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Step by Step Instructions
Veteran Forms
Utilize your VA Educational Benefits with TSU
Please Note- These instructions are for students that have already been accepted into Tennessee State University. In order to use GI Bill here, you must have been accepted into a degree-seeking program. If you have not yet applied for admission into TSU, do not follow the below instructions but instead, visit the admissions website for information on completing the admissions application. Questions regarding admission requirements should be directed to an Admissions Counselor at 615-963-5101.
Please select the Chapter Benefits you will be using for step by step instructions for how to begin using benefits at Tennessee State University.
Applying to the University :
All students go through the same TSU Admissions process, no matter their veteran status. To apply, please go the the Admissions Office page. Please follow the prompts. The Office of Admissions and Recruitment is available Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. Please contact 615-963-5101 or 1-888-463-6878 for assistance during normal business hours.
Using VA Benefits:
If you have any additional questions regarding your VA benefits, please contact Vanessa Cummings, VA Supervisor, by emailling vcumming@tnstate.edu or calling 615-963-1392.
First Time GI Bill Users:
Chapter 33-Dependent TOE (Transfer of Entitlement)
Transfer Students:
Chapter 33-Dependent TOE (Transfer of Entitlement)
Returning Students:
All VA Students (except Chapter 31)
Guest Students/TSU Students Taking Courses at Another Institution:
A student may take courses at more than one school that apply to his or her degree at the primary school. VA defines the primary school as the school that will grant the degree a student is pursuing. Generally, the student will be enrolled at the primary school for the majority of the program of education.
If the primary school will accept the secondary school’s course as a transfer credit that applies towards completion of the student’s degree, then both the primary school and the secondary school can submit an enrollment certification to VA. The student may pursue courses at a secondary school for the same time period (concurrent enrollment) or at a different time period (supplemental enrollment).
First Time Chapter 33- Veteran
First Step: Apply for your benefits on the GI Bill website.
- Go to GI Bill Website
- Click on "Apply for Benefits"
- Click on Launch VONAPP (the Veterans Online Application System)
- Follow Instructions for creating a login and password
- Select the 22-1990 from the dropdown menu
- Complete the form and then submit electronically to VA
- Save a copy of the confirmation number to send to the VA Representative at TSU. The VA will send a Certificate of Eligibility to the address you provided.
Second Step: Submit your DD 214, Certificate of Eligibility/copy of the 22-1990 to the VA Representative.
Third Step: Register for classes at TSU as soon as registration starts.
Fourth Step: Complete TSU VA forms- Submit all forms to the VA representative.
- Veteran’s Enrollment Certification Form (after you have finished enrolling in classes). If you have any schedule changes after submitting your form, please notify the VA Representative within 5 days of the change.
- Complete the VA Benefit Information form and give to the VA representative in person or through mail (address on form)
- If you are eligible, get a VA Deferment form from the VA Representative. A copy will be submitted to the Bursar’s Office.
First Time Chapter 33- Dependent TOE (Transfer of Entitlement)
First Step: Your sponsor will need to apply to the Department of Defense to transfer their GI Bill to you. They can do this on the DoD Transfer site.
Second Step: Once the transfer has been approved, you will need to apply for the GI Bill benefits on the GI Bill website.
- Go to GI Bill Website
- Click on "Apply for Benefits"
- Click on Launch VONAPP (the Veterans Online Application System)
- Follow Instructions for creating a login and password
- Select the 22-1990E from the dropdown menu
- Complete the form and then submit electronically to VA
- Save a copy of the confirmation number to send to the VA Representative at TSU. The VA will send a Certificate of Eligibility to the address you provided.
Third Step: Submit your DoD Transfer Approval letter, Certificate of Eligibility/Copy of the 22-1990E to the VA Representative.
Fourth Step:Register for classes at TSU as soon as registration starts.
Fifth Step:Complete TSU VA forms- Submit all forms to the VA representative.
