Education Benefits

Fill out the Request for Enrollment Certification (REC) after you've registered for classes. The REC is required for every semester you use benefits. You will need to submit one each semester you are enrolled after you register for classes. When filling out the form, you'll need the following information:

• Your IU Student ID (10-digit number)
• Your Social Security Number
• A PDF scan/copy of your Certificate of Eligibility/Statement of Benefits

The VA will pay your tuition and fees after IU’s Office of the Bursar initial due date at the start of term. We will place a code on your account ensuring that you don’t receive late payment fees. If you still receive automated emails from the Office of the Bursar stating that your bill is late, disregard them. If you don’t see a Post-9/11 VA Credit on your bill by the end of the first full month of classes (October 1 for Fall and March 1 for Spring) then contact us (CVMS – Center for Veteran and Military Students) at iub.military@iu.edu.

Payment from the VA can occur any time after certification, but our expectation is that the first full stipend payment will be received on October 1 for the fall semester and March 1 for the spring semester. If you do not receive payment after these date(s), contact us at iub.military@iu.edu.

Please build this payment schedule into your financial planning! 

1. Once you’ve applied to use your VA benefits on the VA website, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility in the mail or electronically from the VA Regional Office. This document verifies that you are eligible to use VA benefits.
2. The VA office typically takes over 30 days to process benefit applications. If you have specific questions about your application or your COE’s terms and conditions, please call the VA at 888-442-4551.
3. If you are a new student and you haven't already completed a Request for Enrollment Certification (REC), we ask that you do so and indicate that you are a new student with our office. The form will then prompt you to upload a photo or PDF of your COE. If you've already completed a REC, you can send a copy of your COE from your IU email address to iub.military@iu.edu.

1. Your Chapter 31 VR&E Counselor will submit a Purchase Order (PO), also known as an authorization, to CVMS directly (iub.military@iu.edu). Your counselor will submit POs for book fees, tuition, regularly assessed fees, and/or a parking pass (if applicable). Sometimes, but not always, they're all on one PO.
2. CVMS will request your parking pass (if on your PO) and we will notify you when you can pick it up.
3. Ensure your counselor has approved all course enrollment and degree plans to maximize your funding.

 
You can view a detailed version of your bill, payments received, financial aid, and remaining balance on One.IU. Please contact Student Central via their secure contact form for questions about billing and your bursar account. Our office cannot see state benefit payments for students. IU Bloomington Student Central's Financial Aid department can be reached at 812-855-6500 (mention the Indiana Tuition and Fee Exemption specifically).

You can view a detailed version of your bill, payments received, financial aid, and remaining balance on One.IU. Please contact Student Central via their secure contact form for questions about billing and your bursar account. Our office cannot see state benefit payments for students. IU Bloomington Student Central's Financial Aid department can be reached at 812-855-6500 (mention NGSG specifically).

VPSO-08 allows for certain non-resident, military-affiliated students to be charged tuition at the same rate as Indiana residents. Learn more about if you qualify on IU’s policy page.

If our office certifies you for any form of VA benefits, it is part of our certification process to submit in-state tuition requests on behalf of students who qualify under VPSO-08. Please allow two weeks after sending us your Request for Enrollment Certification (REC) to see an update on your bursar bill. If after this time your tuition rate still does not reflect accordingly on your bursar bill, please email us at vetserv@iu.edu and include "VPSO-08 Request - Bursar Bill" in the subject line.

Additionally, if you are assigned to the Indiana National Guard, or if you are assigned orders placing you in Indiana, our office can process requests for VPSO-08. Please note that we will require official documentation if you are in the National Guard or are assigned orders. Please email us at vetserv@iu.edu and include "VPSO-08 Request - National Guard" in the subject line.

If you are not using VA benefits, but believe you qualify, or if you have questions regarding your eligibility, please email us at vetserv@iu.edu and include "VPSO-08 Request - General" in the subject line.

You must submit a Tuition Assistance Request to IU every semester you want to receive TA. You can do so on this sponsor form. You can also find the form by going to One.IU and searching “sponsor voucher.” Without this submission, your military TA will not pay your bursar bill.

