Frequently Asked Questions

I do not have military tuition benefits. What other financial assistance is available for UW-La Crosse students?
Degree-seeking students attending the UW-La Crosse may be eligible for scholarships and financial aid, including loans and work-study jobs, to help pay for tuition, books, and living expenses. For information on these opportunities, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

How do I determine my eligibility for military tuition benefits?
Eligibility is determined by the VA Regional Processing Office in St. Louis. You will need to apply online through the VA's VONAPP form. Please do NOT fill out a paper application. The VA takes much longer to process paper application forms.

I have just applied to receive my GI Bill education benefits for the first time. When will I receive my first payment?
The VA will send your GI Bill living stipend directly to you, the student. If you are using a VA benefit that pays for your tuition, that amount will be sent directly to the school. It may take up to 12 weeks for the first payment to arrive, but the payment will be retroactive.

I will be working full-time while studying. Is it possible to complete my degree at UW-La Crosse?
Yes, many students combine full or part-time work with their education. UW-La Crosse offers many classes that meet at night or are offered in an online or hybrid format, allowing for added flexibility in scheduling.

I'm not sure what my major should be. Can I talk with someone about my options?
Yes, we would be happy to help you. If you still have questions after reviewing the UW-La Crosse Web site, please contact Frank Tierney to schedule a planning session.

I already have a bachelor's degree. Can I still use my federal veterans benefits?
Yes, you may use your benefits in any degree program at UW-La Crosse, including master's, doctoral, and professional degree programs.

What should I do if I decide to withdraw from a class or change my enrollment?
If you are receiving GI Bill benefits and voluntarily withdraw from a class or change your enrollment, you must notify our Veterans Educational Benefit office. Changing from full-time to part-time status may affect the amount of your benefits. Full-time status is defined as 12 or more credits per semester although special sessions such as Winter and Summer may be different.
If you withdraw because you are called up to active duty, you need to provide a copy of your deployment order to the Office of Student Life In addition, we will do whatever is required to help students who have been called up to active military duty transition out of the University as expeditiously as possible. In most cases, we will arrange for you to drop the term's registration so you will owe no tuition for the term and receive no grades. In rare cases, there will be exceptions to this procedure, depending on personal and/or financial factors. We will be happy to work with you in order to help you make the best decision based on your situation. Please contact the Office of Student Life.

Are there any clubs for military personnel and their families?
Yes. We have a very active veterans club on campus that meets every Thursday at 5:00 p.m in the Cartwright Center Room 257.

I know for Fall and Spring, 12 credits is considered full time. What about Winter and Summer?
To figure out your rate of pursuit just follow the formula below:
1) Find out how many weeks are in the sessions. Count all of the days that are in the session (including weekends and holidays). Then divide by 7. That will give you the weeks. If you get a remainder of 4 or more then you round up so 4.4 weeks would be considered 5 weeks by the VA
2) Figure out your rate of pursuit: Look at how many credits the class is worth. Multiple that number by 18 and then divide by the amount of weeks that you got in the first step. This will give you a number that gives you the semester equivalent rate of pursuit so 12 would be full time, 9-11 would be 3/4 time, 8-6 would be half time.

For answers to specific questions about your GI Benefits, please visit the Department of Veterans Affairs Questions and Answers Page.