We hope that West Liberty University can serve you in your upcoming educational endeavor. The checklist provided below is intended to facilitate your enrollment at West Liberty University.
If you are unsure of your eligibility or entitlement, please contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at (888) 442-4551.
For questions regarding usage of your VA benefits at WLU, please contact:
Michelle Filberto
Veterans GI Bill® Certifying Official
michelle.filberto@westliberty.edu
304.336.8092
Checklist
- Apply Now online for admission to WLU. (Admission Requirements can be found here)
- Apply Online for GI Bill® & related benefits. If you’ve already received GI Bill Benefits at another college and are transferring to West Liberty University, please complete the Change of Program or Training Form.
- Keep a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
- Apply for Financial Aid.
- Once you are accepted to WLU, check out the What’s Next page.
- Once registered for classes, complete WLU VA Certification Request Form and upload a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE). The WLU VA Certification Request Form will need to be submitted each semester you want to use your benefits.
- After classes have started, you will have to verify attendance, if applicable.
Important Reminders
- Courses that do not apply towards your degree may not be used for certification of enrollment. Students must also be registered full time (12 credit hours for undergraduate students; 9 credit hours for graduate students) to receive your full monthly stipend.
- Any changes in your educational status (drop in credit hours, change of program, grade changes, withdrawal or retroactive withdrawals from school) may cause over payments that will be due from the veteran.
- It is your responsibility for reporting any changes in your enrollment to the certifying official and VA.
- If you want Military credit, it is your responsibility to obtain an official military transcript and submit to our office for review.
- Students using Chapter 33 benefits will be granted in-state tuition.
- If you are receiving an Institutional Scholarship, it may reduce your overall tuition balance billed to the VA.
- If your benefits and/or financial aid do not cover your balance, payment plans are available through the Business Office each semester.
- Business Office Forms & Information
VA Benefits
Veterans and service members with at least 2 years of active duty and have elected to have payments deducted for the first 12 months of service.
What benefits will I receive? Will receive money for housing known as a BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing).
Check Eligibility for Chapter 30
Apply for Benefits for Chapter 30
Required paperwork to use your benefit at WLU:
- Complete the WLU VA Benefit Certification Request/Agreement each semester you want to use your benefit once registered for classes.
- Copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Active Service Members are eligible if they:
- Expect to receive an honorable or other than dishonorable discharge upon separation from active duty
- Obtain a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and
- Apply for VR&E services
- OR
- Are participating in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) or are certified by the military as having a severe injury or illness that may prevent them from performing their military duties
- Apply for VR&E services, and
- Report for an evaluation with a VR&E counselor before separating from active duty
Veterans are eligible if they:
- Have received a discharge that is other than dishonorable
- Have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from VA
- Apply for VR&E services
What benefits will I receive? Full tuition, a BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing), and full cost of books
Check Eligibility for Chapter 31
Apply for Benefits for Chapter 31
Required paperwork to use your benefit at WLU:
- Complete the WLU VA Benefit Certification Request/Agreement each semester you want to use your benefit once registered for classes.
- Copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) helps you pay for school or job training. If you’ve served on active duty after September 10, 2001, you may qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33).
Benefits Expire-Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits expire 15 years after your last separation date from active service. You must use all of your benefit by that time or you’ll lose whatever’s left.
What benefits will I receive? A percentage of tuition and applicable fees, money for housing known as a BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing), money for books and supplies ($1000 per academic year).
Check Eligibility for Chapter 33
Apply for Benefits for Chapter 33
Required paperwork to use your benefit at WLU:
- Complete the WLU VA Benefit Certification Request/Agreement each semester you want to use your benefit once registered for classes.
- Copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
If you’re the child or spouse of a Veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or has disabilities, you may be able to get help paying for school or job training through the DEA program—also called Chapter 35.
What benefits will I receive? Will receive money for housing known as a BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing)
Check Eligibility for Chapter 35
Apply for Benefits for Chapter 35
Required paperwork to use your benefit at WLU:
- Complete the WLU VA Benefit Certification Request/Agreement each semester you want to use your benefit once registered for classes.
- Copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program offers up to 36 months of education and training benefits. If you’re a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard, you may be eligible for this benefit.
What benefits will I receive? Will receive money for housing known as BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing)
Check Eligibility for Chapter 1606
Apply for Benefits for Chapter 1606
Required paperwork to use your benefit at WLU:
- Complete the WLU VA Benefit Certification Request/Agreement each semester you want to use your benefit once registered for classes.
- Copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
State Tuition Assistance
Members of the WV National Guard are often eligible for tuition assistance (TA) as part of their enlistment contract.
West Virginia Educational Encouragement Program (WVEEP State Tuition Assistance)
- WVEEP will pay up to 100% of tuition and allowable fees as approved by TAG and noted on the application to an accredited college/university located within West Virginia. The current cap is set at $7,000 per year and will be increasing to $9,000 per year beginning January 1, 2023.
- Fiscal Year – July through June; Payment will not exceed tuition and fees.
- Open to all members of the WVNG, who have completed Basic Combat Training/Basic Military Training.
- DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Applications for state tuition assistance must be submitted EACH semester. Applications are to be submitted by May 1 for fall the fall semester and by November 1 for the spring semester. **For non-traditional programs, applications are due 60 days prior to the start of classes. If your application is being submitted past the deadline, please contact WVEEP to obtain the LATE LETTER TEMPLATE which must be submitted along with any supporting documentation for your tardy submission such as orders, etc. As per WVNG-JR 18-001, you will remain on hold until ruled upon via the application appeal process. If approved following appeal, tuition may be paid at less than the 100% level. Send requests to ng.wv.wvarng.list.education-office-wv@army.mil.
- Must meet all other service requirements.
- Effective 1 January 2023, all Army and Air National Guard Service Members are required to utilize Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) and U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Education benefits, such as the Post 9/11 GI Bill or any other program that pays tuition or fees directly to the institutions of higher education for payment prior to the use of state funds under WVEEP. This guidance is applicable for all higher education (certification, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree) as federal programming availability allows.
For information, contact the Education Services Office at 304-561-6361.
To Register and Apply please go to: WV Guard Tuition website here.
Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
To determine your eligibility, please check out the full eligibility requirements posted on the ArmyIgnitED website or contact your Education Services Office (ESO) directly.
- May cover up to $250 per credit hour.
- Maximum of 16 credit hours may be covered per fiscal year.
- May apply within 60 days prior to course start date (not later than 7 days prior to course start date).
Apply at ArmyIgnitEd