Chapter Benefits
Waivers
Chapter Benefits
Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty
These benefits generally apply to veterans who begin active duty service for the first time after July 30, 1985, had their pay reduced $100/month for 12 months and received an honorable discharge. Call “MGIB” for short, this bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.
Veterans using Chapter 30 Benefits, the VA will send funds directly to the student. The student will be responsible for submitting payment for tuition and fees directly to the university.
Current Montgomery GI Bill rates can be found here.
Veterans Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31)
Veterans’ eligibility is dependent upon a discharge that is other than dishonorable; has a service-connected disability rating of at least 10%, or a memorandum rating of 20% from the Department of Veterans Affairs. May be used 12 years from the latter of the date of separation from active military service of the date first notified by VA of a service-connected disability rating. Your Veterans Readiness Counselor (VRC) will work with you to determine if you meet the entitlement criteria.
Applying for Veterans Readiness and Employment with a disability rating
- Sign in to your eBenefits.
- Select Apply.
- Click Vocational Readiness and Employment Benefits.
- Select the Veterans Employment benefits you are applying for.
- After benefits have transferred to Orlando, call the General Phone Number at 407-835-5600 to check your status.
Using Chapter 31 Benefits
- The cost of tuition and fees are typically paid directly to the school through the Tungsten Online System by your Veterans Readiness Counselor. You must certify with the Office of Military and Veteran Student Success to initiate this process.
- Monthly housing allowance (MHA) will be paid directly to the veteran. Please check with your assigned Veterans Readiness Counselor for current eligibility requirements.
- Your monthly MHA will be determined based on several factors, including your eligibility for Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, your dependents, zip code for your institution, modality of classes and number of credit hours enrolled in.
- If you still have Post 9/11 GI Bill entitlement remaining, you may elect to draw your MHA at the same rate as a student in the same school.
- If you elect this option, you must have at least one (1) class with a face-to-face modality. This class can be mixed-mode, limited seating, reduced seating.
- If all your credit hours are distance (web or video based), then you will be entitled to 50% of the national MHA average.
- If you do NOT have Post 9/11 GI Bill entitlment remaning, you will draw a stipend based on the VA calculations found via this website: https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/vrerates26.asp
- If you still have Post 9/11 GI Bill entitlement remaining, you may elect to draw your MHA at the same rate as a student in the same school.
- You will be issued two separate Purchase Order numbers (PO#) for the accounting data that is used for payment of tuition/fees, books/supplies, parking services, and technology requirements (if authorized by your VRC).
- It is recommended that you provide your VRC the contact information for the MVSC so that the VRE team may communicate with your counselor regarding the information required to correctly process your PO#.
- Incorrect or missing data from the VRC may result in a delay in payment to the bookstore, university, and denial of purchases.
UCF Veterans Readiness Liaisons
UCF Vocational Readiness Liaisons are available to assist with questions you have regarding the process of applying for Vocational Readiness or status of your enrollment certification.
School Certifying Official: Mr. Matt Winstel; Matt.Winstel@ucf.edu
VRE Success Team: Antoine, Brianna, Saraya; MVSC31@UCF.EDU
Chapter 31 Forms and Resources
New Student: What Forms Do I Need?
Returning Student: Certify My Hours (VSC-31)
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 GI Bill® (Ch. 33) or Veterans Readiness and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. This school will not:
- Prevent the student’s enrollment;
- Assess a late penalty fee to the student;
- Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
- Deny the student 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:
Provide additional information needed (VSC Form, Checklist, etc.) to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies
Produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class;
Provide a written request to be certified;
Post- 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is an education benefit program for individuals who served on active duty for at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or were discharged with a service-related disability after 30 continuous days. Under the chapter, effective August 1, 2009, eligible participants (veterans, service members, and dependents) pursuing a VA approved training program may receive the following benefits at a percentage based on the length of active duty service:
- The cost of tuition and fees is paid directly to the school (Please See Tuition and Fees Fact Sheet). The tuition should not exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher education.
- Monthly housing allowance will be paid directly to the veteran or dependent. Please see the Current Rate Payments for current eligibility requirements. NOTE: Only Face to Face and Mixed-Mode sections will count as Lecture Capture Courses. All other sections will count as distance learning.
- Yearly book and supplies stipend of up to $1000 per year (paid directly to the service member, veteran, or dependent).
Specific questions about eligibility for VA Benefits should be addressed to the VA at the following number: 1-888-442-4551
Additional funding may be available for eligible students through a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill called the Yellow Ribbon Program for out of state tuition and fees. Questions relating to Post 9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program, please contact the Military and Veteran Success Center.
Chapter 33 Forms
New Student Veteran: What Forms Do I Need?
New Dependent Student: What Forms Do I Need?
Returning Student: Certify My Hours (VSC-33)
Students certifying for the first time may need a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
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 GI Bill® (Ch. 33) or Veterans Readiness and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. This school will not:
- Prevent the student’s enrollment;
- Assess a late penalty fee to the student;
- Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
- Deny the student 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:
Provide additional information needed (VSC Forms, Checklist, etc.) to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies;
Produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class;
Provide a written request to be certified;
Dependents Educational Assistance – DEA (Chapter 35)
The Dependents Educational Assistance Program (DEA) provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans (Chapter 35). You must be the spouse or dependent of:
- A Veteran who died or permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disabilities must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.
- A Veteran who died from any cause while such permanent and total service-connected disability was in existence.
- A service member missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force.
- A service member forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.
- A service member who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service-connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability.
Dependents who use Chapter 35 Benefits, the VA will send funds directly to the student. The student will be responsible for submitting payment for tuition and fees to the university.
Chapter 35 Forms
New Student: What Forms Do I Need?
