Veteran Services FAQs

Q: What are VA Educational Benefits?
A: VA Educational Benefits are programs offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to assist eligible veterans, service members, and their dependents in pursuing higher education and career training.

Q: Who is eligible for VA Educational Benefits?
A: Eligibility criteria vary depending on the specific VA benefit program. In general, veterans, active-duty service members, and their dependents may be eligible. Eligibility is often determined by factors such as length of service, discharge status, and other factors.

Q: How often do I need to submit a request for VA Educational Benefits?
A: You must request your benefits every term no later than three weeks prior to the start date of the semester/session. Failure to do so may result in payment delays and/or being dropped from your courses.

Q: How do I apply for VA Educational Benefits?
A: The application process varies by program. To get started, visit the VA's official website, create a VA.gov account, and complete the online application for the specific benefit program you're interested in.

Q: How do I know if I'm eligible for VA Educational Benefits?
A: To find out if you are eligible for GI Bill educational benefits, complete the application online on the VA.gov website. Once your application has been submitted and reviewed, the VA will contact you by mail with documentation to support the approval or denial of GI Bill educational benefits.

Q: What documents do I need to apply for VA Educational Benefits at UHD?
A: Required documentation varies but often includes your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), transcripts, and information about your selected educational program.

Q: Is this your first time requesting Enrollment Certification at UHD?
A: If yes, please review that your preferred email address and mailing address is up to date in myUHD Personal Information Tile.

Q: What types of VA Educational Benefit programs are available?
A: There are several VA benefit programs, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Veteran Readiness and Employment, Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance, and selective reserves.

Q: How long does UHD take to certify/submit my enrollment?
A: Please allow 5 to 7 business days for UHD to certify your enrollment. You may track the status of your request in myUHD Records & Enrollment Tile, View VA Certification / Adjustments.

Q: What classes will the VA certify?
A: The GI Bill will only fund courses that are required for the educational objective you have selected. Please refer to your academic advisor or program coordinator to be sure that the classes that you are taking are required, have not previously been completed or transferred, and will in fact apply toward the completion of your degree.

Q: I want to submit a request for educational benefits, but I do not see the term listed in myUHD.
A: Students must enroll in classes for the term to appear in myUHD Records & Enrollment Tile. You will not be able to submit a request until you enroll. Students are encouraged to finalize their schedules before submit a request for educational benefits to avoid over/under payments by the VA.

Q: Can I use VA Educational Benefits for online or distance learning programs?
A: Yes, many VA benefit programs can be used for online or distance education. Be sure to check the specific program guidelines and work with your school's VA certifying official to ensure compliance.

Q: How much financial assistance can I receive through VA Educational Benefits?
A: Benefit amounts vary depending on the program, your length of service, and other factors. The VA's website provides benefit calculators and information on specific payment rates.

Q: How do I secure my courses until VA sends payment?
A: Secure your classes by making payment or enrolling in an installment payment plan in myUHD Finances Tile.

Q: Who do I contact if I make changes in my enrollment?
A: Student can make changes to their class schedules during the add drop period defined on the Academic Calendar. Students using VA Educational Benefits are required to submit a VA Adjustment Form within 10 days of scheduled change via myUHD, Records & Enrollment Tile. Changes should be reported promptly to avoid delays in payment or possible over/underpayments.

Q: Will the VA cover repeated courses?
A: The VA benefits generally cover the cost of repeating a course if you received a failing grade. If you've already received a passing grade for a course, you may not be able to use VA benefits to retake it.

Q: Will the VA cover remedial courses?
A: VA benefits can cover the cost of remedial or developmental courses if they are required as part of your approved program of study. These courses are typically designed to help you build the necessary academic skills to succeed in college-level courses. We may request test scores if they are not file at UHD.

Q: How do I transfer my Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to a dependent or spouse?
A: If you're eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you can transfer benefits to your dependents or spouse through the VA's Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) program. The transfer process is typically done through the VA's website.

Q: Can I use VA Educational Benefits for graduate programs or professional certifications?
A: Yes, many VA benefit programs can be used for graduate programs and professional certifications.

Q: How can I check the status of my VA Educational Benefits application or payments?
A: You can check the status of your application and payments by logging into your VA.gov account and using the "Check Post-9/11 GI Bill Status" tool or by contacting the VA directly.

Q: What support services are available for veterans and their dependents at the University of Houston-Downtown?
A: The University of Houston offers various support services for veterans and their dependents, including a Veterans Services Office, academic advising, counseling, and assistance with the certification of VA benefits.

Q: What is Tutorial Assistance?
A: VA will pay up to $100 per month for your tutorial assistance. The tutorial assistance you get will be in addition to your regular monthly education benefits for going to school. The limit for tutorial assistance is $1,200 (12 times the maximum monthly rate of $100). After you have received tutoring, you must submit to the VA the Application for Individualized Tutorial Assistance VA Form 22-1990t.

Q: What document is required for using VA educational benefits at UHD?
A: A copy of your most recent Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or a screen shot of your Ebenefits summary is required for enrollment certification purpose.

Q: How often I have to submit my request for enrollment certification?
A: You have to submit a Request for enrollment certification every semester you want to use your benefit.

Q: What do I do if I add or drop classes?
A: You are required to submit a Schedule Change Form when you add, drop, or withdraw from your classes.

Q: Is there a scholarship available for veterans?
A: We offer the Hamill Scholarship for current UHD undergraduate students who have earned a total of 30 cumulative college credit hours with a minimum of 12 hours earned at UHD with a 2.5 GPA.

Q: Can I repeat a courses?
A: Yes, you can repeat courses which you have failed or the grades are below the minimum requirements for your degree plan. If you are in the last semester and you want to be full-time, you can repeat any course.

Q: Can I apply for Hazelwood Act while using my GI-Bill^®?
A: You have to exhaust your VA benefits (other than Chapter 33) to be qualified for Hazelwood Act. If you are entitled to Chapter 33, your entitlement must be less than 100% to be qualified for it.

Q: Do VA benefits cover my parking?
A: No, VA benefits (except for Chapter 31) do not cover parking. Chapter 31 might covers parking depending your situation and approval from Vocational Rehabilitation counselor.

Q: Is there a dead line for submitting a request for enrollment certification?
A: A request for VA enrollment certification must be submitted every semester/session no later than three weeks prior to the start of the semester/session. Failure to do so may result in delays in payments and/or drops from class.

Q: How does the payment process work for tuition and fees?
A: Chapter 31 and chapter 33 at 100%: A hold will be placed in your account after your enrollment has been certified. This hold is to ensure that your classes will not be dropped after the payment deadlines. Students entitled to chapter 33 is responsible for fees not covered by the GI-Bill^®, such as, parking fee and excess course attempt fee. Chapter 33 less than 100%, 30, 35, 1606, 607: Students must arrange payment with the Cashier Office in advance or classes will be dropped after the deadlines.

Tuition Assistance Educational Benefit
Tuition Assistance is processed by Third Party Contract. All students with a Third Party Contract must complete and sign a Third Party Payment Agreement Form. Please submit this form to Third Party Contract or in person at the Student Accounting Office S320. More information can be found at Services and Policies. If you need an enrollment certification for other VA educational benefits, please submit another request.

Hazlewood Act Educational Benefit
Hazlewood Act is processed by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. Student veterans must submit a Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Application to Ms. Ashley Andrus. More information about Hazlewood Act can be found here. If you need an enrollment certification for other VA educational benefits, please submit another request.