Veterans Benefits

More Information

• Eligibility
• Applying for Veterans Benefits
• Veterans Programs at DigiPen
• Important Dates and Deadlines
• Certifying Veterans Benefits

Eligibility

Eligibility for the various VA educational benefits programs is determined, in part, by the veteran’s date of enlistment. In all cases, the Department of Veterans Affairs makes the final determination of eligibility. See the individual program descriptions on the GI Bill® website for full eligibility criteria and application instructions. The GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website at benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

Applying for Veterans Benefits

To apply for Veterans Benefits, contact VA Education Call Center at 888-442-4551 or apply for benefits online at www.ebenefits.va.gov or benefits.va.gov/gibill/. The VA will determine if a veteran is eligible for benefits, and for certain VA chapters they will mail them a Certificate of Eligibility.

Those in need additional assistance should call the VA toll-free at 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) or visit www.vba.va.gov/VBA/.

Veterans Programs at DigiPen

The following VA educational assistance benefits are available at DigiPen:

• The Yellow Ribbon Program
• Montgomery GI Bill® for Active Duty and Veterans (Chapter 30)
• Veterans Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 32)
• Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
• Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35)
• Montgomery GI Bill® for National Guard & Selected Reserves (Chapter 1606)

Contact the Office of Financial Aid at 425-629-5002 or by email at veteranbenefits[at]digipen[dot]edu with any further questions.

Certifying Veterans Benefits

The Office of Financial Aid is responsible for certifying veteran enrollment to the regional Veteran Affairs office each semester. Therefore, veterans must complete their registration on time, complete the VA Benefits Certification Request Form each semester, then email their completed form to veteranbenefits[at]digipen[dot]edu.

To be certified, the Office of Financial Aid will need to receive the following documents:

• Post 9/11 GI Bill® - Chapter 33:

  1. Certificate of Eligibility
  2. DD 214-Member 4
  3. DigiPen VA Benefit Certification Request Form

• Vocational Rehabilitation - Chapter 31:

  1. DD 214-Member 4
  2. Copy of VA 28-1905 Form
  3. DigiPen VA Benefit Certification Request Form

• Survivors and Dependents (DEA) - Chapter 35:

  1. Certificate of Eligibility
  2. DigiPen VA Benefit Certification Request Form

• Montgomery GI Bill® - Chapter 30:

  1. Certificate of Eligibility
  2. DD 214-Member (unless still active duty)
  3. DigiPen VA Benefit Certification Request Form

• Montgomery GI Bill® - Chapter 1606:

  1. Certificate of Eligibility
  2. Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE)
  3. DigiPen VA Benefit Certification Request Form

• Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) - Chapter 32:

  1. Certificate of Eligibility
  2. DD-214
  3. DigiPen VA Benefit Certification Request Form

After all documents are received and the student has registered for courses, the Office of Financial Aid will certify them for their VA Benefits.

If any changes are made to one’s course schedule, such as adding or dropping courses, they should notify the Office of Financial Aid at veteranbenefits[at]digipen[dot]edu. Any changes must be reported to the VA Office.

Please note that veterans may use their VA Benefits for summer courses. However, they will not be certified for benefits unless they complete the DigiPen VA Benefit Certification Request Form for the summer term. We recommend talking with a Financial Aid Advisor regarding summer benefits before making any decisions regarding summer certification.