Education

Download any flyer below for more information and dates for veteran-specific events occurring throughout the State of Idaho.

Do you want your organization’s activity or event highlighted on the Idaho SAA webpage? Submit a request along with a downloadable PDF (or PNG) flyer for approval to education@veterans.idaho.gov.

IDAHO VETERANS GUIDE

The Idaho Veterans Guide is an online resource for veterans and their families in need of assistance. The Veterans Resource Guide is a free and open network where veterans and their families have access to a variety of resources from anywhere in the United States.

All programs listed are provided at low or no cost. This guide is also a good resource for scholarship opportunities within Idaho and throughout the United States. Enter a zip code and select the Education tab to search with the following keywords: Scholarship and/or Education Assistance.

NEXT STEPS IDAHO

Next Step’s Idaho is a State of Idaho initiative in partnership with Idaho’s employers and is designed to help Idaho residents understand and pursue educational and career opportunities within the State of Idaho.

Dependent-specific waiver through Next Steps Idaho: The Armed Forces and Public Safety Officer (PSO) Dependent Scholarship provides a waiver of tuition and fees plus up to $750 per semester for books in addition to on-campus housing and subsistence to Idaho undergraduate students who are the children or spouses of military members or public safety officers. Click the link in the header for eligibility requirements and information on how to apply for the waiver.

Click links for additional resources on the Next Steps Idaho website:

1. Next Steps Idaho’s Scholarship Directory
2. Next Steps Idaho’s Resume & Cover Letter Builder

HIGHER-ED: SCHOLARSHIPS

• Idaho Scholarships – Click the link for access to a variety of scholarship opportunities are available for eligible Idaho residents, administered by the Idaho State Board of Education and the Idaho Workforce Development Council.
• Dependent Scholarships – Email education@veterans.idaho.gov for an updated PDF with links to over 30 scholarships for Veteran dependents.
• Spousal Scholarships – The National Military Family Association offers exclusive scholarships for military spouses. Check out the link for more information.

OTHER HIGHER-ED RESOURCES

VA Scholarships for Students in Medical and Healthcare Concentrations

• • VA offers scholarships to students looking to work in a VA healthcare facility, serving the nation’s Veterans. The scholarships the VA offers cover many degree and certification pursuits and can help to extend VA education benefits. For more information, check out VA.GOV’s education support webpage.

Veterans Upward Bound

• • The main focus of Veterans Upward Bound is to assist veterans in the development of academic and other requisite skills necessary for acceptance and success in a program of postsecondary education. The program provides assessment and enhancement of basic skills through counseling, mentoring, tutoring and academic instruction in the core subject areas. The primary goal of the program is to increase the rate at which participants enroll in and complete postsecondary education programs.
    • Veterans Upward Bound at Boise State University
    • Veterans Upward Bound at Idaho State University

Tutorial Assistance

• • Students may be reimbursed by GI BILL^® for tutoring fees. See VA.GOV’s Tutorial Assistance webpage for qualifying criteria for this education benefit.

Federal Aid

• • Non-VA resources for educational aid

STEM FUNDING

• National Science Foundation STEM Scholarships for Idaho Students With 5 million to support engineering and computer science students across Idaho, this grant establishes the Center for Advanced Energy Studies Scholars Consortium between Boise State University, the College of Western Idaho, and the College of Southern Idaho. Over 150 low-income students will receive scholarships to begin their academic journeys at CWI or CSI before transferring to BSU, where the scholarship will continue to support their degrees. See this link at S-STEM Scholars Program for more information.
• VA STEM Opportunities
• • • It may be possible to extend VA education benefits for beneficiaries whose field of study is STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) with the Edith Norse Rogers STEM Scholarship; click the scholarship link to be taken to VA.GOV’s webpage for specifics and criteria for this scholarship opportunity

For questions on payments or the GI Bill® call the Help Line at 1-888-442-4551 or submit a question through the Ask VA portal.

