IMPORTANT POLICY UPDATE
Due to new legislation – Public Law 116-135, Section 1019, effective 1/5/2021, there has been a change in financial responsibility for students using Chapter 33 and Yellow Ribbon benefits. Any credit reduction (including full withdrawal) after the 100% refund period may result in a debt to DigiPen, which can freeze your student account, access to registration and on campus services. Direct any questions about this new policy to the DigiPen School Certifying Official at veteranbenefits[at]digipen[dot]edu or directly to the VA.
Veterans, enlisted military personnel, and dependents of veterans may qualify for financial aid from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Part of DigiPen’s Office of Financial Aid’s mission is to serve the needs of individuals eligible for Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefits. Financial Aid Advisors are available to assist veterans, veterans’ dependents, and others eligible for veterans benefits in addressing problems or answering questions regarding benefits, certification, or other matters relating to VA benefits.
More Information
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:
Contact the Office of Financial Aid at 425-629-5002 or by email at veteranbenefits[at]digipen[dot]edu with any further questions.
| Academic Year Dates and Deadlines | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Priority deadline for all students to provide VA Certifying Official with their updated Certificate of Eligibility and VA Benefits Certification Request Form for fall semester. | August 15, 2021 | August 1, 2022 |
| VA Benefit students are certified for fall semester. | August 15, 2021 | One week prior to start of fall classes |
| Fall semester starts. | August 31, 2021 | August 29, 2022 |
| Fall undergraduate and graduate census date. | September 13, 2021 | September 12, 2022 |
| Priority deadline for all students to provide VA Certifying Official VA Benefits Certification Request Form for spring semester. | December 1, 2021 | December 1, 2022 |
| VA Benefits for spring semester are certified. | December 1, 2021 | One week prior to start of spring semester |
| Final grades for fall semester are certified to VA after fall grades post. Students with non-punitive grades could owe funds back to the VA. | December 11, 2021 | December 10, 2022 |
| First Day of spring semester. | January 4, 2022 | January 4, 2023 |
| Spring undergraduate and graduate census date. | January 18, 2022 | January 18, 2023 |
| Final grades for spring semester are certified to VA after spring grades post. Students with non-punitive grades could owe funds back to the VA. | April 23, 2022 | April 21, 2023 |
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/Yellow Ribbon/STEM Scholarship:
- Certificate of Eligibility
- DD 214-Member 4
- DigiPen VA Benefit Certification Request Form
Vocational Rehabilitation - Chapter 31:
- Certificate of Eligibility
- DD 214-Member 4
- DigiPen VA Benefit Certification Request Form
Survivors and Dependents (DEA) - Chapter 35:
- Certificate of Eligibility
- DigiPen VA Benefit Certification Request Form
Montgomery GI Bill® - Chapter 30:
- Certificate of Eligibility
- DD 214-Member (unless still active duty)
- DigiPen VA Benefit Certification Request Form
Montgomery GI Bill® - Chapter 1606:
- Certificate of Eligibility
- Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE)
- DigiPen VA Benefit Certification Request Form
Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) - Chapter 32:
- Certificate of Eligibility
- DD-214
- 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.