FAQ'sUnder Construction I’m going to be a new student to Penn State
Altoona next semester. How do I apply for benefits? We have a section of our website called, “Getting Started.” The first question you will be asked is whether or not you have applied for benefits in the past. Answer YES or NO, and then you’ll be asked to select your chapter code. If you know your chapter code, select the appropriate answer. If you don’t know your chapter code, contact the school certifying official for additional information. Follow the instructions for your chapter code. Return all forms to Jean Lasinski, C122 Smith Building.
I’m returning to Penn State Altoona and I used my
benefits last spring. How do I sign up for my benefits again
for summer and/or fall? Unless a student is changing campuses or their major, there is just one form for a student to complete, the Certification Request for VA Benefits. Please keep in mind that students need to complete this form every semester they wish to use their benefits. Submit the completed form to Jean Lasinski, C122 Smith Building. Recommendation: get into the habit of submitting this form immediately upon scheduling classes for the upcoming semester. If a request cannot be entered into the system immediately, students will receive a confirmation phone call once the request has been entered.
I’ve already been certified for benefits for the upcoming semester. What is the timeline for my getting paid? Payments are made monthly by the VA directly to the student. Payments are not made to the University. The only exception is Chapter 31 recipients, Vocational Rehabilitation and Education. Recommendation: use WAVE to sign up for direct deposit of funds, as it gets the student their monthly payment sooner. Note that Chapter 35, Dependent’s Benefits, students cannot qualify for direct deposit at the present time. Students who do not sign up for direct deposit will be mailed their payments to the address on file with the VA at the time the student’s check is issued. Students will receive their monthly payments after the end of the month. All students, except those receiving benefits under Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Education), and Chapter 35, Dependent’s Benefits. need to verify their monthly enrollment with the VA at the end of the month. There are two ways to verify your enrollment: online using WAVE, or by calling the toll-free verification system: 1-877-823-2378. The earliest a student can call for an enrollment period is the last calendar day of the month, even if it falls on the weekend. For example, August 31, 2008 falls on a Sunday. Any student who tries to certify their enrollment from August 25-August 31 prior to August 31 will get an error message, as the online and automated phone systems are not yet equipped to process August requests. For the same enrollment period, a student who calls August 31 or later will be able to certify their enrollment using the online or phone system, thereby generating their benefits payment for the month that is over. Students who neglect to verify their enrollment will not be paid for that month until they verify their enrollment. The VA will back pay a student for up to one calendar year. Recommendation: mark your calendar with a reminder to ensure timely payment of benefits.
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