Benefit Information

Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill®

Chapter 33 provides tuition assistance, a housing allowance, and a books and supplies stipend to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after September 11, 2001 or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. The transferability option allows Service Members to transfer all or some unused benefits to their spouse or dependent children. Active Duty Service Members and their spouses are not paid a housing allowance.

For information on eligibility for benefits under Chapter 33, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp

 

Applying for Ch. 33 Post 911 GI-BILL®:

Step 1. Apply with the VA to use the Post 9/11 GI Bill at Winthrop.

    To apply for the Post 9/11 GI Bill as the veteran or service member:

    • Go to http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/ and click on "Apply for Benefits." Log in, fill out VA Form 22-1990, and submit it to the VA. Once the VA processes your application, they will send you a Certificate of Eligibility in the mail. This Certificate will show how many months of entitlement the student has and what the eligibility percentage is. When you receive this Certificate, you should submit a copy to the Veterans Benefits Coordinator at Winthrop University.

    To apply for the Post 9/11 GI Bill as the spouse/dependent of a veteran or service member:

    • Next, in order to use a transferred Post 9/11 GI Bill, the student should go to http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/ and click on "Apply for Benefits." Log in, fill out VA Form 22-1990E, and submit it to the VA. Once the VA processes your application, they will send you a Certificate of Eligibility in the mail. This Certificate will show how many months of entitlement the student has and what the eligibility percentage is. When you receive this Certificate, you should submit a copy to the Veterans Benefits Coordinator at Winthrop University.

    Go to http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/ and click on "Apply for Benefits." Fill out the "VA Form 22-1995" and submit it electronically. The VA will then process your application.

    All transfer students must provide official transcripts from all prior institutions of higher education to Winthrop's Office of Admissions. This is a requirement for all students using VA Education Benefits. The Department of Veteran Affairs requires the Veterans Benefits Coordinator at Winthrop to officially report all prior credits completed at other higher education institutions that can be applied towards the degree program that the student is pursuing at Winthrop.

    If you are pursuing a degree at another university and would like to use your GI Bill to take classes toward that degree at Winthrop, please have the School Certifying Official at your home school send a Parent Letter to the Veterans Benefits Coordinator at Winthrop.

 

Step 2. Request to use your benefits at Winthrop.

For information on using your benefits at Winthrop go to the request benefits page.

 Once the Veterans Benefits Coordinator has this information, she will send the Enrollment Certification to the VA. Once the VA receives the certification, they begin processing payments — the tuition piece which will be paid to the school and the housing and books which will be paid directly to the student.

Step 3. Protect your schedule with Student Accounts Receivable.

Students using the Post 9/11 GI Bill are able to protect their schedules while waiting for payment from the VA if the Veterans Benefits Coordinator has an up-to-date Certificate of Eligibility or eBenefits screenshot showing the student's eligibility percentage and number of months of entitlement remaining. To have their schedules protected, students should contact Student Accounts Receivable at 803/323-3377 prior to the fee payment deadline. Failure to do so will result in the student's classes being dropped. 

Step 4. Stay up to date.

Let the Veterans Benefits Coordinator know if you make any changes to your enrollment, including schedule changes, withdrawing from classes, and major/minor changes. Failure to keep up-to-date records can result in an overpayment by the VA, which could result in you owing a large balance to the VA and/or Winthrop University.

For the above program, eligibility is determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs, not by Winthrop University. For information on benefit eligibility, please visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

Yellow Ribbon Program/Act 11 & Policy 706

Winthrop University is proud to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program for out-of- state students needing additional funds for their Tuition and Fees and ACT 11 & Policy 706 to provide in-state tuition for eligible students. Click here for more information about in-state tuition. 

VA's new "Forever GI Bill®"

  • The 15-year time limitation to use Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits is now eliminated for Veterans who left active duty on or after January 1, 2013.
  • The VA is now authorized to restore benefits and provide relief to Veterans affected by school closures or disapprovals.
  • Reservists who had eligibility under the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) and lost it due to the program sunset provision will have that service credited toward the Post-9/11 GI Bill® program.
  • Anyone eligible for GI Bill® can use their benefits at an accredited independent study program at an area career and technical school, or a postsecondary vocational school providing postsecondary level education.

Servicemembers transitioning out of the military and looking to earn a degree will begin their search for schools over the next 30 to 60 days as they prepare for life, post-service. CollegeRecon provides promotional access to these prospective students through a network inclusive of the American Legion, the Army and Air National Guard Education Service Office, the USCG Vol Ed program, and select Student Veterans of America chapters.

For further information, please visit the VA's Website directly.