Steps to Receiving VA Educational Benefits

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  1. If you have never applied for or received VA educational benefits, you must first apply to the Department of Veterans Affairs. You can apply online with VONAPP.
  2. If you are eligible, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility indicating your length of eligibility and how many months of benefits you can receive.
  3. Every semester you want to receive benefits, you must complete a Request to Be Certified with the Veterans Educational Assistance Program (R-471). This is a McNeese form that can be downloaded or obtained from the Veterans Affair’s office. Once you have registered for courses, complete the form, have your academic advisor or department head complete the bottom of the form, and submit the form to the Registrar’s office window. McNeese will submit your enrollment electronically to the Department of Veterans Affairs, who will then determine eligibility for payment and payment amounts.
  4. At the time you submit your Request to Be Certified with the Veterans Educational Assistance Program (R-471), if you have changed your major, been out of school for more than six months, or attended another school, you must also complete VA Form 22-1995 Request for Change of Program or Place of Training. (Dependents must complete VA-Form 22-5495 Request for Change of Program or Place of Training Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance.)
  5. If you will be receiving benefits under Chapters 30, 1606, or 1607 you must verify your attendance with VA every month. You can do this by accessing VA’s Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) or by calling 1-877-823-2378. You will not receive payment until VA receives your verification.