Applying For and Using Your GI Bill®

These are the basic steps you should follow to begin using your GI Bill® benefits.

Step 1: Application

The first step toward receiving your VA educational benefits is to fill out an application. For veterans, the form that you should fill out is a VA Form 22-1990. For the dependent of a veteran, you should fill out VA Form 22-5490. Both of these forms are available online. 

Note: If you need assistance determining what you are eligible for you can visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Education and Training website or call 1-888-442-4551.

Step 2: Apply to Delgado and schedule your classes

You will need to follow all of the steps required by our Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services. This includes submitting an application for admission, paying the application fee, taking a placement test, and scheduling. 

Note: You can only be certified for courses that are required for graduation from Delgado Community College and it is your responsibility to assure that you are following your chosen program. It is strongly advised that you consult an academic advisor when scheduling.

Step 3: Certify your classes with the VA counselor

Each semester you will need to certify that you are attending classes. You can do this by submitting a Request for Certification Form. This form is available at either the City Park Campus or West Bank Campus Office of Veterans Affairs, or you can find the form on this web site. This is something you will need to do each semester.

Step 4: Arrange for payment of classes

Students using the Montgomery GI Bill© and Survivors, Dependents Educational Assistance Program and Veterans Retraining Assistance Program must arrange for payment to the school. This may be out of pocket, Federal Financial Assistance, scholarships or other types of state benefits.

Students using the Post 9/11 GI Bill© must submit a certificate of eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs to the VA counselor prior to the final day to submit payment. As a courtesy, Delgado will prevent your courses from being purged if you have submitted this information. If you do not submit this information you will have to arrange for payment to the school in order to prevent your courses from being purged.

Step 5: Verify your attendance with the VA

For chapters 30, 1606, 1607 and VRAP, it is required that you verify that you are attending your classes. You can do this by calling 1-877-823-2378 or online. Once you verify your attendance, your payment will then be processed.

Step 6: Receive payment

If you have questions about the amount or time of payments, call 1-888-442-4551. To avoid overpayments please let your Veterans Affairs Counselor know when you drop a class.