- Veteran’s Enrollment Certification Form (after you have finished enrolling in classes). If you have any schedule changes after submitting your form, please notify the VA Representative within 5 days of the change.
- Complete the VA Benefit Information form and give to the Record's Office in person or through mail (address on form)
- If you are eligible, get a VA Deferment form from the VA Representative. A copy will be submitted to the Bursar’s Office.
First Time Chapter 30
First Step: Apply for your benefits on the GI Bill website.
- Go to GI Bill Website
- Click on "Apply for Benefits"
- Click on Launch VONAPP (the Veterans Online Application System)
- Follow Instructions for creating a login and password
- Select the 22-1990 from the dropdown menu
- Complete the form and then submit electronically to VA
- Save a copy of the confirmation number to send to the VA Representative at TSU. The VA will send a Certificate of Eligibility to the address you provided.
Second Step: Submit your DD 214, Certificate of Eligibility/Copy of the 22-1990 to the VA Representative.
Third Step: Register for classes at TSU as soon as registration starts.
Fourth Step: Complete TSU VA forms- Submit all forms to the VA representative.
- Veteran’s Enrollment Certification Form (after you have finished enrolling in classes). If you have any schedule changes after submitting your form, please notify the VA Representative within 5 days of the change.
- Complete the VA Benefit Information form and give to the Record's Office in person or through mail (address on form)
- If you are eligible, get a VA Deferment form from the VA Representative. A copy will be submitted to the Bursar’s Office.
Important Notes for Chapter 30 Students
Students receiving Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30, 1606, or 1607) benefits must log into WAVE or toll free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone line at 1-877-VA-ECERT (1-877-823-2378)the last day of each month to verify enrollment in order to be paid.
First Time Chapter 1606/1607
First Step: Apply for your benefits on the GI Bill website.
- Go to GI Bill Website
- Click on "Apply for Benefits"
- Click on Launch VONAPP (the Veterans Online Application System)
- Follow Instructions for creating a login and password
- Select the 22-1990 from the dropdown menu
- Complete the form and then submit electronically to VA
- Save a copy of the confirmation number to send to the VA Representative at TSU. The VA will send a Certificate of Eligibility to the address you provided.
Second Step: Submit your NOBE, Certificate of Eligibility/Copy of the 22-1990 to the VA Representative.
Third Step: Register for classes at TSU as soon as registration starts.
Fourth Step: Complete TSU VA forms- Submit all forms to the VA representative.
- Veteran’s Enrollment Certification Form (after you have finished enrolling in classes). If you have any schedule changes after submitting your form, please notify the VA Representative within 5 days of the change.
- Complete the VA Benefit Information form and give to the VA representative in person or through mail (address on form)
- If you are eligible, get a VA Deferment form from the VA Representative. A copy will be submitted to the Bursar’s Office.
Important Notes for Chapter 1606/1607 Students
Students receiving Chapter 1606/07 can no longer use their VA benefit along with Tuition Assistance for the same courses. The student must only request certification for the courses not utilizing TA.
Students receiving Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30, 1606, or 1607) benefits must log into WAVE or toll free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone line at 1-877-VA-ECERT (1-877-823-2378)the last day of each month to verify enrollment in order to be paid.
First Time Chapter 35-DEA
First Step: Apply for your benefits on the GI Bill website.
- Go to GI Bill Website
- Click on "Apply for Benefits"
- Click on Launch VONAPP (the Veterans Online Application System)
- Follow Instructions for creating a login and password
- Select the 22-5490 from the dropdown menu
- Complete the form and then submit electronically to VA
- Save a copy of the confirmation number to send to the VA Representative at TSU. The VA will send a Certificate of Eligibility to the address you provided.
Second Step: Submit your Certificate of Eligibility/Copy of the 22-5490 to the VA Representative.
Third Step: Register for classes at TSU as soon as registration starts.
Fourth Step: Complete TSU VA forms- Submit all forms to the VA representative.
