How to use your military and veterans benefits
- Apply for Admission to Indiana University East. Before applying for educational benefits you will want to make sure you have applied to IU East.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is a government mandated form that determines your eligibility for financial aid, including grants and loans.
- Obtain academic transcripts from previous institutions. To earn transfer credit from coursework completed prior to attending IU East, collect your transcripts from previous colleges and any military institutions that can be considered for IU credit. Provide original transcripts and a copy of your DD 214 discharge documents to the IU East Office of Admissions for evaluation. For information on how to obtain transcripts from military service, click on the appropriate link below:
- Attend New Student or Transfer Student Orientation. This will provide a great opportunity for you to get better acclimated with the university and its policies. Also, this will allow time for you to meet with an academic advisor prior to enrolling in courses. They can assist in ensuring that all courses for which you will request educational benefits will apply to your degree plan, which is a Veterans Affairs requirement.
- Apply for Veterans Affairs Benefits. There are many benefit programs available to veterans. Visit the official GI Bill® Web site to go through a step-by-step process to get an idea of what benefits are best for you, or contact us and we can guide you through the process. You will need to complete one of the following forms online through the Veterans Affairs' VONAPP Web site.
- VA Form 22-1990: Initial Application for Education Benefits for military members or veterans (Chapters 30, 33, 1606, or 1607)
- VA Form 22-1990e: For dependents to whom Post 9/11 GI Bill® eligibility has been transferred (Chapter 33)
- VA Form 22-5490: For children of disabled veterans applying initially for the Dependent Education Assistance Program (Chapter 35)
- VA Form 22-1995: Change in Program/Place of Training, for those who have used the GI Bill at another institution
- VA Form 22-5495: Change of Place of Training, for those who have used Chapter 35 benefits at another institution
- If you’ve been discharged from active duty, you will need to provide your VA official with your DD 214. If you have a Notice of Basic Eligibility or College Fund/Kicker Contract from the National Guard or reserves, be sure to submit a copy of these forms to our office as well.
Usually there is an 8- to 12-week wait before you actually receive your benefits. Once they arrive, you’ll have to verify your enrollment monthly via phone at 877-823-2378 or online at the GI Bill® Web site. Be sure to contact your VA certifying official if you have any changes in enrollment status.
In order to receive your benefits, you must contact our office. We'll need to collect some information based on your service and benefits. This step lets us know to report your information to Veterans Affairs to complete the process. On-campus students should submit this form in person; distance education students may submit their form via e-mail, iuevets@iu.edu, or fax, or call 765-973-8206. Contact our office for details. You will need to repeat this process each semester you want to receive benefits. It is important to note that your funding will not be released until this final step is completed.
For general information about veterans benefits, see the following links:
Called to Active Duty During the Semester
If you are called to active duty while enrolled at IU East, please visit the official IU Military Withdrawal Policy in regard to course withdrawal and refund of tuition and fees. Students receiving financial aid will be subject to the refund policies as provided for by the agencies sponsoring the aid.
Learn more about military withdrawal or leave of absence
Please note: 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 www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Statement of Policy and Practice
In compliance with 38 USC 3679(e) as amended by the Veteran's Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, IU East allows covered individuals to attend or participate in the course of education beginning when it is scheduled to start per the published Schedule of Classes, without regard to whether they have presented a certificate of eligibility, statement of benefits, or VAF-28-1905. If certification to the Veteran's Administration (VA) reveals that an individual is not eligible for benefits either fully or partially, the student is responsible for resolving any financial debts to the school. Students must submit an in-house worksheet each semester they are requesting certification with the VA, found at https://one.iu.edu/task/iu/request-gi-bill-certification.
IU East does not impose any penalty, such as late fees, denial of access to classes, libraries, or classrooms; or mandate that covered individuals borrow additional monies, because of covered persons inability to meet their financial obligations to the university due to delayed disbursement of funds from the VA under Chapters 31 or 33.