Veterans Education Benefit Information

Generalized Instructions for the VA GI Bill Process

Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

The COE is the most important document that Franciscan needs, as this allows Franciscan to certify that beneficiary may receive VA funds.
1. This form is sent directly to the beneficiary from the VA.
The COE may look different depending on which Chapter of benefit the beneficiary has
1. Ex: Ch. 33--Post 9/11, Ch.35—DEA, Ch.30--Montgomery, Ch.31—VocRehab, Ch.1606—Selected Reserve
The beneficiary may either email a PDF directly to veterans@franciscan.edu or upload a PDF through the online Intake Form (instructions below).
1. If a beneficiary does not have a physical copy of their COE, they may access a printout of their Enrollment Status Benefits page from the VA website, through eBenefits.
The COE should be no more than 3 years old from the date of the earliest registered semester
1. Ex: if a student takes classes in Fall 2018, they should send a COE not older than Fall 2015).
There is a one semester leeway given to a student without a COE—to new, incoming students.
1. If there is no COE received by the end of the first semester, Franciscan will not certify for the next semester until this document is in hand.

Intake Form

Franciscan updates its database with the most current beneficiary information with this form.
1. It contains the Rights & Responsibilities statement that clarify expectations of Franciscan and the student.
Go to the www.franciscan.edu, then click on “AccessFUS” (upper right corner), sign in.
1. Click on “MyFranciscan” button, then click on “Registration” tab.
2. Scroll to and click on “VA Benefits Enrollment” and complete the form.
You may upload your COE at this time. Do not upload a DD-214, as it is not needed for VA Benefits.

Certification

Franciscan certifies a student for benefits within 2 weeks after the add/drop date. This minimizes multiple amendments/adjustments to the certifications, which in turn reduces possibilities for delay of receiving benefits.
From certification, it is typically 2-6 weeks for the VA to process and send payment.
1. Recipients with Ch.33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill), will receive the first housing payment and semester book stipend will come at the same time.
From receipt of payment, Franciscan bills the student with the any remainder they owe.
Franciscan does not have access to know how many months of remaining benefits the student has, therefore it is the beneficiary’s responsibility to inform Franciscan if there are no more benefits.
1. Access to this information for the beneficiary is through eBenefits or by calling the VA.

Billing

Franciscan does not bill VA benefit recipients until it receives payment from the VA in order to prevent confusion.
The exception is those Chapters where beneficiaries receive their benefits directly. These chapters are billed directly.
1. These Chapters include: Chapter 35 (DEA), Chapter 31 (VocRehab), Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI), and Chapter 1606 (Selected Reserve)
Further, for Chapter 33, 33Yellow Ribbon, 33 Fry Scholarship, Forever GI Bill, housing and meal plans are not covered by the VA.
1. These chapters will receive a housing stipend that may be used toward these bills, but it is the student’s responsibility to pay at the time required by the school.
2. Typically, students utilize loans or pay the balance in full and then pocket the housing stipend when it arrives in monthly installments.

Important Notes to Consider

Apply for FAFSA loans and scholarships regardless of whether you intend to use them or not. If the VA is delayed, then your balance will be covered without and delay in future registration.
1. It is easier to decline a loan not needed than to try and secure one after the fact.
The student (or parent) is responsible to notify Franciscan of any changes in benefits, withdrawal from classes after the add/drop period, changes in programs, exhaustion of benefits, etc.
1. The student must notify (via email) the Veterans Assistant if they wish to use benefits for summer classes, as this is an “opt-in” portion in order to help the student maximize benefits.
2. The student must notify (via email) the Veterans Assistant if they wish not to use benefits in the Fall or Spring, as it will be assumed by Veteran Services that the student wishes to continue use of benefits for the main semesters.
This notification must be prior to the start of the semester.
1. All official communication from Veteran Services is sent to the student’s Franciscan email address.
When in doubt, email (or cc) the Veteran Assistant at veterans@franciscan.edu about information regarding VA Benefits.
1. Email is the primary form of communication for Veteran Services, and helps us to serve the student more effectively and efficiently.