Veteran FAQs

The Forever GI Bill® expands the success our Veterans have had with the GI Bill® providing opportunities that otherwise would not be possible. In particular, it restores benefits to Veterans who were impacted by school closures since 2015 and has special benefits for our reservists, surviving dependents, and Purple Heart recipients.  This nation is stronger when our Veterans are studying and working next to their civilian counterparts.  Passage of this bill is a win for Veterans and their families.

Visit the VA Benefits Page

Students who may be eligible for VA education benefit programs should refer to the GI Bill® website or contact the VA for assistance.

1. Determine which benefits you qualify for by clicking on the GI Bill® Education and Training site
2. Apply for your benefits online or request an application over the phone, 888.442.4551.
3. After you apply, use VA's interactive map to find out how quickly your regional office is processing education claims. Your education benefits are processed at one of four specialized regional claims processing centers in Atlanta, GA; Buffalo, NY; Muskogee, OK, and St. Louis, MO.
4. Contact our office at finaid@pnwu.edu to notify the School Certifying Official (SCO) that you have applied for benefits
5. Send the "certificate of eligibility" to the SCO, once you receive it from the VA.

Certificates are issued by the VA after approving a claim for benefits. Submit a claim for benefits.

Processing times vary based on VA workload. On average the Department of Veterans Affairs processes a Certificate of Eligibility within 4-6 weeks.

Please email documentation to finaid@pnwu.edu, and be sure to include your full name and student ID number. You may also submit your documentation in person to the Financial Aid Office located in Iron Horse Lodge.

Yes. You will need to complete and submit a Request for Change of Program or Place of Training to the VA. In addition, please email your Certificate of Eligibility to finaid@pnwu.edu, and be sure to include your full name and student ID number. You may also submit your documentation in person to the Financial Aid Office, located in Iron Horse Lodge.

If you have a current or active benefit award for MGIB-Active Duty (Chapter 30), or MGIB Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606), or Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP, Chapter 1607), or Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP): While you attend school, you must verify your enrollment each month by using Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) or by calling the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system at 1.877.823.2378. Remember that you cannot be paid for a month until the month is over and you verify that you were still in attendance for that month.

Questions about federal benefits should be directed to the US Department of Veteran Affairs or other federal government sponsor. PNWU cannot determine eligibility for VA educational assistance programs nor recommend participation in any particular program. Students are responsible for choosing the program that will best suit their needs.

Yes, PNWU is approved for veteran training under Chapter 33.

Yes, PNWU is proud to partner with the Veterans Administration (VA) for the Yellow Ribbon Program, offered to United States Veterans. If you are eligible to apply and plan on using Yellow Ribbon at PNWU, please immediately notify the Financial Aid Office at finaid@pnwu.edu.

Generally, veterans with 36 months of service or more on active duty who qualify for the 100% benefit rate may qualify for the scholarship. To determine eligibility, veterans must apply for Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits with the VA. The VA will issue a Certificate of Eligibility which lists your eligibility for Yellow Ribbon.

For the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, the Department of Veterans Affairs will send tuition and fee payments directly to PNWU. You will need to ensure that all documentation is in place so that PNWU receives payments on your behalf. In the event you learn that you are not entitled to VA payments, you will be responsible for paying any outstanding charges to PNWU. Any applicable housing allowance will also be sent directly to you at the end of each month for which you have an enrollment.

For all other VA education benefits programs, you will receive funds directly from the VA and will be responsible for submitting all payments you owe to PNWU.

As with other scholarships, you should anticipate the amount you will receive from the VA and pay only the remaining balance on your student account. You should not pay upfront the amount that you expect to receive from the VA. We will ensure that you are not assessed a late fee for this outstanding balance while VA payment is pending.

If you are concerned, contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@pnwu.edu to ensure that your certification has been processed on our end. If it has, call the VA at 888.442.4551 to confirm that they have received your certification. If they have not, we will be happy to resubmit your certification. If they have received your certification, we cannot expedite the processing and disbursement of funds by the VA. If you have financial concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Financial Aid Office by clicking on the above link for assistance.

According to PNWU's tuition payment policy, payment is due in full by the first day of each term. However, veteran students may defer payment of tuition covered by the Veterans Administration (VA) and invoiced at PNWU. Any additional charges not covered as part of the veteran student's benefit package are the student's responsibility and will be considered past due 30 days after the start of the semester.

Veteran students may request information on additional types of aid by contacting the Financial Aid Office or visiting the PNWU Financial Aid Website.

The VA makes payment directly to the veteran by (1) direct deposit or (2) mailing a check to the mailing address on file at the VA. To establish or change your direct deposit information, click on the Direct Deposit Enrollment Form link after you have logged into the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) site . Changes and enrollments are usually processed the next business day.

Montgomery GI Bill® (Ch 30 and 1606) and REAP: While you attend school, you must verify your enrollment each month by using Web Automated Verification of Enrollment WAVE or by calling the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system at 1.877.823.2378. Remember that you cannot be paid for a month until the month is over and you verify that you were still in attendance for that month.

Dependent and Eligible Spouse: The VA will pay the student directly via check.

You will not begin to receive these benefits until PNWU has certified your enrollment. Please note that there may be a delay between PNWU's certification of your enrollment and the VA's processing and distribution of your payments. Please ensure that you are prepared to cover your living expenses in the event of a lengthy delay in VA payments. If you are concerned about your ability to do this, please do not hesitate to contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance.

Your monthly housing allowance is paid directly to you at the beginning of each month for the previous month. Possible explanations for varying check amounts include:

• Partial month of attendance
• Rate change between calendar years
• Delay because of re-certification at the start of the term

Should it become necessary for you to withdraw from all classes, you must contact the PNWU Financial Aid Office/School Certifying Official by emailing finaid@pnwu.edu before doing anything. There are many concerns you should be aware of before withdrawing completely (i.e., repayment). Depending on the circumstances of the withdrawal, the Financial Aid Office may be able to assist you in preventing a repayment.

Please note that failure to report changes constitutes fraud and is the primary cause for the delays in the delivery of your educational checks and occurrences of over-payment.

PNWU has a number of arrangements for students who are called to duty during the academic term. Please review the Military Re-Admission Policy and the Requirement of Notice available in the Student Catalog.

No. TA/TATU are not authorized for programs of study beyond a master's degree.

Contact the US Department of Veterans Affairs at 800.827.1000, or our office at finaid@pnwu.edu.