Chapter 35: Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance: Children or spouses of a service member or veteran who died, is captured, missing, or is permanently disabled as a result of their service may be eligible.

To use education benefits, students need to declare use in GIBenefits by following these steps each semester:

  1. Register for the term in which the declaration is taking place.
  2. Complete Servicemember/Dependent Information in GIBenefits.
  3. Upload the Certificate of Eligibility via the Upload Document tab.
  4. In the Declare Benefits tab, select the term to declare benefit use, and select YES for the decision.
Rate of Pursuit
Withdrawal and Punitive Grades
VA Approved Programs

Monthly entitlements are charged based on the rate of pursuit. The (ROP) is calculated by dividing the number of credit hours enrolled, by the number of enrolled credit hours considered to be full-time. Please know that while Temple University may classify you as full-time, the VA may not. 

Please contact the VA at (888)442-4551 to ensure your ROP is full time. 

Generally, the VA cannot pay for:

  • Courses you do not attend.
  • Courses from which you withdraw.
  • Courses you complete but receive a grade that will not count towards graduation.

When your school submits changes to your enrollment information, VA must create debts for the amounts paid that are no longer due. VA will create the debt against you and/or your school for these benefits. You may also owe money to your school when you drop classes or withdraw from school. You must promptly notify your school's veteran certifying official and VA when there is any change in your enrollment. This will help minimize your debt. Visit this page to help manage debt. 

CHECK YOUR PROGRAM'S ELIGIBILITY TO RECEIVE VA EDUCATION BENEFITS

The Department of Veterans Affairs has set up lists of programs they have approved for each university, which you can access through their WEAMS Institution Search tool. By using WEAMS (Web Enabled Approval Management System), you'll get information about your academic program's eligibility for VA benefits.

This is an important step: If your program is not listed, VA benefits can't be used to cover costs.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at benefits.va.gov/gibill.