New students

Student's Guide to VA Educational Benefits

  • To apply for or activate your educational benefits, you must first complete the you are requesting. 
  • This application process can take up to 30 days to be processed.
  • If you are a service member interested in transferring benefits to a dependent, please go to and choose “Transfer My Education Benefits.”
  • You must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at UAF, the VA requires students to be actively pursuing a degree in order to utilize their benefits. 
  • You must submit the required transcripts for admission to UAF, including your military transcripts. Contact your Local On-Base Education Center for more information on how to submit your JST transcripts. Transcripts can be emailed to uaf-admissions@alaska.edu or mailed to the Office of Admissions.
  • Your UA ID and Password is the key to many services available to UAF students. It as well gives you access to your student portal for registration, housing, financial aid, and more. This portal is
  • If you need assistance contact at 907-450-8300 or helpdesk@alaska.edu
  • You can also get your PolarExpress Card which is your Student ID through the online form. You must submit a picture of yourself and a government ID when submitting the form. Your PolarExpress Card is usually ready for pick up by the next business day. 
  • Before registering for classes, you must set up a meeting with your assigned advisor to register for all the classes you want or need to take. You can view your degree plan on DegreeWorks.
  • Register for classes using once registration opens for the semester. Remember, only the courses that are applicable to your degree program can be certified for VA benefits.
  • An undergraduate student is considered Full-Time at 12 credit hours for Fall and Spring semesters. For Summer semester, 8 credit hours are considered Full-Time here at UAF. Classes shorter than the standard term, will affect how the VA determines monthly stipends and housing stipends.
  • Useful links:

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    • Register for classes as early as possible. If you are using VA education benefits, you are able to register before other students to ensure there is time to process your benefits.
  • DMVS will need a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or a Statement of Benefits from the VA eBenefits website no later than the first day of the semester to guarantee certification by the add/drop date. You cannot be certified without submitting this document. 
  • You can bring a copy of your COE into the office, or email it to uaf-va@alaska.edu

Submit a DD214 or show your military ID to Admissions when you submit your in order to ensure you receive in-state tuition as a military/veteran student.

  • Every semester you are REQUIRED to submit a CRF if you want the VA to pay for your classes.
  • The CRF must be submitted no later than the first day of the semester. The earlier you submit your CRF, the sooner you get certified. 
  • Only classes that are REQUIRED for your degree plan and on DegreeWorks will be certified by the VA. Degreeworks must specifically list what the class is counting towards. If an elective or other class is REQUIRED for your degree, you must have an advisor memo sent to DMVS. 
  • You can fill out the CRF form online or in the DMVS office.
  • Your UAF email address will be used for all business affiliated with UAF, Confirmation of certifications, issues with class certifications, newsletters and other important, time sensitive information will be sent to your email address only.

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 Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.