VA Education Benefits
Savannah State University proudly supports service members, veterans, and their families through a variety of VA education benefits. Eligible students can take advantage of programs such as the Post 9/11 GI Bill® and Montgomery GI Bill® to help cover the cost of their education. While SSU is not a Yellow Ribbon Program participant, our team is here to help guide you through the process and make the most of the benefits available to you.
Savannah State University is not a Yellow Ribbon Program participant
VA Education and Training Benefits
VA education benefits help service members, veterans, and their qualified family members with needs like paying college tuition, finding the right school or training program, and getting career counseling. Learn how to apply for and manage the education and training benefits you’ve earned.
How To Apply
- Service Member/Veteran VA Form 22-1990
- Dependent of a Veteran who has transferred Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits to you VA Form 22-1990e
- Dependent Spouse/Child VA Form 22-5490
How long does it take VA to determine eligibility?
It can take up to 30 days for the VA to process an application. VA will provide the student with a Certificate of Eligibility detailing the type of benefit awarded and the terms of eligibility.
Using VA Education Benefits at SSU
- Get admitted to SSU: APPLY NOW
- If you have not done so, apply for VA education benefits at VA.GOV.
- Register for classes.
- Submit the SSU VA Enrollment Certification (You will need to login using your Tigerworld credentials).
- Complete the form in its entirety and attach all supporting documentation (Certificate of Eligibility and semester schedule). Must be done every semester the student intends to use the education benefit.
- All students will be initially certified to the VA for $ 0.00. This will cause the VA to release MHA payments directly to the student at the earliest possible date (no earlier than a week prior to the semester start date). The closer to school start the package is submitted, the longer it will take for the VA to process the request and issue payment.
- Approximately three weeks into the semester, when all charges and credits have been applied to the student’s bill, a second certification will be submitted to the VA for Chapter 33 students detailing the actual tuition and fees charges. This will cause the VA to issue payment directly to SSU for tuition and fees, and a payment directly to the student for a book stipend. Students should be prepared to pay for books initially and be reimbursed once the VA pays.
- Students who receive scholarship, grant or other outside money specifically intended to be used to pay for tuition and fees (HOPE, ROTC Scholarships, Tuition Assistance, SEIS Scholarship, Zell Miller Scholarship, Georgia Military Scholarship, Military Scholar, ACCEL, GO ARMY or Employment Tuition Assistance) will have their VA Education Benefit tuition and fees payment reduced by the combined amount of these funds. Any tuition and fees charges not covered by these funds will be paid by the VA to the limit of the veteran benefit award. MHA and book stipend payments will not be affected. This action was taken by the VA in 2011 to prevent duplication and overpayment of tuition and fees to the student from multiple sources.
- Enrollment certifications will be processed as follows:
- Fall – April 1
- Spring – November 1
- Summer – March 1
- Unsatisfactory Progress, Conduct, and Attendance
Students utilizing VA Educational Benefits must be making satisfactory academic progress towards degree completion. Failure to do so may result in discontinuance of benefits as outlined by the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Student Responsibilities
- Students must submit a VA Enrollment Certification form along with the certificate of eligibility/letter of remaining benefits every semester they intend to use VA education benefits.
- Students must enroll in courses that apply towards the degree requirements of their chosen program of study.
- Students must notify the VA Certifying Official of any changes of degree program, address, and schedule (add/drop/withdraw courses). Students must also notify the VA Certifying Official of complete withdrawals from the university or any incomplete “I” grades received.
- Students using CH 33 (Post-9/11) who receive Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) and/or kicker payments are required to verify their enrollment at the end of each month by text message, email, or by calling 1-888-442-4551.
- Students using CH 30 (MGIB), CH 1606 (MGIB-SR), and CH 1607 (REAP) education benefits must verify their attendance at the end of each month enrolled by calling 1-877-823-2378 or online at www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do
- Students using CH 30 (MGIB), CH 1606 (MGIB-SR), and CH 35 (DEA) must pay all tuition and fees no later than the published payment deadline.
- Students using CH 33 (Post 9/11) must pay any expenses not covered per entitlement listed on the Certificate of Eligibility letter from VA. (Ex: 60% eligibility, out of degree plan course, housing costs)
- Students using CH 31 (VR&E) must verify with their VR&E Counselor that their authorization (for tuition/fees and a separate one for books/supplies) has been uploaded.
