Waiting on GI Bill® Payment at National University? Steps to Take and How the Veterans Affairs Office Can Help

• National University (NU) students waiting on GI Bill® payment can contact NU’s Veterans Affairs office to confirm their enrollment has been certified to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and find out what comes next
• GI Bill® payment moves in two steps: NU certifies the enrollment, then the VA processes the claim and issues payment, so knowing which step a file is in tells students where to follow up
• Under federal law, students using eligible VA education benefits cannot be charged late fees or blocked from classes while waiting on VA payment

San Diego, CA, Nov. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National University (NU), the San Diego-based, Veteran-founded nonprofit, encourages students waiting on GI Bill® payment to contact its Veterans Affairs office to confirm their enrollment has been certified to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and find out what comes next.* GI Bill® payment moves in two steps: NU’s School Certifying Officials certify the enrollment, then the VA processes the claim and issues payment, so knowing which step a file is in tells a student where to follow up. Questions about certification go to NU’s Veterans Affairs office, and questions about payment status, benefit balances or housing allowance go to the VA. Founded in 1971, NU serves military-connected learners through its Military and Veterans programs. NU is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and is one of 479 institutions, about 16% of those classified, to hold the Carnegie Opportunity Colleges and Universities designation for higher access and higher earnings.

“National University was founded by Veterans, and supporting military-connected learners has always been an important part of who we are,” said Meg O’Grady, Senior Vice President of Military and Government Affairs at National University. “If you’re waiting on your military tuition assistance, reach out to our Veterans Affairs office. Our team can review your account and walk you through next steps.” 

Steps to take while you wait on GI Bill® payment

• Confirm your enrollment was certified. Contact NU’s Veterans Affairs office to check that your enrollment has been certified to the VA for the current term.
• Make sure your paperwork is in. Submit your Certificate of Eligibility and any request NU requires to use your benefits, so certification can move forward.
• Check your claim with the VA. Once your enrollment is certified, the VA processes payment on its own timeline and posts current processing times on VA.gov.
• Keep attending. Students using eligible VA education benefits are protected from late fees and loss of class access while waiting on VA payment.
• Raise urgent needs early. If waiting on payment affects your ability to cover educational or living expenses, tell NU’s Veterans Affairs office or your advisor.

From enrollment to VA payment

Please confirm: NU’s typical time from course registration to certification, and whether students must submit a certification request each term. Add the timeframe to the table before publication.

Your protections while waiting on VA payment

Federal law protects students using eligible VA education benefits while they wait for the VA to pay. Once a student provides a Certificate of Eligibility and a request to use the benefit, a school may not:

• Charge a late fee or penalty because VA payment is late
• Deny access to classes, libraries or other institutional facilities
• Require the student to borrow additional funds to cover the wait

The protection lasts until the VA pays or 90 days after the school certifies tuition and fees, whichever comes first.

Please confirm: Written approval from NU to reference this federal protection, and NU’s Veterans Affairs office sign-off on this summary as written.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: I’m a National University student and I’m still waiting on my GI Bill® payment. What should I do?

Answer: Start by contacting NU’s Veterans Affairs office to confirm your enrollment has been certified to the VA. If it has, your claim is with the VA, which posts current processing times on VA.gov. You can check your status with the VA Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551.

Question: Are GI Bill® payments delayed at National University?

Answer: GI Bill® payment moves in two steps, and NU’s Veterans Affairs office can help you find out which one your file is in. The office can confirm whether your enrollment has been certified, and the VA can confirm where your claim stands in its processing. Knowing which step your file is in tells you where to follow up.

Question: Has National University certified my GI Bill® enrollment?

Answer: NU’s Veterans Affairs office can confirm whether your enrollment has been certified for the current term and whether anything is still needed from you, such as your Certificate of Eligibility.

Question: Will National University charge me a late fee while I wait on my GI Bill® payment?

Answer: Not while the federal protection applies. Students using eligible VA education benefits who have provided their Certificate of Eligibility and a request to use the benefit cannot be charged late fees or blocked from classes because VA payment is late. The protection lasts until the VA pays or 90 days after certification, whichever comes first.

Question: My GI Bill® housing allowance (BAH) is late. Who do I contact?

Answer: The VA pays the monthly housing allowance directly to eligible students, monthly, for the prior month’s enrollment. Questions about the amount or timing of a housing payment go to the VA Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551. If you aren’t sure your enrollment was certified, check with NU’s Veterans Affairs office first.

Question: Is National University a good school for Veterans and military-connected learners?

Answer: Yes. National University was founded by Veterans in 1971, is accredited by WSCUC, and holds the Carnegie Opportunity Colleges and Universities designation for higher access and higher earnings.

Question: Who do I contact about my GI Bill® at National University?

Answer: For certification questions, contact NU’s Veterans Affairs office. For questions about VA payment, your benefit balance or housing allowance, contact the VA Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551.

*Source: National University Veterans Affairs office and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, October 2026.

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 website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

About National University

National University, a Veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to serving nontraditional, working, and military students since 1971.As San Diego's largest private nonprofit university, NU provides accessible, flexible learning options designed to help students achieve their goals while balancing family, service, work, and other commitments. NU offers over 100 programs through four-week courses, 1:1 Oxford-style instruction, and online and in-person learning. Each year, the university serves approximately 130,000 learners, including degree-seeking and workforce and professional development students. Its global network of 255,000 alumni contributes to communities and industries around the world. Guided by its Whole Human Education™ approach, NU combines the support students need, meaningful learning experiences, and career-focused outcomes to help students succeed in school, work, and life. Learn more at NU.edu.