Veterans Administration Benefits
Certification for GI Bill participation is completed by the University of West Georgia’s VA Certification Official (VCO) in the Enrollment Services Center (ESC). Application for GI Bill benefits should be done as early as possible via the Veterans Administration website: www.gibill.va.gov, and preferably before entering the University of West Georgia. Upon receipt of a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA, students accepted and enrolled in the university should visit the Enrollment Services Center (ESC) to initiate a VA file with the (VCO) and to begin certification procedures. Eligible students whose enrollments have been VA certified should anticipate a four to six weeks delay in the receipt of their first directly deposited benefit payment. Veterans should be prepared to sustain initial university costs since benefits may not begin for several weeks after certification.
Veterans and eligible family members planning on using GI Bill benefits at the University of West Georgia should apply for admission as any other student. Eligibility for GI Bill benefits has no direct relationship to the institution. All financial transactions are directly between the student and the Veterans Administration with the exception of the Post 9/11(Chap-33) benefit which pays the institution directly for in-state tuition and academic fees. The monthly housing allowance and book/supplies stipend are paid to the student.
Students receiving GI Bill benefits should adhere strictly to a planned program of study as indicated on their appropriate school and VA forms. Students participating in VA educational programs are required to report to the institutions (VCO) in the Enrollment Services Center (ESC) any changes in credit hours or interruptions in attendance in order to minimize personal liability resulting from overpayment of benefits resulting in indebtedness to the VA. Department of Defense as well as Veterans Administration regulations stipulates that students receiving GI Bill benefits are expected to attend classes regularly. The Enrollment Services Center (ESC), therefore, asks faculty members to report prolonged and excessive class absences so that certification termination of affected students may be completed.
For additional information on programs that may be available, please view the Veteran's Information section found on the Financial Aid home page at www.westga.edu/finaid/
