Military and Veteran Students
UH West Oʻahu is dedicated to supporting our military, veteran students, and their family members. We recognize the unique experiences that come with serving in the armed forces and are grateful for the service and sacrifice provided in the defense of our great nation.
Apply to UH West O‘ahu
Summer Enrollment for Incoming Fall Students
If you would like to use your VA education benefits during the summer before your first fall semester, please submit a summer application. You can apply using the same login information as your fall application. When you register for your summer courses, please ensure that they count toward the degree requirements of the program you will pursue in the upcoming fall semester.
Apply for VA Education Benefits
If you have never received VA education benefits and have not yet applied for education benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs, visit VA.gov to apply. It takes the VA approximately 30 days to make a decision and process your education claim.
If you have received VA education benefits from another school, and will transfer to UH West Oʻahu, visit VA.gov to apply for a Change of Program or Place of Training to update your current benefits.
Certificate of Eligibility
If the VA approves your application, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), or award letter, in the mail. You must provide a copy of your COE to the Enrollment Services Office. The COE verifies a student’s eligibility for Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits. Students planning to use these benefits must obtain a COE and submit it to the Enrollment Services Office before the first day of the semester.
You may submit a copy of your COE via UH File Drop (recipient: uhwova@hawaii.edu).
If you have not yet received a COE from the VA, but would like to start your benefits, you may provide a statement of benefits from eBenefits.
If you are using educational assistance under the Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) (formerly Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment) program, your VR&E Counselor should send you a copy of a tuition and fees PO Authorization valid for the duration of your first semester. Chapter 31 students do not need to submit a COE.
Confirm your Residency Status
Confirm your residency status found on your letter of acceptance from the university.
Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill® Tuition Payments: The VA does not pay tuition in excess of the in-state or RESIDENT tuition rate. If you receive a NON-RESIDENT tuition rate (including Western Undergraduate Exchange or Pacific Islander) you may be responsible for paying any remaining tuition balance that is not covered by the VA.
If you have questions about your residency status or about active duty, veteran or dependent exemptions, contact the Office of Admissions. The Office of Admissions will determine if you are eligible to receive in-state tuition and will notify you of the documentation that is required, which may include:
- Your or your sponsor’s Current Military Orders
- VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
- Your or your sponsor’s DD-214
- CH 31 VR&E tuition and fees PO Authorization
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Veteran Exemption Tuition
Effective August 1, 2021, non-resident veterans who were honorably discharged and are eligible for GI Bill® education benefits may qualify for and pay in-state resident tuition. Eligible students must provide a copy of their VA Certificate of Eligibility prior to the first day of instruction for the semester in which the exemption is being requested. Documents may be sent via Secure File Transfer: https://westoahu.hawaii.edu/it/securefiletransfer (select “Veteran Affairs” as department). For more information, contact the Office of the Registrar at (808) 689-2900 or uhwova@hawaii.edu.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Readmission Policy for Service Members
Service members and reservists will be readmitted to a program if they are temporarily unable to attend class or have to suspend their studies due to service requirements. Service members will be readmitted to the same program and academic status that they had when they were last enrolled or last admitted.
Yellow Ribbon Program
The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund tuition expenses that exceed the public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and the Department of Veterans Affairs will match the same amount as the institution. Schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program are required to offer participation to students on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/yellow_ribbon.asp.
Eligibility Requirements
- Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) Certificate of Eligibility showing Yellow Ribbon Program eligibility.
- Classified as a non-resident student paying the non-resident tuition rate.
- Admitted to a degree program for the semester in which benefits are being requested with UH West Oʻahu as your home institution.
Note: Active duty personnel receiving Chapter 33 benefits and spouses of active duty personnel receiving Transfer of Entitlement (ToE) benefits are not eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Application Process
For the 2024-2025 academic year, UH West Oʻahu will offer Yellow Ribbon Program awards to 2 students who meet the eligibility requirements on a first-come, first-served basis. To apply, students must submit ALL of the following documents as one application packet to be considered:
- Copy of the student’s VA Certificate of Eligibility showing Yellow Ribbon Program eligibility.
