Checklist for New Student Veterans

Before Discharge

1. Obtain copies of:
   • High School Diploma
   • Medical and Dental Records (can be requested through the National Archive)
   • DD-214, (can be requested through the National Archive)
   • Awards and Letters of recommendation
   • College Education Transcripts (Military Joint Service Transcripts)
   • Certificate of Eligibility - (you can do this online through the Veterans Affairs (VA)
   • Print out of the GI Bill Comparison Tool Quote
2. Obtain your Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
   • Create your MyPay, GI-Bill, and VA.gov accounts (write down your user names and passwords in a secure place).
   • To activate your GI-Bill, you need to submit your application for educational benefits using VA Form 22-1990. If you have any questions, eBenefits can walk you through the application form by calling 1-800-983-0937. Allow at least three months before school starts for the VA to process your application.
   • Make sure to select Post 9/11 GI-Bill (Chapter 33), on your application. You may use the Montgomery GI-Bill (Chapter 30), but it will not pay Fordham's tuition in full and you will not qualify for the Post 9/11 GI-Bill Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).
3. Once your application is processed by the VA, the VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in the mail. (Allow four to five weeks for delivery.)
   • When you receive your COE, make sure to e-mail a copy of your COE and your DD-214 (member copy 4) to your corresponding Fordham certifying official so they can create your student/VA profile and get your credits certified. (You must do this to start your VA benefits on time.)
     • Rose Hill/Westchester: Ms. Seton Heslin-Scott ([email protected])
     • Lincoln Center: Ms. Mara Saumell ([email protected])
4. Once you pass your end of active service (EAS), immediately call the VA Education, Benefits, and Training Department at (1-888-442-4551) and ask the following questions to prepare accordingly:
   • Are you registered as a veteran in their system? (You need to be registered as a veteran in their system to receive BAH). Do not assume this happens automatically. You may need to send the VA a copy of your DD-214 to confirm your eligibility.
   • Make sure your mailing address and pertinent information are updated with the VA as they periodically send important mail.
   • Arrange to set up your direct deposit information in their system. You will need to provide the VA your personal bank routing number and account number. Otherwise, expect to receive a check by mail which could further delay receipt of your benefits.

Note A: If your semester starts before your end of active service, (i.e. going to college during your terminal leave), there may be some financial planning issues to work out. Reach out to your certifying officials (Ms. Heslin-Scott/ Ms. Saumell).

Note B: Do note, there's a delay in receiving your BAH and it usually takes about a month – i.e. receiving your housing allowance for September/January on October/February 1st. Plan your financials accordingly.

Welcome to Fordham University

Arrange a tour of your campus. Familiarize yourself with the beautiful landscape and the opportunities that Fordham has to offer. We have three campuses located throughout New York.

1. It is imperative that you take a copy of your immunization records to Fordham's health services office or email it to [email protected] to verify your immunizations. Make sure that Fordham's health services confirms receipt and update your compliance status in a timely manner. Failure to comply will result in your disenrollment from Fordham. This is required by state law. Vaccination records are required to comply with federal and state law. Without them, you can be automatically disenrolled which means you will not get paid.
2. Visit our Academic Advising for Veterans, get in touch with one of our dedicated academic advisors, and register for your classes.
3. Email your Fordham certifying officials detailing your registered classes and the number of credits you are taking each semester.
4. Your Fordham certifying official will send you an email informing you that your credits were certified and that it has been sent to the VA.
5. Always do your due diligence and confirm with the VA that they received the certification. (Be advised, this may take up to a week or more for them to receive the certification.)
6. Due to the delay in receiving your benefits, be prepared to buy books and supplies, rent or housing deposits, and other living expenses out of pocket until you receive your BAH. It may take time for Fordham and the VA to process these requests. Feel free to contact your Veteran Certifying Officer to ensure all of your required documentation is in order.
7. You must complete and submit the Enrollment Certification Request for Veterans Benefits form. This needs to occur every semester, AFTER you register for your classes. Watch this instructional video on how to complete our Fordham self certification form, after you register for your Fall classes.

Rose Hill/Westchester
(student veterans and dependents)
Ms. Seton Heslin-Scott
[email protected]
718-817-5905

Lincoln Center and Online Social Work
(student veterans and dependents)
Ms. Mara Saumell
[email protected]
212-636-7717

Law School
(student veterans and dependents)
Ms. Ursula Duran
[email protected]
212-636-6872

Welcome to Student Veterans at Fordham (SVAF). We are an exclusive organization of student veterans, dependents, and alumnae. Connect with us and become an active part of our strong network or peers.

• Meet our Office of Military and Veterans Services Staff and our current Student Veterans at Fordham (SVAF) Leaders.

Veterans Medical/Health Insurance

If you haven’t done this already, make sure that you enroll in the VA health network. For assistance in registering for the VA Healthcare, reach out to Dr. Branson. She is our dedicated "in-house" Veterans Integration To Academic Leadership (VITAL) counselor. Dr. Branson works with student veterans to assist them with registering for VA healthcare in Manhattan.

• Manhattan VA Hospital:
  • Address: 423 E 23rd St, New York, NY 10010
  • Phone: (212) 686-7500
• Bronx VA Medical Center
  • Address: 130 W Kingsbridge Rd, Bronx, NY 10468
  • Phone: (718) 584-9000

Moving To New York City

1. Set aside a week or more to look for apartments. For Fordham's geographic location, visit Fordham University's Map and Directions to our three university campuses.
2. Checkout Fordham's Graduate Housing for openings.
3. Look online: Trulia, Zillow, StreetEasy, Renthop, Craigslist, etc. Contact realtor (be prepared to pay a brokers fee)
4. For proof of income and address:
   • BAH/VA housing allowance (this is a lawful proof of income, regardless of any claim to the contrary.)
   • DD-214
   • W-2
   • Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
   • Fordham University's Acceptance Letter
5. If you’re moving into the area early or showing up right at the start of the semester – prepare to pay out-of-pocket costs due to the delay in receiving your BAH.
6. Feel free to contact the Veterans Center for anything not covered here.

Visit the Fordham Veteran Center