Veteran and Military Educational Benefits

‘‘GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.”

If you qualify to use Veterans Educational Benefits to pay for school, please see the categories below and instructions for applying to use your benefits at Montana Western:

Post 9-11 GI Bill®

Benefits process for Active Duty, Montgomery GIB, Post 9-11 GIB®, 1606, 1607, Survivors and Dependents of Disabled Veterans

1. Apply for VA Educational Benefits online
2. Apply for Admission at Montana Western, and fully complete the application process
3. Request your Certificate of Eligibility from VA (May take 4-12 weeks) & submit a copy to the Financial Aid Office located in the Short Administration Building. You may also email it to [email protected]
4. Complete and submit the Veterans Educational Benefits Request Form (VA Declaration of Intent) to the Financial Aid Office located in the Short Administration Building. You may also email it to [email protected]
5. Register for classes, contact your Advisor or the Registrar’s Office with any questions 406-683-7371
6. Sign appropriate deferred payment plan with Business Services. For assistance, please call 406-683-7101

Dependent Transfer of Entitlement for Post 9-11 GI Bill®

1. Apply for Transfer of Benefits online.
2. Apply for VA Educational Benefits online.
3. Apply for Admission at Montana Western, and fully complete the application process.
4. Request your Certificate of Eligibility from VA (May take 4-12 weeks) & submit a copy to the Financial Aid Office located in the Short Administration Building. You may also email it to [email protected]
5. Complete and submit the Veterans Educational Benefits Request Form (VA Declaration of Intent) to the Financial Aid Office located in the Short Administration Building. You may also email it to [email protected]
6. Register for classes, contact your Advisor or the Registrar’s Office with any questions 406-683-7371
7. Sign appropriate deferred payment plan with Business Services. For assistance, please call 406-683-7101

Survivors and Dependents Benefits

Benefits process for Active Duty, Montgomery GIB, Post 9-11 GIB®, 1606, 1607, Survivors & Dependents of Disabled Veterans

1. Apply for VA Educational Benefits online
2. Apply for Admission at Montana Western, and fully complete the application process
3. Request your Certificate of Eligibility from VA (May take 4-12 weeks) & submit a copy to the Financial Aid Office located in the Short Administration Building. You may also email it to [email protected]
4. Complete and submit the Veterans Educational Benefits Request Form (VA Declaration of Intent) to the Financial Aid Office located in the Short Administration Building. You may also email it to [email protected]
5. Register for classes, contact your Advisor or the Registrar’s Office with any questions 406-683-7371
6. Sign appropriate deferred payment plan with Business Services. For assistance, please call 406-683-7101

Active Duty Reserves (1606 or 1607)

Benefits process for Selected Reserves, 1606 (1607)

1. Apply for VA Educational Benefits online.

Note: You must have completed training and attached to a unit with a Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) issued.

2. Apply for Admission at Montana Western, and fully complete the application process.
3. Request your Certificate of Eligibility from VA (May take 4-12 weeks) & submit a copy to the Financial Aid Office located in the Short Administration Building. You may also email it to [email protected]
4. Complete and submit the Veterans Educational Benefits Request Form (VA Declaration of Intent) to the Financial Aid Office located in the Short Administration Building. You may also email it to [email protected]
5. Register for classes, contact your Advisor or the Registrar’s Office with any questions 406-683-7371
6. Sign appropriate deferred payment plan with Business Services. For assistance, please call 406-683-7101

Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

1. Apply for Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
2. Work with VA VR&E Representative to create an education plan
3. Obtain an Authorization for the school (usually sent from VR&E representative directly to Montana Western)
4. Apply for admission at Montana Western, and fully complete the application process.
5. Complete and submit the Veterans Educational Benefits Request Form (VA Declaration of Intent) to the Financial Aid Office located in the Short Administration Building. You may also email it to [email protected]
6. Register for classes, contact your Advisor or the Registrar’s Office with any questions 406-683-7371
7. Contact Business Services by calling 406-683-7101 to arrange for a Third Party Pay Agreement
8. Obtain Bookstore Authorization from Business Services for books and supplies, if authorized
9. Monitor account and submit grades to VR&E representative at end of term

If you have questions regarding the above processes, please contact the Financial Aid Office by calling 406-683-7511