Step 1: Complete the Veterans ON-line APPlication (VONAPP)

Go to U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs "Veterans ON-line APPlication" (VONAPP).  Follow the instructions to apply for your education benefits.

• Select “St. Louis, Missouri VA Regional Office” when asked to identify a specific VA regional office.
  
  
• Print 2 copies of your VONAPP (one for your records and the other for UC’s Veterans Program and Services office).

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) currently estimates that processing will require twenty-eight calendar days. After processing your benefits application, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs will issue a "Certificate of Eligibility" (COE) to you by mail. University of Cincinnati cannot be responsible for complications or delays in benefit awards due to VA delays in application processing.

• Once you have received the VA "Certificate of Eligibility" (COE), please submit a copy of that certificate to the Veterans Programs and Services office in person, attached in an email, or by postal mail.

Step 2: Apply for Admission to University of Cincinnati

Apply for formal admission to University of Cincinnati by following the procedures outlined by either the office of Undergraduate Admissions or Graduate School, as appropriate.

Step 3: Accept Your Admission to University of Cincinnati

After you receive notification of your admittance into the UC college of your choice, you MUST formally accept the offer of admission and pay any required matriculation fee by the deadline. Registering for classes does not guarantee your acceptance or matriculation into a degree program.

Step 4: Confirm Your Degree Program and Major

To successfully complete the process for your veteran education benefits, you must be certain of both the specific degree (e.g., associate, bachelors, masters, etc.) that you will be pursuing upon entry to University of Cincinnati and the major discipline of study within that degree (e.g., biology, accounting, nursing, history, computer science, etc.). Your college office will notify you of its admission decision. If you are admitted, the college will provide information regarding the specific degree requirements for your particular major. The college also will evaluate any prior study you have completed and will advise you in selecting the appropriate classes for registration.

Important Note: As required by U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs regulations, to be certified at University of Cincinnati for VA educational benefits, you must be matriculated in an approved program of study.

For a list University of Cincinnati programs approved by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, follow these steps:

• Go online to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Weams Institution Search page;
  
  
• Enter 'University of Cincinnati' into the "institution name" box and press Enter. Do not click Ohio on the U.S. map;
  
  
• On the next page, click the link "University of Cincinnati Vet Certification";

• On the next page, click the link "Programs" in the grey box placed at the top of the page; and
  
  
• On the next page, click “Institution of Higher Learning.”

If your program is not included on this list, immediately contact the Veterans Programs and Services office at 513-556-6811.

Step 5: Read & Review the Orientation Presentation and Complete the Questionnaire

Completion of a Veterans Educational Benefits PowerPoint orientation review is required to receive benefits. This PowerPoint orientation will provide you with information specific to your benefits eligibility and the steps you must take each term to ensure that the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs disburses your education benefits in a timely manner.

• Read the Orientation Presentation.
  
  
• Complete the "Statement of Understanding" form indicating you have read and understood the content of this presentation.
  
• Complete our questionnaire. Please come to our VPS office located in 230 University Pavilion or call our office at 513-556-6811.
  

* If you've attended any other colleges, please have all prior college study information ready when you call or come in, whether or not you used VA benefits for that study.

* If you intend to submit a copy of your military transcript to UC, then include it as one of your previous colleges.

* We also need to know if you expect to receive AP credit or CLEP credit (you can indicate the University of Cincinnati as your college for these types of credits).

Step 6: Check Your Eligibility for Ohio In-State Tuition through the “Ohio G.I. Promise” and Apply if Appropriate

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Services, their spouses, and dependents may qualify for immediate classification as Ohio residents for tuition purposes. Review the Ohio G.I. Promise residency eligibility criteria and apply if appropriate.

Step 7: Prepare for Out-of-Pocket Expenses

For Chapters 30, 35, 1606 and REAP students, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs pays benefits to the student at the end of each month. These payments may not be sufficient to cover full tuition and fee costs. Therefore, student veterans must be prepared to pay at least your first semester's expenses (i.e., tuition and fees, textbooks, supplies, etc.) out of pocket.

University of Cincinnati makes available a three-part payment plan. For information regarding your options, visit the One Stop Student Service Center (University Pavilion, 2nd floor; 513-556-1000).

If you have not yet applied for financial aid, visit or contact the One Stop Student Service Center to request assistance in applying or apply on-line (see Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Receipt of VA educational benefits does not necessarily exclude you from additional financial aid monies. By applying for financial aid and grants, you can pay for your tuition, fees, and books, avoiding any late fees, and then repay any loans once your GI Bill payments begin.

Step 8: Work with a College Advisor to Select Appropriate Courses

Contact your college advisor to arrange an advising appointment to select classes required for completing your current degree program.

Keep in mind that the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs will pay benefits only for classes that progress you toward graduation in your current degree program or classes that are required refresher / pre-requisite courses approved for VA benefit payment. So be sure to register carefully.

If you register for any classes that are not required by your current UC college for your current program, you must identify in writing these non-required classes to our office. The student "N/A" notes are due by the end of the 2nd Friday of the term.