How to Use Your Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits at APUS Step 1: Apply for VA Benefits When applying for VA benefits you must complete a 22-1990- Application for VA Educational Benefits. Forms are available on the VA's website at www.GIBill.va.gov (or toll-free at 888-442-4551), at all DVA offices, most active duty military stations and American Embassies in other countries. Please mail the completed application to the VA Regional Office in Buffalo, NY (keep a copy of the application for your records). If you have already completed a 22-1990 and used your GI Bill before , please complete a 22-1995 - Request for Change of Program or Place of Training. Please Note: If you are on active duty, your ESO will need to sign your application. Remember, the APUS West Virginia address must be entered on all VA paperwork. Mail or fax the form to APUS:
American Public University System
Attn: VA
111 W. Congress St
Charles Town, WV 25414
FAX 304-724-3782 Step 2: Complete Registration and Tuition Payment
Since VA benefits are paid directly to the student, APUS requires that anyone using VA benefits pay for their courses prior to the start of the course. Payment can be made at the time of registration using a credit card. Other payment types include ACH, ADP (automated debit payment plan), and Federal Financial Aid. After you register and select the payment type for a course, mail or fax the 22-1990 or 22-1995 form to APUS: American Public University System
Attn: VA
111 W. Congress St
Charles Town, WV 25414
FAX 304-724-3782 You may also email a scanned copy to vaquestions@apus.edu. Please Note: If you have already submitted a VA application (22-1990) to the VA, you may submit your "Certificate of Eligibility" if you have never used your GI Bill before. Step 3: Enrollment Verification Sent to the VA
When an APUS VA certifying official receives your forms, your enrollment verification will be created. This process includes the following steps and can take up to 10 business days: 1. APUS receives your VA application
2. VA certifying official matches your application with your completed registrations and confirms the payment method for your course(s).
3. Your enrollment certification is sent to the VA office within 10 business days. Note: After your initial enrollment verification is sent to the VA, your future courses will automatically be submitted to the VA after the drop/add period of each new session. If you change your program of study or your degree, you are required to complete a 22-1995 - Change of Program or Place of Training and submit it to APUS.
Step 4: Next, the VA must take several steps to get your student application in their system. This process includes the following steps and may take 6 - 8 weeks: 1. VA receives your enrollment verification from APUS
2. VA contacts DoD to verify that you have made payments toward the VA Program
3. VA confirms that the "VA Entitlement" was awarded to you
4. VA enters your student information in their system to complete the application process
Students who wish to check on the status of their VA application should contact their VA office toll-free at 888-442-4551 Top-Up Benefit Top-Up is a VA benefit that may be used by active duty members who are not receiving 100% tuition assistance coverage for a course. For example, if the course cost is $825 and TA pays $750 and the student's out of pocket expense is $75.00. The student may submit the $75.00 to the VA for reimbursement. When using Top-Up, you must have completed a 22-1990 and submitted it to the VA in Buffalo, NY. To receive reimbursement from the VA for Top-Up, a copy of the approved TA form (with TOP-UP written at the top of the form), must be sent to the VA in Buffalo. This process must be followed for each course that Top-Up is being used for. Please Note: APUS requires that any balance not being covered by TA must be paid prior to the start of the course. Access to the course will not be permitted until the balance is paid in full. Where to find answers for VA Questions Registration - Registrar's Office - 1.877.755.2787 option 2 or registrar@apus.edu Payment Options - Student Accounts - 1.877.755.2787 option 3 or stuaccounts@apus.edu VA Application, enrollment certifications - 1.877.755.2787 option 3 or vaquestions@apus.edu Still have questions? Our Financial Services Team will be happy to help. Email us at vaquestions@apus.edu | 
