GI Bill® at CMU
We help you utilize Veterans Administration benefits
It is important to understand that the VA will only pay for courses REQUIRED for graduation. So we can only certify courses that are REQUIRED for graduation. If you are uncertain if the courses you have registered for are REQUIRED for graduation, you should contact your academic advisor for clarification.
The CMU Veterans’ Resource Center will need a copy of your VA Certificate of Eligibility – (COE) to certify your courses in the VA system. To apply for your VA education entitlement, if you haven’t already, visit https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/.
Once you actually register for courses you’ll need to submit CMU’s Enrollment Certification Request - (ECR) via CentralLink. CMU uses this ECR process to certify your courses through the VA system. Click ECR to access the form or visit the Veterans’ Resource Center website and click the (ECR) GI Bill® Enrollment Certification Request button on the lower left-hand corner. You will be required to log on using your Global ID and password. CMU uses this ECR process to certify your courses through the VA system. You'll need to complete the CMU GI Bill® ECR form each semester as soon as you register for courses.
If you are using Chapter 33, you must verify attendance to the VA each month. Your enrollment can be verified starting on the last calendar day of the month by opting in to receive prompts by text message or by calling their toll-free telephone line at 1-888-442-4551. If using Chapter 30 or 1606 your enrollment can be verified starting on the last calendar day of the month by using the Veteran Affairs Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) at www.gibill.va.gov/wave or by calling our toll-free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone line at 1-877-823-2378. Your “Claim Number” is your Social Security number. *
For students who do not receive 100% benefits
Those students whose benefit entitlement is less than 100%, must pay their portion of their tuition and fees prior to the billing due date that is listed on their billing letter. For example, a Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® recipient with 80% entitlement must calculate the amount of their 20% responsibility and pay that amount prior to their billing due date.
If you have one, please provide a copy of your DD-214.
In summary
- Provide a copy of your COE
- Submit the CMU GI Bill® ECR form through CentralLink once you actually register for courses**
- Complete and return VA Form 22-1995, if you used your VA entitlement at another institution
- Pay your portion of the bill if you are less than 100% covered
- Provide a copy of your DD-214 if possible
* The Veteran Affairs (VA) systems do not update account information instantly. Instead, verifications and other submissions are stored and processed manually. Due to system procedures, it may take 2-3 workdays for the VA systems to reflect updates to your account.
** When you submit the CMU GI Bill® ECR form through CentralLink, you will have the option to attach the requested documents. DO NOT E-MAIL DOCUMENTS.
Which GI Bill® are you planning to use?
Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
The Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty (MGIB-AD) can help you pay for education and training programs. If you’ve served at least 2 years on active duty
Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
If you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) can help. This program—also known as Chapter 31 or VR&E—helps you explore employment options and address training needs. In some cases, your family members may also qualify for certain benefits.
Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill®
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) helps you pay for school or job training. If you’ve served on active duty after September 10, 2001, you may qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33).
Are you eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) benefits?You may be eligible for education benefits if you meet at least one of the requirements listed below.
At least one of these must be true. You:
Served at least 90 days on active duty (either all at once or with breaks in service) on or after September 11, 2001, or
Received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service, or
Served for at least 30 continuous days (all at once, without a break in service) on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability, or
Are a dependent child using benefits transferred by a qualifying Veteran or service member
Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
The Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program offers up to 36 months of education and training benefits. If you’re a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard, you may be eligible for this benefit.
You may be eligible for education benefits under this program if you meet the requirements listed below.
One of these:
Have a 6-year service obligation (you agreed to serve 6 years) in the Selected Reserve,
OR
Be an officer in the Selected Reserve and you agree to serve 6 years in addition to your initial service obligation
Note: Your obligation must have started after June 30, 1985, or for some types of training after September 30, 1990.
And all of these:
Complete IADT
High School Diploma or equivalent before finishing IADT
Stay in good standing with your unit
Post 9/11 GI Bill® Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Extension
Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship
The Edith Nourse Rogers Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Scholarship allows some eligible Veterans and dependents in high-demand fields to extend their Post-9/11 GI Bill or Fry Scholarship benefits. Read below to find out if you’re eligible for up to 9 months (or $30,000) of added benefits and how to apply.
You may be eligible for this scholarship if you meet at least one of the requirements listed here.
At least one of these must be true. You:
Are currently enrolled in an undergraduate STEM degree program or qualifying dual-degree program, or
Have earned a post-secondary degree or a graduate degree in an approved STEM degree field and are enrolled in a covered clinical training program for health care professionals, or
Have earned a post-secondary degree in an approved STEM degree field and are working toward a teaching certification