Using VA Educational Benefits at UNCW.
Using the Post-9/11 GI Bill at UNCW - Part I.
Using the Post-9/11 GI Bill at UNCW - Part II.
Using the Post-9/11 GI Bill at UNCW - Part III.
Using Veteran Readiness & Employment at UNCW
Using Dependents Education Assistance at UNCW.
To learn about your eligibility for any of the above benefits, visit the VA website or contact the VA. You may also work with the education office or transition coordinators at your/your sponsor's command for assistance with understanding your options.
The Office of Military Affairs does not represent the VA, nor are we able to assess eligibility for VA benefits.
All students who plan to use VA educational/vocational benefits at UNCW must apply for those benefits through the VA. This includes students who have successfully used their VA benefits at other schools. We recommend completing the application or transfer process before orientation.
Once you complete the steps listed above, you will not need to do them again for the remainder of your time at UNCW, unless you change the chapter of benefits you will be using.
Keep in mind that your "certifying your enrollment" means verifying that you are enrolled in classes for that term (not that you are enrolled as a student at UNCW). Your benefits will be processed after the end of the add/drop period of the first term in which you are enrolled.
The first time you use your VA benefits at UNCW, you may expect a delay of several weeks for the first payment due to processing times with the VA.
Once you have submitted your New Military Student VA Benefits Form and after you have registered for classes, the VA-Military Financial Aid Counselors will pull your course registration information and submit your enrollment certification to the VA.
Students have up to the end of the registration period each term to make changes to their course schedules.
If you make a change to your course schedule after your enrollment has been certified, email us with your name, 850-# (student identification number) and the course name and number that you have added or dropped from your schedule.
Full-time enrollment for regular undergraduate programs is as follows:
Enrollment rates for online accelerated programs and graduate programs may vary. Contact the VA-Military Financial Aid Counselors for assistance with determining your rate of enrollment and months of benefits usage.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays the following line items directly to the bill listed in the student's account:
As long as your Certificate of Eligibility is on file (and, if you are a new student, you have completed the New Military Student VA Benefits Form), you do not need to pre-pay tuition and the fees listed above (unless your eligibility is less than 100%).
Program The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers UNCW tuition only up to the in-state rate. If you are not considered a resident of North Carolina for tuition purposes (according to the North Carolina Residency Determination Service), you will not be eligible for the in-state tuition rate.
However, you may be eligible to apply for the Veteran's Choice Act, which would waive the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition. Review eligibility requirements and apply for the Veteran's Choice Act.
If you are not eligible for the Veteran's Choice Act, you may be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, which offers some additional funding for a limited number of qualified students (veterans and children of military members or veterans only) on a first come, first served basis.
If you have any questions, contact the VA-Military Financial Aid Counselors for help.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) at the end of a month in which you were enrolled in classes.
Students must verify their enrollment monthly with the VA to receive payment.
The MHA payment will be prorated for the number of days you were in classes that month.
Students must be enrolled at the full-time rate for their academic program to receive the full MHA to which they are entitled. Less than full-time enrollment will lead to a reduced MHA rate. Students must be enrolled at more than half-time to receive any MHA.
Taking only online courses means the student will receive 50% of the national MHA rate (up to the percentage to which they are entitled).
The MHA payment is deposited directly to the personal bank account listed in eBenefits (you may update your direct deposit information by signing in to eBenefits).
If you plan to live on campus while using the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you will need to pay any on-campus housing fees and meal plan fees by the billing date, because the MHA is not paid directly to the school.
Contact the VA-Military Financial Aid Counselors with questions about your enrollment and MHA.
The Book Stipend pays up to $1,000 per year. The amount per payment is pro-rated per the amount of enrolled hours, so you may receive different amounts in different terms. The Book Stipend is paid directly to the personal bank account listed in eBenefits.
Please note that the following costs are not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill:
Students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and scholarship applications to assist with the cost of attendance.
Students may also enroll in the Military Student Payment Plan, which divides the bill into 3 payments over the course of the semester; students may enroll in this plan through their eBill once it is available for the coming term.
Additional student aid or scholarships beyond the Post-9/11 GI Bill will not be paid toward the items that are covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
If your parent or spouse is still serving on active duty, they may apply through milConnect to have the benefit transferred to you. It is a one-time process and after the transfer is completed, you must complete the steps above to apply for the benefit and receive the Certificate of Eligibility.
Please note that the Montgomery GI Bill cannot be transferred to military dependents, and the Post-9/11 GI Bill must be transferred while the service member is still on active duty.
Students who are interested in using VR&E at UNCW must apply through the VA. After your application to use VR&E is approved by the VA, you will be assigned a VR&E counselor, who will submit your eligibility paperwork to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at UNCW.
The VR& benefit encompasses tuition, fees, a monthly housing allowance and textbook/course materials purchases at the UNCW Bookstore.
Contact the VA-Military Financial Aid Counselors with questions about how your VR&E program will work at UNCW.
This benefit offers a monthly stipend. Find payment rates for Chapter 35 and the Fry scholarship. Students using Chapter 35 benefits will become eligible as of Fall 2022 to apply for the Veteran's Choice Act for access to a waiver of the difference in rates between in-state and out-of-state tuition.
Students who wish to use one of these benefits must complete the steps to apply or transfer the benefit. Contact the VA-Military Financial Aid Counselors questions about how your DEA benefit will work at UNCW.