Documentation for Veterans Benefits

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

The Alabama GI Dependents’ Scholarship

Students interested in applying for the Alabama G.I. and Dependents Education Benefit program should contact their county Veterans Affairs Office or the Student Aid Office at the University. Requires an award certificate from the Alabama Department of Veteran Affairs: http://www.va.state.al.us/gi_dep_scholarship.aspx

Federal Benefits – GI Bill®

• A copy of your Certificate of Eligibility – it is your awards letter from the VA listing your percentage of coverage and remaining months of eligibility.
• The UM Request for Certification – the online certification form is available here.

VA Vocational Rehabilitation (CH 31)

To have your enrollment certified with the VA and your caseworker, you will need to submit the following and see the School Certifying Official before leaving campus on the day you register for classes.

• VA Form 1905 – completed and signed by caseworker
• The UM Request for Certification – the online certification form is available here.

Tuition Assistance (TA)

To apply for Tuition Assistance (TA) at the University of Montevallo, service members should follow these general steps:

1. Verify eligibility: Before enrolling in courses, consult with your Education Services Officer (ESO) or a counselor within your branch of military service to determine your eligibility for Tuition Assistance.
2. Follow branch-specific procedures: Follow the instructions provided by your military service branch to establish your education profile or degree plan and request Tuition Assistance for your intended courses.
3. Request course approval: Submit each individual course for Tuition Assistance approval through your branch of service before the course begins.
4. Submit TA authorization: Once your courses have been approved by your branch of service, provide the University of Montevallo with the required Tuition Assistance authorization documentation.
5. Coordinate benefit processing: The University of Montevallo’s designated office for veteran and military student services will coordinate with the appropriate student accounts office to ensure that approved Tuition Assistance benefits are communicated and applied to the student’s account as applicable.

Return of Unearned Tuition Assistance (TA)

The University of Montevallo (UM) is committed to supporting service men and women of the United States and the State of Alabama. The University of Montevallo has a policy that returns 100% of tuition & fees when a military service member stops attending due to a military service obligation. Military students may apply for a Late Start or a Military Leave of Absence (MLOA) from the University if they are called to duty and must withdraw from the semester, leave prior to the end of the term, attend training during the semester or miss the beginning of the semester due to military orders. Due to MLOA the student will receive 100% refund of tuition & fees through the whole term (e.g. not responsible for tuition and fees due to MLOA as they will remove based on leave). UM sends billing for TA after the 60% of term is completed, therefore, no unearned funds will need to be returned due to MLOA.

Fall/Spring: 16-weeks Course Withdraw submitted, the 60% of course completed at 9 weeks

Full Summer term: 13-weeks Course Withdraw submitted, the 60% of course completed at 7.8 weeks

Combined term: 9-weeks Course Withdraw submitted, the 60% of course completed at 5.4 weeks

Summer I and Summer II terms: 4-weeks Course Withdraw submitted, the 60% of course completed at 2.4 weeks

May term: 3-weeks Course Withdraw submitted, the 60% of course completed at 1.8 weeks

Note: The educational institution’s week of instruction is counted as 7 days.

Military transcript

Send UM a copy of your military transcript in order to receive college credit for your training. Order your military transcripts here (except Air Force).

Current UM students using Federal Benefits

1. For each academic year (fall, spring, and summer semesters) you must submit the following to the School Certifying Official:
   a. UM Request for Certification form, indicating the semesters for which you
   want to be certified, and
   b. An updated Certificate of Eligibility or your latest Certification Letter from the VA.
2. If you change your schedule, major, degree, or concentration after the end of the drop/add period (usually the first week of class), you must notify the School Certifying Official.

