FAQs: Chapter 33
FAQs
- Q: I am a veteran. Should I still complete the FAFSA?
A: Yes! You may be eligible for federal and state aid in addition to your Veteran Educational Benefits. If you wish to be considered for Yellow Ribbon benefits, the FAFSA is required.
- Q: I am new to Veteran Educational Benefits. Where do I start?
A: Please go to OSFA’s Veteran Educational Benefits Web site, choose your type of benefit, and follow the instructions on applying for benefits. If you have used your benefits before, you may only need to complete a Change of Place of Training Form.
- Q: My parent is a veteran. Do I have some type of educational benefits?
A: Not necessarily. Unless your parent had died or has a 100% disability rating due to active military service (see Chapter 35 Survivors’ and Dependents' Educational Assistance). If your parent is a Post 9/11 veteran, there is a Transfer of Entitlement Program for children and spouses, but it normally requires additional service. Get more information online.
- Q: I am thinking about changing my enrollment. Should I notify OSFA?
A: Yes. Changes in enrollment may have a drastic impact on your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. VA policy dictates that “an individual who does not complete all courses in the certified period of enrollment...will be charged an overpayment equal to the amount to ALL educational assistance paid for that period of enrollment” (this includes the monthly housing and book stipend). Even though tuition and fees are paid directly to Loyola, overpayments resulting from enrollment changes will be charged to the veteran. Therefore, discussing enrollment changes with OSFA before you withdraw from the course may help avoid a potential loss of benefits and/or repayment of benefits to the VA. E-mail vetfinaid@luc.edu before you withdraw.
- Q: I am thinking about switching to Post 9/11 GI Bill and I understand that the transfer is irrevocable. How does the Post 9/11 GI Bill compare to my previous GI Bill benefits at Loyola?
A: Because this is an important decision, we recommend exploring the VA’s comparison information on the Post 9/11 GI Bill versus other GI Bill programs and/or contact the VA for advisement at 888.442.4551.
- Q: I am not sure if I am eligible for any GI Bill programs. If I contact OSFA, will the counselor be able to tell me if I am eligible or not?
A: No. We encourage all persons that are potentially eligible for these benefits to apply. However, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) or other agencies, as appropriate, make the final determination of eligibility. However, our staff will be more than willing to advise you on benefits at Loyola and assist you with the application process.
- Q: I am enrolled as a part-time student. Can I still use my Post 9/11 GI Bill?
A: Yes. The tuition/fee payments and book stipend are pro-rated based on the number of credit hours in which you are enrolled. If you are enrolled above half-time (seven credit hours for undergraduate students; five credit hours for semester graduate students; four credit hours for quarter graduate students), you are still eligible for your housing stipend.
- Q: Does Loyola participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program?
A: Yes. Loyola University Chicago has chosen to participate fully in this program for the 2009 - 2010 academic year. Click Here for more information.
- Q: Are room and board costs considered for Post 9/11 GI Bill or Yellow Ribbon funding?
A: No. These costs are considered non-mandatory fees by the VA; therefore, even if you choose to live on-campus, neither the Post 9/11 GI Bill nor Yellow Ribbon funding can pay for these costs. However, you can use your monthly housing stipend, as well as other eligible financial assistance, towards these costs.
- Q: I have sent in my application for the Post 9/11 GI Bill to the VA. What is the next step?
A: Once the VA has processed (and approved) your application, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (VA Form 22-0557) from their office in response to your request. Submit a copy this form to OSFA. If you are a new student at Loyola, please also submit copies of your Member-4 VA Form DD-214 and/or VA Form DD-2384-1 (Notice of Basic Eligibility) to OSFA.
- Q: I have received my Certificate of Eligibility (VA Form 22-0557) for the Post 9/11 GI Bill. What do I do next?
A: You must submit a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility (VA Form 22-0557) to OSFA in order to be certified for your benefits.
- Q: My enrollment was certified for summer term using my previous GI Bill, and now I am transferring to the Post 9/11 GI Bill. What will happen with my summer term enrollment certification?
A: The VA will send OSFA a notification asking us to send in a new enrollment certification for you for your Post 9/11 GI Bill. After August 1, 2009, you will begin using the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
- Q: I am on active duty. Can I still use my Post 9/11 GI Bill?
A: Yes. However, we recommend contacting the VA at 888.442.4551 for advisement on which type of GI Bill will best serve you while using benefits while still on active duty.
- Q. I have used all of my GI Bill before the Post 9/11 GI Bill program started. Do I have any GI Bill options at this time?
A: According to the VA, “If you used all of your months of benefits under MGIB, you may still be eligible for benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill if you have qualifying active duty service after September 10, 2001, and meet all of the eligibility requirements for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. For example, if you used 36 months of benefits under MGIB and you are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you may receive up to 12 months of benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. You cannot receive more than a maximum of 48 months of benefits under any combination of VA education programs.” However, we strongly encourage you to either complete the application and let the VA make the final determination on your eligibility, or to contact the VA at 888.442.4551 for further advisement on this option.
- Q: I do not begin classes until late August. Will I receive the full month of my housing stipend?
A: No. The VA will pro-rate the payment based on the number of days in the month you are actually in class.
- Q: I have questions that have not been answered in your Web site. Where can I go for answers?
A: For questions on Loyola policies or procedures, please e-mail vetfinaid@luc.edu or call 773.508.7704.
- Frequently Asked Questions on the Post 9/11 GI Bill
- General GI Bill Questions (or contact the VA at 888.442.4551)
