VA Student Checklist

1. Apply to Whitworth University.

   Educational benefits cannot be used prior to being fully admitted into a degree or certificate program. 

2. Apply for educational benefits with Veterans Affairs.

   Apply online. Once your application is approved by VA, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility by mail.
   
   If you need to update the number of transferred months, have your sponsor (family member) log into milConnect and submit a transfer request.

3. Submit your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to Whitworth's VA certifying official.

   You can email your COE to Alicia Ordaz (aordaz@whitworth.edu) or drop it off at our Military & Veterans Resource Center (MAVRC), building 63 (see map).

4. Submit all prior military and/or college transcripts.

   Request transcripts from all prior colleges and military education (e.g., JST for Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard; Air University/CCAF for Air Force, Space Force).

   Emailing your transcripts to admissions is preferred but they can also be mailed.

   Request JST transcripts here. 

   Request Air University or CCAF transcripts here. 

   Email: admissions@whitworth.edu 

   Mail to:
   
   Whitworth University
   Admissions Office
   300 W. Hawthorne Road
   Spokane, WA 99251
   

   For School of Continuing Studies or any graduate programs, please email transcripts to gradadmissions@whitworth.edu.

   Mail to:

   Whitworth University
   Continuing Studies (or Graduate Studies)
   300 W. Hawthorne Road
   Spokane, WA 99251

5. Register for classes.

   Ensure that you are registered for all courses before requesting VA enrollment. If your classes are not required for your program, contact Whitworth's VA certifying official to ask if those classes will be certifiable: aordaz@whitworth.edu.

   Note: Audit and waitlisted courses are not certifiable. 

6. Complete the online VA Enrollment Certification Request form. 

   Click here to complete the form preferably six weeks before each term. Email Whitworth's VA certifying official (aordaz@whitworth.edu) if you have issues submitting this form.  

   Note: Any changes to your schedule must be reported. Please email aordaz@whitworth.edu if changes are made after submitting this form. 

7. Attend the Mandatory VA Benefits Orientation

   If you're starting in the fall, you are required to attend a helpful session during Orientation Week at the MAVRC. This session will guide you through using your VA benefits, answer key questions, and connect you with essential resources. 

   Starting in a different semester? Contact aordaz@whitworth.edu to schedule your required orientation individually. 

8. Verify your school enrollment (not required for Chapters 31).

   Visit the Enrollment Verification website for information on how to verify your enrollment based on which benefit you’re using.