New to La Verne: Get Started with Veteran Resources and Success

Know your education benefit eligibility and apply for, or update your benefit.

If you are not sure you are eligible, please check with the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). There are two ways you can do this: Using Ask VA (AVA) on the Help Portal at https://ask.va.gov, or by phone: (888) 442-4551.

Next…all VA Education benefit eligible students, whether a first time VA benefit user, or transferring benefit use to a new program, should apply for, or update his/her education benefits. This online VA form (link) will complete all necessary documents to include receiving a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and the mandatory VA Form 22-1995 Change of Program/Place if needed.

Create your VA account via www.va.gov account to check on the status of benefits, payments and to request future VA services or information. Important: Update your mobile phone and email when it changes.

Check in with the Abraham Center for Veteran Students Success (ACVSS).

From admission through graduation, we are here to assist you! Start and stay on track when you check in with the ACVSS. Be sure to provide the following info: Name, if a student your ID#, program/site, if you are active duty/veteran, or spouse/legal domestic partner, or dependent, as well as your VA benefit and generally, what type of assistance you are seeking.

Education Plans/Education Costs Information

All official transcripts must be received to create an official personalized Education Plan. In some cases, if you have unofficial transcripts you can request a meeting early with an academic advisor, but it will be an unofficial Ed Plan. Education costs that include financial aid cannot be personalized without a submitted FASFA. If you have questions or need assistance please call or email ACVSS at 909-448-1461, or VetStudentSuccess@laverne.edu.

Submit all Transcripts—Early and Online

The university follows ACE guidelines/recommendation for military credit. For undergraduate degrees only, also submit your Joint Services Transcript (JST) to the University of La Verne online via the American Council on Education. Air Force submit Air Force College transcripts (CCAF) online to ULV. Link: https://www.acenet.edu/Programs-Services/Pages/Credit-Transcripts/Request-Transcripts.aspx

All applicants with less than 28 transferable college earned credits should submit a High School transcript or GED.

Apply for FAFSA.

All VA Education benefit students, undergraduate and graduate, should apply for federal student aid via FASFA online to determine eligibility for financial aid or student friendly loans. All financial aid (including Named Scholarships and Federal Work Study) is awarded/distributed to those who complete the free application for FASFA (link). School code is 001216.

Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) Academic Worksheet, Education Plan and Cost Sheet (for approval to attend ULV)

If you have a VA disability rating of 10% or more, you are encouraged to explore utilizing VRE for your undergraduate degree prior to exhausting your 9/11. As long as you have remaining 9/11 you will be eligible to opt for 9/11 MHA while using VRE. Once accepted into the VRE program , you should discuss your degree options with your VRE Counselor. Contact Veteran Student Success at VetStudentSuccess@laverne.edu and request assistance to secure a VRE Academic Worksheet, with Education Plan and costs. Once completed, submit all to your VRE counselor. If your program is approved, your counselor will issue a Tungsten Authorization/PO Number, separately, to both your University’s Certifying Official and the University (Follett) Bookstore. Both must receive POs prior to any funding (tuition, books, supplies, etc.) approvals. To check on the receipt of your PO, email the ULV Certifying Official at vareg@laverne.edu. NOTE: An unofficial transcript must be submitted to your VRE counselor at the end of each semester.Instructions for ordering books will be emailed via response to your request for books (see forms).

I’m admitted, now what?

Congratulations! You will receive an acceptance letter with important information, instructions and Student ID Number to get you started. Follow the instructions, access the La Verne Portal, set up and check your ULV email often for important ULV notification emails on services, class registration, administrative/academic requirements. From this point on you should always use your ULV email and include your Student ID number on all official communications. Also, keep the letter with attachments as you may need to refer to them throughout your time at La Verne.

Remember! Veteran Student Success is here to help you! Drop by the center or call 909-448-1461 for assistance.

Now, schedule a meeting with your advisor, then register for classes. IMPORTANT: After registering, you will access the Forms page (link) and submit the GI Bill® Enrollment Certification Request Form. Answer the questions to request class certification and download these required documents: the first page of your VA Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) that shows your name, benefit, months and rating. If applicable, your DD214, or valid VA ID, or Drivers License showing Veteran, and/or Active Duty Military ID and Submit! Both you and your certifying official will receive a copy of submission. The Yellow Ribbon Form and TA (for active duty) submission form are also located on the Forms link above. NOTE: If you have not yet received a CoE from the VA, you can now view and print eligibility information from your va.gov account to submit.

