Veterans Benefits

Methods of Payment

If you are filing for educational benefits for the first time, it generally takes the DVA 10 to 12 weeks to process a claim. Subsequent certifications for benefits generally take 8 to 10 weeks. UMUC currently processes student's benefits through the Buffalo (NY) Regional Office of the DVA.

The amount of money you receive from the DVA depends on the educational program for which you are eligible, the number of semester hours for which you are registered (your training time), and the length of the semester in which you are enrolled.

Benefits are paid directly to students and can be used to help pay costs of tuition and books. Under most educational assistance programs, the amount of money a student receives from DVA does not cover the costs of tuition and books at UMUC. Students receiving DVA benefits should be prepared to pay their tuition costs at the time of registration. All students are eligible to participate in an interest-free, TuitionPay payment plan. Call Sallie Mae at 800-635-0120 or visit the Sallie Mae Tuition Pay Web site.

How to Determine Training Time

These charts are designed to allow you to determine your training time during any enrollment period at UMUC.

To use the charts you must know two things: the number of semester hours for which you are planning to enroll and the length of the term in which you are pursuing the credits. You must calculate the number of days of your enrollment and then use the table below to convert those days into whole weeks.

Conversion Table–Days to Weeks

1–10 days = 1 week	53–59 days = 8 weeks	102–108 days = 15 weeks
11–17 days = 2 weeks	60–66 days = 9 weeks	109–115 days = 16 weeks
18–24 days = 3 weeks	67–73 days = 10 weeks	116–122 days = 17 weeks
25–31 days = 4 weeks	74–80 days = 11 weeks	123–129 days = 18 weeks
32–38 days = 5 weeks	81–87 days = 12 weeks	130–136 days = 19 weeks
39–45 days = 6 weeks	88–94 days = 13 weeks	137–143 days = 20 weeks
46–52 days = 7 weeks	95–101 days = 14 weeks	144–150 days = 21 weeks

The figures in the above Conversion Table–Days to Weeks were arrived at by taking total number of days (including the first day of the term) divided by seven. Any remainder of less than half a week is dropped, any remainder of more than half a week adds a week.

Once you have determined the total number of weeks for your courses, read across the top of the chart that follows until you find the length of the semester in which you are enrolled. Go down the semester hours per term column on the left until you reach the line for the number of semester hours for which you are planning to enroll. The intersecting block indicates your training time.

Undergraduate Training Time Table

15 wks

14 wks

13 wks

12 wks

11 wks

10 wks

9 wks

8 wks

7 wks

6 wks

5 wks

4 wks

3 wks

2 wks

1 wk

12 s.h.

full

11 s.h.

3/4

full

10 s.h.

3/4

full

9 s.h.

3/4

full

8 s.h.

1/2

3/4

full

7 s.h.

1/2

3/4

full

6 s.h.

1/2

3/4

full

5 s.h.

>1/2

1/2

3/4

full

4 s.h.

>1/2

1/2

3/4

full

3 s.h.

1/4

>1/2

1/2

3/4

full

2 s.h.

1/4

>1/2

1/2

3/4

full

1 s.h.

1/4

>1/2

1/2

3/4

full

NOTE: (>1/2 indicates less than 1/2)

Educational Benefits Monthly Payments Chart (effective 08/01/08)

Chapter 30

Enlistment	Full-time	3/4 time	1/2 time	less than 1/2 time	1/4 time
3 years or more	$1,321.00	$990.75	$660.50	$660.50**	$330.25**
2 years	$1,073.00	$804.75	$536.50	$536.50**	$268.25**

Chapter 30 (for those with remaining entitlement under Chapter 34)

	Full-time	3/4 time	1/2 time	less than 1/2 time	1/4 time
No dependents	$1,509.00	$1,132.25	$754.50	$754.50**	$377.25**
One dependent	$1,545.00	$1,158.75	$772.50
Two dependents	$1,576.00	$1,182.25	$788.00
Additional dependents	$16.00	$12.00	$8.00

