VA Education Benefits

Your Guide to VA Benefits

If you’re a veteran or a qualifying dependent, you may be eligible for VA education benefits. To see if you're eligible, visit www.va.gov/education. There you can submit your application and explore other education and career opportunities.

Apply For Benefits

  1. Apply for your VA education benefits online or call 1-888-442-4551 if you'd prefer to have a form sent to you.
  2. After that, bring your Certificate of Eligibility letter from the VA to the Veterans Services Coordinator.
  3. Every semester, once you’ve signed up for classes, fill out the Military Education Benefit Consent Form. Paper forms available upon request.
  4. If you change your program or drop/add any classes, let the Veterans Services Coordinator know by email.

If you’ve already used VA benefits at another school or while you were active duty, you don’t need to apply again.

  • Bring your Certificate of Eligibility letter to the Veterans Services Coordinator.
  • Every semester, once you’ve signed up for classes, fill out the Military Education Benefit Consent Form. Paper forms available upon request.
  • Don’t forget to email the Veterans Services Coordinator if you change your program or enrollment.

If you’ve been on active duty and it's changed, your benefits may change too, so talk to the Veterans Services Coordinator.

  • Reapply for State and Federal Tuition Assistance if needed.
  • If you’re transferring mid-year and already applied for State TA, let the Veterans Services Coordinator know.
  • Every school year, fill out the FAFSA to apply for financial aid. If you’ve already done this, make sure to update it with Hawkeye’s school code: 004595.
  • Every semester, once you’ve signed up for classes, fill out the Military Education Benefit Consent Form. Paper forms available upon request.

It usually takes about 8 to 10 weeks for your VA education benefits to process. The VA will send you letters, including a Certificate of Eligibility and an Award Letter, which will tell you how much you’ll get and when payments will start.

  • If you’re using Chapter 1606, Chapter 30, or Chapter 33 benefits, you’ll need to verify your attendance every month to get paid.
  • If you're using Chapter 35 benefits and enrolled in a non-credit certificate or diploma program, you'll need to verify your enrollment.
  • Your payments are based on the number of days in each month you’re in school. If your classes start later or end earlier than the full month, your payment will be adjusted.
  • Shorter courses (like 8-week classes) might change your payment rates.
  • If you're taking all online classes with Post 9/11 benefits, it will affect your housing allowance.
  • Let the Veterans Services Coordinator know if you change your program or enrollment.
  • If you stop attending or withdraw from courses, the VA may bill you for overpayments.
  • Repeating classes may not be covered, so check with the Veterans Services Coordinator first.

You can find more info on the VA education website, including details on eligibility and application forms. Or, you can always contact Hawkeye’s Veterans Services Coordinator for help!

Pathways to Education and Employment

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Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)

ArmyIgnited is federal financial tuition assistance for soldiers on Active Duty, in the Reserves, or the National Guard to support their education goals. Soldiers should contact the Iowa National Guard Education and Incentives Office for more information.

State Tuition Assistance (STA)

State Tuition Assistance is a separate program offered by individual states to help veterans and service members with their tuition costs. Each state sets its own rules, so the amount of assistance and eligibility can vary widely.

The State of Iowa offers the Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship for qualifying members in the Iowa National Guard and Iowa Air National Guard. To apply, complete each of the following applications:

Apply by June 1 for fall and spring semesters. Apply by December 1 for spring semester only.

Combined Use

In many cases, veterans and service members can use both Federal and State Tuition Assistance to maximize their education benefits. For example, if FTA doesn’t cover the full cost of tuition, STA might help cover the rest.

These programs can be a great way to reduce or even eliminate your tuition costs, helping you focus on your education without the financial burden.

If you need more details, it’s best to contact your Education Services Office or your state’s veterans’ education office.

Learn more about VR&E benefits and to see if you're eligible

What's Next?

  • Once you're approved, you'll be assigned a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor. They’ll help you create an educational plan and work with Hawkeye to verify your enrollment.
  • Before classes start, you can charge your books and supplies at the Hawkeye Bookstore, starting ten days before. Just let them know you're using Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation.
  • Each semester, after you register for classes, don’t forget to complete the Military Education Benefits Consent form.
  • If you make any changes to your enrollment or switch programs, make sure to email Hawkeye's Veterans Services Coordinator right away.

Guidelines for Using Your Benefits

  • The VA requires schools to review all the credits you’ve earned from previous colleges and ACE credits you might have earned while serving. This means you’ll need to provide official transcripts from any post-secondary schools you've attended and your Joint Service Transcript or Community College of the Air Force transcript so your enrollment can be processed.

  • To keep receiving VA benefits, you need to maintain good academic progress.

  • The VA will only cover classes that count toward your degree.

  • You can't get VA benefits for repeating courses you’ve already passed, whether at Hawkeye or another college.

  • If you change your class schedule (like adding or dropping a class), change your major, or stop attending school, you need to let Hawkeye’s Veterans Services Coordinator know.

  • Also, if you move or change your address, you need to contact the VA at 1-888-442-4551.

Verifying Your Enrollment Status

If you get benefits under Chapter 30 (Active Duty) or Chapter 1606 (Selected Reserve), you’ll need to verify your enrollment with the VA each month to receive your payments.

  • You can start verifying your enrollment after the VA processes your claim, which usually takes 10–12 weeks.
  • Verify your monthly enrollment at va.gov. You’ll need your Social Security number and zip code.
  • You have to verify at the end of each month for the month that just ended.
  • If you have Direct Deposit, your payment should show up in your account within 3–5 business days. If you get paid by mail, it takes about 5–7 days.

If you’re receiving benefits under Chapter 33, you’ll also need to verify your enrollment status each month to get your monthly housing stipend. Verify your monthly enrollment at va.gov.

You can also verify your enrollment by text message, email, or, if those options aren’t available, by calling the VA Education Hotline at 1-888-442-4551.

Enrollment Verification FAQs

Contact Military and Veteran Services

Veterans Services Coordinator

Jeremy Rosel
Main Campus
Brock Student Center 113
319-296-2320 ext.1212
800-670-4769 ext.1212
Email Jeremy Rosel

Schedule an Appointment

Brock Student Center

Regular Hours — Spring 2026

Monday – Thursday 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM