OSU Institute of Technology assists eligible members of the armed forces, veterans, and dependents in efforts to attain education benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
We help to Interpret federal and state agency regulations; we serve as liaison between the student, other university departments, and the VA regional office; we serve as advisors and coordinators to aid veteran-students with issues that may impact receipt of VA education or vocational rehabilitation benefits.
If you have questions, would like to schedule a tour, or would like additional information, contact Angela Leal, in OSU Institute of Technology’s Office of Veterans Affairs at 918-293-4972, or by email at angela.leal@okstate.edu.
The VA classifies eligible persons by “chapters”, with specific requirements for each:
The first step is to make application to the Department of Veterans Affairs regional office. The university’s Office of Veteran Services is required to have specific information on file for each veteran-student, in order that the veteran can be “certified” by academic calendar dates and credit hours of enrollment.
The following is a basic guide for the forms to be submitted; the VA may request further information. These forms can be completed online at How to Apply for GI Bill Benefits
Although these forms can be submitted directly to the VA Regional Office (VARO), it is advantageous to work through the Veterans Services office at the university.
Allow four to six weeks for VARO to process your application. When this process is completed, VARO will send an “award” letter by mail to the veteran; a copy of this needs to be delivered to the Office of Veterans Services, along with other specific documents from various university departments, prior to the staff filing a VA form 1999-3 Enrollment Certification on behalf of the veteran.
For more details and a copy of the application form needed, contact OSU Institute of Technology’s Office of Veterans Affairs at 918-293-4972, or the VA National Information Line at 1-888-442-4551.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has made funds available for Veteran students who are still awaiting their education benefit claim to be processed. Eligible veterans can receive up to a $3000 advance, which will be recouped from future benefit payments. If you are a student who applied for one of VA’s education programs and have not yet received your monthly benefit payment for the Fall 2009 term, you can request a one-time advance payment at your local VA Regional Office or through VA’s website, www.va.gov.
