Navigating the Post 9/11 GI Bill Process

Determining Eligibility

VA Educational Benefits

Receiving VA Benefits at Cal

After you apply for benefits through the VA, please provide the following documentation to Cal Veteran Services. You may visit them in 120 Sproul Hall or send them via mail, fax, or email encrypted PDFs.

Download this Checklist for Initiating Benefits to help guide you through the process.

  • Veteran Services Intake Form - All Students
  • Graduate Veterans Education Plan - This form must be approved by your advisor and submitted to Veteran Services before your enrollment can be certified to the VA for a second term.
  • Certificate of Eligibility (COE) - Chapters 30, 33, and 1607
  • Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) - Chapter 1606
  • Chapter 31 Authorization - Have your case manager send VA Form 22-1905 directly to the office at the address above.
  • Change of Place of Training Form - Students who received benefits previously at another institution. VA Form 22-5495 for Chapter 35; or VA Form 22-1995 for all other Chapters.

What to Expect After Certification

Chapter 33 (Post-9/11) Students

  • An email from the VA to your UC Berkeley email address confirming your certification within two business days. This will indicate the number of units certified. Contact veteranservices@berkeley.edu if the units certified are not correct.
  • If you are certified more than four weeks prior to the beginning of the semester, you should expect your initial Housing Allowance payment on the first day of the month after instruction begins. You should also expect your Book Stipend within two to three weeks of the beginning of the semester.
  • If you are certified less than one month before the beginning of the semester, or after the semester begins, it usually takes four weeks to receive your initial Housing Allowance payment and Book Stipend.
  • The VA to transmit your tuition and fee payments directly to UC Berkeley within four to six weeks.
  • Students can check the status of their VA Tuition Payment by emailing veteranservices@berkeley.edu. UC Berkeley will credit your account for the tuition and fee payment within five to seven business days after you receive an email "Notification Letter" from the Financial Aid Office indicating that the funds have been received.