VA education benefits help eligible Veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and qualifying family members pay for education or training. Depending on the benefit, assistance may include tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance or education payment, and a stipend for books and supplies.
Eligibility and payment amounts are determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. CMAS certifies eligible UT San Antonio enrollment to the VA but cannot determine a student’s eligibility for benefits.
VA Benefits
Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33):
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® may provide tuition and fee payments, a monthly housing allowance, and a books-and-supplies stipend. The amount paid depends on the student’s eligibility percentage, enrollment, course modality, and remaining entitlement. » More info on eligibility
The Edith Nourse Rogers Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Scholarship allows eligible Veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill® or dependents using the Fry Scholarship to get added benefits. This scholarship provides up to 9 months (or $30,000) of benefits for training in high-demand fields. » More info on eligibility
Chapter 35: Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance
Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance, commonly called DEA or Chapter 35, provides a monthly education payment directly to eligible spouses and children of qualifying Veterans or service members.
Chapter 35 does not pay tuition and fees directly to UT San Antonio. Students remain responsible for making payment arrangements with the university. » more info on eligibility
Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty
The Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty program may provide monthly education payments to eligible Veterans and service members who meet the VA’s service and contribution requirements.
Chapter 30 payments are sent directly to the student. Students remain responsible for paying their UT San Antonio tuition and fees. » more info on eligibility
Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve
The Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve program may provide monthly education payments to eligible members of the Selected Reserve, including qualifying members of the National Guard.
Chapter 1606 payments are sent directly to the student. Students remain responsible for paying their UT San Antonio tuition and fees. » more info on eligibility
| Benefits | Tuition and Fees | Stipend | Books | Orientation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chapter 35 DEA | No | Yes | No | No |
| Chapter 33/Post 9-11 GI BILL® | Directly to UTSA | Yes | Yes | Yes reimbursement via tuition and fee payment |
| Chapter 1606 | No | Yes | No | No |
| Chapter 30 | No | Yes | No | No |
| Hazlewood | Tuition Exempted on RowdyPay | No | No | No |
VA Benefits Certification Process
Veterans and family members who are enrolled at UT San Antonio and would like to use GI Bill® benefits, please follow the following steps:
Apply for VA Education Benefits
Apply directly through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA will review your application and determine your eligibility. » Apply for VA education benefits
The appropriate application depends on the benefit:– Veterans and service members: VA Form 22-1990
– Dependents using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits: VA Form 22-1990E
– Dependents applying for Chapter 35 or the Fry Scholarship: VA Form 22-5490The VA currently reports an average education-claim processing time of approximately 30 days. Processing times may vary. Once a decision is made, the VA will issue an education decision letter or Certificate of Eligibility explaining the benefit, eligibility percentage, and remaining entitlement.
Submit Official Military Transcripts, If Applicable
Veterans and service members must request that their official military transcripts be sent to UT San Antonio Admissions for evaluation. Dependents and spouses who did not personally serve may skip this step.
Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard:
https://jst.doded.mil/official.html
Air Force:
https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Register for Classes
Register for classes through your myUTSA Account. Once you have registered for classes, our office can move forward with reporting them to the VA.
Before registering:
- Review your DegreeWorks audit.
- Confirm that each course applies to your declared degree or approved program.
- Review the start and end dates of each course, especially for summer, winter, eight-week, and other shortened terms.
Enrollment status is calculated separately for each period in which courses overlap. Registering for 12 total hours does not always mean the VA will consider you full-time for the entire semester.
Please note, Veterans (not including family members) who are using federal and/or state education benefits at UT San Antonio are eligible for priority registration after the 1st semester that they use benefits.
Gather the Required Documents
The first semester of use students must submit:
VA Certificate of Eligibility or education decision letter
- Submit the first page showing your name, benefit type, eligibility percentage when applicable, and remaining entitlement.
- Students changing benefits should submit documentation for the new benefit.
