Military Benefits

Education Benefits for Veterans, Active Duty Military Personnel and Dependents of Veterans

Shenandoah University provides support to students wishing to use education benefits administered by the US Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. Students wishing to use their veteran’s benefits while pursuing their educational goals must:

1. Apply for their benefits using the online application at www.va.gov.
   *Note – If a veteran is transferring benefits to a dependent or spouse, the transfer must be approved by the Department of Defense (DoD) prior to applying.
2. Apply for admission to SU at www.su.edu.
3. Submit a copy of their Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) to SU’s VA Certifying Official. It may take up to six weeks after applying with the VA to receive your CoE.
4. Apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA to help with costs not covered by VA benefits.

Once Enrolled

Students using a GI Bill (R) must complete and submit the Enrollment Certification Request (ECR) form every semester, after the student is registered. Students will not be certified until this form has been completed and received by SU’s Certifying Official.

The VA Certifying Official is the liaison between Shenandoah University and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Certifying Officials are responsible for reporting student enrollment information, such as term dates, credit loads, probation, graduation and tuition to the VA, so that benefit payments may be disbursed.

Students whose benefits come through the Department of Defense or directly through any of the military branches should see their military educational officer for information on how to obtain educational benefits.

Shenandoah University will submit invoices to Military Benefit Programs upon receipt of written authorization. Written authorization should be submitted to Hornet Central.

Based on Shenandoah University’s transfer credit policy, once transcripts are obtained, noted and appropriate credit granted, the student and the VA will be notified. Any applicable credit will be applied to the degree (where appropriate) and the length of the degree with be shortened proportionately. 

For additional information, please contact the Registrar’s Office at (540) 665-3499 and ask to speak with a VA Certifying Official or by email to registrar@su.edu.

NOTE: A Covered Individual is any student who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or Chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill (R) benefits. Under the Veteran Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 (section 3679 of title 38, United States Code), any covered individual will be permitted to attend classes without penalty for Department of Veteran Affairs non-payment, as long as the covered individual has submitted a Certificate of Eligibility and Enrollment Certification Request form to a School Certifying Official.

The Virginia State Approving Agency (SAA), is the approving authority of education and training programs for Virginia. Their office investigates complaints of GI Bill beneficiaries. While most complaints should initially follow the school grievance policy, if the situation cannot be resolved at the school, the beneficiary should contact their office via email saa@dvs.virginia.gov.

2021-2022 Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) Rates

VA School Certifying Official

Areas of assistance include:

• Fielding questions about VA educational benefits
• Directing students to the right contact on campus
• Assisting students with completing VA forms
• Assisting students with contacting the VA with specific benefit-related issues

Shenandoah University’s VA School Certifying Official (SCO):

Niccole Gatliff, Wilkins Administrative Building, Room 228, (540) 542-6508, ngatliff@su.edu
Kathy Whitmer, kwhitmer@su.edu