Schedule changes
Any of the following changes to your classes or credits must be reported to UAF Financial Aid office immediately or your benefit payments could be delayed up to 45 days and/or result in an overpayment:
Changes in credit load that affect your training time: example – going from 12.0 credits (full-time) to 9.0 credits (3/4 time) or your classes end or start differently than before.
Wait listed classes: Wait listed classes do not reflect in your credit load until you are officially enrolled in the class. You are responsible for getting instructor approval and enrolling in the class through the Registrar's Office.
Called to Active Duty: If during the semester you are called to active duty, please notify the Registrar's Office to discuss the withdrawing of your courses and the possibility of filing an appeal for a reimbursement of tuition and/or fees and also noify the UAF Financial Aid office. Our office will need a copy of your orders to submit along with the change to the VA Regional Office.
Mitigating Circumstances: If you are required to drop/withdraw from a course during the semester for reasons beyond your control (i.e. financial, health, employer, childcare, etc.), you may not be required to pay the VA back the money you were paid for the course(s). Please notify they UAF Financial Aid office if mitigating circumstances apply to you or contact the VA Regional Office at (888) 442-4551.
Please note: UAF Financial Aid office does not accept responsibility for overpayments that could have been avoided had we been notified in a timely manner.
Concurrent Enrollment
Change of major or place of training
If you have changed your major with UAF or have used your benefits at another school and are transferring to UAF, you are required to fill out a VA Change form (PDF). Please click on the link above to print this form, and submit the form in person to the UAF Financial Aid office.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How long does it take from the time you certify my benefits until I can receive my money?
A: It may take VA up to 30-45 days to review your claim. Once you have been certified through the school, you should receive an e-mail generated from the VA to the e-mail address you provided. If you are using Chapter 30, 1606 or 1607, please remember to self certify yourself at the end of each month to receive your money.
Q: Will I get my money before fees are due?
A: You will not receive your money before fees are due because you can only certify at the end of each month when school starts. Students using Chapter 31: your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor will
pay the school tuition and fees directly for any approved courses. Students using Chapter 33, Post 9/11 bill: the VA will pay the school tuition and fees directly (up to your percentage) for any approved courses.
Q: How will I pay for classes if my money does not get here on time?
A: You have two options:
- You can pay for fees out of your own pocket or with financial aid (www.fafsa.gov), or
- You can call the Business Office 474-7551 and set up a payment plan.
Q: Why am I only certified for a certain amount of credits, but I am taking more than what is certified?
A: VA will only pay for the classes that fit in your degree program.
Q: Do I have to be a degree seeking student to receive VA benefits?
A: Yes, you do because VA wants to know that you are working towards a degree. However, you can attend school for one semester as a non-degree seeking student as long as your courses are toward a specific degree program.
Q: Do I need to report that I have dropped a class?
A: Yes, you do need to report that you have dropped a class because if you do not, then you may be considered for overpayment and will need to repay the VA back. Complete and return the Notification of add/drop form.
Q: How long do I have to use my benefits?
A: For Chapter 30, MGIB, You have up to 10 years from the date you separated from the service. If you are using the Chapter 33, Post 9/11 bill, this has been extended to 15 years from the date you separted from the service.
Q: What paperwork do I need to fill out for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational and Assistance Program (DEA)?
A: You will need to fill out VA form 22-5490 (PDF) .
Q: How do I know which chapter I am eligible for?
A: Talk to the Veterans Service Officer or Certifying Officials to help make the determination.
Q: How will I know if I am approved for VA?
A: VA will send a certificate of eligibility to the mailing address you have provided on the VA application.
Q: What happens if I get an incomplete (I) grade for one of my classes that I was certified for?
A: The grading policy at the University of Alaska Fairbanks states that an incomplete must be made up within one year or it will automatically be changed to an "F" grade. Because of this policy, the certifying official is not required to report this grade to the VA.
Q: How do I apply for my benefits if I am admitted to another school, but I am taking classes somewhere else?
A: The student will need to notify the certifying official at the school they are admitted to let them know they are attending another school and they would need to request a concurrent enrollment form or parent letter to send to the other school. The student will also need to fill out the Certification Request form (PDF) or any other internal form the school may use in which you are taking classes at.
Q: What is a parent letter or concurrent enrollment form?
A: A parent letter or concurrent enrollment form is a letter or form in which it lets the other school know that the student is admitted through another school and the classes he is taking fits in the degree program.
Q: What if I am considered overpaid?
A: You will need to call VA at 888-442-4551 to see why you are overpaid and call debt management at 800-827-0648 to set up a payment plan.
Q: What if I am not getting paid what I am suppose to get paid?
A: You can call the VA at 888-442-4551 or talk to the Veterans Service Officer in Eielson 111.
Q: If I have any questions about my payment or how many months of eligibility I have left who do I call?
A: You can call the VA at 888-442-4551 or talk to the Veterans Service Officer in Eielson 111.