Office of Veteran Affairs and Veterans Benefits
Greetings! My name is Beck Hannaford, the Veteran Affairs (VA) certifying official for Ball State University. I am the go-to person for all your veteran benefits questions. We are honored to have been named a "Military Friendly" institution for the last two years. We are privileged to work with more than 400 veterans and family members who have selected Ball State as their university of choice.
There are several types of benefits you can receive, depending on you or your parents’ involvement with the military.
Chapter 1606 is for service members who are members of one of the reserves such as National Guard or Army Reserves.
Chapter 1607 is an educational benefit for reservists who have been deployed to active duty for at least 90 days.
If you have served at least 36 months in the military, you may be eligible for educational benefits under Chapter 30 or Post-9/11 G.I. Bill called Chapter 33. Also, if you are eligible for Chapter 33 benefits, you may be able to transfer them to your spouse or children.
Chapter 35 is for the children of veterans who receive a 100% disability rating.
Chapter 31 benefits are for veterans who were wounded while they served in the military and who have chosen to receive vocational rehabilitation and education training.
You may also qualify for a "kicker." A kicker contract is an additional payment that you were awarded by your branch of the military. This additional amount, usually from $100-350 per month, is added to your regular monthly check.
Now, you may have the question, “How much will I receive monthly with my benefits?” That is a great question! However, the benefits vary, so the best plan of action is to look them up on the Veteran Affairs website at www.gibill.va.gov or you can speak with a telephone professional at 1-888-442-4551. Please be aware that this is a busy telephone number and it is usually best to contact them at 8:01 AM.
How do you apply for your benefits? If you are a reservist or have been deployed to active duty, you will need to complete what is known as the Veterans Online Application (VONAPP) at www.gibill.va.gov. You will need to go to this site and complete Form 22-1990.
If you are the child of a disabled veteran and feel that you may be eligible for Chapter 35 benefits, you will need to go to the same website and complete Form 22-5495.
If you are a wounded warrior and would like to receive vocational rehabilitation, please contact the Indianapolis VA Office at 317-916-3746. You will speak to a counselor in the VA Office and they will arrange an appointment to start the process.
After you have completed these forms, be sure to send the Ball State Veterans Office the confirmation number you receive when you complete the application and your certificate of eligibility. Also, reservists and active duty veterans should send a copy of their discharge papers known as the DD214 no. 4. Please do not send these documents via email. Social Security numbers should only be sent via U.S. mail or by fax. The Ball State VA Office mailing address is Lucina Hall room 236, Muncie IN, 47306 and fax number is 765-285-7749.
As a rule of thumb, we recommend that you submit these documents 90 days before your term of enrollment at Ball State University. However, if the 90-day deadline has passed, please get this information to the Ball State VA Office as soon as possible. If the deadline has passed, this may result in your benefits being delayed or may be responsible for late charges.
How do you receive your benefits? Prior to the beginning of each semester, you need to request that the Ball State VA Office certify you. You can do this in the following ways:
- By filling out a paper application at the Ball State VA Office, Lucina Hall room 236
- By using our website
- By turning in a copy of your schedule and we can work from that document
*Disclaimer: Eligibility for VA benefits is determined by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Every student must contact the Department of Veteran Affairs to determine actual eligibility. The information contained in this document is for your reference and not a guarantee of your VA benefits.
Meet, Emilee Wolfley, our Veteran Affairs graduate assistant! Emilee mentors and provides resources to the student veterans at Ball State. She works with the various departments on campus to provide academic, career, and personal support to student veterans. Emilee also works closely with Ball State’s Student Veteran Organization. If you are new to campus, in need of support, or wish to become more involved in veteran affairs, please contact Emilee!
Email: osfavetga@bsu.edu
Phone: 765-285-5736
How to get to the Ball State Veteran Affairs Office!
Ball State’s Veteran Affairs Office is located on the second floor of Lucina Hall in room 236. Upon reaching the second floor, take a left and follow the signs posted. The office will be on the right. Please feel free to stop by at any time!
To notify Veterans Affairs of your completion of this module, click here.