Visit the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs for information on how to apply for VA education benefits.

New Students

• On the admissions application, select VA or VA-dependent. More information on the Admissions process for VA or military affiliated students found under Admissions website under Lets Get Started.
• After admission is confirmed and accepted, provide your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)  to the following:
  • Tracey Dame, Assistant Director of Financial Aid: damet2@rpi.edu or 518-276-6813
  • Kelly Dalheim, Associate Registrar and School Certifying Official: online by Submit a request ; dalhek@rpi.edu or 518-276-6996

Continuing Students

• Provide your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) each academic year (starting February of that year) to the following:
  • Tracey Dame, Assistant Director of Financial Aid: damet2@rpi.edu or 518-276-6813
  • Kelly Dalheim, Associate Registrar and School Certifying Official: online by Submit a request ; dalhek@rpi.edu or 518-276-6996

A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the Department of Veterans Affairs confirms your eligibility for benefits. It includes:

• Remaining benefits (months and days)
• The time limit for using benefits
• Percentage of benefits
• If you are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program

If a student applied for Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefits using VA.gov on or after August 20,2022, they can download their COE online.

Students who applied for benefits before August 20, 2022, can submit a request online at the Apply for VA education benefits Form 22-1990 webpage.

Students using transferred entitlement benefits (TOE) can submit a request online at the Apply to use transferred education benefits webpage.

Students receiving education benefits under Chapter 35 Survivors; and Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) or Chapter 33 Fry Scholarship can submit a request online at Apply for education benefits as an eligible dependent webpage.

Benefits are posted to your account approximately two weeks after verifying your enrollment to the VA. 

Enrollment is verified two weeks into the start of the semester after the Late Add deadline only if you have submitted an updated Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for the academic year through the Office of the Registrar and registered for courses.

VA benefits are based on the following:

• Type of benefit you are receiving
• Total number of enrolled credits
• Total amount of tuition and fees assessed

If you receive Chapter 33 (including Yellow Ribbon) benefits, they will be posted in your SIS account. All other benefits can be confirmed by the Office of the Registrar by Submit a request or come to our office in Academy Hall, Suite 2600.

Satisfactory Academic Progress is the process a school uses to determine if a student is meeting educational requirements and is on target to graduate on time with a degree or certificate.

If you are deployed, provide a copy of your orders indicating deployment to the Office of the Registrar by Submit a request or come to our office in Academy Hall, Suite 2600.

If you cannot provide documentation, a family member who is legally authorized to act on your behalf can submit deployment orders. In accordance with state and federal laws, you will be withdrawn from the semester/term and any monies owed will be refunded.

Students can request this change online at the Apply for VA education benefits Form 22-1990 webpage.

Students can also request a switch education benefits online through Ask VA.

If you change your benefit, inform the Office of the Registrar by Submit a request or come to our office in Academy Hall, Suite 2600. 

Students receiving Survivors'' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) benefits can request this change online at the Apply for education benefits as an eligible dependent webpage.

Changes can also be requested online through Ask VA.

If you add or drop courses, inform the Office of the Registrar by Submit a request or come to our office in Academy Hall, Suite 2600. The Veterans Affairs Office will be alerted and your VA disbursement will be adjusted accordingly.

There is no need for students to submit the form "Request for Change of Program or Place of Training" (VA Form 22-1995)

If current student changed to a new program while attending RPI, inform the Office of the Registrar by Submit a request or come to our office in Academy Hall, Suite 2600. The school certifying official (SCO) will submit notification of this change on your next enrollment certification with VA.

If student is attending a new program at a new school, the SCO at the new school will be responsible for submitting notification of this change when submitting the student's next enrollment certification with VA.

Requests can be submitted online at the How to apply the GI Bill and related benefits webpage. Select the "Applying for a new benefit" option.

Veterans and service members: This information can be updated online at the Change your direct deposit information website.

Dependent (spouses or children): The request can be made through Ask VA.

Yes. The Rensselaer Student Veterans Lounge is located in room RU #3314 on the third floor, behind APO of the Rensselaer Union (southeast corner). The lounge holds 15-20 people and amenities include a microwave, lockers, and study carrels. In order to access room with your student id, please reach out to Alex Kim, President of the Student Veterans Association at kimj47@rpi.edu.