Getting to WAVE

Once you begin using the educational benefits provided by the GI Bill, you have to verify your continuing enrollment to keep the money coming. Your GI Bill benefits are only paid for a specific number of months; this system tracks when you use those benefits. Once per month, after you begin using the program, you have to visit the Veterans Affairs Web site and go to the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) page and verify that you are still enrolled in school in order to keep your GI Bill benefits.

Do I Use WAVE to Start Receiving Benefits?

No, the GI Bill benefits are initiated when your university sends a form to the GI Bill office to verify that you are beginning enrollment. You are responsible for submitting the form to your school. You can download it from the VA website. If you plan to use the new, Post-9/11 GI Bill, or intend to transfer from the old Montgomery GI Bill system to the new system, you can use the Veterans Online Application (VONAPP) at the VA website. You only use the WAVE page to confirm each month that you are still enrolled in school.

How Do I get to the WAVE Page?

You can find the WAVE page through the VA website. If you run into any problems once you begin to use WAVE, the VA's WAVE Questions & Answers have a lot of helpful information to guide you through the rough spots.

More Info
Application | Eligibility | Transfer | FAQ

Wait, What Comes After School?

Military Career? Check. School? Check. Buying a House? [Insert crickets sound] Did you know that in addition to the education benefits you're already using, the VA offers a home loan program? With record low housing prices across the country and a VA sponsored home loan, servicemembers might be surprised to find out that owning a house could be within reach.

VA loans allow servicemembers to borrow money from banks, credit unions or mortgage companys with some added benefits. For example, the VA guarantees the loan if you default, and downpayments as well as closing fees are often reduced. Furthermore, servicemembers may land lower interest rates than the average Joe. Sound good? First things first, do your research. Plug in your information below to find out where you currently stand with lenders.