Students who are new to USF and new to the VA

If you have never used your VA educational benefits before and are new to USF, you will need to complete a number of forms according to the chapter for which you qualify.

 

Post-9/11 GI Bill
(Chapter 33)

The Post-9/11 GI bill is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after Sept. 11, 2001 as well as those discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. Effective Aug. 1, 2009, it will pay:

•  Tuition and fees directly to the school (not to exceed the maximum in-state tuition and fees at Florida public institutions of higher learning).
•  Monthly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school.
•  Annual books and supplies stipend of $1,000 paid proportionately based on enrollment

 

Forms you will need to complete:

• VA Benefits Request Form, Responsibility Form (PDF).

• VA Form 22-1990, Application for Education Benefits
  If you are on active duty, your Education Service Officer needs to sign this form. If you received a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA, this form is not needed.

• Copy of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

• Within two semesters, you must request a copy of your AARTS (Army), or SMARTS (Navy, Marine) or CCAF (Air Force), or Coast Guard transcript be sent to the USF Admissions Office.

 

Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty
(Chapter 30)

Called "MGIB" for short, this bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.

 

Forms you will need to complete:

• VA Benefits Request Form, Responsibility Form (PDF).

• VA Form 22-1990, Application for Education Benefits
  If you are on active duty, your Education Service Officer needs to sign this form. If you received a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA, this form is not needed.

• Copy of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

• Within two semesters, you must request a copy of your AARTS (Army), or SMARTS (Navy, Marine) or CCAF (Air Force), or Coast Guard transcript be sent to the USF Admissions Office.

 

Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA) 
(CHAPTER 35)

This program provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service related condition. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits.

 

Forms you will need to complete:

• VA Benefits Request Form, Responsibility Form (PDF).
• VA Form 5490, Application for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance. A VA file number is required. If you received a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA, this form is not needed.
• Copy of your birth certificate

 

Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
(Chapter 1606 or 1607)

This program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components. You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits. Your benefit entitlement ends 14 years from the date of your eligibility for the program, or on the day you leave the Selected Reserve.

 

Forms you will need to complete:

• VA Benefits Request Form, Responsibility Form (PDF).

• VA Form 22-1990, Application for Education Benefits. If you received a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA, this form is not needed.

• Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE)

• Copy of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

• Within two semesters, you must request a copy of your AARTS (Army), or SMARTS (Navy, Marine) or CCAF (Air Force), or Coast Guard transcript be sent to the USF Admissions Office.