If you are using VA education benefits for the first time or are new to Winthrop, visit the request benefits page for information on how to use VA benefits at Winthrop.
Each VA education benefit pays for different things. This chart gives an overview of those things.
** All currently enrolled Winthrop students using a federal VA education benefit are required to submit a certification request form to start benefit payments for any term.
Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill, Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
Chapter 31: Vocational Readiness & Employmment:
Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill
Chapter 35: Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance Program
Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill, Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
The VA pays tuition and mandatory fees to the school for students using Ch. 33 Post-9.11 GI Bill and Ch. 31 VR&E appoximately two weeks after the drop/add deadline for the term.
The VA pays Chapter 33 book stipends to the student at the beginning of each semester. Depending on when the VA receives/process your enrollment certification, you may not receive your book stipend until after classes start.
All other stipends are paid on the first of the month starting the month after the term begins and covering the previous month's enrollment. For example, your January stipend will be posted to your account on or around February 1. Keep in mind that you may experience payment delays at the beginning of a semester, especially if you are a new VA student or new to Winthrop.
*If you believe your payment is late, call the VA at 888/GI-BILL-1 (888/442-4551) to check the status. Call between 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Central Time, Monday-Friday. You also can submit a question at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/ and click on "Submit a Question".
This information is available in the rate tables on the VA's website.
After you have submitted the Certification Request Form, the VA Benefits Coordinator will send you an e-mail confirmation once your enrollment has been certified. If you are a new or transfer student, please follow the instructions for requesting your benefits for the first time at Winthrop.
All Winthrop students are required to submit a Certification Request Form to let the VA Benefits Coordinator know that you need an enrollment certification submitted to the VA for the term. If you are a new or transfer student, please follow the instructions to request your benefits for the first time at Winthrop.
Full Time VS. Part Time
Examples for Ch. 33 Post-911 GI BILL
Fall and Spring Semesters - Undergraduate
Fall and Spring Semesters - Graduate
Examples for Ch. 30, 35, 1606
Fall and Spring Semesters - Undergraduate
Fall and Spring Semesters - Graduate
Summer Semester
**Graduate Students enrolled in FULLY ONLINE PROGRAMS should contact the Veterans Benefits Coordinator for more information on how their enrollment is handled.
A student cannot be certified beyond his or her sophomore year unless a major is declared. Only "General Education" courses can be certified prior to the declaration of a major.
In order for students to receive VA payment for coursework, each registered class must fit into their declared major program. The Winthrop University Catalog is the official list of courses that are covered under VA educational benefits. It is the student's responsibility to make sure that their registered classes meet the VA certification requirements if VA payment is desired. Charges for any courses taken outside of a student's major are the student's responsibility.
This is known as "Dual Certification". The Veterans Benefits Coordinator first certifies enrollment for an upcoming semester before fees have been put on student accounts. Doing so helps students receive their housing and book stipends in a timely matter. If there are no fees on the student account, we report $0 to the VA and then go back and amend the certification after fees have been put on the accounts. Once fees have been posted, the Veterans Benefits Coordinator then amends all certifications with Tuition and Fees.
Yes, please contact the Veterans Benefits Coordinator the semester beforehand. They will send to the school of your choice what is called a "Parent Letter". This allows that school's certifying official to certify your classes so you can still receive your VA Educational Benefits.
If you have completed the Approval for Transfer Credit Form for the courses taken abroad (signed by your Student Services Coordinator), and those classes fulfill degree requirements, the Veterans Benefits Coordinator may be able to certify your enrollment for certain study abroad programs, including faculty-led study abroad programs and semester programs with foreign university partners. However, the VA will NOT pay for fees associated with Travel, Room, and Board expenses under any circumstances. Contact the VA Benefits Coordinator to discuss your study abroad plans.
Yes, just keep in mind that these months will count against the overall number of months of entitlement you have.
The Rules of Grades
NOTE: All "rules" are enforced by the VA
If you receive a "Passing" Grade
If you received a "Non-Passing" Grade
If you have S/U'd a Class and received a "U"
If you have received a “UN”
If you have received an "I" or Incomplete
This question is important for students receiving the Ch. 33 Post-911 GI-BILL and depends on several factors regarding what financial aid you are receiving. Please contact the VA Benefits Coordinator for more information.
While Winthrop does not offer a reduction in tuition, we do participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program and honor Act 11. For more information on these two programs, click here.
Related Links
Contact Information
Veterans BenefitsRelated Links
Contact Information
Veterans Benefits