The School Certifying Officials (SCO) at the MCBC office will help you navigate the different options for funding as you pursue your education at the University of Arizona. They can help guide you through the application and certification process, and assist with communication with the VA.
If this is your first time using VA benefits as a student, use this checklist to guide you through the process.
Step 1 Apply for Benefits from Veterans Administration, and explore other financial and scholarship options
Apply for VA Benefits
Complete the VA Application to receive VA education benefits.
(https://www.va.gov/education/apply-for-education-benefits/application/1…)
The VA will process the your application within 30-60 days. Once the application has been approved or denied, the you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) via mail. You will upload a copy of your COE during the benefit certification process.
Step 2 Apply to the University of Arizona
Step 3 Once admitted
Undergraduate Students Meet with Academic Advisor
As an undergraduate student, you will complete the items in your Next Steps Center which includes connecting with an academic advisor to create an advising report (ADVIP) prior to selecting courses for the upcoming term. The ADVIP is available in Student Center and is necessary for the benefit certification process.
Graduate Students Meet with Program Coordinator
As a graduate student, you now can connect with your program coordinator and create a Plan of Study prior to selecting courses for the upcoming term. The Plan of Study is available in Student Center and is necessary for the benefit certification process.
Step 4 Register for classes and submit benefits certification request
Step 5 The processing of your benefit certification
The certification process may take 4-8 weeks after submission to process benefit certification and for funds to be issued. Most VA benefit chapters will remit funds directly to the University, and we will post them to your account. Alternately, the VA may send funds directly to the student, and the student will then pay their tuition bill with those funds.
You will receive email notifications at your University email address if we need to contact you.
How do I know if my benefit has been paid
Each chapter funds benefits differently. Students should review their specific eligibility paperwork from the VA for information on how the benefit will be paid out. This is either directly to the student or to the University—each chapter is different. VA Comparison Chart/Payment Rates.
What if you change your schedule after submitting to certification?
Please notify MCBC immediately at veterans@arizona.edu if you have changed your schedule. Not notifying us to update your certification request could result in a denial of benefits or a delay in receiving payment.
Step 6 Managing your benefits
Book and Class Supply Stipend
If you are using the Post-9/11 GI® Bill, you can request a stipend for books and supplies.
BE ADVISED: Book stipends for Pay One Price or Inclusive Access are not eligible for Chapter 33 certification.
Changes in Schedule
Notify MCBC before you make changes in your schedule including dropping, adding or requesting a change in grade type (switching form regular to audit, for example). There may be financial and benefit implications to changing your credit hours. MCBC school certifying officials can guide you through schedule changes or if you need to completely withdraw for the term.
Plan ahead: classes must be certified each term!
You must have a current advising report (ADVIP) or Plan of Study in place for each term and you must request certification for your classes each term.
After your first term when an advisor will assist in registration for classes, you will be eligible for one of the first priority enrollment appointments. You will want to utilize this early registration opportunity to ensure that your request for certification is processed in time for your funds to be received and posted to your account prior to the start of classes.