Indiana University Bloomington

This checklist and our staff are here to assist you in acquiring your Veterans Education benefits so you will get the maximum amount of aid for funding your education.

Checklist

1. Apply for Admission to Indiana University
Before you begin pursuing financial benefits, you’ll want to make sure you’ve applied to Indiana University. The Office of Admissions and the Bloomington Continuing Studies Program sites provide guidelines for applying. Your personal academic background and goals will determine which office is best for you. Contact us if you need help making this decision.

2. Complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA)
The Free Application for Student Aid, or FAFSA, is a government-mandated form that determines your eligibility for low- or no-interest student loans as well as grants at the federal and state level. You’ll want to complete this form to ensure you receive all the aid for which you are eligible, even if you plan on using veterans education benefits. To be considered for the most potential aid, complete the FAFSA by March 1, Indiana University’s priority submission date. Visit the FAFSA Web site to fill out and submit the application.

3. Obtain Academic Transcripts from Previous Institutions
To earn transfer credit from coursework completed prior to attending Indiana University, collect your transcripts from previous colleges and any military institutions that can be considered for IU credit. Provide copies of your military transcripts and your DD 214 discharge documents to the IU Office of Admissions for evaluation. You can use the following resources to get your military transcript:    

• Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS)
• Community College of the Air Force Transcript Request Forms (CCAR)
• Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)
• Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART)

4. Apply for Campus Housing
If you would like to live on campus, it’s best to apply for student housing with Residential Programs and Services as early as possible to ensure you get your desired assignment. Although campus housing is convenient, it is not mandatory as there are other boarding options available to students in Bloomington, such as renting an apartment or house.

Students who are veterans or reserve component service members who have deployed but do not meet the standard on-campus housing exception rules can request to be considered for a special exemption based on military service experience. Exemptions are considered on a case-by-case basis only—there is no standard military exemption for the first year student housing requirement.

5. Attend New Student Orientation
Orientation is a great opportunity for you to get better acclimated with the university and its policies. Also, this is an opportunity to gain a sense of the organizations and activities you’d like to be involved in as a student. If you are unable to attend the available orientation sessions due to military commitments, let the Office of First Year Experience Programs know this in your reply to their orientation invitation. Also contact Veterans Support Services. We will work with the orientation and advising staffs to set up a reasonable alternative to meet your needs.

If you have been deployed, you may find that transfer student orientation better suits your needs. If you would like to discuss your options, contact the Office of First Year Experience Programs when you receive your orientation invitation.

6. Meet with an Academic Advisor Before Enrolling in Courses
Meeting with an academic advisor early in the course scheduling process can save you a lot of time, energy, and mistakes. Advisors can help you plan a manageable course load that meets your specific academic needs.  They can also assist you in ensuring that all the courses for which you will request GI Bill funding apply to your degree plan. This is a Veterans Affairs requirement in order to receive benefits. Your initial meeting with an academic advisor will be part of your orientation program. Following this meeting, you will enroll in classes.

7. Apply for Veterans Affairs Benefits
There are many benefit programs available to veterans. Visit the official GI Bill Web site to go through a step-by-step process to get an idea of what benefits are best for you, or contact us and we can guide you through the process. You will need to complete one of the following forms online through the Veterans Affairs' VONAPP Web site.

• VA Form 22-1990: Initial Application for Education Benefits for military members or veterans (Chapters 30, 33, 1606, or 1607)
• VA Form 22-1990e: For dependents to whom Post 9/11 GI Bill eligibility has been transferred (Chapter 33)
• VA Form 22-5490: For children of disabled veterans applying initially for the Dependent Education Assistance Program (Chapter 35)
• VA Form 22-1995: Change in Program/Place of Training, for those who have used the GI Bill at another institution
• VA Form 22-5495: Change of Place of Training, for those who have used Chapter 35 benefits at another institution
• If you’ve been discharged from active duty, you will need to provide your VA official with your DD 214. If you have a Notice of Basic Eligibility or College Fund/Kicker Contract from the National Guard or reserves, be sure to submit a copy of these forms to Veterans Support Services as well.

Usually there is an 8- to 12-week wait before you actually receive your benefits. Once they arrive, you’ll have to verify your enrollment monthly via phone at 877-823-2378 or online at the GI Bill Web site. Be sure to contact your VA certifying official if you have any changes in enrollment status.

If you are the child of an Indiana veteran with any level disability rating, you may be eligible for the Indiana Remission of Fees for the Child of a Disabled Veteran. The state also offers a fee remission for Indiana veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart. Applications for both of these programs are available through the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs. Once the application form is approved by the Indiana DVA, it should be forwarded to the Indiana University Office of Student Financial Assistance in Franklin Hall 208.

8. Visit Veterans Support Services
In order to receive your benefits, you must come into our office to turn in your Veteran Request for Enrollment Certification form, as well as your DD 214. This step lets us know to report your information to Veterans Affairs to complete the process. On-campus students should submit this form in person; distance education students can submit their form via e-mail or fax. Contact our office for details. You will need to repeat this process each semester you want to receive benefits. It is important to note that your funding will not be released until this final step is completed.

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