U.S. Veterans GI Bill Benefits

Veterans Educational Benefits (Chapters 33 and 35)

The American University in Cairo (AUC) participates in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefit programs for eligible students.

Students may use Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) and Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits (Chapter 35) only for approved degree-seeking programs, such as bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. VA educational benefits cannot be used for certificate or diploma programs that have not been approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The following programs are currently approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for eligible students receiving Chapter 33 and Chapter 35 benefits:

• Construction Engineering, PhD
• Environmental Engineering, PhD
• Egyptology and Coptology, MA
• Political Science, MA
• International and Comparative Law (LLM)
• English and Comparative Literature, BA
• Political Science, BA
• Accounting, BA
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)

For the period August 1, 2025 through July 31, 2026, eligible students receiving Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) benefits may receive payment of tuition and fees up to the annual maximum of $29,920.95, as established by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for foreign schools. Students are responsible for any charges not covered by their VA educational benefits.

First-Time Users of VA Benefits and Transfer Students

Students using VA educational benefits at AUC for the first time, including transfer students, must submit the following documentation to the Financial Aid Office before enrollment can be certified:

• Certificate of Eligibility (COE) issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Full legal name as it appears in VA records.
• AUC Student ID Number.
• Copy of the AUC Admission Acceptance Letter showing the approved degree program.
• Request for Certification indicating the semester(s) for which certification is requested (Fall and/or Spring).
• Planned enrollment (number of credits) for each semester to be certified.
• Students who have been awarded transfer credit must also submit documentation of their final transfer credit evaluation issued by the AUC Registrar's Office.

Certification Process

• Students must be admitted to an approved degree-seeking program and registered for courses before enrollment can be certified to the VA.
• Students must request certification each semester in which they wish to use VA educational benefits.
• The Financial Aid Office will review all submitted documentation and may request additional information necessary to verify eligibility and process the certification.
• Once all required documentation has been received and enrollment has been confirmed, the AUC School Certifying Official will submit the enrollment certification to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
• The VA determines eligibility and benefit payments directly in accordance with federal regulations.

Important Information:

• Enrollment status may affect the amount of VA educational benefits received.
• Students receiving VA educational benefits must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in accordance with University policies and remain eligible for continued enrollment at AUC.
• Changes in enrollment, including course withdrawals, drops, or program changes, may affect VA educational benefits and should be reported promptly to the Financial Aid Office.

Financial Responsibility

Students are responsible for any portion of tuition, fees, and other educational expenses not covered by their VA educational benefits.

Submission of VA documentation or a request for certification does not guarantee eligibility for benefits or payment by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA determines eligibility and benefit payments in accordance with federal regulations.

Students are responsible for ensuring that all required documentation is submitted in a timely manner and for promptly reporting any changes in enrollment that may affect their VA educational benefits.

Questions regarding student account balances or pending VA educational benefits should be directed to the Financial Aid Office and Student Accounts Office.

Title 38 U.S.C. § 3679(e) Compliance

In accordance with Title 38 U.S.C. § 3679(e), The American University in Cairo permits any covered individual to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to VA educational benefits and ending on the earlier of:

• The date on which payment from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is received by the University; or
• Ninety (90) days after the date the University certifies tuition and fees following receipt of the required documentation.

During this period, AUC will not:

• Prevent a covered individual from enrolling or attending classes;
• Assess late fees or other penalties due to delayed payment from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
• Require a covered individual to secure alternative or additional funding because VA payments are pending; or
• Deny access to classes, libraries, student accounts, or other institutional facilities available to other students.

Students remain responsible for submitting all required documentation necessary for certification of their enrollment and for paying any charges not covered by VA educational benefits.