Just because it’s a Yellow Ribbon school, doesn’t mean all the programs are approved to receive GI Bill funding…
Check the VA WEAMS site before enrolling in your education program.
I recently caught up with an old Air Force friend who has since separated and moved to the National Capitol Region with her active duty spouse. She’s now working toward her PhD in Chemistry at George Washington University. How fantastic, right?
She’s using your GI Bill, or at least she was planning to.
She told me that not all programs are eligible for VA benefits, even at well known, accredited, and Yellow Ribbon universities like George Washington. Apparently, even though George Washington University is a VA approved, Yellow Ribbon School, their PhD Chemistry program has not yet been approved by the VA. So, she is in limbo, continuing to take classes and working with the university through a funded program.
Yellow Ribbon Schools may have programs–even degree granting programs–not yet approved by the VA to receive GI Bill funding.
Imagine that, predatory for-profit schools are approved to receive VA funds, but not a PhD Chemistry program at one of the best universities in the country. You can read more about my opinion of for-profit school in For-Profit Schools Prey on Military Members.
It was heart breaking.
Then, I started to research the graduate certificate programs I was interested in on the VA WEAMS site. VA WEAMS stands for Web Enabled Approval Management System. I checked programs at highly-regarded institutions like George Washington University and New York University. Despite both of these being Yellow Ribbon Schools, none of the programs I was interested in, were approved for VA benefits.
I had no idea that Yellow Ribbon Schools may have programs–even degree granting programs–not yet approved by the VA to receive GI Bill funding. It turns out, this is not an uncommon phenomenon and is particularly prevalent amongst graduate programs.
However, I must point out, during my research, I found numerous graduate certificate programs approved at Harvard Extension School and Georgetown School of Continuing Studies. While not all hope is lost, perhaps we never escape some disappointments we thought we left behind on active duty.
So I’m spreading the word.
Check the VA WEAMS site before you enroll in your education program!
Even if you’re interesting in an undergraduate degree, but especially if you’re pursuing a graduate degree or certificate, confirm the program is already approved by the VA to receive VA benefits.
How to Check if Your Program is VA Approved
You can search programs on VA WEAMS by country, state, or institution name. Once you’ve found the institution, click on “Programs” to search approved programs. Each institution may have multiple “Program Types,” so check each program type just in case.
If Your Program is Not VA Approved
If your program is not VA approved, work with your school’s Student Veteran Office and contact your State Approving Agencies (SAA). These agencies are responsible for the approval of education and training programs in their respective states.
I make no promises for how long it may take to get your program approved. My friend is still trying to get her program approved and it has been over a year. I told her to write her Congressman. She’s now reaching out for legal support.
Conclusion
The GI Bill is an amazing benefit of service, but–like everything in the military–it doesn’t always work like it “should.” Before you commit and enroll in your post-service program, check the VA WEAMS website to ensure your program is actually approved to receive GI Bill funds–even if the institution is a Yellow Ribbon School.
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