Whether you are an incoming student, current student or transfer student, you must take steps when you first start at UB to ensure that you receive your VA educational benefits.
UB students looking to use VA education benefits need to complete certain steps in order to have their benefits processed with the VA. Once a student completes these steps, a UB Veterans Education Benefits School Certifying Official (SCO) evaluates their eligibility and processes their education benefits with the VA; what is referred to as, “certification”. The VA then reviews the certification and makes the final determination regarding eligibility and benefits.
The Veteran Services Office, an on-campus resource for veteran students and dependents, provides assistance to students with the veterans’ education benefits process and works in conjunction with the SCO’s of the Financial Aid Office.
The first semester during which a student wants to use their VA education benefits, proof of benefit eligibility must be provided. This is done by submitting a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE)* to the Financial Aid Office. Subsequent COE submissions are not required each semester, unless there is a change in benefit status.
*Depending on which chapter provides your benefits, you must submit:
Since a student has the authority to elect the semester(s) during which they want to utilize their VA education benefits, it is necessary that a formal request be made each semester. This is done by submitting a semester-specific Veterans Education Benefits Enrollment Form to the Financial Aid Office.
The semester-specific form is located under the Forms tab on the Financial Aid website’s opening page and provides information that the SCO uses to certify the enrollment. The form includes submission instructions and is generally available 30 days prior to the start of a semester.
Once a Veterans Education Benefits Enrollment Form has been submitted to the Financial Aid Office, a Veterans Education Benefits Rights and Responsibilities item gets added/uploaded to the student’s HUB To-Do List. The Veterans Education Benefits Rights and Responsibilities document informs students of general and academic eligibility requirements related to using VA education benefits. To access it, click on the item as it appears on the HUB To-Do List. Once a student reviews and accepts the terms, HUB will update within 24 hours and the item will be removed from their To-Do list.
All qualifying full-time domestic students must have UB-sponsored health insurance coverage while attending UB and are thereby assessed a Student Health Insurance Fee each semester. To have this fee waived, proof of comparable coverage (including proof of VA-sponsored health insurance) and submission of a medical insurance waiver are required.
To assist the VA in making accurate payments, a student must promptly notify a SCO and the UB Veteran Services any time there is a change in their enrollment status during a semester. To report the change, submit a subsequent Veterans Education Benefits Enrollment Form to the Financial Aid Office; mark the “subsequent enrollment” box on the form to indicate that a change in enrollment has occurred during that semester. Changes include courses not attended, added, dropped/withdrawn from, and those completed for which a grade was received but will not count towards graduation. Changes in declared programs/majors and active duty status should also be reported.
Upon their first semester at UB, transfer students who previously received education benefits at another institution, must submit VA Form 22-1995 Change of Place of Training/Program to the VA Regional Office.
Students should also notify the UB SCO via email that the form has been submitted to the VA.
In-state tuition policies make it possible for members of the U.S. Military and their dependents to qualify for in-state tuition rates. For information on the policies and to access the Residency Application for New York State Tuition Purposes—Military, please visit the links below:
Note: All enrollment certifications will be submitted to the VA utilizing in-state tuition rates.
Chapter 30 and Chapter 1606 – Monthly Verification
Students receiving benefits under Chapter 30 or Chapter 1606 must verify their enrollment each month to the VA in order to receive payment for that month.
Verify monthly with the VA, by utilizing one of the following methods:
Chapter 31 – Bookstore Stipend
Your VR&E counselor will send an electronic authorization for books and supplies. In your first term of enrollment, the SCO will request an account be set up on your behalf at the University Bookstore. Once the account it set up, the bookstore can help you with selections each term and will then invoice VR&E for the cost of your books and supplies.
Student Life
University at Buffalo
321 Student Union, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: (716) 829-5586
You are responsible for applying for benefits. You can call the GI Bill Hotline: 1-888-442-4551 or contact Veteran Services.
You must complete the Veteran Education Benefit Enrollment Form once per semester (not every month) in order to receive VA educational benefits.
If your enrollment changes, you must also notify the UB certifying official. You must do this even though the change has been reported to the VA.
