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Registration Information for Veterans

 

Getting Started with your Veterans GI Bill Benefits

To start using your GI Bill educational benefits, you must be admitted to The University of the Virgin Islands. If you are a prospective student and you wish to apply to The University of the Virgin Islands, visit http://admissions.uvi.edu

Important: Time is a key factor in the application process. The Department of Veterans Affairs requests 30-45 business days (5-9 calendar weeks) to process an application. However, in some cases, the processing time can take up to a month longer.

Getting Started

I have been...
  • Accepted to The University of the Virgin Islands and have applied for GI Bill Educational Benefits: Once the Department of Veterans Affairs has approved your application for educational benefits, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility letter stating the type of benefit awarded and the terms of eligibility under that benefit. A copy of the Certificate of Eligibility must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar, Certifying Veterans Official. This document can be faxed to Monifa Potter at (340) 693-1167 or emailed to mpotter@live.uvi.edu.
  • For Dependent/Spouse of a Veteran: A veteran may transfer Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to a dependent or spouse with the approval of the Department of Defense (DoD). Information regarding transfer of benefits can be found on the Department of Veterans Affairs' website.
  • A dependent/spouse of a veteran may receive Chapter 35 Dependents' Education Assistance with the approval of the Department of Defense (DoD). Dependents'/Spouse of veteran may apply for benefits online through the Department of Veterans Affair's online application system(VONAPP) or by mailing a hard copy of the application (Form 22-5490) to the Veterans Affairs Regional Processing Center (RPO), P.O. Box 100022, Decatur, Georgia 30031-7022. Once the dependent/spouse has been approved, the Department of Veterans Affairs will send you a Certificate of Eligibility letter stating the type of benefit awarded and the terms of eligibility under that benefit. A copy of the Certificate of Eligibility letter must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar, Certifying Veterans Official.

In Territory Tuition: The following individuals shall be charged the in-state rate, or otherwise considered a resident, for tuition and fees purposes: 

  • A Veteran using educational assistance under either chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill – Active Duty Program) or chapter 33 (Post-9/11 G.I. Bill), of title 38, United States Code, who lives in the Territory of the Virgin Islands while attending the University of the Virgin Islands (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls at UVI within three years of discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
  • Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in the Territory of the Virgin Islands while attending The University of the Virgin Islands (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in The University of the Virgin Islands within three years of the transferor's discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
  • Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in the Territory of the Virgin Islands while attending The University of  the Virgin Islands (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in The University of the Virgin Islands within three years of the Service member’s death in the line of duty following a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
  • Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at UVI. The person so described must have enrolled in UVI prior to the expiration of the three year period following discharge, release, or death described above and must be using educational benefits under either chapter 30 or chapter 33, of title 38, United States Code.

Certification Process
Once your registration schedule has been finalized, you must notify the university's Veterans Certifying Official. This must be done each semester that you intend to use your GI Bill Educational Benefits.

If you make changes to your registration schedule, you must notify the university's Veterans Certifying Official. Changes to your schedule may result in delays in receiving your benefits or cause a debt that you will have to repay to the VA.

Important: Once a student's enrollment has been certified at the VA, the University is required to return any tuition and fee payments received from the VA if:
  1. the student drops all courses on or before the first day of the term.
  2. the student does not attend any classes for which he/she was certified, regardless of the reason for non-attendance.
If courses are withdrawn after the first week of the semester, the student is responsible for repaying the tuition expenses to the VA.

Types of Veterans Benefits
To determine your best GI Bill Educational Benefit, visit the United States Department of Veterans Affairs website.

Changes in Status
Notify the Veterans Certifying Official under any of these conditions:
  • If changes in your enrollment status occur due to an increase or decrease in hours, please notify Veterans Certifying Official within 30 days.
  • As a courtesy, if you decide to stop attending classes for a term or more. Notification may be made in writing.
  • If you change your degree program or major.
  • Upon earning 30 credit hours, you must declare a major.
  • When your educational benefits have terminated.
  • If you have a change of address, notify the federal Department of Veterans Affairs first, then, Veterans Certifying Official.

For additional information on Veteran services, please visit:  http://www.gibill.va.gov/ or http://www.va.gov/