JOB TRAINING RESOURCES

• As an Idaho resident, you may qualify for tuition assistance for training; connect with an Idaho Workforce Development career planner here: Idaho Launch
• At the national level, the U.S. Department of Labor has a comprehensive apprenticeship information page just for Service Members and Veterans | Apprenticeship.gov. Take the time to discover how a registered apprenticeship can be a rewarding pathway to developing in demand workplace and technical skills while earning a paycheck.
• MyCAA – Spousal career advancement certification program. See the My CAA flyer below for more information and links.
• Idaho Department of Labor (IDOL) is a valuable resource for job seekers looking for services, job training or retraining opportunities, and to learn about and applying for unemployment benefits. As resource for Idaho’s employers, there are links that highlight the benefits of and strategies for hiring veterans. Also found on the IDOL website is an event calendar listing job fairs throughout Idaho as well as classes to prepare for and practice interviewing skills, help with resume writing, strategies for maximizing job searches, and more.

IMPORTANT GI BILL® LINKS & FORMS

• VA’s SOLID START website – VA is committed to supporting every service member transitioning from service. Check out the website for more information and useful quick links.
• VA.GOV to access and manage your VA benefits.
• To provide feedback to the VA on the GI Bill® use the VA GI Bill® Feedback System.
• To appeal a VA Education decision, follow the instructions on your VA correspondence. You may also go to this website, VA Decision Reviews And Appeals | Veterans Affairs, for more information on how to appeal a VA education decision.

• The certifying official at an approved school or place of employment is responsible for obtaining and maintaining prior credit records (from the military, post-secondary schools, On-the-Job training or Apprenticeship training and vocational career schools in the form of a transcript issued by the organization) showing that prior credit review was conducted, and when appropriate, awarded.

To request military transcripts, use the links below:

THE ACE MILITARY GUIDE

• American Council on Education (ACE) Military Guide
• Guide to Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Forces

FOR MORE INFORMATON ABOUT MILITARY TRANSCRIPTS, CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE VETS.GOV WEBSITE.

FOR VETERANS AND QUALIFIED BENEFICIARIES 

Submitting your application online is the preferred method to apply for VA education benefits.

• Submit your online application here https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/.
• You will be asked to provide the applicant’s basic information along with your, or your sponsor’s, military service information and direct deposit banking/routing information.
• It takes approximately 30 days for the VA to review your application and issue a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) letter.
• COE letters are physically mailed to the address you listed on your application.
• If you have trouble with the online application, contact the GI Bill® Help Line:1-888-GIBill1 (1-888-442-4551).

Process to submit a paper application:

• You may elect to submit a paper application by calling 1-888-442-4551 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET) and request an application be sent to you.
• Once filled it out, you will be required mail it to the VA regional claims processing office that’s in the same location as your school.
• Get a list of regional claims processing offices.

Only the VA can determine eligibility; for more information about each specific GI Bill® chapter go to VA’s Education Programs webpage. NOTE: There is more than one VA education program under the GI Bill® (called chapters). Beneficiaries may qualify for just one chapter or for more than one chapter, so it is best to take the time to research how to utilize qualifying education benefits in a way that supports your personal education and career goals.

PROTECT EDUCATION BENEFITS

The Idaho SAA and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are committed to protecting Veterans and their beneficiaries from various forms of fraud aimed at stealing earned benefits. Education benefits, such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, help Veterans pay for college, graduate school, and training programs. While there are many educational institutions that provide great opportunities as the next step for Veterans after their military service, there are also institutions that use misleading practices to target Veterans and their dependents.

What you can do to help VA protect your benefits:

• Choose GI Bill® Approved Schools. Use the WEAMS Institution Search Tool to find GI Bill approved schools.
• Using the GI Bill® Comparison Tool. Compare the benefits they’ll receive at different schools. If you have a concern or complaint regarding any school or training center, you may also use the GI Bill® Feedback Tool to make VA aware of an issue.
• Learn about the Principles of Excellence Program. This program requires schools that receive federal funding through programs such as the GI Bill® to follow certain guidelines.
• Find schools that take part in the Yellow Ribbon Program. This program can help Veterans pay for school costs not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.

What Can You Do If You Suspect Fraud?

• To report suspected fraud, please contact the Veteran Service Member Family Fraud Evasion Office at VSAFE.
• You may also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by visiting reportfraud.ftc.gov.
• If you miss a VA benefits payment, identify a discrepancy in payments, or find suspicious activity with your direct deposit account, contact the VA immediately at 1-800-827-1000.

