Chapter 35 benefits
Watch this video for details on how to use your Chapter 35 benefits.
The information contained in the video is also available through the links below.
How to use your Chapter 35 benefits
- To be eligible for Chapter 35 (or VA education benefits for survivors and dependents program), the sponsor must be 100% totally and permanently, service-connected disabled or deceased in the line of duty. Note: the sponsor is the parent or spouse that is disabled or deceased.
- Students must apply for Chapter 35 benefits on the .
- Once you are approved for VA educational benefits, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in the mail. You will need to scan and email a copy to veteranservices@unr.edu.
- If you have used your benefits at a previous institution, your sponsor can download an updated copy of your Education Enrollment Status at .
- If you have any questions about VA educational benefits, contact Chai Cook at chaicook@unr.edu or (775) 682-5935. Her office is located on the second floor of the Fitzgerald Student Services building.
- Chapter 35 benefits include a monthly stipend based on enrollment status. As such, the student is responsible for paying their own tuition. The VA will post current pay rate for Chapter 35 students on the GI Bill website.
- VA will prorate your monthly stipend to start on the first day of the term and also to stop on the last day of the term. For example, if the term starts on August 24th, you will be paid for August 24th-31st for the month of August. For budgeting purposes, a student will not receive a full monthly stipend until the end of the first full month. Keep in mind that the first and last month of the term are always prorated.
- Since Chapter 35 students are responsible for their own tuition and fees to the university, Veteran Services offers a four-part payment plan for students using VA benefits on campus at no cost – if interested, please inquire with Veteran Services.
- If you are currently classified as an out-of-state resident, please let us know so we can work with the University to have out-of-state tuition waived. You will need to provide your sponsor’s DD-214 member copy 4 to Veteran Services.
The most important thing you must remember is to fill out your Semester Enrollment Form (SEF) every semester that you would like to use benefits. The Semester Enrollment Form is the student’s official request to Veteran Services to process a VA educational claim.
We process claims in the order we receive the Semester Enrollment Form. To avoid possible delays in processing, please submit your form as soon as possible. It will be available 24 hours after the day you enroll in courses. Enrollment changes can be made after submission, but please be advised that this could result in a possible delay in your monthly stipend or create a tuition debt.
These are the steps to fill out the SEF:
- Log in to your MyÂ鶹ӳ» account.
- Navigate to "Tasks" from the home screen (the box with the green check mark).
- Select "Supplemental Forms" from the task list on the left hand side of the screen.
- Select the SEF corresponding to the upcoming semester.
- Answering all questions should take about 3 minutes.
- Check the box at the bottom of the SEF.
- Click "Save" and then "Submit."
You do not need to inform us of enrollment changes. We track all enrollment changes for our students once the SEF is submitted.
The VA will only approve and pay for what it considers a certifiable course.
So, what is a certifiable course? Veteran Services can only certify courses that are directly degree-applicable, or classes that fit within your degree plan. Courses for a minor can only be certified if a minor is required for your major. Dual majors are acceptable as well. Additionally, remedial or prerequisite courses are acceptable if they are needed. For example, if you need to take MATH 96 to get into MATH 126, we can certify MATH 96.
Veteran Services recommends that you maintain a strong relationship with your academic advisor to ensure all of your courses are degree applicable, but if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office.
- If you qualify for the Fry Scholarship, please reach out to Veteran Services for assistance.
- Veteran Services encourages all students to complete FAFSA annually for potential financial aid (Pell Grants, state access grants, etc.). Most federal financial aid applies concurrently with VA educational benefits and will not impact your VA claim. The link to the FAFSA webpage is found on the University's Financial Aid website.
- In order to process Chapter 35 benefits, the student will need to provide Veteran Services with their sponsor's full Social Security number.
- If you are currently classified as an out-of-state resident, please let us know so we can work with the University to have out-of-state tuition waived.
Visit us at the Veterans and Military Center
The Veterans and Military Center (VMC) is a comfortable space to connect with like-minded individuals, develop camaraderie with fellow student veterans, study and grab coffee.