top image

Veteran and Military Educational Benefits

  1. Financial Aid
  2. 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. Receive Certificate of Eligibility from VA (takes 4-12 weeks), fill out the Veterans Educational Benefits Request Form (VA Declaration of Intent) and attach an unofficial copy of the Veteran’s or Custodial Veteran’s Form DD214 and return to the VA Certifying Official

Amanda Burgstrom at the University of Montana Western
710 South Atlantic St.
Dillon, MT 59725
Phone: 406-683-7511
Fax: 406-683-7510

  1. Register for classes
  2. 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. Receive Certificate of Eligibility from VA (takes 4-12 weeks), fill out the Veterans Educational Benefits Request Form (VA Declaration of Intent) and attach an unofficial copy of the Veteran’s or Custodial Veteran’s Form DD214 and return to the VA Certifying Official

Amanda Burgstrom at the University of Montana Western
710 South Atlantic St.
Dillon, MT 59725
Phone: 406-683-7511
Fax: 406-683-7510

  1. Register for classes.
  2. 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. Receive Certificate of Eligibility from VA (takes 4-12 weeks), fill out the Veterans Educational Benefits Request Form (VA Declaration of Intent) and attach an unofficial copy of the Veteran’s or Custodial Veteran’s Form DD214 and return to the VA Certifying Official

Amanda Burgstrom at the University of Montana Western
710 South Atlantic St.
Dillon, MT 59725
Phone: 406-683-7511
Fax: 406-683-7510

  1. Register for classes.
  2. 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.

  1. Apply for Admission at Montana Western, and fully complete the application process.
  2. Receive Certificate of Eligibility from VA (takes 4-12 weeks), fill out the Veterans Educational Benefits Request Form (VA Declaration of Intent) and attach an unofficial copy of the Veteran’s or Custodial Veteran’s Form DD214 and return to the VA Certifying Official

Amanda Burgstrom at the University of Montana Western
710 South Atlantic St.
Dillon, MT 59725
Phone: 406-683-7511
Fax: 406-683-7510

  1. Register for classes
  2. Sign appropriate deferred payment plan with Business Services. For assistance, please call 406-683-7101.

Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation

  1. Apply for Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
  2. Work with VA Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to create an education plan
  3. Obtain an Authorization for the school (usually sent from Vocational Rehabilitation Directly to Montana Western)
  4. Apply for admission at Montana Western, and fully complete the application process.
  5. Register for classes
  6. Fill out the Veterans Educational Benefits Request Form (VA Declaration of Intent) and return to the VA Certifying Official at Montana Western:

Amanda Burgstrom at the University of Montana Western
710 South Atlantic St.
Dillon, MT 59725
Phone: 406-683-7511
Fax: 406-683-7510

  1. Contact Business Services by calling 406-683-7101 to arrange for a Third Party Pay Agreement
  2. Obtain Bookstore Authorization from Business Services for books and supplies, if authorized
  3. Monitor account and submit grades to Vocational Rehabilitation at end of term

If you have questions regarding the above processes, please contact Amanda Burgstrom in the Financial Aid Office by calling 406-683-7516.