- Veteran’s Enrollment Certification Form (after you have finished enrolling in classes). If you have any schedule changes after submitting your form, please notify the VA Representative within 5 days of the change.
- Complete the VA Benefit Information form and give to the VA representative in person or through mail (address on form)
- If you are eligible, get a VA Deferment form from the VA Representative. A copy will be submitted to the Bursar’s Office.
First Time Chapter 31
Chapter 31 benefits are managed by the Vocational Rehabilitation Case Managers.
First Step: Meet with your Voc Rehab Case manager for approval of VA benefits and they will send us your Voc Rehab contract.
Second Step: Register for classes at TSU as soon as registration opens.
Third Step: Complete TSU VA forms- Submit all forms to the VA representative.
- Veteran’s Enrollment Certification Form (after you have finished enrolling in classes). If you have any schedule changes after submitting your form, please notify the VA Representative within 5 days of the change.
- Complete the VA Benefit Information form and give to the VA representative in person or through mail (address on form)
- We will send a copy of the 1905 to the Bookstore and the Bursar’s Office as soon as we get it.
**Chapter 31 (Voc Rehab) Recipients - You must meet with your Case Manager every semester and be sure to complete the Veterans Enrollment Certification form. Once your Case Manager has provided a 1905 on your behalf, the VA Representative will forward it to the Bookstore and Bursar’s office for processing.
Chapter 33-Veteran Transfer
If you have already used GI Bill at a previous institution, please follow the steps below. If you are a transfer student, but this is your first time using GI Bill, please return to the main page and follow the instructions for First Time GI Bill users.
First Step: You will need to transfer your GI Bill from your previous school to TSU.
- Go to GI Bill Website
- Click on "Apply for Benefits"
- Click on Launch VONAPP (the Veterans Online Application System)
- Follow Instructions for creating a login and password
- Select the 22-1995 from the dropdown menu
- Complete the form and then submit electronically to VA
- Save a copy of the confirmation number to send to the VA Representative at TSU. The VA will send an updated Certificate of Eligibility to the address you provided.
Second Step: Submit your Certificate of Eligibility (your old one from your last school is fine) and 22-1995 to the VA Representative. If you do not have an old copy, you can request a new copy by submitting a question through the GI Bill Website. You can also log in to E-benefits and print a copy of your Statement of Benefits.
Third Step: Register for classes at TSU as soon as registration starts.
Fourth Step: Complete TSU VA forms- Submit all forms to the VA representative.
- Veteran’s Enrollment Certification Form (after you have finished enrolling in classes). If you have any schedule changes after submitting your form, please notify the VA Representative within 5 days of the change.
- Complete the VA Benefit Information form and give to the VA representative in person or through mail (address on form)
- If you are eligible, get a VA Deferment form from the VA Representative. A copy will be submitted to the Bursar’s Office.
Chapter 33 Dependent- Transfer Student
If you have already used GI Bill at a previous institution, please follow the steps below. If you are a transfer student but this is your first time using GI Bill, please return to the main page and follow the instructions for First Time GI Bill users.
First Step: You will need to transfer your GI Bill from your previous school to TSU.
- Go to GI Bill Website
- Click on "Apply for Benefits"
- Click on Launch VONAPP (the Veterans Online Application System)
- Follow Instructions for creating a login and password
- Select the 22-1995 from the dropdown menu
- Complete the form and then submit electronically to VA
- Save a copy of the confirmation number to send to the VA Representative at TSU. The VA will send an updated Certificate of Eligibility to the address you provided.
Second Step: Submit your Certificate of Eligibility (your old one from your last school is fine) and 22-1995 to the VA Representative. If you do not have an old copy,you can request a new copy by submitting a question through the GI Bill Website .
Third Step: Register for classes at TSU as soon as registration starts.
Fourth Step: Complete TSU VA forms- Submit all forms to the Records Office.
