Office of the Registrar

Veteran Affairs

Upon admission to the university, students eligible for financial benefits from the Veterans Administration must report to the Veterans Affairs Desk in the Registrar's Office, 150 Student Services Center, to complete the proper paperwork. You will be given a Welcome Packet that includes a letter outlining our expectations, the appropriate benefit application for the Chapter you are filing under, a Request for Basic Training Credits and a list of VA contacts. A copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214) or a Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) is necessary to complete the application process. The NOBE is available through the educational coordinator of your unit. Two credits are awarded for Basic Military Training (BMT) which will meet the general education Fitness and Recreational Skill requirement, your DD-214 and the Request for Basic Training Credits are necessary to receive those credits.

Please note: You may apply for Educational Benefits online at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp. If you complete the application for benefits on-line you must print a copy and submit it to the Veterans Affairs Desk for your file.

Chapter 35 (qualified dependents of deceased or disabled veterans) students need a copy of their birth certificate listing the names of both parents and documentation listing the veterans Social Security Number, percentage of disability and entitlement in order to apply for benefits.

All Chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill) and Chapter 1606 (National Guard and Reserves) must complete a 22-1990 application and verify their enrollment on the last day of each month or up to two weeks afterwards, if your enrollment has not changed during the month, by phone at 1-877-823-2378 or at www.gibill.va.gov and follow the link to the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) program (https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/default.cfm). If you use WAVE you can verify monthly on-line. You will be asked to register and provide an email address. You then can be updated by the VA through email of your status and when you are due to verify. You must verify your enrollment every month when you are taking classes. You should receive your payment about seven days after you verify if you have no change in enrollment. If you have signed up for Direct Deposit, you'll get paid a few days sooner.

Chapter 1607 must complete a 22-1990 and a 22-1995 form, Request for Change of Program or Place of Training. Students filing under Chapter 1607 do not have to verify enrollment at the end of every month.

Chapter 31 (Disabled Veterans) should contact Brian Kittel at the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1123 East End Blvd. Wilkes Barre, PA 18702, 570-821-250. The VRandE will approve your eligibility and forward the necessary paperwork to the Veterans Affairs Desk at Bloomsburg University.

At the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters, the number of credits you are taking will be verified and a certification will be sent to restart your benefits. Please contact the Veterans Affairs Desk if you are changing your credits by adding or dropping courses, changing your major or will no longer be attending Bloomsburg University.

Summer Sessions: GI Bill recipients who will be taking classes over the Summer session and wish to continue receiving their benefits during the summer must notify the Veterans Affairs desk in the Office of the Registrar.

Students can get an automated message confirming the processing of their latest payment by calling 1-888-442-4551. Choose option 1 for information on your educational benefits and enter the requested information. You may also press 0 to be connected to a VA representative.

Students who have served in the military and wish to obtain credits for their military experience must have official transcripts submitted to Registrars Office. Order forms for official transcripts can be obtained on-line at each of these web-sites: Army- https://smart.cnet.navy.mil or Sailor/Marine - http://aarts.army.mil. Air Force and Coast Guard members may receive their transcripts from their respective service centers or educational institutions. Once the official transcript is received it will be evaluated for transfer of credits.

Study Abroad

GI Bill recipients who plan to study abroad and wish to continue receiving their benefits should be aware of the following conditions: The foreign school must be an institution of higher learning and be VA approved. If the foreign school is VA approved they will submit your certification for benefits. If the foreign school is not VA approved it must have a partnership with Bloomsburg University and if a partnership exists we will submit your certification for benefits. In addition, a Form 22-1995, Request for Change of Program or Place of Training, must be submitted for Veterans studying abroad.

More information on foreign study can be found at www.gibill.va.gov. Click on Information for Benefit Recipients / Going to a Foreign School.

To continue to receive benefits under the GI Bill during your study abroad please contact Veterans Affairs in the Office of the Registrar at extension 4269 well in advance of your departure to appropriately facilitate your request.

You may contact Veterans Affairs with any questions or concerns at 570-389-4269 or by email.