Veterans who wish to use their VA benefits to pay their educational expenses should contact the Office of Veteran Student Services as soon as possible.

To receive VA educational benefits at IU South Bend, follow these steps:

1. Provide the Office of Admissions and the Office of Veteran Student Services with the following forms:
• Copies of your DD-214 member-4 copy obtained from the unit-if discharged from regular service
• Copies of DD2384 or NOBE (Notice of Basic Eligibility) obtained from the unit-if Reserve or Guard.


IMPORTANT: Take originals to your county courthouse to get a copy placed on microfilm as soon as possible.
2. Fill out the Application for Benefits (can be sent prior to registration), and be sure to go over this with the IU South Bend Office of Veteran Student Services.
3. Get registered for classes. You must be registered before your attendance will be certified.
4. Fill out IU South Bend Office of Veteran Student Services registration form for each semester you register. Submit all paper work to IU South Bend Veteran Student Services Office.
5. Chapters 1606, 30, 32, 35 paperwork goes to VA Regional Office in St. Louis, Missouri. Chapter 31 paperwork goes to VA Regional Office in Indianapolis, Indiana. First-time submission takes up to eight weeks to be processed.
6. Chapter 30 receives attendance verification forms in the mail that must be filled out and sent back to St. Louis before you can receive your monthly check.
7. Checks are sent to the veteran's home address, except for advance pay. Allow eight weeks for VA to process benefits.
8. If any changes are made by the veteran, the Office of Veteran Student Services must be notified. For example, change in credit hours, change of address or phone number.
9. All veterans, especially veterans receiving advance pay, are completely responsible for payment of fees by the due date. Short-term deferments and payment plans for tuition are handled through the Office of the Bursar: 237-4320. Contact the Office of Financial Aid to see if you qualify for aid. In order to receive advanced pay you must be registered at least 30 days prior to semester beginning and paperwork must be submitted by the Veteran Student Services Office.
10. Veteran must maintain a GPA that is consistent with the academic regulations of Indiana University. See the IU South Bend Bulletin for details.
11. Contact the Regional VA Office for general benefit information at 1 (800)-827-1000. You can contact the IU South Bend Office of Veteran Student Services at (574) 237-4115.

Children of Disabled Veterans

If your parent is a Purple Heart recipient or a disabled veteran with less than a 100 percent disability and you wish to claim benefits as the Child of a Disabled Veteran (CDV), you must complete the necessary paperwork through the IU South Bend Office of Financial Aid to file for Indiana benefits.

If your parent is a 100 percent disabled veteran or has died due to a service-related injury, you may be eligible for both state and federal benefits. Visit both the Office of Veteran Student Services and IU South Bend Office of Financial Aid to file the necessary paperwork.

General Questions?

For general questions and answers on VA benefits, visit these sites:

• VA Mobilization policy
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Education Service
• Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs