Follow these steps after being admitted into UMBC
1. Contact a Department of Veterans Affairs counselor at 1-888-442-4551 to discuss your education benefits.
2. Complete the VA’s Application. The VA requires you to apply to start using your education benefit. Use the VA’s online application which may be quicker than sending in an application to the VA.
3. Submit your Certificate of Eligibility. After the VA processes your application, they will mail you a “Certificate of Eligibility” detailing your education benefit. You will have received this letter via hardcopy from the VA. You can bring the hard copy into the Registrar’s Office, where we will make a copy for you. Alternatively, you can email a photo or a scan of it to: VACertifying@umbc.edu
4. Submit your Semester Certification Request Form. You will submit this form with your “Certificate of Eligibility” once you have registered for classes after orientation. This form is the form you will do EVERY semester or session that you are using your benefits. It can be found HERE.
5. Submit your Prior Education and Training Form. You only need to complete this form one time. It can be found HERE.
6. Fill out the FAFSA. Every student, regardless if you are using VA benefits, should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify for additional student aid. Check with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for aid eligibility or if you have any questions regarding the FAFSA.
7. Veteran Education Benefits are certified on a semester basis. You will need to complete the Semester Certification Request Form every semester to be able to use your benefits. You DO NOT need to submit a new Semester Certification Request form if you change your credits for that semester.
For Questions, please contact VACertifying@umbc.edu