Every semester All students must submit:
GI Bill® Certification Request Form
Complete all required sections.- List the benefit you intend to use.
- Submit a new form for every semester in which you want to use VA education benefits.
Upload Your Documents
Submit the Certification Request Form and supporting documents through the UT San Antonio Document Uploader when uploading:
- Select Center For Military Students as the department.
- Select the semester for which certification is requested.
- Select VA Benefits
- Upload your documents
- Select “Certification Request Form” for the GI Bill® Certification Request Form
- Select “VA Letter of Eligibility” for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
- Make sure every document is complete and readable.
Once all documents are submitted, our certifying officials will review your request and verify your courses are on your approved degree plan.
CMAS will Review and Certify Your Enrollment
CMAS will:
- Confirm that the required documents have been received.
- Review the courses that you have registered for.
- Verify that your courses apply toward your approved program of study.
- Submit your enrollment to the VA.
- Notify you through your UT San Antonio email if additional information is needed or if a course cannot be certified.
Processing may take up to 30 business days after a complete request is received. Submitting incomplete documentation may delay certification.
We send the tuition and fee bill for chapter 33 students to the VA after census date (10th class day) in fall and spring, and after July 15th for all summer terms. The VA can take up to 30 days to remit payment to UT San Antonio.
Monitor Your VA and Student Accounts
- After CMAS submits your certification:
- Review VA enrollment notifications for accuracy.
- Monitor your UT San Antonio student account.
- Check your UT San Antonio email regularly.
- Contact CMAS promptly if the certified credit hours or dates appear incorrect.
- Contact the VA if you have questions about eligibility, entitlement, or payment status.
Verify Your Enrollment Each Month
Students receiving VA education benefits must verify their enrollment with the VA each month when required.
As of January 2026, monthly enrollment verification applies to students using:
- Chapter 33
- Chapter 30
- Chapter 1606
- Chapter 35
Enrollment may be verified online, by text, by email, through Ask VA, or by phone, depending on the benefit. Failure to verify may delay or stop VA payments.
VA Approved Courses
Military education benefit coverage may differ from financial aid regulations, and some courses that are eligible for coverage under specific benefits may not be eligible under other benefits or under financial aid.
VA education benefits generally may be used only for courses that apply toward the student’s VA-approved degree or certificate program.
Review your DegreeWorks audit and meet with your Academic Advisor before registering to confirm that your courses apply toward your declared program.
- CMAS will certify only eligible courses and will email you if any registered courses cannot be certified.
- Courses associated with an officially declared minor, dual degree, honors program, or ROTC program may be considered part of the student’s program of study when they meet applicable VA requirements.
- Exploratory or undeclared students may use VA education benefits only for applicable coursework within an approved program. Students should work with an Academic Advisor to select a major as early as possible.
- Courses required for admission to a graduate or professional program, such as medical school, may be certified if they also apply toward the student’s current program, such as through an available free-elective requirement. Consult your Academic Advisor before registering.
- Courses offered through a third-party or are third-party led study abroad programs will not be covered.
Enrollment Status and Benefit Payments
The VA calculates enrollment separately for courses with different start and end dates. Therefore, registering for 12 total credit hours does not always mean the VA will consider you full-time for the entire semester.
Enrollment status, course dates, course modality, benefit type, and eligibility percentage may affect housing, book, or monthly education payments. Benefits may be prorated when a student is enrolled less than full-time.
Review the applicable Undergraduate Rate of Pursuit or Graduate Rate of Pursuit information before registering.
Repeated Courses
VA education benefits generally cannot be used to repeat a course when the previously earned grade already satisfies the student’s program requirements.
A course may be repeated when:
- The student did not earn a passing grade.
- The earned grade does not meet the minimum grade required by the student’s program.
- Another documented program requirement makes repeating the course necessary.
VA education benefits do not cover third-attempt charges, excessive-credit-hour charges, or other additional charges that are not eligible for certification.
