How to Receive Your Financial Aid

  1. Register Early: If you're using both VA Education Benefits and financial aid, make sure to register at least a week before the quarter starts. Also, set up your direct deposit in MyUW. Your financial aid will be deposited automatically into your account about 2-3 days before the quarter begins.
  2. Late Registration: If you register after the deadline, you’ll need to request your funds from Financial Aid at uwtfa@uw.edu using your UW email.
  3. Tuition Balance: Remember, you’re responsible for any charges on your account that aren’t covered by your VA benefits.

Why Is My Tuition Not Paid?

  • Missing Certification Request: The most common reason for delayed or missing VA payments is not submitting a Quarterly Certification Request to the VMRC. Make sure to log in with your UW NetID and submit your request here.
  • Chapter 33 Payments: Tuition payments for Chapter 33 are sent to the VA after the UW Add/Drop period. It may take 4-6 weeks for the VA to process the payment. Don’t worry—Chapter 33 recipients will not incur late fees due to delayed payments.
  • Contact VMRC: If your tuition hasn’t been paid by the end of the quarter or you haven’t received VA payments after the first month, reach out to the VMRC.

Using Your VA Benefits for Classes

VA will approve:

  • Courses required for your major (check your Degree Audit).
  • Dual majors that are officially recognized (submit an updated Change of Program form if needed).
  • Minor courses that count as electives within your major.
  • Courses for your final quarter to maintain full-time status.

Important: Only courses part of your declared program (as per your VMRC paperwork) will be covered. Unapproved courses will be out-of-pocket costs for Chapter 33 and Chapter 33 TOE users. For Chapter 31 or Chapter 35 students, please consult your VR&E Case Manager for approvals.

Fees Not Covered by the VA

Federal regulations have changed how tuition and fees are reported for Chapter 33 recipients. Costs that reduce your tuition include:

  • Tuition-based scholarships
  • Institutional aid
  • Federal or state tuition assistance
  • Waivers
  • Any other designated funds

Note: If you drop or withdraw from classes after the term starts, you may incur charges, which you’ll be responsible for.

Why Haven’t I Received My Monthly Payment (MHA/Stipend)?

  • Check for Issues: Look through your emails for any paperwork problems and ensure your Quarterly Certification Request was submitted correctly.
  • Payment Schedule: The VA pays on the first of each month for the previous month. For example, you’ll receive October funds on October 1.
  • Enrollment Verification: Starting in the 2021-2022 school year, if you receive MHA or kicker payments, you must verify your enrollment monthly. Failure to do so may result in payment delays. For details on enrollment verification, visit this link.
  • Processing Time: If there’s a delay in your Certification Request, the VA may take 3-4 weeks to process your benefits after receiving your request.

Direct Deposit

To receive your funds via direct deposit, set this up during your VA benefit activation. For updates or changes, contact the regional VA office at 1-877-838-2778 or 1-888-442-4551, or update through your VA.gov account.

Verification of Enrollment

To get a Verification of Enrollment letter for Tuition Assistance (TA), contact the Registrar’s office at reguwt@uw.edu.

Remaining Months of Benefits

To find out how many months of benefits you have left, log into VA.gov and follow the steps to obtain a Statement of Benefits. If you don’t have an account, set one up or call the VA Regional Education Office at 1-888-442-4551.

Using VA Benefits for Study Abroad

VA will cover:

  • Courses that apply to your program.
  • Tuition up to the in-state maximum at your home school.
  • Monthly housing allowance if enrolled more than half-time.
  • Books and supplies stipend.

Not Covered: Airfare and any fees from the host school.

For specific guidance, contact the VMRC Benefits Advisors.

Tuition Reduction Information

For more about the Choice Act and tuition reductions for veterans and their eligible family members, visit this link. Additional details can be found at this VA site.

Isakson & Roe: Public Law 116-315 (Section 1019)

Effective January 5, 2021, this law improves various GI Bill® programs. For more on how this impacts VA education benefits, check this presentation.