Registrar's Office

Ducks

Frequently Asked Questions


Listed below are a few of the most frequently asked questions from students receiving VA benefits.

We've also provided a link to the FAQs page of the GI Bill website. If you have additional questions not answered here or on the GI Bill website, feel free to contact the Registrar's Office with your question.

Choose a question:

My benefit check did not arrive when I expected it to. What happened?

Several factors may contribute to a delay in payment. Your benefit may be delayed due to heavy workload at the regional VA office. If any changes were made to your registration status, a delay in payment could occur. Please contact the Atlanta Regional Office at 1-888-442-4551 for questions about your certification for benefits.

What is a "kicker" and how do I know if it pertains to me?

An individual's branch of service may offer the College Fund. The College Fund money, or "kicker," is an additional amount of money that increases an individual's basic MGIB monthly benefit and is included in his or her VA payment.

Important: An individual cannot receive his or her College Fund money without receiving MGIB. A common misunderstanding is that the College Fund is a separate benefit from MGIB. Actually, the College Fund is part of the MGIB. It's an add-on to the basic MGIB benefit.

Qualifications for the "College Fund" are established by the military branches. The qualifications are usually based on a critical occupational specialty. The VA does not determine eligibility to this additional benefit.

If you qualify for the College Fund, you do not receive it in one lump sum payment. Your total College Fund is divided into monthly payments that are added to regular MGIB payments.

How long does it take to process benefits?

If you have never used your VA benefits before, or if you have had a lapse in your benefits, you can expect processing to take 8 to 10 weeks.

Have a question we did not answer?

More information is available on the GI Bill website's extensive list of Frequently Asked Questions.


For more information, email pskinner@gardner-webb.edu
or call 704-406-3591