If you have received Chapter 35 benefits at another college or university, you will need to complete the following steps to use it at James Madison University:

Chapter 35 Brochure - find estimations for monthly stipends on page 3

Step 1: Provide copy of Chapter 35 Certificate of Eligibility (COE) via email to veteran@jmu.edu:

• Provide original Certificate of Eligibility. Please confirm remaining entitlement with VA by calling 1-888-442-4551; or
• Complete VA Form 22-5495 Request for Change of Program or Place of Training online through va.gov to receive an updated Certificate of Eligibility.
  
  • VA will mail an updated copy to the home address in roughly 30 days
  • You can use this application to update address, phone number, bank account, etc. as we

• Are you also eligible for the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependent Education Program benefit (VMSDEP)?
  • Add the upcoming semester to your VMSDEP account if already approved
  • Make sure James Madison University is listed as your school for the upcoming term
  • If you are not approved yet, apply as soon as possible. 

Step 2: Complete JMU Veterans Education Benefits Request form

• Complete and submit online. Must complete at one time; no save option
• If eligible for both Chapter 35 and VMSDEP, select that option when noting benefits; otherwise select "Chapter 35 only" if not eligible for VMSDEP.
• Requires student to login with their JMU credentials and authentication. 
• Complete after you have participated in orientation and finalized your upcoming semester schedule
  • For incoming JMU students - complete after you have participated in orientation and your class schedule is set and will not change. 
  • For current JMU students - complete once upcoming class schedule is set and will not change. 
• Enrollment in courses must meet major, GenEd, elective, or degree requirements, or an approved certificate or teacher licensure program to qualify. All majors and minors must be declared on the transcript.
  • Your benefits will not cover you to take a class you already have credit or solely to be fulltime. 
  • The JMU Veteran Education Benefits Request form is required every semester benefits are requested. 
  • After your 1st semester using your benefits, the JMU Request form will be emailed to you after registering for the upcoming semester. 

Additional actions, as applicable:

• Submit all prior credit transcripts and AP/IB scores. 
• If you are getting an Associate's degree, make sure the degree is posted before sending in the transcript
• Apply for financial aid through the FAFSA - Financial Aid & Scholarships - JMU

What happens after submitting all required documents for the upcoming semester?

JMU's VA Certifying Official will process a student's request for benefits approximately one month prior to the start of the semester/term (once all required documents are received) and within 6-8 weeks, VA will generate and mail an active award benefit letter to the student. 

Monthly payments are mailed to the spouse or dependent's address or direct deposited to the provided bank account in the original application. Monthly payments are paid in arrears. 

Semester bills:

• All JMU charges must be paid upfront by the University deadline each semester. 
• If you also eligible for VMSDEP, that may be factored in to cover the tuition and comprehensive fee charges only (and any course fees, tuition differential fees and orientation fee). 
• Room rent, meal plan and internet fee charges must be covered upfront each semester.