How to Read Your Certificate of Eligibility, and Why You Should

You'll likely never forget the amount of paperwork that your military service generated. Others may have cautioned you never to throw anything out when you first joined. Unfortunately, the paperwork continues after you leave the military, too. One of the pieces of paperwork you must pay attention to is the Certificate of Eligibility.

Luckily, you can access it online, so you don't have to deal with physical paperwork, but either way, you'll want to pay attention to specific sections of this form.

What is the Certificate of Eligibility?

This form tells you how much of your education benefits you have remaining. Each time you apply for benefits -- which should be each term you register for classes -- you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

There are sections for various other things, including how to start receiving benefits and what to do if there is an error on the form. 

What's on this form?

On the first page, you'll see your eligibility percentage. For most people, this is 100%, but the amount is based on the total length of service and may vary. It's important to remember that this percentage will be paid out, both for tuition and the monthly housing allowance.

You'll also see how many months and days are remaining of your eligibility. This amount is accurate from when you applied. The COE will also list your school, the housing allowance amount you are eligible for, and your book stipend. You'll also be able to see what the VA will not pay for. 

The following sections will show you what else you may be eligible for, including the Yellow Ribbon Program, as well as directions on what you should do with this form. The Debt Information section explains what steps are required if you change your enrollment, drop or withdraw from a class, or don't attend classes. 

What if something is wrong?

If you have questions, wish to appeal something on the form, or discover the information is incorrect, there are directions on how to contact the VA. Read this section carefully so you submit the correct form for a supplemental claim, higher-level review, or appeal to the board. There are several ways to contact the VA for specific questions you may have.

For more details on the COE, check out the example online on the VA's website.