Military Benefits

New Student Veterans and Dependents:

Veterans and military members are directed to receive approval from your ESO, military counselor, or service prior to enrolling at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Students must be accepted and pre-registered for classes at SMSU prior to getting certified for your Veterans Education Benefits. Apply for your VA Education benefits by filling out the Application for Education Benefits (VA Form # 22-1990 or VA Form # 22-5490 for dependents) either online (www.gibill.va.gov) or by paper copy which can be obtained online or from the Veterans Certifying Official, located in the Registration Office, IL 148. New transfer students or new students who have used benefits before need to fill out the Change in Place of Training Form (VA Form 22-1999 or 22-5495 for dependents). Be sure you provide a paper copy to the Veterans Certifying Official (IL 148) for your file.

To Ensure Timely and Consistent Payment:

• Report intentions to use benefits each semester to SMSU's SCO.
• Maintain a 2.00 grade point average.
• Maintain 12 credits (A-F graded) to receive full time pay rate.
• Know policy on repeated classes, non-punitive grades (CR/NC) and courses dropped with a “W”.
• Chapters 1606 and 30 must verify monthly enrollment on the GI Bill website (www.gibill.va.gov/WAVE) or by calling 1-888-442-4551 before monthly payment will be issued.
• Report any change of major or address to the Veterans Certifying Official.
• Notify Certifying Official when there is a change in status that may affect your pay rate or if you will not be returning to school the following academic year/term. Failure do so may result in an overpayment which means you will be responsible for repayment to the Veterans Administration or future payments will be reduced until overpayment is made in full.

Contact Information and Additional Resources:

Campus Education Benefits Certifying Officials:
Eric White | 507-537-6206 | IL 148
Eric.White@smsu.edu

Molli Anderson | 507-537-6206 | IL 148
Molli.Anderson@smsu.edu

Regional Veterans Service Coordinator:
Justin Guggisberg | 507-537-7213 | BA 140
Justin.Guggisberg@smsu.edu

Veterans Resource Center | Southwest Minnesota State University (smsu.edu)

Director of Financial Aid:
Natasha Boe | 507-537-6448 | IL 145
Natasha.Boe@smsu.edu

Accessibility Services | Southwest Minnesota State University (smsu.edu)

Career Services | Southwest Minnesota State University (smsu.edu)

GI Bill:
Benefits Website
Toll Free 1-800-827-1000 (all benefits)

VA Education Benefits:
Toll free # - 1-888-442-4551

GI Bill Verification:
Toll Free 1-877-823-2378

SMSU intends to comply with Executive Order 13607-- Establishing Principles of Excellence for Educational Institutions Serving Service Members, Veterans, Spouses, and Other Family Members.