How do I apply for the GI Bill®?
Log into the VA's website to begin your application. The VA typically takes around 30 days to process your application and you will be mailed your Certificate of Eligibility if you qualify. Send a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to veterans@lsus.edu when you get it. You can either take a picture of your physical certificate, scan it, or provide a screenshot. Be sure to include your student ID in the subject line of the email.
How do I get my benefits started at LSUS?
Every semester, fill out a Request for Certification of Veteran Education Benefits.
To find this form:
- Log in to myLSUS
- Go to Records
- Go to Forms
- Go to Request for Certification of Veteran Education Benefits
Send a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (or SOB) to the VRC office by attaching it in your DocuSign or emailing it to veterans@lsus.edu. You can either take a picture of your physical certificate, scan it, or provide a screenshot. Be sure to include your student ID in the subject line of the email.
Undergraduate students only: Send a copy of your curriculum sheet, signed by your academic advisor to veterans@lsus.edu by the end of your first semester. Be sure to include your student ID in the subject line of the email. (If you are in the Online MBA program, you can skip this step.)
If qualified for the Louisiana Title 29 tuition exemption, email a copy of your Title 29 certificate to veterans@lsus.edu. Be sure to include your student ID in the subject line of the email. For more information about Title 29, visit the LA Title 29 Tuition Exemption page.
What if I am a transfer student or used my GI Bill® benefits at a different school?
You no longer need to fill out information with the VA to change schools. Our SCO’s will process these changes for you and if there are any issues we will contact you directly when they occur.
Is there a form that I need to fill out each semester?
Yes. If you are using any GI Bill® Benefits (Chapter 30 Montgomery, Chapter 31 Voc Rehab/VR&E, Chapter 33 Post-9/11, Chapter 35/DEA, Chapter 1606/MGIB-SR), Louisiana National Guard STEP/Patriot Scholarship, or the Louisiana Title 29 tuition exemption, you must fill out a Request for Certification of Veteran Education Benefits each semester.
To find this form:
- Log in to myLSUS
- Go to Records
- Go to Forms
- Go to Request for Certification of Veteran Education Benefits
How can I replace a lost/missing Certificate of Eligbility?
You can request a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility through AskVA or by calling the GI Bill® hotline at 888-442-4551.
When can I request tuition assistance?
Air Force & Space Force: 45 days from class start (Air Force Tuition Assistance Information)
Army: 60 days from class start, NLT 1 day (Army Tuition Assistance Information)
Marines: 60 days from class start (Marines Tuition Assistance Information)
Navy: 120 days from class start, NLT 7 days (Navy Tuition Assistance Information)
Coast Guard: 90 days from class start, NLT 7 days (Coast Guard Tuition Assistance Information)
How does the VA pay monthly benefits?
The VA pays the monthly stipend one month in arrears. For example, you will receive the stipend for January the first week of February. Students receiving Chapter 30, 33, 35 and 1606 benefits are required to “verify” their enrollment status on or after the last day of the month. Students may verify by calling the toll-free number (1-877-823-2378) or by accessing the VA's Verify your Scholl Enrollment page. Upon verification, the VA will process the payment and send it to the student either by mail or direct deposit. It is highly recommended that students elect the direct deposit option to eliminate lost or stolen checks. In addition, students using direct deposit receive benefits in four or five working days as opposed to seven to ten days by mail.
How much will the VA pay me monthly?
Your monthly payment depends on multiple factors. Two of the biggest are what chapter of VA benefits you are using and how many classes you're enrolled in. Visit the Current VA Education Benefits page to get an idea of what to expect or call the GI Bill hotline at 888-442-4551.
What is considered full time, ¾ time, ½ time or ¼ time for VA benefits?
Undergraduate Traditional
- Full Time = 12+ hours
- ¾ Time = 9-11 hours
- ½ Time = 6-8 hours
- Less than ½ time = 4-5 hours
- Less than ¼ time = 1-3 hours
Undergraduate Accelerated
- Full Time = 6 hours
- ½ Time = 3 hours
Graduate Traditional
- Full Time = 9 hours
- ½ Time = 6-8 hours
- Less than ½ time = 3 hours
Graduate Accelerated
- Full Time = 6 hours
- ½ Time = 3 hours
Doctoral
Does VA pay for repeated courses?
VA will pay for repeated courses as long as they are required and the grades previously earned do not meet degree requirements. Reenrolling in a course from which a student withdrew is not considered repeating a course. If a student declares academic bankruptcy, the VA does not pay for repeated courses unless the student earned an unsatisfactory grade the first time the student attempted the course.
