For VASCOs

The VASCO's Toolkit for Student Success

Shareable, printable resources you can hand to your veteran, service-member, and dependent students so they arrive informed and prepared for certification.

Notice to Students

AI Military Services and VASCO Assistant are an independent software provider for university administrators. We are not the Department of Veterans Affairs, nor are we a university. For official guidance on your specific benefits, please contact your institution's designated VA School Certifying Official.

The Complete Packet

Get the Complete Student Orientation Packet

All printable student handouts, bundled and branded-ready. Reserve your copy by joining the VASCO Assistant waitlist. We will send the packet the moment it is finalized.

Reserve the Packet (opens in a new tab)

For prospective students

Share GI Bill schools by region

Our regional guides list universities and colleges by U.S. region and major international destination, with editorial context written by a practicing Senior VASCO. They are designed for veterans evaluating where to use their GI Bill - hand them out to admitted students or include the link in your acceptance-packet email. Each guide also includes an “Ask Your VASCO” template students can use to introduce VASCO Assistant to their next school.

Browse the regional guides

Planning tools

Free tools to share with students

Students comparing benefits can use the VA education benefits comparison matrix to see Chapters 33, 30, 1606, 31, and 35 side by side, and the cost of attendance calculator to estimate what a full year costs after benefits. When a student needs proof of enrollment for a lender, landlord, or scholarship, the enrollment verification form builder for SCOs builds a printable form with an SCO signature block.

Many students can stack a state program on top of federal benefits. Download the state veteran benefit tracker (CSV) to note eligibility and track applications, and confirm each program with the state agency.

Reference Language for Advising

How Students Use VA Education Benefits

Step 1: Apply for Benefits

  • · Go to va.gov/education/how-to-apply (opens in a new tab).
  • · Complete VA Form 22-1990 (Chapter 33) or the form for the relevant benefit chapter.
  • · Approval produces a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), typically within 30 days.
  • · Keep the COE on hand to deliver to the school.

Step 2: Inform the School

  • · Contact the school's VASCO (usually in Registrar, Financial Aid, or Veterans Services).
  • · Provide the Certificate of Eligibility and complete any required school forms.
  • · Do this BEFORE the semester starts.

Step 3: Enroll in Classes

  • · Register for courses that count toward the declared degree.
  • · Ensure enrollment is more than half-time (7 or more credits at a school where 12 is full-time) to receive the housing allowance.
  • · Report every drop or add to the VASCO.

Step 4: School Certifies Enrollment

  • · After drop/add closes, the school certifies enrollment to the VA.
  • · Certification happens every term the student is enrolled.
  • · The student does not need to act on this step.

Step 5: Receive Benefits

  • · Chapter 33 (Post-9/11): Tuition paid to the school; housing allowance paid monthly; book stipend at term start.
  • · Chapter 30 / 1606 / 35: Monthly payment sent directly to the student; tuition paid from that amount.
  • · Chapter 31 (VR&E): Tuition paid to the school; subsistence allowance paid to the student.
  • · First payment typically arrives 4 to 6 weeks after certification.

Payment Timing Reference

First Payment

Expect the first payment 4 to 6 weeks after the school certifies enrollment. Covers the first month of the term.

Monthly Housing Allowance

Chapter 33 MHA is paid around the 1st of the month for the PREVIOUS month of attendance. Paid after attendance, not before.

Book Stipend

Chapter 33: $41.67 per credit, max $1,000 per academic year. Usually paid shortly after term certification.

During Breaks

No housing allowance during winter, spring, or summer break unless enrolled in summer courses. Payments only during active enrollment.

Key Facts to Brief Students On

Online Courses Affect MHA

A fully online schedule receives the online-only rate (half the national average BAH, set by VA each year) instead of the local BAH rate. One in-person course that counts toward the degree keeps the campus ZIP code rate.

Withdrawals Create Debt

Dropped or failed courses can create VA debt. Students should talk to the VASCO BEFORE withdrawing to understand the impact.

Only Degree Courses Count

Only courses required for the declared degree program are certifiable. Elective courses off the degree plan will not be certified.

Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress

SAP typically requires a 2.0 GPA and 67% course completion. Failing SAP terminates benefits until resolved.

Set Up Direct Deposit

Direct deposit on va.gov produces the fastest payment. Paper checks are slower and can be lost.

Report All Changes

Students must notify the VASCO immediately after drops, adds, major changes, or withdrawals.

Where Students Should Be Directed

Enrollment or Certification Questions

The school's VASCO. They handle certifications and school-specific questions.

Payment Questions

Submit a question to VA through Ask VA (opens in a new tab).

Application Status

Check online at va.gov (opens in a new tab).

Remaining Entitlement

Check remaining GI Bill benefits (opens in a new tab) to see months of entitlement left and the date benefits end.

Debt Questions

Manage VA debt online (opens in a new tab). Payment plans and waivers available.

Building the full student toolkit for VASCOs

Every handout above, plus institution-branded templates and automated student communication, ships with VASCO Assistant.

Join the Early Access List (opens in a new tab)Browse VASCO Training

GI Bill Help Center

Choose the option that fits you best.

Prefer to talk to a person? Message Blason Taon, Ed.D. on LinkedIn (opens in a new tab)