Several Milligan University students who rely on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits are experiencing delays in their monthly payments due to a slowdown in benefit certification processing because of the government shutdown.
Milligan currently serves 44 students who use VA education benefits. That group includes nine student veterans and 35 students using benefits transferred from a parent or spouse.
The payment delay is primarily affecting students using Chapter 35 benefits, officially known as the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program. The benefit provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are disabled due to a service-related condition or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related disability.
“Our Chapter 35 students who have that benefit have their monthly payments delayed, because their certification of benefits is being processed slower,” said Kathryn Daugherty, Milligan’s assistant registrar, who handles VA benefit certifications. This slowdown affects 22 students at the university.
Adding to the frustration, Daugherty said that previously “helpful hotlines have been shut down,” limiting the ability of school officials to troubleshoot issues or get up-to-date information.
Daugherty explained that amid the government shutdown, her ability to directly resolve the payment issues is limited.
“I can continue to certify their benefits but that’s really all I personally can do,” she said. This certification process sends the VA a verification of a student’s enrollment at Milligan, which is necessary for their benefits to be paid.
Despite the current delays, Daugherty reassured students that the payments are not lost. “The education benefits will be paid out; it’s just being a delayed process. It hasn’t stopped — it’s just been slower than normal.”
In contrast to Chapter 35, students using Chapter 33, or Post-9/11 GI Bill, have not experienced these payment delays. The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides education benefits for individuals who served on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001. This benefit typically covers tuition and fees, provides a monthly housing allowance (MHA), and a book stipend. For many, the tuition and fees are paid directly to the school, while the MHA and book stipend go to the student.
“We did get informed when it did shut down, the education benefits would be paid out. Chapter 33’s enrollment is certified before the semester starts, so they have their payments so it’s really just the Chapter 35 have been slowed down,” Daugherty said.
Cover Photo: View of scenery walking down Sutton Hill, Photo Credit: Danielle Roberts.
