APPLYING FOR VETERANS' BENEFITS

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HOW TO APPLY FOR VETERANS' BENEFITS AT SONOMA STATE

1. Gain admittance into Sonoma State.
2. Register for classes
3. View the information about which forms you need to complete, according to the type of student you are:
   • Sonoma State student using benefits for the first time (freshmen or transfer students)
   • Transfer student who is continuing benefits
   • Continuing Sonoma State student

Forms and Information

Forms

• Application for VA Education Benefits (Form 22-1990) or you can submit your application online.
• Application for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (Form 22- 5490) or you can submit your application online.
• Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation You must submit this application first to your nearest Veterans Administration Office before coming to the Sonoma State VA Office.
• Request for Change of Program/Place of Training

Information

• California Veterans Dependents Educational Assistance (Fee Waiver Program)
• Information for reservists/active duty members

Paid Grades

The USDVA requires that students maintain "satisfactory progress" towards their degree and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better (See "Satisfactory Progress" below) . The USDVA allows payment for all grading options within the university except grades of "NC (No Credit)", "AU (Audit)", "U (Unauthorized Withdrawal)", "W (Withdrawal)", or when several "F's are received in the term. All "unallowable" grades will result in an over-payment due back to the USDVA. Though the USDVA allows grades of "I (Incomplete)" and students have one year to complete the coursework, be advised that the assignment of an "unallowable" grade at the end of that year will also result in an overpayment due back to the USDVA.

Satisfactory Progress

Students receiving federal veterans' education benefits will have their benefits terminated if they complete any two consecutive terms with an academic action other than Good Standing (follow link for definition), even if the level of achievement does not result in academic dismissal from the University.

Major and Minors

The USDVA requires that all enrolled students declare a major by their third term of enrollment at Sonoma State.

The USDVA allows payment for double majors and minors. All majors and minors must be declared for payment of courses in those majors or minors.

Concurrent Enrollment

Students receiving veteran educational benefits may attend two or more colleges at the same time, as long as it is all in pursuit of a single educational goal and by so doing, can expedite their graduation. Students are responsible for having the supplemental school(s) send a Verification of Enrollment to the parent college or institution that is awarding the degree. Courses the student is enrolled in must be listed on their Academic Plan Form and must be courses which will "reduce the number of units required for their degree".

Address Change

To ensure that you continue to receive your VA benefit checks, certifications, and other important VA and/or university information, EVERY TIME YOU MOVE you must be sure to change your address by contacting the Veterans' Affairs Regional Processing Offic at 1-888-442-4551.

Sonoma State University Email

As a student who receives VA benefits, it is very important that you review your Sonoma State University email account regularly. All email that comes from the VAO including announcements, updates, or correspondence regarding your benefits will be delivered via your SSU email (seawolf) account.

Financial Aid

Though receipt of VA benefits is considered in the determination of a veteran student's level of aid, most veteran students do qualify for financial aid. Pickup a Federal Financial Aid Application from the Financial Aid Office and make an appointment with a Financial Aid Counselor.

Monthly Self-Verifications

Almost everyone receiving MGIB-Active Duty benefits, as well as those in the Selected Reserve, must verify their enrollment each month to receive payment for that month. Your enrollment can be verified on the last calendar day of the month by using our Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) at https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave or by calling our toll free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone line at 1-877-823-2378.

Paper verification forms (VA Form 22-8979) will no longer be issued for persons receiving Chapter 30 benefits.

Changing Your Certification

Per the USDVA , if there is a change in your program or enrollment (class adds, class drops, withdrawals, etc.) which will affect your training time, you should contact the SSU's Veterans' Certifying Official. Do not indicate changes for your Self-Verification Form that do not affect your training time. If you have any questions about whether a change will affect your training time, please contact the SSU's Veterans' Certifying Official for clarification.

End of Benefits

The USDVA will pay for an entire semester, if you have at least one or more days of benefits remaining at the beginning of the semester. Consequently, when you are planning your semesters you may want to carefully consider skipping break pay, if in doing so it will deplete the remainder of your benefits.

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