How to use Post 9/11 GI Bill®

• Dept of Veterans Affairs Post 9/11 GI Bill®
• Am I eligible for more than 1 VA education benefit?
• Impact of Rudisill Supreme Court Decision on Veteran’s Education Benefits

1. Initial Dept. of Veteran Affairs benefit application or update your school or bank account on file in the VA system
2. Submit Certificate of Eligibility to Laurel Ridge Veteran Services
   • If benefit application is complete, you may Download VA education letter
3. Submit Laurel Ridge VA certification request form
4. Send official transcripts
   • Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy
   • Air Force
   • All college transcripts
5. Make an appointment with
   • Military Benefits Official, Sharon Painter
   • Veteran Academic Advisor, Jeanmarie Corrado

6. Enroll in courses required for VA approved degree/certificate
7. Pay balance not covered by Post 9/11, including software charges
8. Attend and complete the course(s)
9. Student must verify school enrollment with VA by phone or online each month

• To receive full housing stipend every day of semester, enroll as a full-time student and at least 1 in person course (location of in person course determines housing stipend rate)
  • Full time = 12+ credit hours (based on 14 week session)
  • Summer =7-8 credit hours (based on 10 week session)
  • All online courses = lower housing stipend
• Determined by the VA, housing stipend is calculated using rate of pursuit and location of equal or majority of in person courses.  Student must have greater than 50% rate of pursuit to receive any housing stipend.
• Students can receive full housing stipend they choose to enroll in sessions other than 14 week.  Please contact Military Benefits Official for more details.
• Housing stipend is deposited 1^st day of month into student’s personal bank account for prior month’s attendance days

For more information contact VA education hotline 1-888-442-4551 or visit GI Bill® Comparison Tool

• In-state tuition and fees will be paid by VA directly to Laurel Ridge approximately 3 weeks after drop for refund period. Tuition balance will reflect on student’s account until VA payment is received.
• If a student has submitted a certificate of eligibility and Laurel Ridge VA certification request form, Laurel Ridge will not penalize a student if VA payment is late. Failure to submit both requirements will initiate debt notifications from the business office.
• Less than 100% eligibility recipients are responsible for balance.
• Reductions in enrollment may cause a tuition debt to student.
• Students using military education benefits can also use financial aid (FAFSA)

• VA book stipend is paid to student approx. 10 days prior to session.
• Book stipend is $41.67 credit/hour for maximum of $1000/academic year
• Some Laurel Ridge courses require software access, which is automatically charged to student financial account.  Follett software charges are not paid by Post 9/11 Gi Bill.
• Upon enrollment, students must pay Follett software charges or utilize financial aid (FAFSA)
• To verify if a course has software charges, please review each course notes within SIS (student information system) and course syllabus.

Please verify all benefit information:

• Dept. of Veteran Affairs education hotline 1-888-442-4551
• Dept. of Veterans Affairs “Ask VA”
• Dept. of Veteran Affairs Education and Training benefits