How to Apply for Veterans Educational Benefits

 
Helmets to Hardhats

The VA Representative is available to help you with general questions regarding admissions to the school, and an application for educational benefits. There may be options available to you regarding payment procedures, enrollment certifications, etc., which can be explained to you at the time of application for VA assistance. Please remember that although the school can back up to 12 months to certify you for benefits, it does require some time for the VA to process for payment.  So start your process early.

You must apply to be eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), benefits. Forms are available at the VA office located the in Enrollment Services, 216 Kirkwood Hall.

While it is not required, it is recommended that all paperwork be routed through the Kirkwood VA Representative. Copies of all paperwork will be made and maintained in the student’s file. All original documents will be forwarded to St. Louis for processing. This guards against loss and allows the VA Representative to function as an advocate for you.

The VA Representative will assist you with paperwork, guide you through the process of gathering the necessary supporting documentation, and forward your application packet to the St. Louis VA Regional Processing Office.  Once an application is received by the RPO, it becomes a permanent part of your VA file. Upon receipt of your application, the VA RPO will assign you a file, or claim, number. Generally this will be your social security number.

If your benefits are a result of having been on active duty, you will be asked to submit a certified copy of your DD214. This form must be certified by the county recorder’s office.

Persons applying from the reserves or National Guard should submit a copy DD form 2384, Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE), along with your application. The form can be obtained from the unit clerk.

If you are under the Vietnam Era GI Bill (Chapter 34/30 conversion), funds are eligible for your dependents. 

For students who previously received VA benefits while attending another school, VA Form 1995 (Change of Program or Place of Training) must be completed and on file in the student’s folder at Kirkwood. A new form must be filled out for each change of major of change of schools.