Benefit Information

Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill®

Chapter 33 provides tuition and required academic fees, a housing allowance, and a books and supplies stipend to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after September 11, 2001 or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.

  • In-state tuition and academic fees: After the student registers for classes and requests enrollment certification, a pending credit will be placed on the student's account in the amount expected to be paid by the VA. The VA will not pay tuition/fees to Winthrop until approximately three weeks after the drop/add deadline. Winthrop will not release refunds, loans or grants until the VA payment has been received. If a student is receiving scholarhips or grants that must be applied directly to tuition/fees, these awards will be subtracted out of the amount certified to the VA. The SCDVA tuition assistance program is an example of funds that will be subtracted out.
  • Basic Housing Allowance (BHA) and books/supply stipend: The BHA and the book stipend are direct paid to the student by the VA approximately 30-45 days after certification or the start of term, whichever is later. BHA is paid on the first of the month for the previous month's enrollment. (Example: BHA is paid October 1 for the enrolled month of September.) Partially enrolled months will result in a prorated payment. (Example: Fall semester ends Dec. 10, so the VA will pay 10 days of BHA on Jan. 1.)
  • Housing, dining, and parking fees will not be paid by the VA. The student is responsible for paying the difference between the billed amount and what the VA is expected to pay. If this difference is not paid by the bill due date, the student will be subject to late fees and holds.

The transferability option allows service sembers to transfer all or some unused benefits to their spouse or dependent children. Active Duty Service Members and their spouses are not paid a housing allowance. For information on eligibility for benefits under Chapter 33, visit https://www.va.gov/education/eligibility/.

Eligibility for this benefit is determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs, not by Winthrop University. 

Applying for Ch. 33 Post 911 GI-BILL®:

Step 1. Apply with the VA to use the Post 9/11 GI Bill at Winthrop.

    To apply for the Post 9/11 GI Bill as the veteran or service member:

    • Go to https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/ and click on "Apply for education benefits." Log in, fill out VA Form 22-1990, and submit it to the VA. Once the VA processes your application, they will send you a Certificate of Eligibility in the mail. This Certificate will show how many months of entitlement the student has and what the eligibility percentage is. When you receive this Certificate, you should submit a copy to the Veterans Benefits Coordinator at Winthrop University.

    To apply for the Post 9/11 GI Bill as the spouse/dependent of a veteran or service member:

    • First, the sponsoring veteran will need to request a transfer of unused entitlement to the spouse or dependent children. After the transfer is approved, the student should go to https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/ and click on "Apply for education benefits."  Log in, fill out VA Form 22-1990E, and submit it to the VA. Once the VA processes your application, they will send you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in the mail. This Certificate will show how many months of entitlement the student has and what the eligibility percentage is. Keep your COE for your records until requested by the school.

    Go to https://www.va.gov/education/apply-for-education-benefits/application/1995/ to change your school or degree program.

    All transfer students must provide official transcripts from all prior institutions of higher education to Winthrop's Office of Admissions. This is a requirement for all students using VA Education Benefits. The Department of Veteran Affairs requires the Veterans Benefits Coordinator at Winthrop to officially report all prior credits completed at other higher education institutions that can be applied towards the degree program that the student is pursuing at Winthrop.

    If you are pursuing a degree at another university and would like to use your GI Bill to take classes toward that degree at Winthrop, please have the School Certifying Official at your home school send a Parent Letter to the Veterans Benefits Coordinator at Winthrop.

 

Step 2. Request to use your benefits at Winthrop.

For information on using your benefits at Winthrop for the first time go to the request benefits page.

The VA benefits coordinator submits student enrollment certification to the VA, which reviews term enrollment and direct-pays BHA and book stipends to the student within 30-45 days and pays Winthrop tuition and fees about three weeks after the drop/add deadline.

Step 3. Protect your schedule with Student Accounts Receivable.

After you have submitted a copy of your up-to-date Certificate of Eligibility or eBenefits screenshot showing the student's eligibility percentage and number of months of entitlement remaining with your certification request, the VA benefits coordinator will request that Student Accounts Receivable protect your schedule until the VA sends your tuition and fess payment. If you have questions about your bill, please contact Student Accounts Receivable at 803/323-3377 prior to the fee payment deadline. Failure to do so will result in the student's classes being dropped. 

Step 4. Stay up to date.

Let the Veterans Benefits Coordinator know if you make any changes to your enrollment, including schedule changes, withdrawing from classes, and major/minor changes. Failure to keep up-to-date records can result in an overpayment by the VA, which could result in you owing a large balance to the VA and/or Winthrop University.

 

Yellow Ribbon Program/Act 11 & Policy 706

Winthrop University is proud to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program for out-of- state students needing additional funds for their Tuition and Fees and ACT 11 & Policy 706 to provide in-state tuition for eligible students. Click here for more information about in-state tuition. 

VA's new "Forever GI Bill®"

  • The 15-year time limitation to use Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits is now eliminated for Veterans who left active duty on or after January 1, 2013.
  • The VA is now authorized to restore benefits and provide relief to Veterans affected by school closures or disapprovals.
  • Reservists who had eligibility under the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) and lost it due to the program sunset provision will have that service credited toward the Post-9/11 GI Bill® program.
  • Anyone eligible for GI Bill® can use their benefits at an accredited independent study program at an area career and technical school, or a postsecondary vocational school providing postsecondary level education.

Service members transitioning out of the military and looking to earn a degree will begin their search for schools over the next 30 to 60 days as they prepare for life, post-service. CollegeRecon provides promotional access to these prospective students through a network inclusive of the American Legion, the Army and Air National Guard Education Service Office, the USCG Vol Ed program, and select Student Veterans of America chapters.

For further information, please visit the VA's Website directly.