GI Bill

Carrie Keeney, Certifying Official
Phone 309.298.3147 ~ Fax 309.298.2032

The GI Bill Certifying Official at Western Illinois University is located in Sherman Hall 106. The office is open Monday through Friday 8am through 4:30pm.

St. Louis Regional Processing Office

VA Regional Office
PO Box 66830
St Louis MO 63166-6830

24 Hour Toll Free Number: 1-888-GIBILL-1

VA Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

All students who want to use the GI Bill must fill out DD Form 22-1990 (Application for Educational Benefits). This form may be obtained from the VA website or in Sherman Hall 106 at Western Illinois University.

When completed, this form should be submitted to the St. Louis VA Regional Office or returned to the WIU Billing & Receivables Office. Once the Department of Veterans Affairs has processed the application, a Certificate of Eligibility will be issued indicating what Chapter of Educational Benefits the student is eligible for, the student's file number, the number of months of entitlement, and the date eligibility expires. 

All students must certify the classes each semester they want to receive the GI Bill by accessing the GI Bill information page on STARS. Please contact the Billing & Receivables office at 309.298.3147 or email billings@wiu.edu if you have any questions.

Enrollment Certification

All students must certify their classes each semester through Billing and Receivables GI Bill Information on STARS. Upon verification, the certifying official will transmit VA Form 22-1999 Enrollment Certification to the DVA for processing and payment.

**All Chapter 30, Chapter 1606 and Chapter 1607 Students**

You must also verify your enrollment with the St. Louis VA each month. You must do this the last day of the month or after. Verification can be made on WAVE, the GI Bill web page or by calling 877.823.2378.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

All student who receive DVA education benefits are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress according to the WIU established published requirements.

Break Pay

Break Pay is benefits paid for those periods between semesters during which the student attends at the half-time rate or more. Continuous payment will be made whenever possible. The DVA will not authorize payment in the following instances:

  • Between terms if the student is attending less than half-time or is on Active Duty
  • Between terms at the same institution which spans a full calendar month or more
  • More than 30 days between consecutive terms which the students transfers to another institution
  • An interval regardless of length, preceding a change of program when the student also changes institutions.

Covered Programs

Business Services
Sherman Hall 216
Macomb IL 61455
Phone 309.298.1811
Fax 309.298.2811
Email: business-services@wiu.edu