Frequently Asked Questions
How do I receive my benefits at Penn State?
Apply for GI Bill® benefits by completing the online application at www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/ . If the VA finds you eligible, they will mail you a “Certificate of Eligibility” with information about your benefit.
Complete a VA Enrollment Cert Request form on LionPATH. You can access the form by going to your Student Home Base, selecting the “My Information” icon, and then “VA Enrollment Cert Request” in the menu.
This form must be completed each term you wish to use VA Education benefits. If this is your first semester using benefits, you will be able to upload your Certificate of Eligibility at that time. If you have a Military Connected Student Questionnaire in your To Do list, you will need to complete this before the VA Enrollment Request form.
If you have any issues accessing the form, please reach out to a certifying official at your campus.
How do I verify my enrollment to the VA?
Chapters 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®) and the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship
Students using Chapter 33 or the VA STEM Scholarship are required to verify their enrollment with the VA each month to continue receiving payments.
Verification options include:
- Text message (recommended for fastest processing)
- Online through VA.gov
For STEM Scholarship recipients, verification follows the same process as Chapter 33, except the email option is not available.
Learn more on the VA’s “Verify school enrollment for GI Bill benefits” page.
Chapter 35 (Dependents’ Educational Assistance – DEA)
Students using Chapter 35 benefits are now required to verify enrollment each month to continue receiving their monthly stipend.
Verification options include:
- Text message (recommended)
You’ll receive a monthly text or email from the VA asking you to confirm continued enrollment. Responding “YES” will release your payment for that month.
Learn more about monthly verification on the VA’s Verify School Enrollment For DEA Benefits | Veterans Affairs page.
Chapters 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty) and 1606 (Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve)
Students using Chapter 30 or 1606 must verify enrollment at the end of each month through the Verify school enrollment for GI Bill benefits
How do I sign up for direct deposit?
All chapters for VA educational benefits are eligible to use the Direct Deposit program through the VA. To sign up, call 1-877-838-2778 or 1-888-442-4551 and have your bank's routing number and your account number available.
What should I do if I change my enrollment?
Let us know as soon as you drop, withdraw, or change majors so that we can notify the VA. Overpayments may be incurred by dropping or withdrawing, so it's important that we notify the VA as soon as possible.
Does the VA pay for pass/fail and audit courses?
Pass/Fail courses will not be paid for if they are failed. However, if you are already full-time without the course, it will not affect your payment. Audit courses will not be paid for by the VA.
What should I do if I plan to permanently transfer?
If you are transferring to another Penn State campus, please contact the School Certifying Officials on your new campus after your transfer has been completed
Does Penn State participate in the Yellow Ribbon component of the Post 9/11 GI Bill®?
While Penn State is a Yellow Ribbon school, this benefit is obsolete due to The Choice Act legislation of 2015, which dictates that public universities must charge the in-state tuition rate to students using GI Bill benefits. All eligible veterans regardless of benefit use, as well as military/veteran dependents who are actively using Chapter 33, Chapter 35 or Fry Scholarship benefits, will be eligible for in-state tuition regardless of residency. If you are a veteran and you are not using GI Bill® benefits, please contact your campus Certifying Official to determine requirements to establish eligibility for the in-state rate.
What should I do if I am debating a change to enrollment?
If you are struggling in a course and considering a drop, please contact our office to speak with a certifying official regarding any impact to your benefits and resources. Frequently discussed resources include Penn State Learning, utilizing office hours, and contacting an academic advisor.
How do I change my address?
To update your address on LionPATH:
- Log in to your Student Home Base in LionPATH.
- Select "My Information" on top of the page.
- Select "Addresses" on the left navigation menu on the page.
- Click on the address or on the "+" sign to update your permanent address.
To update your address with the VA, you can do so by calling 1-800-827-1000 or 1-888-442-4551. In addition, you should also stop by 146 Ritenour Building to complete a Change of Address form to update our records.
"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 the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.