Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Educational Benefits
I want to use my GI Bill® benefits at IOWA, what do I need to do?
Students wishing to use their GI Bill® benefits MUST complete the Online Veteran Worksheet every academic year (fall, spring). This worksheet authorizes the University of Iowa to certify enrollments with the VA and covers summer, fall, winter and spring.
- It is best practice to submit every summer after your first semester of enrollment.
- The worksheet allows you to attach your COE. If your benefits have not changed, you only need to submit your COE the first time you complete the form.
- After IVETS receives your COE and Veteran Worksheet, our staff submits your paperwork to the VA, and your benefits will begin to get processed. You will receive an email from the VA when this process begins. Expect your benefits to be approved within 3-6 weeks.
- Submitting your worksheet early helps to avoid delayed payments of your GI Bill® benefits.
I am a dependent of a veteran. Do I qualify to receive in-state tuition?
For dependents of veterans to qualify to receive in-state tuition the dependent must be eligible to use the veteran’s transferred GI Bill® benefits. A copy of the GI Bill® benefit transfer confirmation page would satisfy this requirement.
If you have questions about this policy the IVETS staff would be happy to help. You can reach us at registrar-vets-office@uiowa.edu.
There are alternative ways to establish residency and we have a department dedicated to this.
My course registration date for next semester is approaching but I have a registration hold on my account because I’m waiting for the VA to send my tuition/fee payment for the current semester. Is it still possible to register on my assigned date/time?
It may be possible for a member of the IVETS staff to remove the registration hold on your account. We will need to determine when your benefits for the current semester were sent to the VA and check with the VA to make sure the payment is processing without any issues. If we can verify the payment is processing with the VA we will be able to remove your registration hold as long there are no outstanding personal charges on your UBill.
I am a dependent of a veteran who will be using transferred GI Bill ® benefits. The veteran has transferred their benefits to me. What is my next step?
You will need to apply to utilize the transferred benefit. This is done by completing VA Form 22-1990e (Application for Family Member to Use Transferred Benefits) which can be found online. The VA will process your application and send you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to the address listed on your application. The COE defines the terms of your benefits such as percentage of coverage and months of entitlement. The IVETS office will need to have a copy of your COE to attach to your file. You can send a photo or scan of the front page of the COE to registrar-vets-office@uiowa.edu.
I am receiving GI Bill® benefits, but it does not cover my total costs each semester. How can I supplement my GI Bill® benefits to pay my UBill?
The IVETS office works closely with the Office of Student Financial Aid to provide you with supplemental financial options to ensure that you are able to pay your UBill with a combination of your GI Bill® benefits and supplemental funds. Contact Financial Aid for more information.
I want to use my GI Bill® Benefits for the upcoming semester and I cannot remember if I completed the online Veterans Worksheet.
The online Veterans Worksheet is our way of gaining your permission to request the VA to utilize your benefits for the semesters you’ve noted on the form. The IVETS office would be happy to check on the status of your Veterans Worksheet and review the terms you’ve selected. Please reach out to us at registrar-vets-office@uiowa.edu.
It is 2+ months into the semester and I forgot to notify the IVETS office that I intended to use GI Bill® benefits for this semester. Is it too late?
No, it is not too late to request to use your benefits if the semester has already started. Complete the online Veterans Worksheet, select which semesters you’d like utilize your benefits for, hit submit and the IVETS staff will send your request to the VA. If approved, you will receive the back pay beginning with the first class day of the semester.
I am utilizing Chapter 35 benefits. What is my file number?
Your file number is the Social Security Number of the veteran whose benefits you are using.
My GI Bill® benefit request was sent to the VA for this semester, but it’s been 3 weeks with no payments made. How can I check on my payment status?
Your payment is processed by the VA. The VA takes 3-6 weeks to process each claim that they receive. If you would like to check on the status of your payment(s):
- Call the VA Student Hotline at 1-888-442-4551.
- Press 0 to speak to a representative.
- Notify them of the term you are checking on. This is the beginning and end date of the semester in question.
I want to set up direct deposit to receive my payments more quickly with the VA. How can I do this?
Call the VA at 1-888-442-4551. Press 0 to speak to a representative. Have your routing number ready to set up direct deposit.
I want to apply to use Federal Tuition Assistance (ArmyIgnitED). What is my first step?
Students wishing to apply for FedTA should first contact their unit’s Education Services Officer to ensure they are approved for funding. Students who do not receive prior approval from their ESO (the deadline to apply is 8 days before the start of classes) are at risk of not having their funding approved for the semester. Students who need assistance contacting their ESO should reach out to their chain of command or ask IVETS personnel for assistance.