Veterans Administration (VA) Benefits and Tuition Assistance (TA) Benefits

Western Seminary works with veterans and active duty armed forces personnel in the receiving of Veteran's Affairs (VA) and other educational benefits. A student’s ability to qualify for and receive these benefits is determined by the government and not Western Seminary, though a VA Certifying Official on Western staff is available to counsel students that may qualify to receive these benefits. That official will assist eligible students by certifying and tracking students’ enrollment and progress in their degree program. Students receiving these types of benefits will need to partner with their certifying official each semester to ensure full understanding and clear communication about enrollment.

If you are eligible to receive VA benefits, please follow these steps:

(1) Send your Certificate of Eligibility to the Certifying Official at your campus

(2) Complete and submit the Statement of Rights and Responsibilities for Students Receiving VA Benefits

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), this school adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. This school will not:

  • Prevent the students enrollment;
  • Assess a late penalty fee to;
  • Require student secure alternative or additional funding;
  • Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:

  • Produce the Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class;
  • Provide written request to be certified;
  • Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies

G.I. 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 https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

Isakson and Roe (section 1018 of Public Law 116-315)

Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, adds new requirements for educational institutions participating in the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These new provisions became effective June 15, 2021, and will apply to Institutions of Higher Learning and Non-College Degree institutions beginning August 1, 2021. Many of the requirements are consistent with the requirements of the Principles of Excellence, currently in Executive Order 13607; however, there are requirements in addition to those embodied in the Principles of Excellence which schools must also satisfy to maintain approval for GI Bill® participation.

Schools must provide a covered individual (a student using benefits under chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, or 35 of title 38, U.S.C., or chapter 1606 of title 10, U.S.C.) with a personalized shopping sheet that contains:

Designated Contacts:

  • Academic Counseling: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Financial Counseling: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Disability Counseling: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

School Certifying Official:

  • Matt Jolley
    503.517.1865
    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For TA Benefits, please contact:

  • Joshua Rude
    503.517.1888
    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Research and apply for benefits online at:

Additional Resources