Returning Student: Certify My Hours (VSC-35)
Additional Information for Dependents
Scholarship for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans
Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship)
Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)
This program may be available if you are a member of the Selected Reserve for the Army, Navy Reserve, Air Force, Marine Corps., Coast Guard, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve Components. You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of educational benefits. Your benefit entitlement ends 14 years from the date of your eligibility for the program, or on the day you leave the Selected Service.
For reservists using Chapter 1606 Benefits, the VA will send funds directly to the student. The student will be responsible for submitting payment directly to the university.
Chapter 1606 Forms
UCF Continuing Education Programs
All programs offered through the UCF Office of Continuing Education are currently not approved for GI Bill Educational Benefits at this time. The Office of Military and Veteran Student Success (MVSS) is currently working with their office to submit their programs for approval to the VA Educational Office. The MVSS does not have an estimated timeline for when these programs will become eligible.
Updated April 12, 2021
Additional Chapter Benefits
Waivers
Bill Young Tuition Waiver (Out-of-State Tuition Waiver)
C.W. Bill Young Tuition Waiver Program
The C. W. Bill Young Tuition Waiver Program (Chapter 1009.26, Section 36, Subsections (13) and (14) (a) Florida Statutes) waive out-of-state tuition and fees for an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces, United States Reserve Forces, or the National Guard who physically reside within the state of Florida while enrolled at any UCF Campus. This waiver may also be used by veterans and eligible dependents who are receiving educational assistance from the US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). Active Duty member of the Armed Forces who reside or are stationed outside of Florida are also eligible for the Out-Of-State waiver.
Please Note: This waiver does NOT change a student’s residency status. Please complete the Residency Declaration for Tuition Purposes form
Application Requirements
For the Veteran
- DD-214 Showing Honorable Discharge
- Proof of residency within the state of Florida in the form of one of the following:
- Proof of water, electric, or natural gas bill
- Proof of a lease agreement
- A declaration of domicile in Florida
- Proof of permanent employment in Florida (letter on company letterhead states that the claimant will be employed at least 20 hours per week)
- The waiver, with the required proof of verification documentation, must be submitted each semester the waiver is intended to be used.
- The veteran does not need to be using GI Bill Benefit to receive the waiver. If the veterans are not certifying their benefits in a particular semester, it is the responsibility of the veteran to advise the Office of Military and Veteran Student Success (MVSS) in writing of their intent to continue using the waiver by emailing their request, including their full name and UCF identification number to MVSC@ucf.edu. The appropriate waiver documentations much have been completed and submitted to the MVSS.
For any individual receiving educational assistance from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), [Chapters 30, 31, 33, 33TOE, 35, 1606, and 1607]
- VA Certificate of eligibility or VA Form 28-1905
- Certification form completed and submitted (dependent MUST be using benefits)
- Proof of residency within the state of Florida in the form of one of the following:
- Proof of water, electric, or natural gas bill
- Proof of a lease agreement
- A declaration of domicile in Florida
- Proof of permanent employment in Florida (letter on company letterhead stating that the claimant will be employed at least 20 hours per week)
For Active Duty residing or stationed outside the state of Florida
- Proof of Active-Duty Status
Deadlines and Other Important Information
Priority processing of the application for the C. W. Bill Young Tuition Waiver must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the FRIDAY of the first week of classes for the upcoming semester.
The applicant will need to download the Out of State Tuition Waiver Form and submit all required documents to the Office of Military and Veteran Student Success (MVSS) by the stated deadline.
The MVSS reserves the right to request additional documentation to ensure compliance with Florida Statutes.
Purple Heart Waiver
Pursuant to Florida Statue 1009.26(9), UCF will waive undergraduate tuition for each recipient of a Purple Heart or other combat decoration superior in precedence as listed below. This waiver includes tuition and related fee that are assessed to all students, regardless of the program of credit course in which they are enrolling. Fee that is waived included charges that all students must pay as part of their instructional costs/cost per credit hour which are not linked to specific courses. Fees not included in this waiver are “user” fees. User fees include laboratory fees and other special fees that support specific programs and/or courses.
In order to be awarded the Purple Heart waiver, a student much provides a copy of their DD-214 to the Office of Military and Veteran Student Success and request this waiver. The student must have documentation that they have received a Purple heart, or another combat decoration listed below:
- Purple Heart
- Bronze Star (must be “V” designation or device)
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Legion of Merit (must be “V” designation or device)
- Silver Star
- Air Force Cross
- Navy Cross
- Distinguished Service Cross
- Medal of Honor
* This waiver for a Purple Heart recipient or recipient of another combat decoration superior in precedence shall be applicable for 110 percent of the number of required credit hours of the degree or certificate program for which the student is enrolled
* Additional documentation will be requested by UCF as needed.
* Any questions regarding how these impacts financial aid awards should be directed to the UCF Student Financial Assistance at (407) 823-2827 or finaid@ucf.edu
Yellow Ribbon Program
UCF is a proud supporter of the Yellow Ribbon Program.
For those who are eligible and apply, UCF will contribute 50% of the amount of out-of-state tuition and fees for a total of 30 eligible undergraduate dependents of student veterans and a total of 10 eligible graduate dependents of student veterans the VA will match that amount.
Please note that in most cases, utilizing the Out Of State waiver (above) may be a better financial option unless the applicant is not living in the state of Florida while attending UCF.
The Yellow Ribbon Program payment is paid directly to the school on behalf of the student when UCF processes the student’s certification.
Only individuals at the 100% benefits level (or dependents using transferred entitlement) may receive Yellow Ribbon funding.
The following are NOT eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program:
- Active Duty Personnel
- Spouses of Active Duty personnel using Transferred Entitlement
- Fry Scholarship recipients