Applying for Ch. 35

 You can apply online via VA.gov (Online VA Form 22-5490). Apply for Education Benefits after high school graduation (if you have already applied skip this step).

You do no need sign in to start your application. If you do not sign in, you must complete your application as it will not save any progress. Dependents may first create an ID.me or Login.gov account. You must be at least 18 years old to create this account. Creating an ID.me Login will save your application progress. 

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We will need a copy of the confirmation page at the end of the application and email it to us at mvrc@uwf.edu. Example of Confirmation page required:

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Form 22-5490

This is the confirmation page page provided at the end of the application, see snippet below. We will also need your sponsor's full name, social security number, branch of service and which type of beneficiary you are (i.e., spouse, 1st child using benefits, 2nd child using benefits, etc.). Without your sponsors full name and social security number, we cannot submit your certification to the VA. 

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Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

You will receive this document in the mail a few months after completing the application. We will need a copy for our records.  Please send it to mvrc@uwf.edu.  

Register for Courses

Meet with your academic advisor to get registered for classes.  After registering for classes, you will need to upgrade your MYUWF account to full access.  To do this, type My account in your search bar on my.uwf.edu account.  Click on Upgrade.  This can be done at least 2 hours after registering for classes.  Once the account has been updated, click the log-out button.  Once you log back into your account, you will have full access.  For additional information on this, go to:  https://confluence.uwf.edu/display/public/Upgrading+your+MyUWF+account+to+a+full-access+ArgoNet+account 

 VA Enrollment Certification Form (ECF)

You will need to fill out the ECF through your my.uwf.edu account after registering for classes. The ECF must be completed every semester and whenever your class schedule changes.  To locate the form, type VA Enrollment Certification Form (ECF) in the search bar of your  my.uwf.edu account.  We cannot submit your certification to the VA until we receive this form from you.

Monthly Enrollment Verification

Students enrolled in non-college degree programs, such as certificate programs, will need to verify their enrollment at the end of every month. Read more on verifying your enrollment here: https://www.va.gov/resources/verify-school-enrollment-for-dea-benefits/

Monthly Pay Rate/Scholarship information

• If you & your sponsor are Florida residents, you may also qualify for the state CSDDV scholarship. Review CSDDV.pdf (floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org) for eligibility criteria and application instructions.  Please be advised, this scholarship does not pay for summer semester.
• Please note: Chapter 35 (DEA) students will be responsible for making all payments to the school for tuition & fees, housing fees, and meal plans. The VA will send their funding directly to the account listed when the VA application is completed.
  • Ch. 35 students are eligible for a deferment each semester which may be requested when completing their VA Enrollment Certification Form (ECF). 
  • Be advised, deferments will only defer tuition costs. Any outstanding housing fees and meal plans will be the students responsibility to pay. A payment plan will need to be set up, read more here: https://uwf.edu/finance-and-administration/departments/controllers-office/student-accounts-and-cashier/tuition-and-fees/payment-plan/
• Monthly rate vary depending on training time enrollment, read on training time requirement for VA Benefits and deferment dates here: https://uwf.edu/academic-affairs/departments/military-veteran-resource-center/tuition--funding/training-time-requirements-for-va-benefits/
• To find your benefit rate, go to: https://www.va.gov/education/gi-bill-comparison-tool/
  • Type West Florida and select University of West Florida

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• • Under 'Which GI Bill benefit do you want to use?' select Survivors of Dependents Educational Assistance

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• •  Then select 'School costs and calendar' under Enrolled select your training time

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• On the right hand side, under Housing Allowance would be your expected Monthly Rate