Chapter 33 – Post 9/11 GI Bill® – Dependent & Spouse

Complete the following steps to utilize your GI Bill® here at ECU

Step 1. Your Post-9/11 GI Bill® Sponsor will need to transfer their GI Bill® Education benefits to you through the Department of Defense.

Step 2. Apply for your benefits that have been transferred to you by visiting VA.gov

  • Complete and submit your application.
  • It can take the VA up to a month to process and approve your application.
  • Once you are approved, the VA will issue you a Certificate of Eligibility via email & US mail. The school will not be notified, so you will need to contact us once you are approved.

Step 3. Set up a meeting with your advisor and register for classes at ECU.

Step 4. Complete a Request for Benefits Form by logging in with your ECU Single Sign-On and upload a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility within the form (if you have a copy available). You will receive an email confirmation in your ECU email inbox when you successfully complete the form.

NOTE: The Request for Benefits Form is required each semester that you wish to use your benefit while attending ECU.

Step 5. If you would like for your parent(s) to have access to discuss your financial records at ECU, make sure to add them to your FERPA Release Form.

Step 6. Read the following Information for New GI Bill® Students page.

Step 7. Read the following Important Information for Chapter 33 Students page.

  • Upon completion of your Request for Benefits Form being processed, the ECU Student Accounting Office will place a tuition and fees credit on your student account. The credit will be consistent with your Post-9/11 Percent Eligibility.
  • Any charges on your account that are not covered by the VA will need to be paid prior to the cashier’s payment schedule deadline.

** If needed, University payment plan information can be found online here: ECU Tuition Payment Plan

NOTE: Any schedule changes made after you complete the Request for Benefits Form may result in a VA debt.

Important Notes for Chapter 33 Students

  • VA pays the book stipend at a rate of $41.67/credit hour with a maximum of $1,000 per year. This stipend is wire transferred to the bank account identified on your application for the benefits with the VA. It typically arrives 10 days prior to the beginning of classes but can vary depending on when your certification is submitted to the VA and the VA’s current processing times.
  • Enrollment Verification – Chapter 33 recipients must verify their attendance with the Department of Veterans Affairs at the end of each month. Failure to do so for two consecutive months will result in a halt of your housing payments. Visit the VA webpage for information on how enrollment verification works.
  • Your monthly Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) will be wire transferred to the bank account listed on your application for the benefits with the VA. It is paid (in arrears) on the first of the month for the previous month and is only paid for the days that you are enrolled in class. Housing rates can be found by accessing the GI Bill Comparison Tool.
  • VA Education Benefits only pay for classes in which you are enrolled that are required for your degree program. Enrollment changes following your VA certification for the term (e.g. course withdraws or failing a course and not fully attending the course) may result in VA debt. If you are unsure of the benefit potential debt impact of contemplated enrollment changes, please check with ECU Veterans Affairs Benefits Office.