WVU is approved to offer G.I. Bill® educational benefits by the WV State Approving Agency. These benefits include the Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty/Selected Reserves), the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program, the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, and Veteran Readiness and Employment Services.
If you know you are eligible for one of these benefits, please click on the appropriate benefit located below to apply to use this benefit. If you are unsure of your eligibility or entitlement, please contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at (888) 442-4551.
For questions regarding usage of your VA benefits at West Virginia University please contact one of our School Certifying Officials (SCOs) at veterans@mail.wvu.edu or at 304-293-8825.
Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 33 Chapter 35 Chapter 1606IMPORTANT REMINDERS
- The VA will only allow “degree pursuant hours” (only classes that count toward your degree) to be certified. Undergraduate students will need at least 12 degree pursuant hours over a 16-week semester to receive your full monthly stipend. Graduate students, please see link under "Current Students" to view credit hours needed for full time status.
- All students using VA Education benefits are eligible for Priority Registration by class standing, i.e. a Sophomore using VA benefits will register before non-VA benefit sophomores.
- If you choose to drop a class(es) that result in less than full time status, the VA will request re-payment.
- The VA does not consider classes you take for a Minor as degree pursuant unless the Minor is required for the Major.
- Notify your Certifying Official if you add or drop a class(es) or change your major. The VA requires a Prior Credit Evaluation form be completed by your new adviser. Neglecting to do so will result in the delay of your certification.
CHAPTER 30 - MONTGOMERY G.I. BILL® (MGIB)
Veterans and servicemembers with at least 2 years of active duty and have elected to have payments deducted for the first 12 months of service.
- Students with Chapter 30 benefits will receive the in-state tuition rate.
Required paperwork to use this benefit at WVU
- Complete the Bunker Intake/Agreement Form
- A copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
CHAPTER 31- VETERAN READINESS AND EMPLOYMENT (VR&E)
This program assists Veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. The benefit can be used if the Veteran has at least a 10% service-connected disability rating & didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge.
OR
The service member is 20% or higher pre-discharge disability rating (memorandum rating) and will soon leave the military, or waiting to be discharged because of a severe illness or injury that occurred while you were on active duty.
- Students with Chapter 31 benefits will receive the in-state tuition rate.
Required paperwork to use this benefit at WVU
- Complete the Bunker Intake/Agreement Form
- Authorization voucher from your VR&E counselor
CHAPTER 33 - POST-9/11 G.I. BILL®
The Post-9/11 G.I. Bill (Chapter 33) helps you pay for school or job training. If you’ve served on active duty after September 10, 2001, you may qualify for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.
You may receive up to 36 months of benefits, including:
- Money for tuition
- The VA will cover the full cost of public, in-state tuition and fees if the Veteran or dependent is eligible at the 100% benefit level. If the Veteran or dependent less than the 100% benefit rate, the VA will only pay that percentage of tuition and fees.
- Students who are non-residents but residing in WV while attending classes will receive the in-state tuition rate. For more information please see the updated WV Residency Policy.
- Money for housing (if you’re in school more than half time)
- The VA will base your monthly housing allowance (MHA) on the cost of living where your school is located and on your benefit percent level. The current maximum MHA benefit for Morgantown is approximately $1,587 monthly (August 1, 2023 - July 31, 2024).
- Money for books and supplies
- A stipend of up to $1,000 per academic year paid proportionately each semester based on enrollment.
Required paperwork to use this benefit at WVU
- Complete the Bunker Intake/Agreement Form
- A copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
CHAPTER 35 - SURVIVORS AND DEPENDENTS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA)
If you’re the child or spouse of a Veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or has disabilities, you may be able to get help paying for school or job training through the DEA program—also called Chapter 35.
Note: Effective August 1, 2022 students using Chapter 35 - the Dependents' Educational Assistance - will be assessed tuition at the in-state tuition rate per the Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act of 2021. Non-resident students who are using Chapter 35 and assessed at the in-state tuition rate will also have their institutional scholarships reduced to the in-state rate while using their benefits.
You will get a monthly payment to help you cover the cost of:
- College or graduate degree programs
- Career-training certificate courses
- Educational and career counseling
- Apprenticeships
- On-the-job training
Note: If you began using this program to pay for your school or training before August 1, 2018, you can get benefits for up to 45 months. If you began using the program on or after August 1, 2018, you can get benefits for up to 36 months.
Check Eligibility for Chapter 35 Apply for Benefits for Chapter 35Fry Scholarship
Is a scholarship for children and spouses of certain Veterans. If your parent or spouse died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, while serving in one of the Armed Forces, or was a member of the Selected Reserve who died from a service-connected disability, you may qualify for this benefit.
You may receive up to 36 months of benefits, including:
- Money for tuition
- Money for housing
- Money for books and supplies
What if I qualify for both DEA and the Fry Scholarship?
You’ll need to pick one or the other. Once you make this choice, you can’t switch to the other program.
Exception: If you’re the child of a service member who died in the line of duty before August 1, 2011, you can use both DEA and the Fry Scholarship and get up to 81 months of education and training. You’ll need to use one program at a time.
Required paperwork to use this benefit at WVU
- Complete the Bunker Intake/Agreement Form
- A copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Chapter 1606 - Montgomery G.I. Bill® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
The Montgomery G.I. Bill® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program offers up to 36 months of education and training benefits. If you’re a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air Force National Guard, you may be eligible for this benefit.
Check Eligibility for Chapter 1606 Apply for Benefits for Chapter 1606Important Information
- To receive payment, you must verify your enrollment with the VA at the end of every month. You can do this by phone at 877-823-2378 or the website at www.gibill.va.gov/wave.
Kickers and Additional Contributions:
A kicker is part of an enlistment contract, often referred to as the Army College Fund. The kicker is a fixed dollar amount that will be disbursed in even installments over the course of the entitlement period for Chapter 30 and 1606 recipients. Service members also have the opportunity to pay additional contribution amounts that are generally matched 9 to 1 and added to the monthly benefit in even disbursements. The VA should automatically pay the higher benefit rate as an addition to the normal entitlement amount paid each month to the veteran. If not, the veteran should contact the VA Regional Office processing their claim.
Required paperwork to use this benefit at WVU
- Complete the Bunker Intake/Agreement Form
- A copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
*G.I. 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 the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.