Veterans (VA) Benefits

CIU is proud to be consistently ranked among the most military-friendly schools in the country and we are a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program. CIU is approved to offer GI Bill® educational benefits by the South Carolina State Approving Agency. These benefits include the Montgomery GI Bill® (Active Duty/Selected Reserves), the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program, the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, and Veteran Readiness and Employment.

Program-eligible veterans, their spouses, and children can use VA education benefits to help cover the cost of their CIU tuition. 

Applying for VA Benefits

If you have never used/received veteran's benefits but think you may be eligible:

• Find out more about GI Bill® Benefits and/or  Eligibility
• Apply for VA Education Benefits
• If you qualify for benefits you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or a Statement of Benefits.
• Bring or send your COE or eBenefits page to Miles Raven (School Certifying Official) in Financial Aid (see contact info below under CIU School Certifying Official).
• If you need help applying for benefits or are unsure of your eligiblity contact the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs at (888)-442-4551.

Transferring VA Benefits to CIU

If you have used veteran's educational benefits at another school and are transferring to CIU:

Veterans and Service Members:

• Submit VA Form 22-1995 Online
• Bring or send your updated Certificate of Eligiblity (COE) or eBenefits page to Miles Raven (School Certifying Official) in Financial Aid.

Dependants of a Veteran or Service Member:

• Submit VA Form 22-5495 Online
• Bring or send your updated Certificate of Eligiblity (COE) or eBenefits page to Miles Raven (School Certifying Official) in Financial Aid.

VA Benefits Resources

• VA Forms
• VA Education & Training
• ACE Resources

CIU School Certifying Officials (SCOs)

Miles Raven - VA Benefits Coordinator

• Office: (803) 807-5132
• Email: miles.raven@ciu.edu
• 7435 Monticello Road, Columbia, SC 29203

Laura McCall - Associate Director for Online Financial Aid and Military Benefits

• Office: (803) 807-5049
• Email: laura.mccall@ciu.edu
• 7435 Monticello Road, Columbia, SC 29203

 VA Benefits Chapters

For more information on using a specific VA educational benefit, please click on the appropriate chapter below for details

Chapter 30 & 1606: Montgomery GI Bill® (MGIB) and Selected Reserves (MGIB-SR)

Below are the basic eligibility requirements and VA processing info for the Montgomery and Selected Reserves GI Bill®

• The Montgomery GI Bill® is available for veterans who began active-duty service after June 30, 1985 and paid into the benefit at the beginning of their service.
• The Selected Reserves GI Bill® is available to members of the Selected Reserves with a 6-year service commitment.
• Students are paid directly by the VA on a monthly basis while attending courses. See Chapter 30 Pay Rates or Chapter 1606 Pay Rates for more information.
• Students must verify their enrollment on VYE at the end of each month in order to receive their benefit payment.
• NOTE: No tuition/fees payments will be made to the university by the VA under these chapters. Students are responsible to make sure they pay their student account balance. Students can apply for federal aid and/or set up a payment plan with the accounting department.

VA Application forms for Ch. 30 & 1606:

• 22-1990* – Use if you are applying for Montgomery or Selected Reserves GI Bill® for the first time.
• 22-1995 – Use if you have used your benefits at another institution and would like to transfer to CIU as your primary institution. You will also need to use this form if you are changing the degree level you are pursuing.
• For more information visit the Montgomery GI Bill® page on va.gov.

 

Chapter 31: Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

Below are the basic eligibility requirements and VA processing info for the Veteran Readiness and Employment program:

• Veterans with service-connected disabilities may be eligible. A service-connected disability rating of at least 10% or a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs is required.
• Must be used within 12 years of either the date of separation from active military service or the date in which the veteran was first notified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs of a service-connected disability rating.
• Can cover up to 100% of tuition and fees as well as books, paid directly to the school.
• A monthly subsistence allowance may be available as well.

 

VA Application forms/process for Ch. 31:

• Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs by phone at (800) 827-1000 to determine your eligibility. 
• 28-1900 – Complete and submit directly to the VA.
• For more info visit the VR&E page on va.gov.

Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill®

Below are the basic eligibility requirements and VA processing info for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®:

• Available for current service members and veterans (with an honorable discharge) with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 10, 2001 or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.
• If you served on active duty after September 10, 2001, you may qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. See Eligibility Requirements for more information.
• The school will receive payment for tuition and fees directly from the VA based on your percentage of eligibility.
• Students are issued a book stipend and a monthly housing stipend while attending courses (if eligible) directly by the VA, based on the percentage of eligibility and rate of pursuit. See Post-9/11 Pay Rates for more information.
• Starting in the 2021-2022 school year, Post-9/11 GI Bill® students who receive Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) and/or kicker payments are required to verify their enrollment to continue receiving their payments. Please visit the Enrollment Verification page on the VA website to learn more about the enrollment verification requirement and verification methods.

VA Application forms for Ch. 33: 

• 22-1990* – Use if you are applying for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® for the first time.
• 22-1995 – Use if you have used your benefits at another institution and would like to transfer to CIU as your primary institution. You will also need to use this form if you are changing the degree level you are pursuing.
• 22-1990e* –Use if you are a dependent (child, or spouse as defined in 1 U.S.C. § 7) applying to use a service member’s benefits. Please see Transfer of Entitlement for more information.
• For more info visit the Post-9/11 GI Bill® page on va.gov.

Chapter 35: Dependents’ Education Assistance (DEA)

Below are the basic eligibility requirements and VA processing info for the Dependents’ Education Assistance program:

• The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance benefit provides assistance to dependents of military service members with a service-connected, permanent, and total disability or who were MIA, POW, or died in connection with a service-related disability.
• Students are paid directly by the VA on a monthly basis while attending courses. See Pay Rates & Training Times for more information.
• NOTE: No tuition/fees payments will be made to the university by the VA under this chapter. Students are responsible to make sure they pay their student account balance. Students can apply for federal aid and/or set up a payment plan with the accounting department.

VA Application forms for Ch. 35:

• 22-5490 – Use if you are applying for Veterans education benefits for the first time.
• 22-5495 – Use if you have used your benefits at another institution and would like to transfer to CIU as your primary institution. You will also need to use this form if you are changing the degree level you are pursuing.
• For more info visit the Dependents' Education Assistance page on va.gov.