Student Veteran Education Benefits
Using Veterans' Benefits at Naropa
Naropa University is approved by the Colorado Office of Veterans Education and Training (COVET) for Veterans Education Benefits. Students can use their VA education benefits for approved degree programs.
Individuals with questions about their eligibility for VA benefits in general, please review the VA website or contact your local Veterans’ Administration branch.
Students eligible for any form of VA Education Benefits should notify the School Certifying Official team at vabenefits@naropa.edu to ensure timely certification of benefits.
VA Education Benefit Information
As a part of participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program, Naropa University offers a matching grant to students eligible for 100% of VA Chapter 33 Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® benefits. Under this program, Naropa is able to provide this form of funding for up to 50 students, up to $10,000/year.
What is Yellow Ribbon?
Yellow Ribbon is an agreement between the Department of Veteran Affairs and the school, which helps cover required out of pocket tuition and fee costs that exceed the annual Chapter 33 cap.
Is Naropa eligible?
Yes, Naropa participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Naropa University’s agreement allows for a matching grant up to $10,000 for 100 eligible students in a given year (50 graduate/50 undergraduate).
What students are eligible?
Students who are eligible for Chapter 33 benefits (Post 9/11 G.I. Bill®) at the 100% rate. This means you already served on active duty for at least 36 months or if you’re a spouse using the transferred benefits of an active-duty service member who meets these qualifications.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Students Using Chapter 30 benefits:
The Chapter 30-Active Duty GI Bill® provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans. Eligibility of benefits last 10 years from the date you were discharged from service. You must have received an honorable discharge. Monthly benefits are paid directly to the veteran.
- This benefit pays the student directly. This means that the student is responsible for paying their balance at Naropa. Payment Plans are available.
VA Education Benefit Checklist
- Apply Online.
- Call/By Mail:
- 888-442-4551, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET, to request that we send the application to you. Fill it out and mail it to the VA regional claims processing office.
- In person:
- Go to a VA regional office and have a VA employee help you.
To learn more about applying to Naropa please check out our Admissions page
- Proof of Eligibility –
- After the above application has processed with the VA, you will receive a new Certificate of Eligibility letter. The C.O.E. will detail the percentage of benefits you are eligible to receive through the VA. Once received, please upload a copy to us, documents will not be accepted via email.
- It may take a while for the VA to issue the Certificate of Eligibility Letter to you so you may send us an eBenefits print out of entitlement information, as a placeholder
- After the above application has processed with the VA, you will receive a new Certificate of Eligibility letter. The C.O.E. will detail the percentage of benefits you are eligible to receive through the VA. Once received, please upload a copy to us, documents will not be accepted via email.
- ALL Previous Education Transcripts –
- The VA requires all education transcripts to be reviewed, even if VA benefits were not being used at the time and/or you feel that the courses would not be relevant.
- Joint Service Transcripts (JST) –
- This is only a requirement for Veterans, not for Chapter 35 recipients or individuals using Transfer of Entitlement (ToE).
- Joint Service Transcripts can be requested for all military branches except Air Force.
- Air Force personnel should contact CCAF to receive transcripts.
- This is only a requirement for Veterans, not for Chapter 35 recipients or individuals using Transfer of Entitlement (ToE).
- Naropa VA Student MOU
- Students must read and completed the Naropa student MOU and upload it to the VA Document Portal. This document outlines rights and responsibilities for students using VA benefits.
- Meet with your academic advisor –
- It is essential to meet with your advisor before registration each semester to review degree progress and build your course schedule.
- Register for courses –
- VA education benefits will only cover courses that are required for degree completion. If you plan to take a course that is not required for your degree, you MUST notify the SCO and you may be responsible for paying for the course out of pocket.
- Chapters 30, 35, and 1606 – Students using these benefits are responsible for setting up a payment plan or paying for their tuition and fees, as their VA benefits do not pay the school. They are sent directly to the student.
- VA education benefits will only cover courses that are required for degree completion. If you plan to take a course that is not required for your degree, you MUST notify the SCO and you may be responsible for paying for the course out of pocket.
- Notify School Certifying Official (SCO) that enrollment is ready to certify –
- Your enrollment will not be submitted to the VA until this step has been completed.
- Report any changes to the SCO immediately –
- If your course schedule or enrollment level changes, you are required to notify the SCO immediately (within 72 hours).
Please note 9 credit hours is considered fulltime for Naropa Graduate Students.
- Enrollment Reported –
- The SCO will certify your courses with the VA once all required information is received.
- Secondary Certification–
- The SCO will perform a secondary certification once the add/drop period has ended, to request tuition and fees. Please keep in mind that it normally takes anywhere from 4-8 weeks for the VA to fully process and make payment after the enrollment has been sent.
- Any changes to your schedule/enrollment level after the beginning of the term may create a debt to the VA. If a tuition and fee debt is created, Naropa will initially return the fund to the VA, but you will be responsible for any balance this creates on your student account.
Students using Post 9/11 and the Montgomery GI Bill® must certify their enrollment each month with the VA in order to receive their housing allowances.
Allowing Veterans to Attend or Participate in Courses Pending VA Payment
Naropa University adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from VA. Naropa University will not:
- Prevent the student’s enrollment, or disenroll a student;
- Assess a late penalty fee to the student;
- Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
- Deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.
However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:
- Produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class;
- Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.
If VA funds will not fully cover the balance due, the student is responsible for prompt payment resolution at that time this becomes known. The Student Financial Services department can assist the student with applying for other forms of financial aid and/or setting up a payment plan to resolve the balance.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
