Frequently Asked Questions
This page serves to answer frequently asked questions from parents and students.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do we apply for benefits
A link to apply for benefits will be posted on this website prior to the end of the preceding semester. You should complete the questionnaire as soon as you are enrolled in classes.
When will we receive stipend money for the semester?
Money will be distributed on first of the month following the first day of classes for all students enrolled. Chapter 33 students may receive a book stipend earlier than this. Please note that to ensure a timely disbursement of funds, students must submit the Veteran Benefits Questionnaire for the semester for which they wish to be certified as soon as they are registered for classes. Certification can happen up to 120 days before the first day of class.
Students who are certified late in the semester may experience a delay in their benefits.
After students receive their initial payment, the VA will distribute their stipends or Monthly Housing Allowance each month for the prior month (in arrears).
How do I request accommodations through Disability Services?
You can request accommodations by going to the website below:
What are the different benefits that can be used at Howard University?
Veterans and military-connected students can use a variety of different benefits. While a detailed list of all benefits can be found on the VA's website, below are some of the most used benefits and some information about each one.
Chapter 33 beneficiaries receive a book stipend, a monthly housing allowance, and payment towards tuition and fees.
Chapter 35 beneficiaries receive a monthly stipend.
Chapter 1606 beneficiaries receive a monthly stipend.
Chapter 30 beneficiaries receive a monthly stipend.
Chapter 31 beneficiaries can receive a book stipend, tuition and fee support, a monthly stipend, and other support based on their VRE counselor's recommendations.
What do I get paid each month?
The VA provides a list of rates on all benefits. You can access it here.
You can also learn more by using the Comparison Tool.
Where do I go if I need help?
For Howard University questions, you can email veterans@howard.edu or call Dr. Glenn Phillips at (979) 412-1691. Weekend and evening calls are not only allowed, they are encouraged.
For VA questions, you can call the VA Educational Benefits helpline at (888) 442-4551.
You can also answer many of your questions by going to the VA website.
What is a Certificate of Eligibility?
When a student informs the VA that they wish to use their benefits at Howard University, the VA provides a certificate of eligibility. This is necessary for Howard University to properly process your benefits. All students receiving benefits must have a Certificate of Eligibility on file.
If you need a replacement Certificate of Eligibility, you can use one of resources offered by the VA.
What is the Yellow Ribbon program and does Howard participate in it?
The Yellow Ribbon program is a program that helps pay tuition and fees that Howard University does not cover. While Chapter 33 benefits will pay all tuition and fees for public schools, there is a cap for private schools. Students are responsible for paying what Chapter 33 benefits does not. The Yellow Ribbon program is a program that schools can opt into that helps close that gap. Schools can elect to pay a certain amount (and the VA will match that amount) or the school can split the entire cost left over with the VA. You can learn more about the Yellow Ribbon program here.
While Howard University is currently enrolled in the Yellow Ribbon program, its support is limited to students enrolled in graduate certificates. We are working to change this.
What happens if I drop a class after add/drop?
The implications of dropping a class can vary based on your benefits. For all benefits, you should try to stay a full-time student. For undergraduate programs, full-time status means taking at least 12 hours. For graduate programs, full-time status means taking at least 9 hours. If you drop below full time status, your benefits will change.
If you add or drop after you have already started receiving benefits, you may owe the VA money, so think carefully before dropping a class.
Here is some additional information on dropping classes, mitigating circumstances, and the 6-credit-hour exclusion.
Does Howard University accept Tuition Assistance?
Tuition Assistance is a way for active duty servicemembers and reservists to receive tuition support while enrolled in classes. Howard is not currently eligible to accept Tuition Assistance, but the University is working on this for immediate eligibility.
I'm a veteran applying to go to Howard. Is there a special application process?
All prospective students use the same process for application regardless of veteran status. You can find application instructions here. If you are interested in a particular program and wish to learn more about it, we recommend that you reach out to the Department Chair and request more information.
What is certification and how does it work?
1. A student must apply for benefits with the VA. The result of this is a Certificate of Eligibility. This must be sent to the certifying institution (in this case Howard University).
2. A student must enroll in classes.
3. A student must submit a request for their benefits to be used at Howard University (this is done through the Veteran Benefits Questionnaire).
4. The School Certifying Official (SCO) confirms that the courses the student has enrolled in contribute to satisfactory academic progress.
5. The VA processes this enrollment certification and begins to pay the student their entitled stipend.
6. After add/drop, the SCO will re-certify students by adjusting their credit hours and amending their tuition and fees (for those students who receive tuition and fees, are active duty, or otherwise need to have their tuition and fees reported).
7. The VA pays tuition and fees directly to the university for eligible students (Chapter 31 and Chapter 33).
8. Monthly enrollment reports are used to determine if students have dropped classes after add/drop. If so, their enrollment is adjusted.