge papers (Member 4 copy), a Request for VA Enrollment Certification form, a signed 0.0 Reporting Form and an OUVA Student Record form as well as a signed plan of work needs to be provided to the VA Certifying Official in the Registrar's Office.

NOTE: Students returning to Oakland University and continuing to utilize benefits should complete a Request for VA Enrollment Certification form, provided all other information is on file.

Benefits

Please refer to http://www.gibill.va.gov/. or call 1-888-GIBILL-1.

Direct Deposit

Chapter 35 (Dependent's Education Benefits)

Eligibility

To be eligible for Chapter 35 (Dependent Benefits) you must be the child or spouse of a Veteran who is either deceased or 100% disabled due to military related injuries.

To Apply

To apply for Chapter 35 benefits, the student needs to fill out an Application for Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance, form 22-5490. (If transferring from another institution or changing your major please see Changing Majors or Changing Schools). The form can be picked up in the Registrar’s Office or the application can be completed online at http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/education forms.htm. Also a copy of the Letter of Eligibility issued by the VA, a Request for VA Enrollment Certification form, a signed 0.0 reporting form and an OUVA Student Record form as well as a signed plan of work needs to be provided to the VA Certifying Official in the Registrar's Office. In addition, dependents/survivors need to know their VA claim number prior to applying.

NOTE: Students returning to Oakland University and continuing to utilize benefits should complete a Request for VA Enrollment Certification form, provided all other information is on file.

Benefits

Please refer to http://www.gibill.va.gov/. or call 1-888-GIBILL-1.

Direct Deposit

Direct Deposit is not currently available for Chapter 35 recipients.

Questions or comments? Please e-mail veterans@oakland.edu.