VA Certification Request Process

Certification Process

In Summer 2024, the VMSC began using a new platform for the certification request process. This new platform is a comprehensive solution for managing VA Education Benefits. Its objective is to streamline the application process for staff and students. It will improve the student experience by giving guided access to submit applications at any time and interact with staff through a centralized communication hub.

If you are a current student needing the link to this new certification platform, please email vmsc@uark.edu for more information 

If you're a new student to the university, please contact us at 479-575-8742 to schedule an appointment (in person, by phone, or virtual) to discuss the certification process in more detail. 

 

Certifying Course Work

The University of Arkansas requires all students to certify their schedule with the Veteran and Military-Affiliated Student Center every term in which they want to have their classes certified to the Department of Veterans Affairs for disbursement of VA Education Benefits. Please do not submit certification forms until you have your final schedule and all classes have been registered for in Workday Student. If you are on a waitlist, please wait to submit the class certification until after you have been approved for entry into the course.

Step 1: After their academic advising appointment and enrolling in classes via Workday Student, students are ready to submit classes to be certified.

 

 

Step 2: Students must go to vaworks.uark.edu and create a profile if not yet done so. The specific term and classes for that term the student is requesting to get certified needs to be entered in the area Certification Request located in the student profile Dashboard. All classes must count toward the degree plan for the semester student is requesting to be certified, and all different terms must be submitted separately (e.g. Intercession, 8 week, 5 week 1, 5 week 2, mini, 10 week, etc.).

 

 

Step 3: When submitted, the certification process includes ensuring all classes entered are correct and will count toward the degree specified. (If classes change by adding or dropping, submit a schedule change in VAWorks to notify SCO and to get approval for any added classes). When classes submitted on the certification request are reviewed and approved, a School Certifying Official (SCO) will receive the student Certification Request and begin the process of certification. All information must match the information in Workday Student.

 

 

Step 4: The SCO will enter the information for students in Enrollment Manager to complete the certification process. The student will receive an email notification from the VA Enrollment Manager and VAWorks. This will let students know they are certified. The VA will see the certification within 48 hours of the SCO submission. If using Post-9/11 (CH 33) benefits, students’ courses will be certified twice. Tuition and applicable fees are reported after the 11th day of classes.

 

 

Step 5: The VA can be contacted at 888-442-4551 if the student wants to change address, change bank information, and know the schedule of when their benefits will be disbursed.

 

Verifying Attendance

All students using Chapter 1606, 30, and 33 benefits also must verify their attendance (usually no earlier than the last calendar day of each month ) with the VA monthly in order to receive their benefits.

Students using CH 1606 and CH 30 can verify it by calling 877-823-2378 or visiting https://www.va.gov/education/verify-school-enrollment/.

Students using CH 33 can verify attendance via text (if they opted-in to do so), by phone at 888-442-4551, or by visiting https://www.va.gov/education/verify-school-enrollment/.