Information for Veterans
Thank you for your service to the country. College Unbound is pleased to partner with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to offer qualified veterans, their spouses and dependents an opportunity to use their educational benefits during their CU career.
Ultimately, the VA holds responsibility to determine eligibility for individual programs. We encourage you to visit the VA website at benefits.va.gov, call 1-888-GI-BILL1 or speak with your unit’s educational officer. At College Unbound, Director of Financial Aid, Allen Cowett [email protected] serves as the School Certifying Official (SCO) and is happy to address any questions about the process at CU and can be reached at 401-654-5393.
VA Benefits Quick Start
Important: College Unbound offers only one academic program. When specifying the program on any VA form, please enter Organizational Leadership and Change BA.
Admission
Veterans should complete the application for admission and indicate on it if they plan to utilize VA benefits.
Tuition
Tuition for veterans is the same as for all other students. The college strives to keep tuition and fees affordable.
VA Educational Benefit Programs
The college participates in the below programs. Students must be attending as degree-seeking students. Non-degree students may qualify for a maximum of two semesters provided the courses taken are for purposes of becoming admissible to a degree-seeking program. Generally, you may not attend another college while receiving VA benefits at CU.
Students utilizing VA benefits must also generally be enrolled full time (at least 12 credits a semester) and all classes must be applicable toward the degree. Big 10 and Learning in Public (LIP) credit are not considered in-progress courses and do not count toward full-time status.
Post-9/11 GI Bill (CH 33)
Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (CH 30)
Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (CH 35)
Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (CH 1606)
Reserve Educational Assistance Program (CH 1607)
Veterans Educational Assistance Program (CH 32)
Change of Benefits
If you have previously utilized VA benefits or are using them currently at another institution, you must notify the VA of an intention to change by submitting VA Form 22-1995 (service member) or Form 22-5495 (family member benefits).
Federal Financial Aid
In addition to utilizing your VA education benefits, you will also want to apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA will determine your eligibility for all federal, state and institutional funding.
Class Registration
Rhode Island law provides that active duty service members and veterans may register for classes before other students. Please contact Registrar Nikki Andrews [email protected] for additional information. Please note that due to the college's size and class management, classes rarely fill upon registration open.
Class Schedule
You are responsible for submitting your class schedule to the VA. Your class schedule can be accessed in MyCU. Once logged in, click Class Schedule.
Self Enrollment Verification (W.A.V.E.)
The VA requires all students who are receiving VA benefits to certify enrollment monthly through the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (W.A.V.E.). It is your responsibility to create an account and submit verifications.
Timely Receipt of Checks
For all benefits except Chapter 33, your checks are mailed to your home directly from the VA and typically arrive during the month after you have attended the courses for which you are being paid. For Chapter 33 benefits, tuition is paid directly to CU while housing, books and supply checks are mailed directly to you.
The address is the address which you have provided the VA, not necessarily the same as is maintained by CU. Contact the VA to change your address. If your VA check is more than 10 days late arriving, you should first call the VA directly at 1-888-GI-BILL1. Have your VA file number (usually your Social Security Number) ready. If the VA indicates it is waiting for certification from the school, please reach out to the CU School Certifying Official (SCO).
Please note your certifications are processed by the VA Regional Office in Buffalo, NY, (1-888-GI-BILL1) rather than the Providence, RI office.
Credit for Military Service
The college will accept credit for military service in keeping with policies in the Academic Catalog. Service members are encouraged to submit their Join Services Transcript to the college.
School Certifying Official
Director of Financial Aid, Allen Cowett [email protected]
College Unbound
Justice Building
325 Public St.
Providence, RI 02905
The GI 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 Website at: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.