If you have received Chapter 1606 benefits at another college or university, complete the following steps:

Reference our Chapter 1606 Brochure for more information and payment estimates


Step 1: Provide copy of MGIB Chapter 1606 Certificate of Eligibility (COE) 

Options to provide COE:

  • Provide original Certificate of Eligibility. Please confirm remaining entitlement with VA by calling 888-442-4551. 
  • Complete VA Form 22-1995 Request for Change of Program or Place of Training onilne at va.gov to receive an updated Certificate of Eligibility.
    • VA will mail a updated copy to the home address in roughly 30 days
    • You can use this application to update address, phone number, bank account, etc. as well

The Certificate of Eligibility can be submitted via email to veteran@jmu.edu as a PDF attachment.



Step 2: JMU Veterans Education Benefits Request form 
  • Complete after you have finalized your upcoming semester schedule. 
  • Complete and submit online. 
  • Requires student to login with their JMU credentials. We must know if you will be receiving a ROTC scholarship. Not all ROTC scholarships can be used with Federal TA or Chapter 1606. 
  • Enrollment in courses must meet general education, degree, major, declared minor, required university elective, or an approved certificate or teacher licensure program to qualify. All majors and minors must be declared on the transcript. VA can only cover courses that are required for graduation.
    • Undergraduate students - we utilze the academic advisement report found on your MyMadison account for course applicability. 
    • Graduate students - we will follow your curriculum guide. Please provide a link or document that lists what you are required to complete for your declared program.

Additional requirements:

  • Prior Credit: all prior credit is required to be evaluated while using federal education benefits
    • Request official copy of your Military transcript, either JST or Airs University, be sent directly to JMU for credit evaluation. More information on our Military Transcript Request page.
    • Request copies of all Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) transcripts to be sent directly to JMU if you've taken classes at another institution, including dual enrollment credit.
    • Submit any AP or IB scores directly to JMU.
  • Monthly Verficiation Requirement:

Concurrent MGIB Chapter 1606 use with Federal TA:

Effective Fall 2021 and Forward - the Department of Defense issued a memorandum to Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Education Service approving the use of concurrent receipt for Federal Tuition Assistance (TA) and the Montgomery GI Bill®-Selected Reserve Education Benefit (MGIB-SR or chapter 1606). This means, all qualified MGIB-SR Service members are authorized to use both TA and MGIB-SR benefits concurrently when enrolled in a program of education that is half-time or greater. Concurrent use is not authorized when enrolled less than half-time. Prior to Fall 2021, per DOD policy, students cannot use Chapter 1606/1607 and Federal TA for the same course.

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