Certify Your Enrollment

The first semester during which a student wants to use their VA education benefits, proof of benefit eligibility must be provided. This is done by submitting a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE)* to the Financial Aid Office. Subsequent COE submissions are not required each semester, unless there is a change in benefit status.

• To obtain a COE, go to the VA’s online eBenefits system or call (888) 442-4551.
• Note: To receive Chapter 31 – Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) authorization, first apply through the eBenefits system. Once your VR&E counselor approves an education plan, they will submit an electronic authorization (COE) to the university; typically on an annual basis.
• To submit a COE to the Financial Aid Office, utilize one of the following methods:
•     Upload a copy to: Financial Aid Document Uploading Center
•     FAX a copy to: (716) 645-6566
•     Mail a copy to:  Financial Aid at 1Capen
                                  Capen Hall
                                  Buffalo, NY 14260

*Depending on which chapter provides your benefits, you must submit:

• Chapter 30 – Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty (MGIB-AD): Submit a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
• Chapter 31 – Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E): Your VR&E counselor will send the school an electronic authorization of your eligibility. No separate or additional COE submission is required by the student.
• Chapter 33 – Post-9/11 GI Bill®: Submit a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
• Chapter 35 – Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA): Submit a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
• Chapter 1606 – Select Reserve GI Bill®: Submit a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

• Note: The VA will only authorize education benefits for degree applicable courses/credits only. To learn more, visit: About Degree Applicable Credits (DAC)
• Note: Changes in enrollment must be reported to the School Certifying Official; more information can be found below under “Additional Information and Steps”

Since a student has the authority to elect the semester(s) during which they want to utilize their VA education benefits, it is necessary that a formal request be made each semester. This is done by submitting a semester-specific Veterans Education Benefits Enrollment Form to the Financial Aid Office.

The semester-specific form is located under the Forms tab on the Financial Aid website’s opening page and provides information that the SCO uses to certify the enrollment. The form includes submission instructions and is generally available 30 days prior to the start of a semester.

Once a Veterans Education Benefits Enrollment Form has been submitted to the Financial Aid Office, a VA Rights and Responsibilities action item becomes available on a student’s HUB To-Do List. This VA Rights and Responsibilities document informs students of general and academic eligibility requirements related to using VA education benefits. To access it, click on the item as it appears on the HUB To-Do List. Once a student reviews and accepts the terms, HUB will update within 24 hours and the item will be removed from the To-Do list.

All qualifying full-time domestic students must have UB-sponsored health insurance coverage while attending UB and are thereby assessed a Student Health Insurance Fee each semester. To have this fee waived, proof of comparable coverage (including proof of VA-sponsored health insurance) and submission of a medical insurance waiver are required.

To assist the VA in making accurate payments, a student must promptly notify a SCO and the UB Veteran Services any time there is a change in their enrollment status during a semester. To report the change, submit a subsequent Veterans Education Benefits Enrollment Form to the Financial Aid Office; mark the “subsequent enrollment” box on the form to indicate that a change in enrollment has occurred during that semester. Changes include courses not attended, added, dropped/withdrawn from, and those completed for which a grade was received but will not count towards graduation. Changes in declared programs/majors and active duty status should also be reported.

Upon their first semester at UB, transfer students who previously received education benefits at another institution, must submit VA Form 22-1995 Change of Place of Training/Program to the VA Regional Office.

• View VA Form 22-1995 (Change of Place of Training/Program)
• Note: You do not have to submit a NOBE or Application for Benefits form (VA Form-1990) if you previously received educational benefits at another institution. If you are a transfer student but did not receive benefits at another institution, you do not need to complete this form.

Students should also notify the UB SCO via email that the form has been submitted to the VA.

• Email: UBFA@buffalo.edu
• Subject Line: “Attn: SCO – VA Change of Place Training”

In-state tuition policies make it possible for members of the U.S. Military and their dependents to qualify for in-state tuition rates. For information on the policies and to access the Residency Application for New York State Tuition Purposes—Military, please visit the links below:

• Veterans and Dependents of Veterans
• Active duty service members

Note: All enrollment certifications will be submitted to the VA utilizing in-state tuition rates.

Chapter 30 and Chapter 1606 – Monthly Verification

Students receiving benefits under Chapter 30 or Chapter 1606 must verify their enrollment each month to the VA in order to receive payment for that month.

Verify monthly with the VA, by utilizing one of the following methods:

• Online through WAVE (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment)
• Telephone through IVR (Interactive Voice Response) 1-877-823-2378

Chapter 31 – Bookstore Stipend

Your VR&E counselor will send an electronic authorization for books and supplies. In your first term of enrollment, the SCO will request an account be set up on your behalf at the University Bookstore. Once the account it set up, the bookstore can help you with selections each term and will then invoice VR&E for the cost of your books and supplies.