- Veteran’s Enrollment Certification Form (after you have finished enrolling in classes). If you have any schedule changes after submitting your form, please notify the VA Representative within 5 days of the change.
- Complete the VA Benefit Information form and give to the Record's Office in person or through mail (address on form)
- If you are eligible, get a VA Deferment form from the VA Representative. A copy will be submitted to the Bursar’s Office.
Chapter 30 Transfer
If you have already used GI Bill at a previous institution, please follow the steps below. If you are a transfer student, but this is your first time using GI Bill, please return to the main page and follow the instructions for First Time GI Bill users.
First Step: You will need to transfer your GI Bill from your previous school to TSU.
- Go to GI Bill Website
- Click on "Apply for Benefits"
- Click on Launch VONAPP (the Veterans Online Application System)
- Follow Instructions for creating a login and password
- Select the 22-1995 from the dropdown menu
- Complete the form and then submit electronically to VA
- Save a copy of the confirmation number to send to the VA Representative at TSU. The VA will send an updated Certificate of Eligibility to the address you provided.
Second Step: Submit your Certificate of Eligibility (your old one from your last school is fine) and 22-1995 to the VA Representative. If you do not have an old copy, you can request a new copy by submitting a question through the GI Bill Website .
Third Step: Register for classes at TSU as soon as registration starts.
Fourth Step: Complete TSU VA forms- Submit all forms to the VA representative.
- Veteran’s Enrollment Certification Form (after you have finished enrolling in classes). If you have any schedule changes after submitting your form, please notify the VA Representative within 5 days of the change.
- Complete the VA Benefit Information form and give to the VA representative in person or through mail (address on form)
- If you are eligible, get a VA Deferment form from the VA Representative. A copy will be submitted to the Bursar’s Office.
Important Notes for Chapter 30 Students
Students receiving Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30, 1606, or 1607) benefits must log into WAVE or toll free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone line at 1-877-VA-ECERT (1-877-823-2378)the last day of each month to verify enrollment in order to be paid.
Chapter 1606/07 Transfer
If you have already used GI Bill at a previous institution, please follow the steps below. If you are a transfer student, but this is your first time using GI Bill, please return to the main page and follow the instructions for First Time GI Bill users.
First Step: You will need to transfer your GI Bill from your previous school to TSU.
- Go to GI Bill Website
- Click on "Apply for Benefits"
- Click on Launch VONAPP (the Veterans Online Application System)
- Follow Instructions for creating a login and password
- Select the 22-1995 from the dropdown menu
- Complete the form and then submit electronically to VA
- Save a copy of the confirmation number to send to the VA Representative at TSU. The VA will send an updated Certificate of Eligibility to the address you provided.
Second Step: Submit your Certificate of Eligibility (your old one from your last school is fine) and 22-1995 to the VA Representative. If you do not have an old copy, you can request a new copy by submitting a question through the GI Bill Website .
Third Step: Register for classes at TSU as soon as registration starts.
Fourth Step: Complete TSU VA forms- Submit all forms to the VA representative.
- Veteran’s Enrollment Certification Form (after you have finished enrolling in classes). If you have any schedule changes after submitting your form, please notify the VA Representative within 5 days of the change.
- Complete the VA Benefit Information form and give to the VA representative in person or through mail (address on form)
- If you are eligible, get a VA Deferment form from the VA Representative. A copy will be submitted to the Bursar’s Office.
Important Notes for Chapter 1606/1607 Students
Students receiving Chapter 1606/07 can no longer use their VA benefit along with Tuition Assistance for the same courses. The student must only request certification for the courses not utilizing TA.
Students receiving Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30, 1606, or 1607) benefits must log into WAVE or toll free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone line at 1-877-VA-ECERT (1-877-823-2378)the last day of each month to verify enrollment in order to be paid.
Chapter 35 Transfer
If you have already used GI Bill at a previous institution, please follow the steps below. If you are a transfer student but this is your first time using GI Bill, please return to the main page and follow the instructions for First Time GI Bill users.
