VA Coordinator:
Bethany Brady – University Registrar – bbrady@shorter.edu; 706-233-7259 (o)
Shorter University has been approved by the State of Georgia as a training facility for veterans applying for VA Educational Benefits.
The following VA Benefit programs are in place at Shorter University:
- Montgomery GI Bill® /Chapter 30: (active duty or veteran status) must have served in the United States Armed Forces and participated in the GI Bill® program. In most instances, veterans must also have been honorably discharged.
- Montgomery GI Bill® /Chapter 1606: (selected guard and reserves) must have completed all initial entry training (IET) and are now assigned to a Reserve and/or a Georgia National Guard Unit.
- VA Vocational Rehabilitation/Chapter 31: (service-connected disabled veterans) must make application with local VA caseworker to have rehabilitation plan developed indicating a Shorter University degree plan.
- REAP/Chapter 1607: (reservists who were activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001).
- Post 9/11 GI Bill® /Chapter 33: must have active duty service on or after September 11, 2001. Benefit is based on service credits.
- Survivors and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program/ Chapter 35 (dependents and spouses of 100% disabled or deceased Veterans).
Specific information on each chapter can be found on the Veteran’s website: www.gibill.va.gov.
Getting started:
After applying for admission to the university, students should complete the Veterans Enrollment Data Sheet. The following documents should be included with the Veterans Enrollment Data Sheet when making application for VA benefits:
- NOBE (Notice of Basic Eligibility) for the Select Reserves and Georgia National Guards
- DD Form 214
- Kicker/Buy Up documentation
- College Fund documentation
- Veterans Enrollment Data Sheet
University Charges:
Students are responsible for paying all university bills. Shorter University and the VA do not have an agreement to process tuition/fee waivers; therefore, failure of the VA to pay students in a timely manner does not eliminate or delay a student’s financial responsibility to Shorter University. It normally takes the Atlanta VA processing center 6-8 weeks to process new educational claims, so please plan accordingly.
Veteran Students’ Responsibilities:
Veteran students at Shorter University have ongoing responsibilities to the VA. The Shorter University VA Coordinator closely monitors each student’s enrollment status and academic program. The student’s entitlement is based upon the number of credit hours for which they are enrolled. Current pay rates can be viewed at:
www.gibill.va.gov.
Veteran students must notify the VA Coordinator of any of the following:
a. change of degree program
b. change of address
c. out more than three semesters
d. when a veteran does not want a semester certified
Chapter 30, 1606, and 1607 Monthly Verification
All students who are receiving Chapter 30, Chapter 1606, and Chapter 1607 benefits must verify their monthly enrollment on the last day of each month or after. The benefit (monetary award) will not be released by the VA until this is done. Enrollment verification can be accomplished by using the VA toll-free telephone number 1.877.823.2378 or the WAVE feature found on the VA website www.gibill.va.gov.
Useful Links
– Atlanta Regional Office
– Board of Regents Veterans Information
– Current Pay Rates
– Department of Veterans Affairs
– VA Forms
– Vocational Rehabilitation
– VONAPP (Veterans Online APPlication)
– W.A.V.E.