Chapter 32 (DOES NOT INCLUDE KICKERS)

Full-time	Full-time rate x .75	Full-time rate x .50	n/a	Full-time rate x .25
Member's contribution plus DOD matching amount divided by number of months contributed

Chapter 31

	Full-time	3/4 time	1/2 time	less than 1/2 time	1/4 time
No dependents	$520.74	$391.27	$261.81	No benefits at less than 1/2 time
One dependent	$645.94	$485.15	$324.38
Two dependents	$761.18	$569.09	$381.30
Additional dependents	$55.49	$42.67	$28.47

Chapter 35

Full-time	3/4 time	1/2 time	less than 1/2 time	1/4 time
$881.00	$661.00	$439.00	$439.00**	$220.25**

Chapter 1606

Full-time	3/4 time	1/2 time	less than 1/2 time	1/4 time
$317.00	$237.00	$157.00	$79.25	n/a

Chapter 1607

	Full-time	3/4 time	1/2 time	less than 1/2 time	1/4 time
Consecutive Service of 90 days But less than one year	$528.40	$396.30	$264.20	$264.20**	$132.10**
Consecutive Service of one year plus	$792.60	$594.45	$396.30	$396.30**	$198.15**
Consecutive Service of two years plus	$1,056.80	$792.60	$528.40	$528.40**	$264.20**
Tuition and fees only but not to exceed the monthly rate indicated. NOTE: Active-duty personnel receive reimbursement of tuition and fees only, but not to exceed the monthly rates indicated above. Rates with dependents apply to veterans, not active-duty personnel. NOTE:** Monthly rates do not reflect additional benefits as a result of selected MOS, kickers, or buyups.

Graduate Training Time Table

During 13-week or less graduate sessions:

6 semester hours equals full time and

3 semester hours equals half-time

This applies to all graduate degrees and certificates

Payment of benefits is not allowed for non-credit graduate courses.

Monthly Certification Forms

If you are receiving benefits under Chapter 30, 1606, or 1607, you are required to complete verification of enrollment forms, DVA form 22-8979, on a monthly basis. DVA will not release payment unless these forms are completed. Forms are mailed directly to you from the DVA usually between the 1st and 5th of each month. Students may complete verification online at www.gibill.va.gov or by calling 1-877-823-2378.

Retroactive Payment

The DVA may allow retroactive payment of educational benefits up to one year or more from the first day of the enrollment period.

Accelerated Enrollment Period

The benefits that are paid for accelerated enrollment periods (for example, for a weekend course or a two-day course) differ from those granted for other types of courses.

Excel Courses

DVA will pay benefits for your enrollment in EXCL 301, if the course fulfills an elective requirement in your degree program. DVA will not pay benefits for the semester hours awarded after completing the course, unless you receive benefits under Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation.

Lump-Sum Payments

Unless you are a reservist claiming benefits under Chapter 1606, if you are enrolled for less than half time, you will receive a lump-sum payment when your certification is processed.

Additional Allowance for Dependents

Chapter 30 veterans who have eligibility from the Vietnam Era GI Bill and Chapter 31 veterans are the only students who are eligible for additional allowances for benefits.

Accelerated Payment

Accelerated Payment is available to students eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill, Chapter 30. Only a few UMUC graduate degree programs are eligible for accelerated payment. For additional information, send an e-mail to vdsa@umuc.edu

Veterans Benefits

Methods of Payment

How to Determine Training Time

Conversion Table–Days to Weeks

Undergraduate Training Time Table

Educational Benefits Monthly Payments Chart (effective 08/01/08)

Graduate Training Time Table

Monthly Certification Forms

Retroactive Payment

Accelerated Enrollment Period

Excel Courses

Lump-Sum Payments

Additional Allowance for Dependents

Accelerated Payment

• Programs

• Applying

• Regulations

• Forms