Veterans Affairs

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers education benefits for eligible veterans, service members, and qualified dependents. Eligibility depends on the requirements of each benefit program. VA determines eligibility and entitlement; BYU–Hawaii does not determine or guarantee a student’s VA benefits.

Students who may qualify include active-duty service members, members of the Reserves or National Guard, and some dependents of veterans or service members. These categories do not by themselves establish eligibility.

VA education benefit programs include:

• Chapter 33 – Post-9/11 GI Bill
• Chapter 30 – Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
• Chapter 35 – Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)
• Chapter 1606 – Montgomery GI Bill–Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)

For program details and eligibility requirements, visit https://www.va.gov/education/?utm_source=chatgpt.com or https://www.va.gov/education/gi-bill-comparison-tool/.

Each military branch has its own tuition assistance (TA) application form and procedures. Before enrolling at BYU–Hawaii, contact your Education Service Officer (ESO) or a counselor within your military service to learn how to get started.

1. Apply for VA education benefits through VA.gov.
2. If VA approves your application, they will send you a decision letter or Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
3. Review it to confirm the benefit program and entitlement VA has awarded.
4. VA explains that your COE identifies your eligible benefit and entitlement, and that your school’s certifying official may ask to see it.

See Veterans Affairs website for more information.

After you are accepted to BYU–Hawaii:

1. Contact the BYUH School Certifying Official (SCO) for the current certification process and required documents.
2. Provide official transcripts of your previous education and/or training to admissions@byuh.edu and notify the BYUH SCO.
3. Register for classes and meet with your Academic Advisor to complete the course enrollment form.
4. Submit course enrollment form and degree audit to the BYUH SCO.

BYUH’s SCO submits enrollment certifications to VA through Enrollment Manager, VA’s online system for school certifying officials. Students provide information and documents to BYUH; they do not submit school enrollment certifications through Enrollment Manager.

See VA Education and Training website for more information.

VA generally authorizes payment for approved courses that are part of a student’s program of education. At BYU–Hawaii, this may include courses required for the student’s major, minor, and Holokai Curriculum, as applicable to the student’s program. BYUH certifies enrollment according to the student’s program requirements and applicable VA requirements. VA determines benefit eligibility and payment.

Students must provide transcripts and records of previous education and training. BYUH evaluates those records and notifies students of the results. VA requires schools to evaluate prior education and training to avoid duplicate coursework and adjust program requirements when applicable.

See VA Education and Training website for more information.

As of January 2026, VA requires all education-benefit recipients, including Chapter 35 students, to verify enrollment each month to receive benefit payments. Follow the instructions VA provides.

See VA’s enrollment-verification information website for more information.

Under federal law, students entitled to VA education assistance under Chapter 31, 33, or 35, or Chapter 1606, may attend or participate in courses while awaiting VA payment after providing the required eligibility documentation and information needed for certification. BYUH will not impose penalties such as late fees, denial of access to classes or facilities, or requiring additional borrowing because of delayed VA disbursement. The law permits institutions to require a written request to use benefits and other information needed to certify enrollment. (38 U.S.C. § 3679(e))

BYUH School Certifying Official
Ologa Iopu
E: Ologa.iopu@byuh.edu
P: 808-675-3730
Office of the Registrar

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
www.va.gov
GI Bill hotline: 1-888-442-4551

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at VA.gov.