- UH West O‘ahu Yellow Ribbon Program Application (PDF)
- UH West O‘ahu Veteran Student Enrollment Certification Form
Completed application packets will be accepted for the academic year beginning June 1. Documents submitted before this date will not be accepted. The application deadline is August for fall and January for spring. Completed applications may be dropped off in-person (C-141), mailed, or submitted using the UH File Drop and entering uhwova@hawaii.edu as the email recipient.
Notification Process
Eligible students who submit their application packet by the deadline will be notified through their UH email account of their award status. The Yellow Ribbon Program award is valid from August 1 to July 31.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Benefits
The VA School Certifying Official, located in the Office of the Registrar, provides assistance to eligible active duty veterans, and their dependents using VA educational benefits. Students receive assistance with their enrollment certification and college success advisors are available to assist in creating an appropriate educational plan to ensure successful degree completion.
The University is an approved educational institution for education and training under the Veterans Educational Assistance Act (GI Bill®) and the Dependent’s Act.
VA Education Benefits
- Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
- Chapter 31: Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) (formerly Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment)
- Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill®
- Chapter 35: Survivors’ & Dependents’ Educational Assistance
- Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
Information regarding eligibility, entitlement and types of training authorized may be obtained from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or by contacting the Veterans Education Call Center toll-free at: 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551). The Education Call Center is located in Muskogee, OK, and Education Case Managers accept calls from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. central time, Monday – Friday. The system’s automated functions are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and provides information about education benefits, how to apply for education benefits, status of claims, and individual student payment issues.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Programs Approved for VA Benefits
To use VA benefits towards your education at UH West Oʻahu, the degree or certificate program you select must be one that has been approved by the Department of Veteran Affairs.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has set up lists of programs they have approved for each university, which you can access through their Web Enabled Approval Management System (WEAMS) Institution Search tool.
Visit WEAMS for information about your academic program’s eligibility for VA benefits. Program types in WEAMS include Non College Degree (certificate programs) and Institution of Higher Learning (degree programs).
Most importantly, if your program is not listed, VA benefits will not cover costs of your program.
Veteran Affairs Certification Process
New Students – First Time Users of VA Benefits
- Submit an online application for VA benefits. To determine which benefit you qualify for, please contact the VA at 1-888-442-4551 or visit their website.
- Apply for admission by the appropriate deadline and be admitted to UH West Oʻahu. Submit an online application and application fee to begin the admissions process.
- Upon receiving an acceptance letter from the University and having submitted an online application to the VA, please submit a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility via UH File Drop (recipient: uhwova@hawaii.edu). If you have not yet received a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA, please contact the VA at 1-888-442-4551.
- Upon registering for classes, submit the appropriate Veteran Student Enrollment Certification Forms.
Transfer Students – Previously Used VA Benefits at Another Institution
- Apply for admission by the appropriate deadline and be admitted to UH West Oʻahu. Submit an online application and application fee to begin the admissions process.
- Upon receiving an acceptance letter from the University and having submitted an online application to the VA, please submit a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility via UH File Drop (recipient: uhwova@hawaii.edu).
- Upon registering for classes, submit the appropriate Veteran Student Enrollment Certification Forms.
Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) Students
If you are a new UH West Oʻahu student, you must apply for admission by the appropriate deadline and be admitted. Submit an online application and application fee to begin the admissions process. Contact your VR&E Counselor and have them send you a copy of a tuition and fees PO Authorization valid for the duration of your first semester. Upon registering for classes, submit the appropriate Veteran Student Enrollment Certification Forms.
For additional information regarding VA Certification rules and regulations, please visit Veteran Student Services or contact the Office of the Registrar at uhwova@hawaii.edu.
Military Tuition Assistance
Eligible Service members who plan to use Tuition Assistance (TA) should receive approval from their Education Services Officer (ESO) or military counselor within their Service prior to enrollment.
External Resources
- Military Transcript Retrieval (follow instructions in your browser to continue to the website)
- Office of Veteran Services (HI)
- Student Veterans of America
- VA Educational Benefits
- VA Medical Center
- West O‘ahu Vet Center
- Scholarships for Veteran Students
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
View the Veterans Benefits pamphlet.
More Military and Veteran Info
Veteran Student Services
VET STEM Program
Veteran Forms
Military and Veterans FAQs
VA Scholarships
Advising
Noʻeau Center
Counseling Services
View the Financial Aid brochure.