Veterans Benefits

The Higher Education Coordinating Board's State Approving Agency (HECB/SAA) has approved DigiPen's academic programs for enrollment of persons eligible to receive educational benefits. The following VA educational assistance benefits are available at DigiPen:

• Chapter 30 (Title 38, U.S. Code) - Montgomery GI Bill for Active Duty and Veterans
• Chapter 32 (Title 38, U.S. Code) - Veterans Educational Assistance Program
• Chapter 35 (Title 38, U.S. Code) - Dependents of Disabled/Deceased Veterans
• Chapter 1606 (Title 10, US Code) - Montgomery GI Bill for National Guard & Selected Reserves

To be eligible for VA educational benefits, you must be a degree-seeking student with a declared major at DigiPen. Eligibility for the various VA Educational Benefits programs is determined, in part, by your date of enlistment. In all cases, the Department of Veterans Affairs makes the final determination of eligibility. Application forms for your VA benefits are available at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/.

If you are a prospective student and believe you might be eligible for educational benefits, call or visit the DigiPen's Office of Financial Aid for more information and to begin the application process. The staff of the Financial Aid Office may assist veterans in seeking other sources of financial aid in addition to their VA Educational Assistance benefits. Kim King, Veterans Affairs Coordinator: (425) 895-4446 kimking@digipen.edu; and Office of Financial Aid: (425) 895-4446 [mailto:financialaid@digipen.edu financialaid@digipen.edu.

DigiPen's Financial Aid Office exists to serve the needs of individuals eligible for Veterans Administration educational benefits. The staff of DigiPen's Financial Aid Office is here to assist veterans, veterans' dependents, and others eligible for educational benefits with problems or questions regarding benefits, certification, or other matters relating to VA benefits.

The Financial Aid Office at DigiPen is responsible for certifying veteran enrollment to the Regional Veteran Administration Office each semester. Therefore, you must complete your registration on time and indicate that you are a VA student. You will receive your first VA Educational Benefit check approximately six to eight weeks after submission of the VA certification. The amount of money you will receive for education benefits differs for each program - call the VA Regional Office (888-442-4551) for more specifics.

A veteran who is enrolling for the first time or who has not been enrolled for at least 30 days at any educational institution may be eligible for advance pay. The school generally receives this payment no later than 10 days after classes begin. The first check will cover the first partial month plus the first full month of school attendance. This check may be picked up at the Business Office upon payment of any balance owed DigiPen. The veteran will receive the next check at the end of the second full month of classes. If you are interested and eligible for advance pay, please contact the Veteran Services Office at least 45 days before the first day of the class you plan to attend.

It is advisable for new or re-entering students who are or may be eligible for VA benefits to contact DigiPen's Financial Aid Office prior to registration to insure that all necessary VA paperwork is properly initiated. Please remember that the Veterans Administration determines eligibility for VA educational benefits and that eligibility for VA educational benefits bears no relationship to an individual's indebtedness to DigiPen. New DigiPen students who have not used any VA educational assistance programs should apply for these benefits at DigiPen's Financial Aid Office.

• Veterans who have not used any of their Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty Educational Assistance (Chapter 30) benefits will need an original or certified copy of their Member 4 of their DD Form 214 to send to the VA.
• Dependents who have not received Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) benefits will need to apply using VA Form 22-5490 or provide a Certificate of Eligibility.
• Reservists who have not used any of their Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve Educational Assistance (Chapter 1606) benefits, will need the original DD Form 2384, or Notice of Basic Eligibility, from their Reserve Unit. New Chapter 30 & 1606 recipients will need to complete a VA Form 22-1990.
• Transfer students who have received VA educational assistance benefits at other institutions of higher education should also apply in person at DigiPen's Office of Veterans Affairs; they will need to complete a Change in Place of Training form.

Contacts

DigiPen's Office of Financial Aid: (425) 895-4446 kimking@digipen.edu

If you need additional assistance, please call the toll-free number 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) or visit http://www.gibill.va.gov/education/benefits.asp.

You may also contact the Department of Veterans Affairs at the following:

• Education information: (888) 442-4551
• Other VA information: (800) 827-1000
• VA monthly certification: (827) 823-2378
• Web site: http://www.gibill.va.gov