Applying for VA Benefits at Sacramento State

1. Gain admittance into Sacramento State.
2. Register for classes
3. View the information about which forms you need to complete, according to the type of student you are:
   • Sacramento State student using benefits for the first time (freshmen or transfer students)
   • Transfer student who is continuing benefits
   • Continuing Sacramento State student

Forms and Information

Paid Grades

The USDVA requires that students maintain "satisfactory progress" towards their degree and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better (See "Satisfactory Progress" below) . The USDVA allows payment for all grading options within the university except grades of "NC (No Credit)", "AU (Audit)", "U (Unauthorized Withdrawal)", "W (Withdrawal)", or when several "F's are received in the term. All "unallowable" grades will result in an over-payment due back to the USDVA. Though the USDVA allows grades of "I (Incomplete)" and students have one year to complete the coursework, be advised that the assignment of an "unallowable" grade at the end of that year will also result in an overpayment due back to the USDVA.

Satisfactory Progress

Students receiving federal veterans' education benefits will have their benefits terminated if they complete any two consecutive terms with an academic action other than Good Standing (follow link or see page 107 of Sacramento State 2000-2002 Catalog for definition), even if the level of achievement does not result in academic dismissal from the University.

Concurrent Enrollment

Students receiving veteran educational benefits may attend two or more colleges at the same time, as long as it is all in pursuit of a single educational goal and by so doing, can expedite their graduation. Students are responsible for having the supplemental school(s) send a Verification of Enrollment to the parent college or institution that is awarding the degree. Courses the student is enrolled in must be listed on their Academic Plan Form and must be courses which will "reduce the number of units required for their degree". Courses taken at a different institution must be indicated on the Veteran Information Card if payment is desired for these courses.

Address Change

To ensure that you continue to receive your VA benefit checks, certifications, and other important VA and/or university information, EVERY TIME YOU MOVE you must be sure to change your address by contacting BOTH the VAO (278-6733) AND the Veterans' Affairs Regional Processing Offic at 1-888-442-4551.

Financial Aid

Though receipt of VA benefits is considered in the determination of a veteran student's level of aid, most veteran students do qualify for financial aid. Pickup a Federal Financial Aid Application from the Financial Aid Office and make an appointment with a Financial Aid Counselor.

Monthly Self-Verifications

Almost everyone receiving MGIB-Active Duty benefits, as well as those in the Selected Reserve, must verify their enrollment each month to receive payment for that month. Your enrollment can be verified on the last calendar day of the month by using our Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) at https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave or by calling our toll free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone line at 1-877-823-2378.

Paper verification forms (VA Form 22-8979) will no longer be issued for persons receiving Chapter 30 benefits.

Changing Your Certification

Per the USDVA , if there is a change in your program or enrollment (class adds, class drops, withdrawals, etc.) which will affect your training time, you should contact the Sacramento State VAO. Do not indicate changes for your Self-Verification Form that do not affect your training time. If you have any questions about whether a change will affect your training time, please contact the Sacramento State VAO for clarification.

End of Benefits

The USDVA will pay for an entire semester, if you have at least one or more days of benefits remaining at the beginning of the semester. Consequently, when you are planning your semesters you may want to carefully consider skipping break pay, if in doing so it will deplete the remainder of your benefits.

Reminder: Once you sign up for classes, you must come into the CSU, Sacramento VAO and fill out a Veterans Information Card (VIC) every semester. Failure to complete this form in a timely manner may result in a delay of benefits. Also, you are ultimately responsible for your benefits so, make sure your file is up to date with all the correct information and required forms.