I Am Trying to Pay For My Classes With My GI Bill, What Do I Need to Do?

Hi Kenneth, I’m not sure which GI Bill you are using, so I will touch on the two that are most in use now.  For both the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post 9/11 GI Bill you need to make application for a Certificate of Eligibility at the VONAPP website, if you haven’t already done so.  It can be done online.

When you receive your Certificate of Eligibility, you should show that to the Registrar at the school you are planning on attending.  This shows the school what educational benefits you are eligible for, and how long they should last.  The school will need to fill out additional paperwork, and submit it to the VA.  I am sure that American Military University has done it many times in the past, so they should know what paperwork is required.

If you are on the Montgomery GI Bill, you will receive a check in the mail based on the benefits you are eligible for, and you are responsible for paying your educational costs at the school.  If you are on the Post 9/11 GI Bill, the VA will pay the school directly, and the VA will send you any housing or book allowances that you may be eligible for.

Once you begin your classes, if you are on the Montgomery GI Bill, you will need to go online to the WAVE site to confirm your continued enrollment at the school to continue receiving your benefits.  You will need to do this on a monthly basis.  If you are on the Post 9/11 GI Bill, you should not have to register with WAVE.

If you have done all of this, and have not received any funds yet, check with the school to make sure that they submitted their required paperwork, it can also take the VA a little bit of time to get you started if this is your first time using your benefits.