First Step: You will need to transfer your GI Bill from your previous school to TSU.
- Go to GI Bill Website
- Click on "Apply for Benefits"
- Click on Launch VONAPP (the Veterans Online Application System)
- Follow Instructions for creating a login and password
- Select the 22-5495 from the dropdown menu
- Complete the form and then submit electronically to VA
- Save a copy of the confirmation number to send to the VA Representative at TSU. The VA will send an updated Certificate of Eligibility to the address you provided.
Second Step: Submit your Certificate of Eligibility (your old one from your last school is fine) and 22-5495 to the VA Representative. If you do not have an old copy, you can request a new copy by submitting a question through the GI Bill Website .
Third Step: Register for classes at TSU as soon as registration starts.
Fourth Step: Complete TSU VA forms- Submit all forms to the VA representative.
- Veteran’s Enrollment Certification Form (after you have finished enrolling in classes). If you have any schedule changes after submitting your form, please notify the VA Representative within 5 days of the change.
- Complete the VA Benefit Information form and give to the VA representative in person or through mail (address on form)
- If you are eligible, get a VA Deferment form from the VA Representative. A copy will be submitted to the Bursar’s Office.
Chapter 31 Transfer
Chapter 31 benefits are managed by the Vocational Rehabilitation Case Managers.
First Step: Meet with your Voc Rehab Case manager for approval of VA benefits and they will send us your Voc Rehab contract.
Second Step: Register for classes at TSU as soon as registration opens.
Third Step: Complete TSU VA forms- Submit all forms to the VA representative.
- Veteran’s Enrollment Certification Form (after you have finished enrolling in classes). If you have any schedule changes after submitting your form, please notify the VA Representative within 5 days of the change.
- Complete the VA Benefit Information form and give to the VA representative in person or through mail (address on form)
- We will send a copy of the 1905 to the Bookstore and the Bursar’s Office as soon as we get it.
**Chapter 31 (Voc Rehab) Recipients- You must meet with your Case Manager every semester and be sure to complete the Veterans Enrollment Certification form. Once your Case Manager has provided a 1905 on your behalf, the VA Representative will forward it to the Bookstore and Bursar’s office for processing.
Returning All VA students (except Voc. Rehab Chapter 31)
First Step: Register for classes at TSU as soon as registration opens.
Second Step: Complete TSU VA forms- Submit all forms to the VA representative.
- Veteran’s Enrollment Certification Form (after you have finished enrolling in classes). If you have any schedule changes after submitting your form, please notify the VA Representative within 5 days of the change.
- If you are eligible, get a VA Deferment form from the VA Representative. A copy will be submitted to the Bursar’s Office.
Returning Chapter 31
Chapter 31 benefits are managed by the Vocational Rehabilitation Case Managers.
First Step: Meet with your Voc Rehab Case manager for approval of VA benefits and they will send us your Voc Rehab contract.
Second Step: Register for classes at TSU as soon as registration opens.
Third Step: Complete TSU VA form- Submit all forms to the VA representative.
- Veteran’s Enrollment Certification Form (after you have finished enrolling in classes). If you have any schedule changes after submitting your form, please notify the VA Representative within 5 days of the change.
We will send a copy of the 1905 to the Bookstore and the Bursar’s Office as soon as we get it.
Guest Student at TSU:
If you are not pursing your degree with TSU but are planning to take TSU courses, your institution’s VA Representative must supply the TSU VA Representative with a Parent School Letter with your information on it before your TSU courses can be certified to the VA.
TSU Student:
First Step: Complete the Permission to Take a Course Form and submit it to the Records office.
Second Step: The student must contact the TSU VA Representative if taking courses elsewhere while pursuing a degree with TSU. Student will need to provide the TSU VA Representative with 1) copy of completed Permission to Take a Course at Another Institution Form and 2) VA Representative’s contact information at other institution.