Military & Veterans Support

If you have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after September 10, 2001, and are still on active duty, or if you are an honorably discharged Veteran or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days, you may be eligible for this VA-administered program.

The first step for Chapter 33 benefits is applying to the VA by submitting application form 22-5490 on the VA website.

Benefits Include:

• BAH (Housing Allowance)
• Percentage of Tuition Coverage
• Book Stipend
• Yellow Ribbon option (for non-residents who qualify)
• Transfer of Entitlement

Requirements for Western

• VA Benefits application
• Western Request for VA Benefits
• DD 214
• GI Bill Certificate of Eligibility
• JST Military Transcript
• Please contact Financial Aid at 970.943.3085 or finaid@western.edu regarding in-state residency, Western Financial Aid and the College Opportunity Fund.

Under Title 38, Western students covered under Chapter 33 are not subject to late fees, disenrollment, or other penalties if they are waiting on a payment from the VA.

Spouse or Dependent Student

The student must first apply to the VA by submitting application form 22-5490 on the VA website.

Transferring Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits to a Dependent Student

Transfer of Entitlement Requirements

Transfers are made by a service member on the Department of Defense (DoD) website

The student will need to complete the 22-1990E: Application for Transfer of Entitlement (TOE) form via the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Once the transfer has been approved and the 22-1990E has been processed by the VA, a Certificate of Eligibility will be mailed to the student. A copy of the Certificate of Eligibility, along with the completed Western forms (below), must be submitted to the Western Military and Veterans Support Coordinator.

Benefits Include:

• BAH (Housing Allowance)
• Percentage of Tuition Coverage
• Book Stipend
• Yellow Ribbon option (for non-residents who qualify)

Additional forms are required by Western:

• VA Benefits application
• DD 214
• GI Bill Certificate of Eligibility
• Western Request for VA Benefits
• Please contact Financial Aid at 970.943.3085 or finaid@western.edu regarding in-state residency, Western Financial Aid and the College Opportunity Fund.

Under Title 38, Western students who are covered under Chapter 33 are not subject to late fees, disenrollment or other penalties if they are waiting on a payment from the VA.

Fry Scholarship

The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship) is for children and spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001.

Dependents Education Assistance (DEA) – Chapter 35

You may qualify for VA education benefits (Chapter 35 benefits) if you’re the child or spouse of a service member and one of the following descriptions is true of the service member:

• Died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001, or
• Is missing in action or was captured in the line of duty by a hostile force, or
• Was detained (held) by force while in the line of duty by a foreign government or power, or
• Is in the hospital or getting outpatient treatment for a service-connected permanent and total disability, and is likely to be discharged for that disability. A service-connected permanent and total disability is a disability resulting from your service that does not go away.

You may qualify for VA education benefits (Chapter 35 benefits) if you are the child or spouse of a Veteran and one of the following descriptions is true of the Veteran:

1. Is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, or
2. Died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability.

If you are a dependent who doesn’t meet the above criteria, you may still qualify for VA education benefits if the Veteran or service member transferred some or all of their Post -9/11 GI Bill entitlement to you while they were on active duty.

Additional Western Information & Forms

• VA Benefits application
• Western Request for VA Benefits
• Please contact Financial Aid at 970.943.3085 or finaid@western.edu regarding in-state residency, Western Financial Aid and the College Opportunity Fund.
• Preferred but not required: DD 214 and GI Bill Certificate of Eligibility

You should get paid starting the month following your first month of class and then every month thereafter. Payments for DEA-CH 35 are considered “in arrears,” meaning you will get paid at the first of the month for the month that you just finished. A payment plan will need to be set up with Western if you are not paying in full the first of the semester.

If you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, the Veteran Readiness and Employment program (Chapter 31) can help. To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply for veteran readiness benefits and services, like help exploring employment options and any required training needs, refer to the Veteran Readiness and Employment VA page. In some cases, your family members may also be eligible for certain benefits.

Information and Forms Required by Western

• VA Benefits application
• Western Request for VA Benefits
• JST Military Transcript
• Undergraduates only: please contact Financial Aid at 970.943.3085 or finaid@western.edu regarding in-state residency, Western Financial Aid and the College Opportunity Fund.
• Vocational Rehabilitation counselor name, email, phone number and address
• DD 214 and GI Bill Certificate of Eligibility

Under Title 38, Western students who are covered under Chapter 31 are not subject to late fees, disenrollment or other penalties if they are waiting on a payment from the VA.

This is available to those who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces. Active duty members who enroll and pay $100 per month for 12 months are then entitled to receive a monthly education benefit once they have completed a minimum service obligation.

Benefits:

• Up to 36 months of funds while enrolled as a student
• Funds are paid directly to the student
• For additional information, visit the VA Chapter 30 webpage.

Chapter 1606 applies to Reserve or National Guard members attached to and drilling with a unit.

Benefits:

• Funds are paid directly to the student
• For additional information, visit the VA Chapter 1606 webpage.