Certification Procedures
New veteran students
- Complete . This should be done at the earliest possible time after you have been admitted to the University.
- Provide a certified copy of your separation papers, DD-214 or an original Notice of Basic Eligibility from your reserve unit.
- Contact the veterans certifying official at (269) 387-4115 for assistance in obtaining and completing the Veterans Certification Information form.
Transfer veteran students
- Complete . This should be done at the earliest possible time after you have been admitted to the University.
- Contact the veterans certifying official at (269) 387-4115 for assistance in obtaining and completing the Veterans Certification Information form.
To better comply with VA regulations
Students using veterans benefits at WMU are strongly encouraged to see an academic advisor prior to registering for classes before each semester. Courses not required for your degree program will not be certified with the VA.
Once you know your classes can be certified you are required to complete the WMU Certification Form. Your classes will be certified with the VA after completing this form. If you do not complete this form and submit it to the Registrar鈥檚 Office you will not receive benefits from the VA for that semester.
Dual certification for student veterans
Under the legislation, the VA will develop policies for institutions to submit the verification of enrollment of students receiving Post-9/11 GI education benefits at two specific times, as determined by VA. This change is intended to minimize overpayments and effectively will require institutions to utilized the "dual certification" method for student veterans, whereby the institution first certifies enrollment with tuition and fees reported as zero in order to start the veteran's housing payments. Then, the institution will amend the certification with the correct tuition and fees amount after the end of the add/drop period, when course schedules are unlikely to change. This provision of the law goes into effect on Aug. 1, 2021. Student veterans will need to submit monthly certifications to the VA to verify their enrollment.
Additional items
Address changes
Complete a change of address form and file it with the VA certification official.
Advance pay
All advance pay requests must be made at least 35 days prior to the first day of the semester. Any questions may be directed to the veterans certifying official in the Registrar鈥檚 Office located on the third floor of the Seibert Administration Building.
Certification form
The certification form must be completed each year.
Change in status
Dropping, adding or withdrawing of courses on your registration must be reported immediately to the veterans certifying official in the Registrar鈥檚 Office. Failing to report status changes may cause an overpayment which would affect your future educational benefits.
Grades
The VA policy for a grade of 鈥淴鈥 or 鈥淓鈥 will be reported to the VA each semester if the student fails to complete the semester including taking the final. This will result in the student repaying the VA for the class. The VA will pay for the student to retake the class another semester.
If the student fails the class but continues to stay in the class and take the final, the grade is not required to be reported to the VA and no repayment for the class will be necessary from the student. The VA will permit the class to be retaken and they will pay for it a second time.
Unsatisfactory progress
Students must maintain satisfactory progress to continue receiving benefits. The VA will terminate your benefits when probationary status continues past two semesters.