School Certifying Official Corner

VA Education Benefit Processing Times

The VA education benefit processing varies, but generally, initial applications take about 30 days, with subsequent certifications faster (2-4 weeks), though payments can be delayed if verification is missed or issues arise, requiring communication with your school’s VA rep; apply 60-90 days before school starts to give the VA time. Monthly payments (MHA) arrive after enrollment verification and can take up to 5 days to deposit, usually around the first of the month. 

Processing Times Breakdown:

• Initial Application: Around 30 days for the VA to send a decision letter and Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
• Tuition & Fees: After COE, schools certify enrollment, with payment often arriving 2-4 weeks later.
• Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA): Processed monthly after you verify your enrollment (via text/email/WAVE), arriving up to 5 days after the first of the month. 

Key Factors & Tips:

Delays: Amendments, changes, or missing info can cause delays, so stay in contact with your school. 

Apply Early: Submit applications 60-90 days before classes start to allow for processing.

Verify Enrollment: Crucial for receiving monthly payments; failure to verify for two consecutive months may pause your benefits.

School Certifying Official (SCO): Your school’s VA rep is your best resource for updates and issues.

Check VA.gov: Log in to your account to view your status and payment history.

2026 FLORIDA VETERANS’ BENEFIT GUIDE!

The 2026 edition of the Florida Veterans’ Benefits Guide is now available online. Take some time, review the updates and changes, and make the most out of the benefits you have earned! For details, visit: https://floridavets.org/resources/va-benefits-guide/

Chapter 35: Dependent Education Assistance Update!

From the Department of Veteran Affairs:
At the end of January 2026, Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) beneficiaries will be required to verify their enrollment each month to receive their benefit payments. Please note that a beneficiary must verify their enrollment for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to begin processing the monthly benefit. Once verified, payment processing can take five to seven calendar days.

To verify enrollment, the following options are available:
Text: To verify via text, beneficiaries can opt-in when they begin using their benefits to receive a monthly text message from VA to confirm their enrollment. This is the fastest way for students to verify their enrollment and receive their payments.
Email: If beneficiaries choose not to opt into text verification, they will receive monthly enrollment verification messages by email.
Online: Chapter 35 beneficiaries can verify their enrollment through our online tool.
Ask VA: Beneficiaries can verify through Ask VA by sending a message with their enrollment dates via Ask VA. This is a manual process. Therefore, payment will be five to seven days once the message is formally reviewed, not from when the beneficiary submits the Ask VA message.

If a beneficiary had previously opted out and would like to change their enrollment verification method to text or email, they can call the Education Call Center (ECC) at 888-442-4551, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday.

---

IMPORTANT FINANCIAL AID DATES AND DEADLINES

SPRING 2026 SEMESTER:

• Classes begin: January 12, 2026
• Add/Drop deadline: January 16, 2026
• Tuition and Fee Payment Deadline: March 27, 2026 
  • ***You must certify by this date to guarantee your deferral***
• VA/GI Bill Deferral payment deadline: April 27, 2026
• Last Day to Remove Incomplete: April 27, 2026
• Last day of classes: April 27, 2026
• Final Exams: April 26 – May 5, 2026
• Commencement: May 7 – May 9, 2026

Please visit the UCF Academic Calendar for updated university dates and deadlines