Enrollment certification is the process through which your school reports your enrollment information to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) when you use VA education benefits. This information enables the VA to review your enrollment, determine your benefits associated with that enrollment and, if applicable, authorize education benefit payments.
Although your school submits the enrollment certification, the VA—not the school—determines your eligibility and whether payment is authorized.
Why enrollment certification is required
The VA requires schools to certify enrollment so it can:
- Verify eligibility for education benefit payments.
- Calculate benefit amounts.
- Maintain accurate education benefit records.
Without an enrollment certification, the VA cannot process benefits for your enrollment.
What information is included
Depending on the VA education benefit program, an enrollment certification may include:
- Student information
- Program of study
- Enrollment dates
- Credit hours or clock hours
- Training time
- Tuition and fees
- Other information required by the VA
The information reported varies based on your benefit program and enrollment.
When enrollment is certified
Schools generally certify enrollment for each academic term or enrollment period. If your enrollment changes after certification, such as when you add, drop or withdraw from classes, the school must report qualifying enrollment changes to the VA.
Can certifications be updated?
Yes. Schools can submit amendments to an enrollment certification when corrections are needed or when your enrollment changes after the original certification has been submitted.
What happens after certification?
After your school certifies your enrollment, the VA reviews the information, verifies your eligibility for benefits associated with the certified enrollment and processes any applicable education benefit payments.
Enrollment certification does not guarantee that you will receive payment. Certification provides the information the VA needs to evaluate your claim, but only the VA can determine whether payment is authorized based on your eligibility and applicable federal laws and regulations.