Does the VA pay for remedial courses?
The VA will pay for a remedial course if the student has a deficiency in the subject. The VA will not pay for refresher courses.
What do I do if I change my major?
Send a copy of your new curriculum sheet signed by your appropriate academic advisor to veterans@lsus.edu. Be sure to include your student ID in the subject line of the email.
Can I change my major in the middle of the semester?
Yes. The change will not take effect until the next semester. Once you certify your classes for the semester, this is your major for the semester.
What courses will the VA pay for?
The VA pays for prerequisite courses and courses required by student's degree program. Students are responsible for ensuring that the courses apply toward their degrees. If they are not sure, they should consult with their academic advisors. If students wish to take courses that are not required, we will certify only the required courses and report a change in status affecting only those courses.
What if I don't have enough classes to reach full-time status?
If you are in your last quarter or semester, you can "Round Out." Rounding Out allows you to take additional classes from your curriculum in order to hit full-time status. For more information, visit the School Certifying Official Handbook on the VA's Resources for Schools page, or visit the VA's Dole Act of 2025 page.
What will happen if I drop a class?
Email veterans@lsus.edu as soon as possible with your student ID in the subject line of the email. This can lead to an overpayment of benefits that you will be responsible for paying back.
What happens if I fail a course?
If you fail a class, you receive a "punitive grade" for that class. A punitive grade is a grade that does not count as earned credit. This means that the grade you receive counts in your overall degree progress, albeit negatively. Since this grade counts towards your graduation progress you are NOT required to repay any GI Bill® money you received for that class.
You may take the class again to receive credit towards graduation and you may receive GI Bill® payment for the retaking of the class.
I'm in the National Guard. How do I get my tuition exemption?
The LANG sends the university a list of members authorized the LANG Tuition Exemption at the beginning of each semester.
If curious about the status of your LANG tuition exemption, contact Mr. Leonard Acker at leonard.c.acker.civ@army.mil or 504-278-8273.
I'm the dependent of a veteran. What do I need to do to get LA Title 29?
Louisiana's Title 29 Dependent Educational Assistance is available to surviving spouses of deceased veterans, dependents of veterans with 90%+ service-connected disabilities, and dependents of veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities due to unemployability (individual unemployability/IU).
Contact your parish's Veterans Service Office (VSO) to apply. Email a copy of your certificate to veterans@lsus.edu.
Bossier VSO – 318-741-8391 or jimmie.williams@la.gov
Caddo VSO – 318-676-7540 or brandi.white@la.gov
All Other Louisiana VSOs - visit the Louisiana VSOs Locations page
What fees does LA Title 29 cover?
LA Title 29 can only exempt university-imposed fees. Please visit the LA Title 29 Tuition Exemption page for more information.
What happens when a student withdraws from a course or resigns?
If the withdrawal changes the student's enrollment status, the VA will reduce the student's rate of pay. If the withdrawal occurs during the drop/add period, as defined by the VA, an adjustment is made on the rate of pay. If the withdrawal occurs after the drop/add period, the reduction may create an overpayment, unless there are mitigating circumstances. If there are mitigating circumstances, the student must submit a “Statement in Support of Claim” to the VA. The statement needs to include the VA file number. If the VA does not approve the claim, the overpayment is applied retroactively to the beginning of the semester. The only exception is the “one-time up to six-hour exclusion” which does not require mitigating circumstances. Contact the VA at 888-GIBill-1 (888.442.4551)
What happens when a student is deployed?
If your classes are interrupted by a deployment you will need to notify veterans@lsus.edu and your professors immediately. If it is determined that you will not be able to complete your course work successfully you can apply for an incomplete or request a retroactive drop or withdraw with the Dean of your college depending on which is appropriate. Service members who have their studies interrupted by unforeseen deployment can apply for a special circumstance refund of all tuition and fees with the Dean of Students office: deanofstudents@lsus.edu.
All special circumstance refunds must be supported with documentation including orders and or a letter from your CoC and will be reviewed by the Special Circumstance Committee. All service members returning to school from deployment or other leave of studies will be automatically readmitted into their program once they have officially updated their intent to attend with the office of admissions, at no additional cost to the student.
What happens if I have an emergency and need to withdraw after the withdrawal period ends?
For information on emergency withdrawals and mitigating circumstances, visit the VA's page on How your reason for withdrawing from a class affects your VA debt.
What is the 6-credit-hour exclusion?
For an explanation on the 6-credit-hour exclusion, visit the VA's page on How your reason for withdrawing from a class affects your VA debt.