Getting started with the GI Bill
How do I apply for the GI Bill?
Which VA application form fits your benefit, what to gather first, the steps from VA.gov to your COE, and what to hand your school afterward.
You apply online at VA.gov using the form that matches your benefit, then give the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) the VA sends you to your school's certifying official. When a student asks me this at my desk, I tell them the application itself is the easy part. The hard part is doing things in the right order, early enough.
Pick the right form
- VA Form 22-1990: veterans and service members applying for their own benefit (Chapter 33, 30, or 1606).
- VA Form 22-1990E: spouses and children using Post-9/11 benefits a service member transferred to them.
- VA Form 22-5490: survivors and dependents applying for Chapter 35 (DEA).
- VA Form 22-1995: students who already have benefits and are changing schools or programs. Do not reapply with 22-1990.
The steps, in order
- Gather your Social Security number, direct deposit details, service dates, education history, and the school and program you plan to attend.
- Go to va.gov/education/how-to-apply, sign in, and complete the application. It takes most people 20 to 30 minutes. Save your confirmation number.
- Wait for your COE. Most veterans receive it within about 30 days. Dependents often wait 30 to 60 days because the VA has to verify the sponsor record.
- Confirm your school and program are VA-approved, then give your COE to the school's certifying official along with any school intake forms.
- Register for classes that count toward your degree and ask your certifying official how to request certification each term.
If you are not sure which chapter you qualify for, sort that out first. Filing the wrong form is the most common reason I see applications bounce back.