Welcome to William Penn University! It only takes a few steps to get your VA (Veteran’s Affairs) educational benefit started at William Penn University.
VA (Veteran’s Affairs) education benefit eligibility is based on individual service information and is specific to the service-member or veteran. The final determination of eligibility is determined by the VA. In some cases, Veterans may be able to transfer benefits to their dependents. For additional information regarding eligibility for VA education benefits, how Veteran parents can transfer benefits to their dependents, and how to apply for benefits, please visit the VA website, at https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-22-1990/, or https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/. For general questions, you can contact VA customer service by phone at 888-442-4551, or at Ask.VA.gov | Veteran Affairs.
Application for VA benefits may be done online. The VA can take up to 30 days to process your application and determine your eligibility. Once your application is approved by the VA, you will receive a letter from the VA giving your eligibility details. Please provide a copy of this letter to the School Certifying Official (Penn Hall, room 217, Registrar’s Office). When you contact the School Certifying Official, there will be additional paperwork for you to complete.
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 Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
If you have used GI BILL ® benefits previously at another institution, and are transferring to William Penn University, the VA requires you to complete a Change of Program or Place of Training form (Veterans/Service members complete VA form 22-1995, dependents complete form 22-5495). You can find these forms and more information online at https://www.va.gov/education/change-gi-bill-benefits/. Please provide a copy of this form to the WPU Certifying Official.
In order to have your military credit transferred to William Penn, you will need to request an official transcript and have it sent to:
William Penn University
Office of Admissions
201 Trueblood Ave.
Oskaloosa, IA 52577
If you were in the Army, Navy or Marines request a Joint Services Transcript (JST).
If you were in the Air Force request an official transcript from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).
If you were using the benefits last semester at William Penn University, there is no requirement for you to re-apply to the VA for benefits or complete additional paperwork. However, if you were not in attendance at WPU the previous semester, please contact the certifying official and let them know of your return.
1. Apply and be accepted for admission to a degree program at William Penn University. https://application.wmpenn.edu/
2. Check eligibility for VA education benefits. https://www.va.gov/education/eligibility/
3. Optional – Transfer VA benefits to spouse or dependent. https://www.va.gov/education/transfer-post-9-11-gi-bill-benefits/.
4. If you have not used VA benefits before, apply for benefits with the VA. Select the tab “Apply for Benefits. Print a copy to submit to WPU. https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/
OR
If you have used VA benefits at another institution, complete VA form 22-1995. Print a copy to submit to WPU. https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-22-1995/
5. Fill out Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
6. Request official military training transcript to be sent to WPU (omit if student is a dependent of the veteran). Army, Navy, Marines: https://jst.doded.mil/official.html Air Force: https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Registrar/Transcript-Requests/
7. Register for classes with your assigned faculty advisor.
8. Complete the Request for Certification form and submit it with a copy of your VA application or form 22-1995 along with your letter of eligibility from the VA to WPU’s School Certifying Official.
Notify the School Certifying Official (SCO) when making changes to your schedule or program/major. Changes made to your enrollment or program – add/drop courses, withdrawing from WPU, may result in a change of pay from the VA, including having to return funds to the VA.
Notify SCO of upcoming deployment.
Students receiving benefits under VA Chapter 30, 1606 and 1607, are required to complete a verification of attendance each month. The last day of the month is the first day you can verify attendance. The VA can process your payment after you complete the verification. Verification of attendance is not required for other VA chapters.
Ph: 877-823-2378
Online: Benefits.va.gov/gibill
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students who do not make satisfactory academic progress can have their benefits terminated.
Maintain Attendance. Non-attendance can result in Administrative Withdrawal from WPU.
If called to active duty, the student (or student who is a spouse/dependent of service member), who needs to withdraw due to the call-up, should contact the Certifying Official, and complete the withdrawal paperwork with the Director of the Financial Aid office.
The student will receive 100% refund of the following charges: Tuition, fees, and housing/meals (if applicable).
Financial aid will be refunded as follows: 100% of all state, WPU institutional, and outside financial assistance will be returned to the appropriate sources. All Title IV (federal) student financial assistance will be processed per the Return of Funds policy. The student and/or parent (parent if there is a Parent Plus loan) may request, in writing, to have 100% of federal funds returned. In short, you may choose not to use federal funds for the payment period which you are withdrawing from, since all tuition, fees, and housing/meals (if applicable) are being removed from your University bill.
The student has the option to remain enrolled in some or all of their courses and receive an I (Incomplete) grade for the course(s). The student must make arrangements with each instructor for the course(s) they wish to continue. In this case, no adjustment of tuition charges for enrolled courses will occur. Students have until the 6th week of the next semester to complete the coursework. Failure to do so will result in the I grade becoming an F grade.
A student who wishes to return to William Penn after deployment should re-apply for admission. The Certifying Official should be informed of the student’s return.
Federal Tuition Assistance (FedTA) is not a benefit through the VA. For information and assistance, contact your local National Guard Education Services Specialist.
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 Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
VA School Certifying Official
Pamela Eklund, Assoc. Registrar
Office: Penn Hall, rm. 217
Ph: 641-673-1011
FAX: 641-673-1390
VA Customer Service
Ph: 888-442-4551
Online: https://ask.va.gov/