1. It is time submit your Request for Certification!
   1. Did you already submit your Request for Certification to the American University Veterans Services Office? If so, then you are on track to receive your VA education benefits in a timely manner. Please be advised that final certifications for Post 9/11 GI Bill® recipients will not be processed until after the add/drop deadline. There are two places that you can see the add/drop deadline for your program or class. The first place is by looking at the university’s academic calendar. The second is the university’s “Changes in Registration” page. This is to account for any changes in enrollment that could impact your benefit payment rate. Click here for more information about our certification process!
2. Are you seeing an amount due on your student account?
   1. Don’t Panic! If you submitted your Request for Certification for Chapter 33 (Post-9/11) or Chapter 31 (VR&E) benefits, your VA education benefits are pending approval and will be dispersed in a timely manner. Please be advised that certifications will not be processed until after the add/drop deadline. This is to account for any changes in enrollment that could impact your VA benefits eligibility. It also means that you should expect to receive your first payment around the 6^th and 8^th week of the semester. The VA payment will either be sent to you directly or to your student account, depending on VA education benefit type. For more information on VA education benefits, check out these helpful FAQs about different types of Veterans education benefits.
   2. If you are a Chapter 1606, Chapter 30, or Chapter 35 beneficiary, you need to reconcile your student bill as soon as possible. Late fees will be charged to your account if payments are not made on time. There is still time to set up a payment plan through the Student Accounts office. The deadline to set up a 3-month payment plan is February 15, 2024.
3.      Did you miss the Veterans’ Lounge?
   1. The Veterans’ Lounge is designated for all military-connected students. For access, please email veterans@american.edu from your AU email. Access to the Veterans’ Lounge is typically granted in 2-3 business days
4. Still not sure how monthly enrollment verification works?
   1. If you have not received an opt-in text message from the VA to verify your enrollment at the end of each month, please contact the GI Bill ® hotline at: 888-442-4551 to verify that your cell phone information is on file and to opt-in to the text message monthly verification option. You can also verify your enrollment through your VA.GOV profile. Those who fail to verify their enrollment for two consecutive months will have their Monthly Housing Allowance and kicker payments put on hold. If you want to learn more, you can read the Veterans Affairs’ blog post about these changes or you can read News You Can Use Volume 6!
   2. Please remember, the monthly enrollment verification is not the same as the Request for Certification. The Request for Certification is a document internal to American University Veterans Services and the Monthly Enrollment Verification is a Veterans Benefits Administration requirement. Please do not send an email to our office that says “yes” or “no” after the VA texts you to verify your enrollment. You need to respond directly to the VA through text if you opted into the text option.
5. Veterans Services Support Network
   1. The Department of Student Affairs initiated the Veterans Services Support Network (VSSN) to provide AU's military connected student population (Veterans, current Service-members, and dependents) with the necessary resources and support to achieve their educational goals. Network members will be the principal contacts for these students in their respective departments and will collaborate with one another to ensure that military connected students’ needs are being met and that problems are addressed quickly and effectively. The University recognizes the unique service and sacrifice of our military-connected community and is committed to working together to best SERVE these students through continued initiatives including the Veterans Services Support Network. Learn more about VSSN’s mission here!
6. Military-Connected Student Organizations:

The American University Military-Connected Club is an official chapter of Student Veterans of America (SVA), a 501(c)(3) coalition of student-veteran groups on college campuses across the globe. SVA’s parent chapter is located in Washington, DC. If you are looking for camaraderie, support, advocacy, and a deeper connection with other military-connected students, the MCCAU is for you!

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