Is there a tuition waiver for dependents of 100% permanently and totally disabled veterans?

• Yes – here is a link to information about the Armed Forces and PSO Dependent Education Scholarship: Armed Forces and PSO Dependent Scholarship – Next Steps Idaho

Can I get an extension on my GI Bill®?

• It depends on your circumstances – here is a link to eligibility requirements and application for an extension: Getting A GI Bill Extension | Veterans Affairs

Can I get a refund if I do not use my Montgomery GI Bill?

• Yes – here is a link to information regarding a refund: Montgomery GI Bill Refunds | Veterans Affairs

What is the first step with my school in using my benefits?

• Apply for your Certificate of Eligibility here: How To Apply For The GI Bill And Related Benefits | Veterans Affairs (for more information, see the detailed instructions listed in the next tab).
• Speak with the veterans or financial aid office at your school and let them know you want to use veteran education benefits.

How do I know if my school or employer is approved for veterans’ education benefits?

• Search for your school or employer using the GI Bill Comparison Tool: GI Bill® Comparison Tool | Veterans Affairs

I’m interested in using VR&E, can your office help me?

• VR&E has its own office in Idaho.
• You can visit this site to see eligibility requirements and apply to speak with a counselor: Eligibility For Veteran Readiness And Employment | Veterans Affairs

I want to use my benefits, but my school or employer isn’t listed on the GI Bill Comparison Tool. What should I do?

• Have your school or employer contact our office to review approval eligibility at education@veterans.idaho.gov

I want to transfer benefits to my dependents. How do I do that?

• If you are no longer in service, you are unable to transfer benefits to dependents.
• If you have transferred at least one month of benefit to a dependent(s), you may transfer benefits between them as needed.
• You will need to request a Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) using milConnect. Service obligation must be agreed to prior to request.
• Transfer Your Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits | Veterans Affairs

The primary function of the VA Certifying Official (aka SCO) is to inform the VA of all enrollments as well as changes to enrollments or changes at the approved facility within 30 days of the change [see Public Law 118-210 section 206 (a)(b) and (c)].

Report all changes be to a beneficiary’s enrollment to include but not limited to:

• New enrollments
• Leave of Absences, withdrawals, or terminations
• Change in tuition and fees
• Change in reported hours as well as enrollment start or end date

Report facility specific changes, such as but not limited to:

• Change of certifying officials
• Change in policies or procedures
• Change of owner or address
• Changes in accreditation or licensing status
• Substantial changes to the facility’s policies or procedures

VA Certifying Officials are required to report beneficiary-specific updates or changes to enrollments electronically on VA’s Enrollment Manager. Effective July 1st, 2023, VA will no longer accept hardcopy paper or PDF enrollment certifications on behalf of beneficiaries.

OTHER RESPONSIBLITIES OF VA CERTIFYING OFFICIALS

Additionally, VA Certifying Officials are required to appropriately review prior credit of all enrolled beneficiaries: The certifying official is responsible for obtaining and maintaining prior credit records (from the military, post-secondary schools, OJT and Apprenticeship training, and vocational career schools in the form of a transcript issued by the organization) showing that prior credit review was conducted, and when appropriate, awarded. See the “Requesting Military Transcripts” tab above for details on requesting military transcripts.

SCO RESOURCES AND FORMS

IHL-NCD Certifying Official’s Handbook

OJT-APP Certifying Official’s Handbook

Veterans Readiness & Employment (VR&E) Certifying Official’s Handbook

VA’s Resources for Certifying Officials

VA’s revised and updated SCO Resource Matrix

VA’s frequently updated GovDelivery Archives

22-8794 Designation of Certifying Officials

• Submitted by an approved facility within 30 days of changes to its certifying official’s and/or read-only official’s information. You may contact this office (education@veterans.idaho.gov) for the most current 22-8794 form.

APPRENTICESHIP’s and ON-THE-JOB TRAINING FACILITITES:

• APP and OJT Sample Tracker – Used by the Veteran or beneficiary to track the hours listed on the training outline.