New Freshmen using Federal Benefits for the first time:

1. To apply for admission to UM click here.
2. If you are a veteran, request an official copy of your military transcripts be sent to UM.
3. Apply for Federal VA or DOD education benefits at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/
   a. Once approved, the VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility – your awards letter.
   b. Federal Benefits include:
   i.    Montgomery GI Bill®
   Active Duty – Chapter 30
   ii.   Montgomery  GI Bill®, Selected Reserve – Chapter 1606
   iii.  Post 9/11 GI Bill® – Chapter 33
   iv.  Reserve educational Assistance Program (REAP) – Chapter 1607
   v.   Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Asst. Program (DEA) – Chapter 35
   vi.  VA Vocational Rehabilitation – Chapter 31
4. Meet with the School Certifying Official at UM the day you register for classes, or before registering for classes.
   a. Complete the UM Request for Certification Form (needed each academic year) indicating the semesters for which you want to be certified.
   b.  Bring your Certificate of Eligibility provided by the VA.
5. UM will then be authorized to certify your enrollment for the indicated semesters with the VA.
6. If you change your schedule, major, degree, or concentration after the end of the drop/add period (usually the first week of class), you must notify the School Certifying Official.

New Transfers to UM with existing Federal benefits:

1. To apply for admission to UM click here.
2. Request official copy of any and all transcripts from other institutions including your military transcripts to be sent to UM.
3. Complete VA for 22-1995 (Request for Change of Program or Place of training). You may complete and submit this form online at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/ or in the UM Registrar’s Office.
4. Meet with the School Certifying Official at UM the day you register for classes, or before registering for classes.
   a. Complete the UM Request for Certification Form (needed each academic year) indicating the semesters for which you want to be certified.
   b. Bring an updated copy of your Certificate of Eligibility provided by the VA.
5. UM will then be authorized to certify your enrollment for the indicated semesters with the VA.
6. If you change your schedule, major, degree, or concentration after the end of the drop/add period (usually the first week of class), you must notify the School Certifying Official.

New Transfers using Federal benefits for the first time:

1. To apply for admission to UM click here.
2. Request official copy of any and all transcripts from other institutions including your military transcripts to be sent to UM.
3. Apply for Federal VA or DOD education benefits at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/
   a. Once approved, the VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility – your awards letter.
   b. Federal Benefits include
   i.    Montgomery GI Bill®, Active Duty – Chapter 30
   ii.   Montgomery GI Bill®, Selected Reserve – Chapter 1606
   iii.  Post 9/11 GI Bill® – Chapter 33
   iv.  Reserve educational Assistance Program (REAP) – Chapter 1607
   v.   Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Asst. Program (DEA) – Chapter 35
   vi.  VA Vocational Rehabilitation – Chapter 31
4. Meet with the School Certifying Official at UM the day you register for classes, or before registering for classes.
   a. Complete the UM Request for Certification Form (needed each academic year) indicating the semesters for which you want to be certified.
   b.  Bring an updated copy of your Certificate of Eligibility provided by the VA.
5. UM will then be authorized to certify your enrollment for the indicated semesters with the VA.
6. If you change your schedule, major, degree, or concentration after the end of the drop/add period (usually the first week of class), you must notify the School Certifying Official.

Current UM students using Federal benefits for the first time:

1. Apply for Federal VA or DOD education benefits at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/
   a. Once approved, the VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility – your awards letter.
   b. Federal Benefits include
   i.    Montgomery GI Bill®, Active Duty – Chapter 30
   ii.   Montgomery GI Bill®, Selected Reserve – Chapter 1606
   iii.  Post 9/11 GI Bill® – Chapter 33
   iv.  Reserve educational Assistance Program (REAP) – Chapter 1607
   v.   Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Asst. Program (DEA) – Chapter 35
   vi.  VA Vocational Rehabilitation – Chapter 31
2. Meet with the School Certifying Official at UM the day you register for classes, or before registering for classes.
   a. Complete the UM Request for Certification Form (needed each academic year) indicating the semesters for which you want to be certified.
   b.  Bring a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility provided by the VA.
3. UM will then be authorized to certify your enrollment for the indicated semesters with the VA.
4. If you change your schedule, major, degree, or concentration after the end of the drop/add period (usually the first week of class), you must notify the School Certifying Official.