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. Military students are encouraged to apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA to help with costs not covered by VA benefits.
5. Military students are encouraged to submit their Joint Service Transcripts for review.

Once Enrolled

Students using a GI Bill® 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.

In accordance with VA policy, Shenandoah University will not penalize or prohibit a GI Bill® student from attending or participating in courses while awaiting VA payment.

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® 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. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Website at http://www.benefis.va.gov/gibill.

Shenandoah University participates in the Yellow Ribbon program, which is a part of the post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33). Only those who have 100% entitlement are eligible for Yellow Ribbon. This program is applied in the Spring semester, only if it is needed.

Call to Active Duty

Students called to active duty in the armed forces of the United States will be allowed, upon presenting an official copy of their military orders to the University Registrar, the following options:

1. Withdraw from some or all courses. Students who withdraw from all courses will receive a full refund for all tuition and fees for the academic term from which the student withdraws. Those students with active board contracts/meal plans in place will receive a prorated refund. For students who withdraw from some but not all courses, tuition will be re-assessed according to full-time or part-time status.
2. Pursue an incomplete grade according to the university’s incomplete grade policy located in the applicable academic catalog.

Students are encouraged to consult with the Financial Aid Office to understand any potential impact to aid.

Students with questions about this policy are encouraged to reach out to the university’s School Certifying Official (SCO) at gibill@su.edu. 

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 contacting the VA with specific benefit-related issues

Military Education Benefits/GI Bill®   gibill@su.edu