How and when your benefits are paid
The VA sends educational benefits to you directly in a monthly payment, based on your semester credit hours. These benefits are paid in arrears, meaning you receive them the month after you earn them. For example, you would receive your August benefits in the beginning of September.
Direct deposit is available for all chapters of benefits. If you need assistance with establishing your direct deposit, please contact the VA at +1-877-838-2778.
If you are under the Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33), the VA pays your tuition and fees to CGCC on your behalf. If you are not under the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, you must make these payments to the Student Business Services office on campus.
Be sure to tell us if you move! You don’t want to miss your payment. Notify CGCC’s Office of Veterans Services of your change of address, and contact The VA Office in Muskogee: +1-888-442-4551
Payment of Benefits
If you are certified for these chapters, you must verify your monthly enrollment to receive your payment. You can do this in one of two ways:
- Call the automated phone system at +1-877-823-2378
- Go to the Veterans Affairs Web Automated Verification of Employment (WAVE) website
Important: You are not allowed to verify your enrollment prior to the last day of the month. You also may not do it on the last day of a class, if it ends in the middle of a month.
Veterans certified for this chapter will receive their monthly Housing Allowance (BAH) and VA Book Stipend by direct payment, but tuition and fees are paid directly to the school.
The VA releases the Post-9/11 GI® Bill book stipend approximately 10 days before the start of class. BAH is paid in arrears and prorated by full-time status and by how many class days are in the month.
NOTE: Housing allowance is not payable to individuals on active duty, nor for those pursuing training at half-time or less. Starting in the 2021-2022 school year, Post-9/11 GI Bill® students who receive Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) and/or kicker payments are required to verify their enrollment to continue receiving their payments. Learn more about the Enrollment Verification.
In some cases, Veterans participating in the Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment program may receive a subsistence allowance while they pursue an educational or training program. The subsistence allowance is paid each month and is based on the rate of attendance in a training program, the number of dependents, and the type of training.
Students using Chapter 35 benefits will receive a monthly subsistence allowance while pursuing an educational program. It is paid each month and is based on the rate of attendance.
Military Tuition Assistance is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application processes, and restrictions. For more information, visit the following sites:
Payment of Benefits
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government web site.