In order to receive your VA benefits, you must contact Tim Fienning, VA Benefits Coordinator, in the Office of Financial Aid to complete registration in-processing for using your VA education benefits at IU East. Tim will collect information based on your service in order to report your enrollment to the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
On-campus students should complete this process in person; distance education students may contact Tim attfiennin@iu.edu, 765-973-8449 for more options.
Eligible service members must receive approval from an Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within the Military Service prior to enrolling.
Following the steps below will ensure that you get the maximum amount of aid for funding your education.
Checklist
If you have never attended Indiana University East (or any other IU campus), you need to apply for admission. The earlier you apply, the earlier you will be able to register for classes. Please visit the Office of Admissions in Whitewater Hall, Rm. 151 or contact an admissions representative at 800-959-3278/765-973-8208, or email applynow@iu.edu. Contact us if you need help making this decision.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is a form that determines your eligibility for low- or no-interest student loans as well as grants at the federal and state level. Completing this form will ensure you receive the maximum financial aid, even if you plan on using veterans education benefits. Visit the FAFSA Website to fill out and submit the application.
Your military training may equate to academic credit at Indiana University East. If you are using VA Education Benefits you are required to provide copies of your military transcripts and your DD214 discharge documents to the IU East Office of Admissions.
By attending new student orientation, you can learn about student organizations and popular activities around campus. You will also have the opportunity to meet with your academic advisor who will help you plan your first semester and academic career.
If you are unable to attend orientation sessions due to military commitments, inform the Office of Admissions in a reply to your orientation invitation.
At IU East, it’s important to the faculty and staff that you move through your education in a purposeful, efficient way so we require that each military student meet with an academic advisor each term before he or she registers for classes. Within one.iu.edu, in your Student Center, you will see an Advising Hold. You cannot complete the registration process until you have discussed your academic plans each term. Your advisor will resolve the hold once you have met and selected your classes.
Use the number or email provided in Student Center “Advisor” box to contact your advisor. You can request a phone appointment or an in person appointment.
Visit the official GI Bill® Websiteto 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. Please complete one of the following forms through Veterans Affairs’ VONAPP Website.
Third-Party Payment Sponsors – Sponsored students are those for whom an agency outside the university is paying their fees, such as “tuition assistance” through military service branch.
Indiana University East Office of Financial Aid Whitewater Hall, Rm. 112 2325 Chester Blvd. Richmond, IN 47374
Please feel free to contact Tim Fienning, Indiana University East, VA Benefits Coordinator, tfiennin@iu.edu, 765-973-8449 should you have any questions regarding the use of your VA education benefits at IU East.
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.
Military Transfer Credit
Transfer Credit Policy
The acceptance of transfer credit is determined by the educational quality and accreditation of the institution from which the student is transferring and the applicability of credit earned to degree programs offered at Indiana University East to include nature, content and level of credit.
AP (Advanced Placement), CLEP and DSST Exams are also considered for transfer credit upon receipt of “official” transcripts and qualifying test scores.
Military credit is also considered upon receipt of an official transcript from the Community College of the Air Force or a Joint Service Transcript (JST).
Only courses with a grade of C or better are considered for awarding of transfer credit. If courses are not considered transferable for reasons other than grade, or if the student feels that the equivalent course awarded is not the desired equivalency, that student may appeal the decision by contacting the Transfer Coordinator.
The student may request that a faculty member review a course description or syllabus to determine whether or not the course in question is transferable or can be changed per the student’s request. This is the “final” approving authority.
After a transfer credit evaluation is complete the student’s credits are added to the IU transcripts only. No grades or grade values for transfer credit will be added to the IU transcripts.
Individual schools and departments at IU determine how transferred credits will apply toward your degree requirements. All credits will be converted to semester hours.
Courses for which IU does not have an equivalent offering can sometimes be transferred as undistributed (UNDI) or elective credits. The decision as to how these credits will fit into your degree program will be made by the school or division in which you will pursue your degree.
No more than 64 semester credit hours earned from a 2-year community college may be applied to any Indiana University baccalaureate degree system-wide.
