Veterans

We are committed to providing quality service and support to veterans, their dependents and other service members planning to utilize VA education benefits at UNC Asheville. We will help you understand the procedures involved in applying for benefits as well as answer any questions you may have. For questions, please contact our Veterans Certifying Official at 828.251.6439.

 

Available Benefits

  • Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill®
  • Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill®
  • Chapter 35: Survivor’s and Dependents’ Educational Assistance
  • Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill®-Selective Reserve

Information about eligibility and rates is available at www.gibill.va.gov.

How to Apply for Benefits

Applying for benefits for the first time?

Students applying for benefits for the first time must:

  1. Apply for admission to UNC Asheville. Your application fee is waived.
    • Common App:  Select Military Fee Waiver in response to the following question (found under UNCA’s General Questions): “Do you intend to use one of these University of North Carolina Asheville fee waivers?”
    • CFNC: Select “Fee Waiver” under Payment Information on the Finish Application section.
  2. Complete an Application for Benefits online.
  3. Upon enrolling, submit a Certificate of Eligibility for your benefit.
  4. Veterans must submit a DD-214 form showing honorable discharge OR the Notice of Basic Eligibility (N.O.B.E.) for reservists to the Office of the Registrar. 

Complete a Request for Certification form in the Office of the Registrar. Students must have initially completed steps 1-3 above before completing this step. This step is necessary in order for educational benefits to be received. A Request for Certification form must be completed each year.

Transferring benefits from a previous school?

Students who have previously received benefits and wish to transfer their benefits must:

  1. Apply for admission to UNC Asheville at admissions.unca.edu.
  2. Upon enrolling, submit a Certificate of Eligibility for your benefit.
  3. Veterans must submit a DD-214 form showing honorable discharge OR the Notice of Basic Eligibility (N.O.B.E.) for reservists to the Office of the Registrar. 

Complete a Request for Certification form in the Office of the Registrar. Students must have initially completed steps 1-3 above before completing this step. This step is necessary in order for educational benefits to be received. A Request for Certification form must be completed each year.

How to Receive Military Credit

In order to receive credit for military courses or training, new students must submit an official Joint Services Transcript or Community College of the Air Force transcript at the time of application. All credits that equate to specific UNC Asheville courses will be applied as direct equivalencies. Students who receive less than seven hours of direct equivalencies will receive elective credit toward graduation up to seven hours. Please note that students with less than seven hours of military course work or training will not receive the seven hour block of credit.

Request Official Joint Services Transcript

Request Official Community College of the Air Force Transcript

Title 38 USC 3679(e) Compliance

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e) of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, UNC Asheville will not impose a penalty on any student using veterans education benefits under Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment) or Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill®) because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement of funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

FAQs

How do I start my educational benefits?

Please see our Applying for Benefits page. Information about available programs and a GI Bill® Comparison Tool are available at www.gibill.va.gov.

How do I find out if I have any benefits remaining?

Contact the Department of Veteran Affairs at 1-888-442-4551 (888-GIBILL1).

Am I still eligible to receive financial aid if I am receiving VA educational benefits?

Yes!

Is UNC Asheville a Yellow Ribbon School?

Not at this time, however you may still qualify for a waiver of the out-of-state tuition. Please visit our Residency and Tuition website for more information about the Military Tuition Waiver.

How do I verify my monthly enrollment for educational benefits?

Students using the Montgomery GI Bill® (Ch 30), the Selected Reserve (Ch 1606), and REAP (Ch 1607) must verify their enrollment with the VA each month in order to receive payment.  Enrollment can be verified on the last calendar day of the month by using your Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (W.A.V.E.) account or by calling 1-877-823-2378.

Do I have to attend full-time to receive my educational benefits?

In the fall and spring semesters, undergraduate students taking less than 12 hours can still receive a prorated amount of their benefit.  Students receiving the Post 9/11 GI Bill® must be enrolled at greater than half time in order to receive the housing allowance.

How can I receive full time benefits for summer semesters?

The VA considers summer semesters non-standard terms, and uses this formula to determine training time equivalence.

What is the process to transfer Post 9/11 benefits to a dependent or spouse?

The veteran must elect to transfer the benefit through the Department of Defense Transferability of Education Benefits (TEB) site. Once the transfer has been approved, the dependent should apply for the benefit by completing a 22-1990e.  Once this application is processed, the VA will issue a Certificate of Eligibility to the student.

Am I eligible for a military tuition waiver?

Please review the Military Tuition Benefit section, at the bottom of the NC Residency website, for information on applying for military tuition benefits.

Additional Veterans Resources