Final-Term Enrollment (Rounding Out)
Students in their last term, using the Chapter 33 benefit, attending UT San Antonio:
- Attending with a rate of pursuit greater than 50% can now be paid MHA at the full-time rate, without having to take additional classes.
- Attending with a rate of pursuit at or less than 50%.
- Any courses required for the student’s degree plan must be taken first if available.
- When all options for the degree plan are currently being taken, filled, or not offered, the student may take any course, even if not part of their program, to get their rate of pursuit above 50%, at which time full MHA benefits will be paid.
- Attending with a rate of pursuit at or less than 50% and who do not take additional courses will not be paid MHA.
Schedule Changes
If you make a change to your registration after your enrollment has already been sent to the VA, CMAS will report the change once it appears on our report.
- Adding a course: The course must apply toward your approved program of study or it will not be certified.
- Dropping a course: Your rate of pursuit and benefit payments may be reduced. This may also cause the student to incur a debt with the VA and/or UT San Antonio if the drop occurs after the Census date for the given term.
UT San Antonio refund policies and VA debt policies are separate. Review the applicable deadlines on the UT San Antonio Academic Calendar and contact CMAS before changing your enrollment if you have questions about how the change may affect your benefits.
- The VMA Census Date Policy complies with the Public Law that went into effect August 1, 2021 (PL 116-315 Section 1010, Isakson and Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020). For chapter 33 beneficiaries, schools are required to submit both an original enrollment certification and a second enrollment verification to ensure the beneficiary is progressing in their training. Schools are required to submit an initial enrollment certification for each beneficiary, and a subsequent enrollment certification (verification) after the school’s drop-add period.
- Summer terms will be billed after the last UT San Antonio census date during the summer semester. Please reference the Summer Academic Calendar for the term needed for additional information.
- A hold will be placed on the student account after the initial certification. This will prevent the student from being dropped for non-payment and be exempted from any late fees across the UT San Antonio payment deadlines while awaiting the tuition and fee payment from the VA.
- Registration should still be available during the student’s registration window, as long as no outstanding debt is owed from past semesters.
- If eligible, the monthly housing allowance (MHA) from the VA should be issued as normal while awaiting payment from the VA.
- An automated email will be sent to the student’s UT San Antonio email address confirming the initial certification was submitted. A second automated email will be sent verifying tuition and fees have been requested from the VA for payment to the university.
- The Hazlewood Exemption will be reflected on the account when the payment from the VA is posted for students using partial or exhausting their Chapter 33 benefit while utilizing the Hazlewood Exemption concurrently.
- Students who receive scholarships, grants, or any type of financial aid will not receive a refund until the payment from the VA is posted to the student account, unless otherwise indicated.
Online ONLY Students
UT San Antonio Online degree and certificate programs are designed to be completed entirely online. Courses are taught asynchronously, and these programs do not include requirements that must be completed in person.
For more information, please see UT San Antonio Online Learning
Program Eligibility
VA education benefits may be used for an online degree or certificate program only when the specific program is approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Before enrolling:
- Use the GI Bill® Comparison Tool to confirm that your intended program is approved.
- Review your DegreeWorks audit to confirm that your courses apply toward your declared online program.
- Contact CMAS before registering if you cannot locate your program in the GI Bill® Comparison Tool.
- Be aware that the Hazlewood Exemption cannot be applied to UT San Antonio Online-Only degree programs.
CMAS can certify only VA-approved programs and eligible courses that apply toward the student’s program of study.
Online Pay Rates
For Online ONLY students using Chapter 33 and sometimes Chapter 31, their stipends will reflect half of the national average due to their Online ONLY status. Additionally, monthly stipends (MHA) amounts are still paid in accordance with the student’s rate of pursuit.
For more information see VA Education Benefit Pay Rates
For more information on the GI Bill® Certification process, visit our YouTube channel!
