Using GI Bill^® Benefits

Follow these steps to use your GI Bill^® benefits at UMKC. If you have questions about any part of the process, make sure to contact us so we can help you out!

1. Apply for Admission to UMKC
2. Create an account through the eBenefits portal. You can use eBenefits to apply for education benefits, view your status, access VA documents and set-up your Direct Deposit account information. If you are unsure of your benefits chapter, first contact the VA. You can do so by selecting "Submit a Question" on the GI Bill^® Website or by calling the VA at 1-888-442-4551.
3. Apply online for benefits at vets.gov (you can also access this site through your eBenefits portal). Provide the VA Certifying Official with a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility that you will receive from the VA OR print an Entitlement Information page from eBenefits that shows your benefit level and entitlement eligibility. Copies can be sent by fax, scanned and emailed or dropped off in person at Registration and Records located in Room 115 of the Administrative Center at 5115 Oak Street. Early submission of these forms can help prevent payment delays.
4. If you previously attended another school and received education benefits you will need to complete a Change of Program or Place form. If you are using Ch. 33, 30 or 1606, complete form 22-1995; if you are using Ch. 35 complete form 22-5495. Submit a copy of the confirmation page to the UMKC Certifying Official.
5. If you are using Ch. 30 or Ch. 1606, you must verify your enrollment at the end of each month via WAVE (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment).
6. The VA requires that only degree applicable courses are certified for GI Bill^® benefits. Classes that are not degree applicable cannot be certified. Students utilizing GI Bill^® benefits at UMKC are required to fill out and submit an Enrollment Data Form (EDF) to the VA Certifying Official each semester they wish to utilize GI Bill^® benefits.
   • Enroll in classes
     • Once UMKC receives your Enrollment Data Form (EDF), we will certify your enrollment for the term to the Veterans Administration. Students who are eligible for the housing allowance and book stipend should receive those payments within 30 days of enrollment certification. Once the semester starts, UMKC will amend your enrollment certification and report the tuition and fees for payment. 
   • Make sure to check your UMKC e-mail often, in case the UMKC VA certifying official needs additional information from you in order to process your certification for GI Bill^® benefits.
   • Additionally, the Registration Quick Guide is a great tool for all students and contains helpful information about attending UMKC.

Post 9/11 GI Bill^®

The Post-9/11 GI Bill^® became effective for training on or after Aug. 1, 2009.

In order to utilize the Post 9/11 GI Bill^®, also known as Ch. 33, at UMKC you need to provide the VA Certifying Official a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) that the Veterans Administration will provide you once they have approved you are eligible for the Ch. 33 benefit. If you do not have a copy of your COE you can request a copy be mailed to you by submitting an email request to https://iris.custhelp.va.gov/app/ask. If you have access to eBenefits you can print an Entitlement Page in lieu of a COE. 

Once your application or COE is on file with the UMKC VA Certifying Official in the Registration and Records Office an indicator is added to your account alerting the Cashiers Office that all or a portion of your tuition and fees will be paid by the VA. This indicator also ensures that you will not be dropped from your classes due to non-payment for the current term.

Dependent on the percentage of tuition and fees that Ch. 33 is covering the student is responsible for any remaining balance not covered by the VA. Minimum monthly payments will need to be made on your student account in order to avoid late fees and/or finance charges on the portion of the bill the VA is not covering which could include but is not limited to parking permits, book store charges (including books), meal plans, etc. Once UMKC receives the funding for the portion of tuition and fees that the VA is covering any late fee and finance charges accrued on that amount will be removed by the Cashiers Office.

Questions about eligibility or benefits associated with Ch. 33 must be directed to the VA at 1-888-442-4551. Read a letter from the Department of Veteran Affairs to students (PDF) with information about the bill.

Learn more about the Post 9/11 GI Bill^®

GI Bill^® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.