How do I apply to use my benefits at PLNU?
To apply to use your military or VA education benefits at PLNU, you must first be admitted to the university and submit your required VA documentation to the Military Services office. Each semester you plan to use your benefits, complete the Request for Certification form in Workday once you are enrolled in classes. Submitting this form notifies PLNU to certify your enrollment with the VA under your approved benefit.
What is a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)?
The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is a document from the VA that proves you’ve been approved for benefits. You need to have a COE on file with the university to process your benefits. All students except those using Chapter 31 must have a COE.
How does the certification process work?
Each semester you plan to use your VA benefits, complete the Request for Certification form in Workday once registration opens. Submit the form as soon as it is assigned to you, as account holds may delay enrollment and certification.
Military Services will review your registered courses to confirm they apply toward your degree before submitting your certification to the VA. The VA only pays for courses required for your program, and you are responsible for any courses that do not apply. If you are unsure whether a course meets your degree requirements, contact your academic advisor or the Records Office.
After your enrollment is certified, the VA may take up to 30 business days to process your benefits. If you make changes to your enrollment after certification, Military Services will update your certification accordingly.
How do I drop a class or withdraw from the university?
Contact Records or your advisor if you need to drop a class, withdraw from a course, or withdraw from PLNU.
If you are using VA benefits, withdrawals may affect your finances. Military Services is required to report enrollment changes to the VA with or without mitigating (extenuating) circumstances, which may affect your certification and benefit payments for the term. If you are considering withdrawing from any classes, contact Military Services as soon as possible to review your options and understand the potential impact.
Can I use FAFSA with my VA benefits?
Yes! We recommend you complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This helps PLNU award you financial aid to cover costs not covered by the VA.
Can I use scholarships with my VA education benefits?
Yes! Note that some scholarships specifically for tuition and fees may be deducted from Chapter 31 and 33 payments.
For more information, please check out our myPLNU page: Military Services.
How much is my MHA or stipend each month?
You can use the VA’s online comparison tool to see your estimated MHA or stipend. The government periodically updates these amounts to reflect cost-of-living changes, and you can check current rates here.
When will I get my monthly payments?
Monthly payments begin the month after school starts, as long as you submit your Request for Certification in a timely manner. The VA prorates your MHA for the days you are enrolled in school each month.
For any questions about MHA or stipends, use the Ask VA tool online or call the VA Educational Benefits helping at (888) 442-4551.
When will my tuition and fees be paid?
For VR&E (Chapter 31) and Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) students, tuition and fees are billed to the VA after the final add/drop date each semester.
For DoD benefits, including ROTC scholarships or Tuition Assistance (TA), tuition and fees are billed to your military branch after the final add/drop date each semester.
For Quad II classes, billing occurs after the add/drop date for that session has passed to prevent incurring tuition debt with the VA or DoD.
What fees are not covered by the VA?
The VA does not cover fees for late registration, late payments, housing, or meal plans. Additionally, they will not cover the cost of repeated courses or courses that are not required for your degree. If you are uncertain about whether your courses apply to your degree, please contact our office or the Records department. For any charges not covered by your benefits, you can reach out to Student Financial Services to make payment arrangements.
What is the Yellow Ribbon Program?
The Yellow Ribbon Program helps cover tuition and fees that exceed the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) annual cap at private schools. It is available to students eligible for Chapter 33 benefits at the 100% level, including the Fry Scholarship. Please refer to the VA’s website to find the current maximum tuition and fee amounts.
PLNU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program and offers up to $13,000 per academic year for eligible students, which the VA matches. Eligible students are automatically enrolled. You can learn about eligibility here.
Do I need to submit transcripts?
Yes. The VA requires all schools to review prior credit and grant credit to students as appropriate. This is mandated by federal regulations 21.4253(d)(3) and 21.4254(C)(4). Submit your official transcripts to the Office of Admissions in one of these ways:
- E-transcript system for online and Graduate students: Use a service like Parchment.
If asked for an email, use gradprocessing@pointloma.edu - Mail: Be sure to send sealed, unopened transcripts to:
Point Loma Nazarene University
3900 Lomaland Dr.
San Diego, CA 92106
How do I request enrollment verification?
Enrollment verifications are requested through the Records Office. This may be needed for dependents of VA beneficiaries or to maintain base access.
When submitting your request, you will designate the recipient, select the communication method (mail, email, or fax), and specify which enrollment information needs to be verified.
What if I need to defer admission or attendance?
If you need to defer due to military service, complete all required forms and email Military Services with your full name, student ID, and program/major so we can assist with your request.
If you are deferring for a reason other than military service, you may reach out to your Admissions or Enrollment Counselor for next steps.
How do I contact the right office?
- For PLNU questions: Email militaryservices@pointloma.edu or call (619) 849-3025
- For VA questions: Use the Ask VA tool or call the VA Educational Benefits helpline at (888) 442-4551
Will my VA benefits cover Study Abroad?
Yes! VA benefits may be used for faculty-led study abroad programs at PLNU. To be eligible, the courses must apply toward your degree program, and a Parent Letter must be submitted as part of the approval process.
For more information about available programs and next steps, contact the Study Abroad team:
- Brian Becker - bbecker@pointloma.edu
- Chris Corbin - ccorbin@pointloma.edu