Important: Be sure to continue with the info under FAQs below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question How long can it take to receive VA benefits? VA Processing General Timeline, MHA (housing), Class Registration and Certification Requirements for all benefit users, DUO Enrollment Verification for Post 9/11.

First-time recipients should receive their benefits in approximately six to eight weeks. Continuing students should receive their benefits in approximately three to four weeks. If your program qualifies, MHA should start at the end of the first month of attending certified classes (prorated for dates attended) and the book/supply stipend ($1000/year) should arrive prorated with each semester/term, often with first MHA of the same semester/term. Rates are updated on August 1 of each year. MHA is calculated based on zip code and at a percentage based on your training time. Attending classes at ½ time or less does not qualify for housing. For MHA amounts for each ULV site visit this link: VA Ed Benefit Comparison Tool entering University of La Verne to list all sites.

ULV offers programs via in residence, hybrid, telepresence and online classes. You must attend full time and be in at least one in- residence, or hybrid, or telepresence class to qualify for MHA (housing) each semester or session. All online classes and directed study are considered distance learning. Be sure to share this with your academic advisor!

The COVID 19/remote class exception ends June 2, 2022.

DUO enrollment verification requirement for Chapter 33 Post 9/11 benefit! If you are using Post-9/11 GI Bill® , you are required to verify your enrollment at the end of each month to receive your Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) and/or kicker payments.

How to Verify Your Enrollment: The VA encourages students to opt into text messaging, which is a simple, quick option for verifying monthly enrollment and ensure MHA/kicker payments are uninterrupted. All impacted students with a US mobile phone number on file should receive an opt-in text message after being enrolled in your courses. You must respond to that text within 14 days. After opting in, you can simply reply to a VA text message each month to verify your enrollment.

If you opt out of text message verification or do not respond to the opt-in text, you will be automatically enrolled in email verification with your email address on file with VA. Link with more info: https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/docs/isaksonroe/1010_ihl_process.pdf

Important NOTE: If you choose to opt out, you will need to call the Education Call Center (ECC) every month to verify enrollment. You can update your mobile phone number and/or email address and opt into verification by text message at any time by calling the ECC at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551).

Question Can I be eligible for two or more education benefits?

You may be eligible for more than one VA education benefit program. However, you may only receive payments from one program at a time.

Question When is my school responsible for refunding VA?

Schools are required to report, without delay, the enrollment, interruption, and termination of attendance for each person enrolled in an educational assistance program administered by VA.

In addition to reporting any changes in enrollment status, schools will be held responsible for refunding payments as appropriate. The following list explains when a school will be responsible for refunding VA:

The student never attended classes for which he/she was certified (regardless of the reason for non-attendance).
The student completely withdraws on or before the first day of the term. (If a student reduces classes, the debt shall be assessed to the student.)
The school received a payment for the wrong student.
The school received a duplicate payment.
The school submitted an amended enrollment certification and reported reduced tuition and fee charges, reduced Yellow Ribbon amount, or both.
The student died during the term, or before the start of the term.
VA issued payment above the amount certified on the enrollment certification that was used to process the payment (VA data entry error).

*All other over payments will remain the responsibility of the student.

Question What are my responsibilities as a student?

As a veteran using your education benefits, it is your responsibility to notify your University Certifying Official immediately of any action affecting your enrollment status – drop, add, or a change of classes and a degree/certificate program goal. Failure to do so may result in termination of benefits. Submit Naval Base Ventura County and Vandenberg Space Force Base notices to Pt.Mugu@laverne.edu. All other sites, including La Verne Online, submit notices to vareg@laverne.edu.

You are responsible for maintaining satisfactory academic progress through degree completion. Satisfactory progress is defined as a grade point average of “C” for credit programs and/or an “average” for noncredit programs. Failure to maintain the required grade point average could result in the suspension of veteran education benefits.