Veterans Affairs
Veterans Affairs (VA) is located in the Records Office. We assist military veterans and their dependents who are eligible for VA educational benefits.
The Veteran Affairs Certifying Official is responsible for certifying and monitoring veterans' enrollment, academic progress, and other academic information.
The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs approves applications and makes decisions about payments, issuance of checks, and eligibility. If you have questions about payments, entitlement, or eligibility, contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 
. New applicants should expect to wait approximately six to nine weeks for Veterans Affairs to process and send your first subsistence check.
VA Benefits
The following is important information about your VA educational benefits.
- Enrollment Verification
- Prerequisite Courses
- Transfer Credit
- Degree Progress
- Continued Enrollment
- Change in Enrollment Status
- Military Activation & Withdrawals
- Academic Suspension
- Declaring a Major
- Double Major
- Changing your Major
Enrollment Verification
Submit veteran enrollment verification forms to the Records Office as early as possible to avoid delays in your subsistence check(s). UH Mānoa will not certify VA educational benefits unless the request is made in writing.
Prerequisite Courses
If you are required to take prerequisites for your major you must have your academic advisor provide the Records Office with a list of prerequisite courses not included in your degree program. Failure to do so will result in an overpayment charge for those courses.
The VA will not pay for zero-level or developmental courses unless test results show you need the course. The VA will not pay for any of these courses if college credit has already been granted for them.
Transfer Credit
It is your responsibility to see that UH Mānoa evaluates transcripts from previous institutions attended to determine the number of transferable credits that will be counted toward your degree. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs mandates that all transcripts be evaluated by UH Mānoa for prior credit, including transcripts for military training, even if credit may not be granted. Failure to do so could lead to suspension of benefits. All official transcripts must be sent directly from the prior institution to UH Mānoa.
Military Transcript Services
Note: You may have to accept the security certificate to access transcripts or use a military computer to log in.
Degree Progress
All courses taken during a term for which you have been certified for VA educational benefits must apply toward your degree. You can be charged with an overpayment for any courses that do not apply toward your degree. Contact your academic advisor or dean immediately if you are not sure whether a course is required, as this could affect your VA educational benefits. All courses certified for VA educational benefits must be taken for a letter grade (CR/NR permitted only if required for degree). Audited courses cannot be used toward certification.
Continued Enrollment
It is your responsibility to notify the Records Office of continued enrollment by completing the VA Benefits Enrollment Information form (College of Arts & Sciences students complete the Veteran Student JUMP Plan) each academic year. Failure to do so will cause a break in the payment cycle.
Change in Enrollment Status
Notify the Records Office immediately in writing if you drop or withdraw from a course used for certification. Failure to do so will result in an overpayment charge.
Military Activation & Withdrawals
If a complete withdrawal or leave of absence is necessary due to military activation, submit a copy of your orders to your college academic advisor or Student Academic Services office. You will be advised as to your options concerning your enrollment at UH Mānoa.
Academic Suspension
UH Mānoa will report academic suspension to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Suspension will result in the termination of your subsistence check(s). Veterans or dependents who accept VA checks after being suspended will be charged an overpayment.
Declaring a Major
You must declare a major by the beginning of the first term of your junior year. Failure to do so will cause a break in the payment cycle. Notify the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Records Office of your major by completing the appropriate form:
- VA Form 22-1995 for veterans
- VA Form 22-5495 for survivors and dependents
Double Major
You must obtain special approval to receive VA educational benefits for a double major. If you plan to declare a double major, you must notify the Records Office immediately for additional requirements and information.
Changing your Major
You must notify the Records Office of any change in major by completing the appropriate form:
- VA Form 22-1995 for veterans
- VA Form 22-5495 for survivors and dependents