Applying for VA Education Benefits

Step 1) Visit the VA education and training benefits webpage at https://www.va.gov/education/

Step 2) The VA will mail you a Certificate of Eligibility, of which a copy must be sent to Attn: VA Certifying Official in the Veterans Support Services office in Filippi Academic Hall, 190, or emailed to Cris Sotelo at cs45@stmarys-ca.edu.  Please turn in this form, even if you are still awaiting your acceptance decision from Saint Mary's.

Step 3) Once we have your Certificate of Eligibility AND you are enrolled in classes at Saint Mary's, we will begin reporting your enrollment to the VA so you receive benefits.

Step 4) Schedule an Appointment. If you would like to discuss your eligibility, benefits, or any other concerns, please schedule an appointment.

Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (22-1995)

If you have used your VA benefits before and you are changing your major and/or school, and/or you have been out of school for over one year, fill out the 22-1995 form on eBenefits.  If you are Chapter 35 you would fill out the 22-5495 form.  The form can be submitted online or download a copy and mail it in according to the instruction on the form.  St Mary’s will need a copy of your completed form.

Change in Enrollment and Student Responsibilities

All changes made after your initial certification should be brought to the attention of the VA Certifying Official so the change can be reported.  The most common changes include:

• Changes in credit hours (dropping or adding)
• Changes in courses/enrollment/schedule
• Changes in major
• Change in previously reported or incomplete grade
• Leave of Absence
• Withdrawal from College

Failure to report changes may result in termination of benefits, delays in future certification, delays in receiving benefit payments and debt/overpayment with the VA.  Changes may be reported to the VA School Certifying Official in person, by telephone, or email.  Audits are conducted and changes in units will be reported, but it is ultimately your responsibility to report these changes when they occur to reduce the possibility of an overpayment or possibly an underpayment.

Caution: “W’s”: The VA will not pay for educational benefits for courses from which you have withdrawn, unless the VA determines that there are mitigating circumstances.