www.WisVets.com/VetEd

The Veterans Education (VetEd) grant program provides a reimbursement grant for tuition and fees following successful course completion.

Eligible Wisconsin veterans who have not yet been awarded a bachelor’s degree may use VetEd to pursue educational or vocational objectives up to a bachelor’s degree at an eligible UW, technical college, or approved private institution of higher education. Reimbursement is currently up to 100% of the tuition and fees not covered by other grants, scholarships, or remissions. The maximum reimbursement is the equivalent of the UW-Madison rate for the same number of credits, up to the full-time rate. The reimbursement percentage may be adjusted periodically to reflect demand and available funding.

Pre-application No Longer Required
Effective with the passage of the Wisconsin biennial budget 2009-11 the submission of a VetEd pre-application is no longer a requirement for the approval of a VetEd Grant. However, the application is now required to be received by the department no later than 60 days after the start of the course, term or semester. See below regarding how to apply for a VetEd Grant.

Schools that Qualify
To be eligible, a school must qualify as an institution of higher education under the statutes, an institution where the applicant is receiving a waiver of nonresident tuition under the statutes, a high school, or a school approved by the State Approving Agency or the Educational Approval Board.

What Courses can be Reimbursed
The course must contribute to a degree, certificate of graduation or course completion. Courses offered under clock-hour standards are not eligible.

Correspondence courses or part-time classroom study may be approved if taken from an approved school and either of the following applies:

• The part-time classroom study is not offered within 50 miles of the veteran’s residence and the school where it is offered is located not more than 50 miles from the state boundary.
• The correspondence course is not offered in-state.

Courses taken at a school other than the one at which the veteran will receive a degree, certificate of graduation or course completion, can only be approved if the course must be necessary to complete the degree, certificate or course completion, the course is accepted for transfer by the degree-granting school and is not available at that school.

Successful Completion Required
Veterans must achieve at least 2.0 grade point average or an average grade of "C" in the semester for which reimbursement is requested to be eligible for reimbursement.

Amount of Reimbursement Available
The maximum amount of credits for which a veteran may receive reimbursement is based on the amount of time the veteran served on active duty. Active Duty For Training does not count toward general or VetEd eligibility.

Past usage of obsolete WDVA education grants, e.g., Part Time Study Grant (PTSG) or Tuition & Fees Reimbursement Grant (TFRG), has no bearing on the number of credits or semesters the veteran is eligible to be reimbursed under VetEd. TFRG or PTSG applications will be returned by the department to the veteran.

National Guard Tuition Grant and Reserve Tuition Assistance Program
Veterans eligible for the National Guard Tuition Grant (NGTG) or Reserve Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) are not eligible for VetEd. A veteran’s eligibility for either of these other grants is the criterion for VetEd eligibility, not whether the veteran has applied for either.

Montgomery G.I. Bill, Post 9/11 G.I. Bill and Wisconsin G.I. Bill
Veterans may currently receive federal VA Chapter 30 Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits and VetEd for the same semester. Individuals eligible for Wisconsin G.I. Bill benefits must apply for, and use those benefits in order to be eligible for VetEd reimbursement. VetEd reimbursement will be reduced to the extent that tuition and fees have already been paid by other grants, scholarships, and remissions provided for the payment of tuition and fees, including federal VA Chapter 33 Post 9/11 G.I. Bill tuition benefits.

Time Restrictions
Veterans may use VetEd for full-time or part-time study up to their 10-year anniversary of leaving active duty (delimiting date). Once a veteran reaches the 10-year delimiting date, he or she must be enrolled as a part-time student to be eligible for a VetEd. The department will bank a maximum of 60 unused credits for use as a part-time student and track the remaining credits.

Income Limitations
To be eligible for VetEd, the veteran’s household income must be below $50,000 plus $1,000 for each dependent in excess of two dependents. The department may request a veteran’s current income tax records to ensure that the applicant does not exceed the income cap. If your employment status has changed since you last filed your taxes, and if the change will impact on your eligibility for a grant, please contact the department.

How to Apply
Veterans may apply for VetEd through their County Veterans Service Officer, apply online, or download an application, WDVA 2200. Online applications are the preferred method due to efficiency, faster processing, and can't be delayed or lost in the mail.

The application must be received by the department no later than 60 days after the start of the course, term or semester for which reimbursement is being sought.

Payment Processing Time
Once final grades are turned in and the School Veterans Official has reviewed and submitted the application to WDVA, checks are normally issued within 5-10 business days – if the application is complete.

When submitting an application you can minimize delays in processing by providing a complete application. Items that are often not included are:  current address, a source of income verification (e.g., current income tax form) or other acceptable documents, and other financial aid documentation.

If payment is not received on an approved grant after ten business days you can contact the WDVA accounting department to determine your check's status at:  1-800-WIS-VETS (947-8387).

WARNING: The WDVA receives a statewide support lien docket listing all individuals who have a delinquent child-support obligation in Wisconsin. According to state law, the WDVA may not approve a Veterans Education Grant for any applicant on the docket unless the applicant provides one of the following items:

• Provides a statement signed by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families or its designee showing that all delinquent obligations have been paid.
• A copy of a child-support repayment agreement that has been kept current for the six month period before the date the WDVA receives the application as long as no lien exists.