The VA certifying official serves as a liaison for veterans and their dependents, assisting in obtaining benefits from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs. This service is located in Financial Services One Stop, Ingalls Hall. Students must be admitted and registered at the university before certification can be completed. Students must fill out a VA Request for Certification form and return it to Financial Services One Stop, Ingalls Hall to initiate the certification process. All Samford students, including those receiving benefits through US Veterans Affairs or the US Department of Defense are eligible for consideration to receive any Samford funded scholarships or grants, so long as application deadlines are met and awarding criteria are satisfied.

Request for VA Certification

Eligibility for Benefits

Chapter 30: Honorable Discharge

A person on active duty must have served a minimum of two years continuous active duty and received an honorable discharge before becoming eligible to receive benefits under the Chapter 30 (Montgomery “New” G.I. Bill®) program. The interested service member must consult with the Education Services Officer on the military facility before submitting an application for Chapter 30 benefits.

Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation

A veteran may be eligible for Chapter 31 benefits if he or she incurred or aggravated a service-connected disability and is in need of vocational rehabilitation because the disability creates an employment handicap. Veterans should contact their Veterans Affairs Office to obtain detailed information.

Chapter 32: Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

VEAP is available if you first entered active duty between January 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985, and you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program. Your contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis by the government. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill® (see note)

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is effective for training on or after August 1, 2009. This program pays eligible individuals’ tuition and fees directly to the school not to exceed the maximum in-state tuition and fees at a public Institution of Higher Learning.

Chapter 35: Survivors and Dependents of Military Personnel

Children, spouses, and surviving spouses of veterans who died or are permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-incurred disability may be eligible to receive Chapter 35 benefits. Students desiring additional information should contact their county Veterans Affairs Office or visit www.gibill.va.gov for more information and to apply for benefits. Please note that Chapter 35 is a federal Veterans Administration program.

Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program

This is an Alabama state program payable only to state schools and eligible private institutions. Samford is an eligible institution, but students must first apply with the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs to determine student eligibility. For additional information you may visit their website.

Chapter 1606: Selected Reserve Personnel

A person enlisting, re-enlisting, or extending enlistment in the selected reserve so that the reservist has an obligation to serve for a period of not less than six years may be eligible for the Chapter 1606 (Montgomery “New” G.I. Bill) program. Students should contact their respective reserve units for eligibility information.

Chapter 1607: Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

REAP was established as a part of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. It is a Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the president or Congress. This program makes certain reservists who were activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001, either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits.