Education Benefits
Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefits are divided into different “chapters.” How do I know which chapter I qualify for?
An outline of the different VA educational-benefit chapters may be found toward the bottom of this VA web page. Note, however, that the exact VA education benefit(s) you qualify for – and you may qualify for more than one, and will need to decide which one it would be best for you to accept – can only be determined by the VA. However, the Drake State Veterans Affairs Coordinator can provide assistance (contact information is at the bottom of this web page).
When do I start to receive my VA educational benefits?
The VA will process your benefits as quickly as possible but this can take several weeks from the first time you apply. Once you are in the VA system, though – and if you submit your Drake State Enrollment Certification Request before the start of each semester – your benefits should be provided to you continuously (with any monthly stipends paid at the end of each month during a semester).
I qualify for Chapter 33 benefits. When can I expect to receive my textbook stipend and housing allowance?
The textbook stipend is paid as soon as your claim is processed so you should not wait for the stipend to arrive before ordering your textbooks. The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and all other monthly stipends are paid at the end of each month during a semester. Keep in mind that partial months are paid at a prorated rate. For example, if a fall semester begins on August 26, your BAH payment will only be for the four days between August 26 and August 30 (provided your BAH certification was submitted in advance by August 26).
What documents do I need to submit to the Drake State Veteran Services office to receive my VA educational benefits?
Refer to the instructions for the educational benefits chapter you intend to use, which are located at Prospective Student>Educational Benefits and Enrolled Students>Educational Benefits. Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill®) is the benefit most student-veterans qualify for and detailed Chapter 33 information is here. Contact the Drake State Veterans Affairs Coordinator with any questions (contact information is at the bottom of this page).
How many months of VA educational benefits (or entitlement) do I have left?
You can access your remaining entitlements by going to the VA eBenefits page and working through these steps:
- Login to your existing account or register for an account (be sure to write down your username and password)
- When a security warning pops up while navigating through the site, follow these steps:
- Choose “I understand the risk”
- Choose “Add Exception”
- Confirm security exemption
- At the “Create your DS logon today” section, answer the questions, then begin “Basic Registration Lev. 1”
- Once your registration has been completed, upgrade your account and go through Remote Proofing
- When proofing has been completed, go to eBenefits and click Manage Benefits, then Education
- At that point, Chapter 33 Post 9/11 recipients should be able to view and print your Post 9/11 GI Bill® Enrollment Info, which will serve as your Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
Should you have trouble completing these steps, try logging out and logging back in.
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How are VA educational benefits calculated during summer semesters at Drake State?
During the summer, Drake State considers full-time to be equivalent to 12 credit hours. The Department of Veteran Affairs calculates this term as an accelerated term and is illustrated by the chart below. Seven hours is considered full time while 4 hours is considered equivalent to greater than 50%. You must be enrolled greater than 50% to qualify for 50% of the BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) during any given term.
How to apply & maintain benefits as VA student
What is the process for veterans applying for admission to Drake State?
The admission process is the same for veterans as it is for every other student, and it’s best to review the admission requirements before applying. Admission applications for all types of Drake State applicants (freshman, transfer, graduate, etc.) are here, and applications may be completed and submitted online.
What is the deadline for submitting my Drake State Enrollment Certification Request form?
You have up to one year after the start of a semester to submit your form. However, if you wish to receive federal and state educational benefits, or have the VA pay for your tuition (the latter applies only to those who qualify for Chapter 33 and Chapter 31 educational benefits), the sooner you submit your form the better. Remember certification of benefits can be completed up to 120 day prior to the beginning of any term. Veteran and Veteran Dependents are encouraged to utilize early-registration periods to arrange and finalize your schedule well in advance.
Is there a discounted tuition rate for veterans?
Federal and state laws extend the in-state tuition rate to honorably discharged veterans, veteran dependents, and members of the National Guard and Reserve, regardless of their state of residency, provided they are living in Alabama while they attend Drake State.
How do I get a copy of my Military Discharge Document (DD214)?
Request a copy through this website and note that the Member 4 copy, which shows the character of your discharge, is preferred for most educational purposes. After obtaining your DD214, be sure to keep this document in a safe place. Also note that it is not advisable to register for your DD214 through a county courthouse since doing so makes the process a public record, which could then lead to identity theft.
Do I need to reapply for my VA educational benefits every semester?
After your initial registration for educational benefits has been completed, you will only need to resubmit a Drake State Certification Enrollment Request form for benefit usage each semester.
Do I have to maintain a certain GPA to keep my VA educational benefits?
All students utilizing VA educational benefits must maintain certain standards of progress as detailed in the Drake State Catalog. Students who are placed on academic probation are provided with VA educational benefits for up to two consecutive semesters. However, if the student’s cumulative grade point average does not meet Drake State’s published standards of progress after the second consecutive semester of academic probation, VA educational benefits will be terminated. Students who are reinstated to Drake State after dismissal for unsatisfactory progress and plan to use VA educational benefits must meet with the Veteran Affairs coordinator after their reinstatement.
What level of VA educational benefits am I entitled to if I’m not classified as a fulltime student?
The VA calculates your benefit amount based on this “rate of pursuit” formula:
Does not being classified as a full time student affect other VA educational benefits?
If you a recipient of Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill®) educational benefits, you must be registered for course credits that constitute at least 51% of full time status (for undergraduates, this is a minimum of 6.12 credit hours) to receive the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). Credit-hour totals that are based on multiple or overlapping sessions (like during the summer semester) must be approved by the Drake State Veterans Affairs Coordinator to ensure they meet Chapter 33 BAH requirements. Also, in order to avoid a drastic reduction in BAH, at least one credit hour each semester must physically take place on campus. Recipients of non-Chapter 33 educational benefits who take less than half the full time credit hours will have their tuition and fees only paid for by the VA (up to the monthly cap based on the rate of pursuit) either through a single payment for the semester or by providing a portion of the tuition and fees each month.