VA benefits are a good way to help finance your education. Many UMUC students (veterans and active duty military members) are eligible for veterans educational benefits. Information and application forms may be obtained at local education centers. Please ask the Education Services Officer, Counselor, or Navy College officials for assistance in applying for VA benefits.

VA Students Must Have an Evaluation VA regulations require that all VA students declare a major field of study and have an Official Evaluation of all prior academic course work and military training. VA students must have the Official Evaluation within two terms of their first VA enrollment with UMUC Asia.

UMUC acts as a certifying agent for the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and certifies students' enrollments to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Buffalo, NY. Enrollment certifications (VA Form 22-1999) are generally sent electronically via "VA-Once" (a Web-based program and certifying tool that ensures easy tracking and confidence regarding the transference of enrollment data from University to DVA Officials). The primary responsibility of the University is to verify active enrollment of VA students and not to make decisions on individual claims.

Active duty military members and Veteran students who use VA educational benefits for the first time must complete an application form (VA Form 22-1990, Application for Educational Benefits). It must be submitted directly to the UMUC Asia VA Specialist or along with UMUC Asia registration forms. UMUC will certify the student’s enrollment, forwarding an enrollment certification form along with the application form to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The student may receive a Certificate of Eligibility. If one is received, the student should submit a copy of the certificate to the Office of Student Affairs, ATTN: VA.

VA payments are made by the DVA directly to the students and are calculated by the DVA in accordance with federal regulations. Educational benefits are paid according to how the DVA views both the nature of the courses and the course load a student is taking. Because of the way the DVA views special format courses, such as Distance Education and seminars, students are cautioned to check with UMUC's VA Certification Specialist at Yokota Regarding how DVA benefits are paid for these courses. VA students who withdraw are subject to having the amount of their award recalculated by the DVA and may be required to repay any unauthorized amounts received.

Because the DVA’s initial processing of first-time VA students’ application for benefits takes time, VA students should be prepared to meet their educational expenses for their first two terms with UMUC in Asia.

Student inquiries about certifying procedures should be addressed to:

UMUC Asia
Attn: VA Certification
Unit 5060 Box 0100
APO AP 96328-0100

Students who previously used Chapter 34 benefits at another college or university and are applying for Chapter 30 benefits for the first time since January 1, 1994, must submit a VA Form 22-1990 with the first UMUC registration for which they wish to be certified to the VA. Students who are changing their place of training or degree program must fill out a VA Form 22-1995 to officially make the change.

When enrolling, students who have previously been certified to the VA by UMUC should note “VA” on the enrollment form. All VA students should also be sure to enter their names on the “VA sign-up sheet” maintained by Maryland Field Representatives at all registration sites. Through regular review of this form, the VA Specialist in the UMUC Asia Office of Student Affairs prepares VA certification paperwork as quickly as possible after receiving the “VA sign-up sheets” from Field Representatives.

Some students who use VA benefits take UMUC courses for transfer to other institutions where they expect to complete their degrees. Students who are degree seeking with another institution are defined by the VA as “visiting” and must request written permission from their degree-granting institution for each course they take with UMUC. In addition, such students should indicate their “visiting” status on the “VA Sign-up Sheet” each term. If courses that a student takes with UMUC are not transferable to the degree-granting institution, the student will not be reimbursed by the VA.

It is the responsibility of all students to notify the UMUC Asia Field Representative of their enrollment status at the time of registration. Students who change their addresses are required to submit a “Request for Change of Address” (VA Form 572) to the DVA, and also to notify UMUC.

While attending UMUC and receiving DVA benefits, you should be aware of the following DVA regulations and student responsibilities:

• You are required to pursue a degree program available at UMUC.
• You are expected to make satisfactory academic progress toward completion of a degree. If you are a veteran, you must comply with the academic standards of UMUC.
• You are responsible for reporting changes in enrollments that include drops, adds, withdrawals, changes to audit, and changes to degree objectives.
• Registering for a course and then not attending without officially withdrawing is a misuse of federal funds.
• Payment of benefits will not be allowed for repeating a course for which transfer or a passing grade has been granted.
• Payment of benefits will not be allowed for courses not required in a degree program.
• You must have an evaluation of their your credits and/or training by the end of your second enrollment period. The DVA may deny benefits if you do not comply.
• Payment of benefits will not be allowed for audited courses.
• Payment of benefits will not be allowed for non-credit graduate courses.
• Payment of benefits will not be allowed for receipt of FN grades.

The Department of Veterans Affairs does not have an educational representative stationed in the Asia-Pacific region to answer questions about educational benefits. Questions regarding individual claims should be addressed directly to:

Department of Veterans Affairs
Regional Office
Attn: Chapter 30 Processing
P.O. Box 4616
Buffalo, NY 14240

www.GIBill.va.gov

(click on "Questions & Answers" in the left-hand menu bar)

A student who has not received reimbursement for a course from the VA must contact the Department of Veterans Affairs within one year of taking the course, or the VA will not process any claim for reimbursement for the course. The Department of Veterans Affairs requires that all universities report any changes in the academic status of any student who is receiving VA educational assistance. Further, when a student receives the grade of I or W in a course, UMUC must notify the VA of that fact.

Student inquiries about certifying procedures should be addressed to:

UMUC Asia
Attn: VA Certification
Unit 5060 Box 0100
APO AP 96328-0100

E-mail: ova@asia.umuc.edu

Phone: 225-3680 DSN

Students who change their addresses are required to submit a “Request for Change of Address,” VA Form 572, to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and also to notify UMUC.