Veterans Affairs (VA) Education Benefits
Chaminade University is committed to supporting veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, National Guard members, and eligible dependents in utilizing their Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefits. Students receiving VA benefits are encouraged to work closely with the Office of Financial Aid to ensure timely certification of enrollment and compliance with federal VA regulations.
Eligible VA Education Benefit Programs
Chaminade University participates in several VA educational assistance programs, including:
Chapter 33 – Post-9/11 GI Bill®
Chapter 31 – Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
Chapter 35 – Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)
Chapter 30 – Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
Chapter 1606 – Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
Students should verify that their academic program is approved for VA benefits through the VA’s Web Enabled Approval Management System (WEAMS) prior to enrollment. Programs not approved by the VA are not eligible for VA educational funding.
Applying for VA Benefits
Students seeking to use VA educational benefits must:
Apply for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Obtain the appropriate eligibility documentation from the VA, such as a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or VR&E authorization letter.
Submit required documentation to Chaminade University’s Office of Financial Aid.
Request enrollment certification each term for which benefits are sought.
Enrollment Certification
Chaminade University certifies enrollment to the VA for courses that apply directly toward a student's declared degree, major, minor, certificate, or approved educational objective. A Request for VA Certification Form is required for each term for which students seek certification. Students are responsible for notifying the University of any changes in enrollment via the VA Change in Enrollment Status Form, including adding, dropping, withdrawing from, or canceling courses. Enrollment changes may impact eligibility and could result in VA overpayments that must be repaid.
Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid
Students receiving VA educational benefits may also apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
VA tuition payments and financial aid disbursements may occur at different times during a term:
If VA funds are received before financial aid is disbursed, VA funds are applied to eligible tuition and fee charges first.
If financial aid is disbursed before VA funds are received, financial aid may be applied to institutional charges, and eligible refunds may be processed after VA funds are received and posted.
For Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill® and Chapter 31 VR&E recipients, the VA is considered the “last payer” for tuition and fees. Certain tuition-specific scholarships, waivers, tuition assistance, and employer-sponsored educational benefits must be deducted before tuition and fees are reported to the VA. Federal Title IV aid, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, is not deducted from tuition and fees reported to the VA.
Benefit-Specific Information
Chapter 33 – Post-9/11 GI Bill®
Eligible students may receive:
Payment of net tuition and mandatory fees directly to the University, subject to the entitlement percentage.
A book and supplies stipend paid directly to the student.
A Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) for students enrolled more than half-time and meeting eligibility requirements.
Students receiving MHA must verify their enrollment monthly with the VA as required by federal law. Failure to verify enrollment may result in the suspension of housing payments.
For students attending private institutions such as Chaminade University, the VA sets an annual maximum for tuition and fee payments. For the 2026–2027 academic year, the maximum amount payable by the VA under Chapter 33 is $30,908.34 per academic year. Tuition and fee charges exceeding this annual cap are the responsibility of the student unless additional funding is available through the Yellow Ribbon Program or other sources.
The annual Chapter 33 tuition and fee cap is set by the VA and may change each academic year.
Yellow Ribbon Program
Chaminade University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which assists eligible students whose tuition and fees exceed the annual Chapter 33 maximum benefit amount.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, the VA will pay up to $30,908.34 in tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students attending private institutions. Students whose tuition and fees exceed this amount may be eligible for additional assistance through the Yellow Ribbon Program if they meet the 100% benefit requirement.
Chaminade University's participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program is limited to undergraduate degree programs only. Eligible undergraduate students may receive Yellow Ribbon funding in accordance with the University's agreement with the VA and applicable federal regulations.
Graduate degree programs are not approved for participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program and are therefore not eligible for Yellow Ribbon funding through Chaminade University.
Students should note that the annual VA tuition and fee cap and Yellow Ribbon Program provisions are subject to change based on federal law and VA regulations.
Chapter 31 – Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
Students approved for VR&E benefits must obtain authorization from their Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) each term. Authorized benefits may include:
Tuition and mandatory fees.
Required books and supplies.
Other approved educational expenses.
Authorizations must be submitted prior to certification each term.
Chapters 35, 30, and 1606
These programs generally provide monthly stipends paid directly to the student. Recipients are responsible for paying tuition, fees, housing, and other educational expenses directly to the University by published deadlines.
Academic Progress and Grade Reporting
Federal regulations require Chaminade University to report certain academic outcomes to the VA. Grades such as withdrawals (W), no credit (NC), failing grades (F), or incomplete coursework that later converts to non-passing grades may affect VA eligibility and could result in benefit adjustments or overpayments.
Students are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress and comply with all University academic policies.
Contact Information
Questions regarding VA educational benefits, certification, enrollment changes, or benefit eligibility should be directed to the Chaminade University Office of Financial Aid at varesources@chaminade.edu
Additional information regarding VA education benefits is available on the University's VA Education Benefits webpage and on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.
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 VA website.