If you don't see a course when adding classes to your TA request, please send an email to vetserv@iu.edu and let us know which course(s) you don't see.

IU’s Short Term Military Activation policy can be found on IU’s policy page. It is your responsibility to notify your course directors and provide them with official documentation in a timely manner concerning any short-term military obligations.

Under IU Policy VPSS-02, students have the option to withdraw (graded W) and receive a 100% refund of tuition and fees, receive an incomplete grade and complete coursework in collaboration with their instructor, or re-enroll in the same courses with no additional tuition/fees up to 4 years after release from Active Duty. Submit your MLOA here.

If you see a late fee, do not pay it. Contact the Center for Veteran and Military Students and we will request the fee waiver.

There may also be other Military-Affiliated reasons you can qualify for the late fee waiver, so please contact us to inquire.

If you cannot register because you are waiting for a benefit payment to IU, please contact us and we will request a temporary lift for the hold so you can register for classes.

1. Apply to use CHAMPVA insurance with the VA. You can apply and check your eligibility here.
2. Email CVMS at iub.military@iu.edu to request that CVMS fax CHAMPVA’s enrollment verification form to CHAMPVA. We will send you a confirmation that it was submitted. (CHAMPVA verification must be completed every term).
3. File insurance claims with the VA here.

The CHAMPVA processors determine eligibility for CHAMPVA and what is covered, please contact the VA for questions and concerns.

Doing a VA Work Study offers you the opportunity to work with other students like yourself who are using VA benefits at IU. You may be eligible to take part in the work-study program if you meet all the following requirements: 

• You’re using an approved VA education benefits program to pay for your education
• You’re enrolled at least ¾-time 
• You can finish the work-study contract while you still qualify for education benefits 

Contact our office with your resume if you’re interested. 

The VFSG is offered to veterans enrolled full-time who are supporting dependents under the age of 18. The Veteran Family Support Grant (VFSG) application window opens on August 1 and closes on October 15 for each academic year. The grant will be applied to your bursar bill within three weeks after that. Eligibility information and application can be found on the Family Support Grant webpage.

You will need to provide documentation of your relationship with your dependents (birth certificates, adoption papers, tax documents etc.), proof of military service, and a completed online application form. The application opens on August 1 and closes on October 15 each year.

The Veteran Family Support Grant (VFSG) application window closes October 15 and will be applied to your bursar bill within three weeks after that date. Please note that the grant will be applied to any balance on your bursar bill first, and then any remainder will be refunded to you.

Tillman Scholar Program

As a Pat Tillman Foundation partner university, IU is able to host one Tillman Scholar each year. Benefits of the Tillman Scholar Program include:

• Academic scholarships
• Professional development and leadership opportunities
• Access to the Tillman Scholar Community, a network of Tillman Scholars at universities across the country

The application cycle opens in February each year. Learn more about the Tillman Scholar program.

USS Indiana Scholarship

Indiana University is proud to present the USS Indiana Scholarship program in recognition of the new United States submarine (SSN-789) named for the great state of Indiana, and the men and women who serve on the ship. The scholarship also recognizes the 100th anniversary of IU’s first educational partnership with the US Navy which began on October 1, 1918. IU is connected to the USS Indiana by serving as home of the memorial to the previous USS Indiana (BB-58) outside IU Bloomington’s Memorial Stadium.

The USS Indiana Scholarship is a one-time award of $5,000 toward education-related expenses at any IU campus. It is awarded to one current or newly admitted, full-time graduate or undergraduate student each year. It is available for use in the academic year of the student’s choice. To be eligible, a student must be currently serving or have served in the past on the USS Indiana.

Applications should be submitted by May 1 of each year. The recipient will be notified by June 1.

Service members on active duty or in the National Guard or Reserves, as well as veterans of the United States Armed Forces, including Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard, are entitled to wear a twisted cord of red, white, and blue. ROTC graduates who will be commissioned on or immediately after graduation are also eligible. You can request a military graduation cord on the Military Honor Cord form.