Office of the Registrar

Veteran Enrollment Certification

To receive education benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) students must first apply to the VA and receive a Certificate of Eligibility or obtain a Notice of Basic Eligibility (Guard or Reserves). A copy of the certificate must be provided to the Certification Section of the Registrar’s Office. Then each semester after registration is finalized, students submit the on-line Mason Veterans Registration Reporting Form (VRRF). The University certifies enrollment to the VA based on the information provided on the reporting form. Students must promptly notify the VA of enrollment, program, and address changes in addition to submitting an updated on line VRRF. See Frequently Asked Questions below for more information.  Mason does not provide advance payment of benefits.

To ensure continuity of benefits, students should complete registration and submission of the on-line Mason Veterans Registration Reporting Form in a timely manner. Students receiving benefits under Chapters 30, 1606, or 1607 must also verify their enrollment to the VA each month using VA W.A.V.E. (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment) or by calling the toll free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone line at 1-877-823-2378. The earliest students can verify their enrollment is the last calendar day of each month.

The Application for VA Education Benefits and other forms and information are on the Department of Veterans Affairs website. The Registrar’s Office does not provide application forms and cannot assist in filling them out or submitting them to the VA. Please note that it is the student’s responsibility to provide all relevant and supporting documentation to the VA and Registrar’s Office as appropriate. If you need additional assistance, please call the VA toll-free number 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) to speak with a Veterans Benefits Counselor.

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services can also help veterans and their families file for state and federal VA benefits. For more information, contact the Fairfax Field Office at 703-359-1210 or the field office in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• When can I submit my Veterans Registration Reporting Form (VRRF)?

  • Submit your VRRF online as soon as your registration is finalized and you expect no further changes to your schedule.

• Can I submit my VRRF if I have waitlisted classes?

  • No, you must actually be registered in all classes. You cannot be certified for waitlisted classes.

• What happens if I forget to submit my VRRF?

  • You will not be certified to receive benefits until you submit your VRRF.

• How do I receive monthly payments?

  • For students receiving benefits under Chapters 30, 1606, or 1607, you will not receive your monthly payment until you have verified your attendance with the VA each month. Your enrollment can be verified starting on the last calendar day of the month by using VA Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE ) or by calling the VA Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone line at 1-877-823-2378. Allow at least three workdays for the system to update. Students receiving benefits under other chapters, including the Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), do not have to verify attendance in order to receive benefit payments.

• How do I change my address?

  • Promptly update your address on Patriot Web and notify the VA by using WAVE.

• What should I do if there is a change in my enrollment?

  • Immediately submit an updated VRRF on line and notify the VA by using the “Ask a Question” tab in the “Questions and Answers” section of the GI BILL website. If the VA does not receive prompt notice of a change, you could be liable for an overpayment of benefits.

• What if my degree program or major has changed after submitting my VRRF?

  • Send an e-mail to veterans@gmu.edu to request that your program be updated in VA ONCE.

• What if I have more questions about my benefits?

  • Check for more VA FAQs on the web.

• How Can I Prevent an Overpayment?

  • An overpayment is an incorrect benefit payment that is more than the amount to which you are entitled. If you promptly notify the VA of changes affecting your benefits, you can prevent or reduce overpayments. In addition, use reasonable judgment when you accept and cash a check. Carefully read all letters from the VA about the monthly rates and effective dates of your benefits. If you think the amount of a payment is wrong, contact the VA before using funds from the payment. The VA will tell you how to return your incorrect payment. If you cash a check for the wrong amount, or receive an incorrect deposit into your bank account, you will be liable for repayment of any resulting overpayment. For Chapter 33 students, if VA makes an excess payment of tuition and fees to Student Accounts you will be liable for repayment of the excess amount which will be refunded to you by Student Accounts.

• How does Tuition Assistance (TA) work at Mason?

  • Third Party Billing in Student Accounts handles Tuition Assistance (TA) for military members. See their detailed procedures for more information. Final grades may not automatically be sent to military agencies. TA grade report forms are processed through the Certification section of the Registrar's Office and can be faxed to 703.993.2467. Questions concerning grade reporting should be addressed to verify@gmu.edu or 703.993.2448.

• What is Tuition Assistance Top Up?

  • The Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty education program permits VA to pay a Tuition Assistance Top Up benefit. The amount of the benefit can be equal to the difference between the total cost of a college course and the amount of Tuition Assistance that is paid by the military for the course. See the GI Bill website for Tuition Assistance Top-up details.

• Does Mason participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program?

  • Each academic year, Mason will provide Yellow Ribbon Program contributions on a first come, first served basis as long as Mason continues to participate in the program. Please go to Yellow Ribbon Program at Mason to review the details of Mason’s contributions.

• Who is eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program?

  • Only individuals entitled to receive 100% of benefits payable under the Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) may receive this funding. Included are dependents eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under Chapter 33. To be considered for the Yellow Ribbon Program, a Certification of Eligibility must first be on file showing your Yellow Ribbon Program eligibility. VA has determined that active duty members and spouses of active duty members with Transfer of Entitlement are not eligible.

• What are the Yellow Ribbon Program Application Procedures at Mason?

  • Students must submit a copy of their VA Certificate of Eligibility showing 100% benefit eligibility and Yellow Ribbon Program eligibility; register for classes in an approved program; and submit an online Veterans Registration Reporting Form (VRRF) indicating application for the Chapter 33 Yellow Ribbon Program. Contributions are provided for the academic year on a first come, first served basis as determined by the date of the Fall semester VRRF submission up to the maximum number of individuals for whom contributions will be made in any given academic year. A VRRF cannot be accepted prior to registration and submission of the Certificate of Eligibility. Mason will provide Yellow Ribbon contributions during the current academic year and all subsequent academic years in which Mason is participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program and the student maintains satisfactory progress, conduct, and attendance.