FAQs for Ch. 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill

    Start by completing the VA Education Benefits Checklist. This includes submitting your Certification Request (Step 6) and all required documents. 

    Once submitted: 

    • Veteran & Military Student Services (VMSS) will certify your enrollment to the VA.
    • This triggers your monthly housing allowance, book stipend, and other direct payments from the VA.
    • VMSS will also notify the Bursar’s Office Third-Party Billing Team, who will apply a conditional credit to your student account for the estimated tuition and fees the VA will cover based on your residency status and certificate of eligibility.
    • After census, the third-party billing team will then certify your tuition and fees to the VA.
    • Tuition and fee payments will be issued directly to the university to be applied to your student account.

    Reminder: You must submit a certification request every semester you plan to use your VA benefits.

    A conditional credit is a temporary credit (sponsorship) applied to your student account for the amount the university expects to receive from the VA based on your residency/COE status. It appears on your bill as:

    “Due From VA-GI BILL_CHAPTER 33”

    This amount may change. If it’s reduced, you’ll be responsible for the remaining balance.

    Common reasons for changes:

    • Adding or dropping courses
    • Exhausting your benefits
    • Reaching your VA eligibility end date (delimiting date)

    You’ll be notified by email if your conditional credit changes.

    If you’re a Colorado resident with 100% eligibility: Expect the credit within 3–5 business days of submitting your certification request and all required documents.

    If you’re a non-resident or have less than 100% eligibility: The credit will be applied between census and the first payment due date, after your tuition and fees are finalized.

    • To prevent late feeds, a temporary hold will be placed on your account for 30 days. 

    Notify VMSS immediately if you add or drop a course. The VA requires the university to report all enrollment changes, which may affect:

    • Your monthly housing allowance. 
    • Your book stipend
    • Your tuition and fee coverage

    Important: If you drop a course after the census date, the VA will not cover the cost. You’ll be responsible for the balance unless you have a mitigating circumstance (e.g., illness, military orders). Contact VMSS if this applies to you.

    For more information on how dropping a course may impact your housing allowance or book stipend, please reach out to vmss@ucdenver.edu.

    The VA only pays in-state tuition and fees. If you’re classified as a non-resident, you’ll be responsible for the difference. 

    Check if you qualify for Military-Connected Residency on CU Denver’s Veteran’s Benefits web page.

    Yes, but the VA is considered the last payer. That means any tuition-specific aid (e.g., scholarships, grants, COF) must be subtracted from the total tuition and fees the university certifies to the VA. 

    Examples of funding that reduce your GI Bill coverage: 

    • Military Tuition Assistance (TA)
    • Tuition Buy-Downs
    • Tuition-Specific Scholarships
    • Departmental Funding (Interdepartmental Invoices)
    • Tuition Remissions
    • College Opportunity Fund (COF)

    You can still use these resources, but they will reduce the amount the VA pays.

    For questions, contact: vabilling@ucdenver.edu

    Submit all required documents and your certification request by the census date each semester.

    Note: Late fees and service charges are not covered by the GI Bill. If you miss the deadline, you’ll be responsible for those charges.

    The Ch.33 Post-9/11 GI Bill does not cover:

    • Non-resident tuition (GI Bill will only pay resident rates, you pay the difference)
    • Accountable Student fee
    • Course drop fees
    • Late fees or service charges
    • Bookstore purchases
    • Student housing or dining
    • Study abroad fees (travel expenses)
    • Courses dropped after census (last add/drop date)

    For housing allowance, book stipend, and residency questions

    For tuition, billing, and conditional credit questions