Use these checklists and sample letters as you get ready to deploy.
Before you leave to serve your nation once more, follow the tips in this list to take care of your GI Bill benefits and to maintain your good academic and financial standing.
Your pre-deployment academic checklist.
In all instances of contacting school officials and lending institutions, it is strongly recommended you keep a record of names, dates, individuals, and a brief summary of your conversations.
- Notify the school and your professors/instructors that you have been activated and present the appropriate administrator (your department chair and/or your college dean) with a copy of your orders.
- Notify the VA Representative in the Registrar’s office of your activation and present your orders. Also notify your school’s Financial Aid office. Discuss an appropriate course of action with both offices. Take notes to ensure that you do not miss any necessary steps.
Note: Do not withdraw from school until you have your orders.
- Contact your student loan lending institution. It is your responsibility to follow through with any procedure the lender indicates.
- Contact your academic advisor. If you encounter any problems resolving your academic status, request assistance from your advisor and the chair of your department.
- Notify your internship, apprenticeship, or OJT certifying official of your activation and express interest to rejoin them upon your return.
Your return-home academic checklist.
When you return, follow these procedures to make your transition back to campus as smooth as possible:
- Upon return, contact your college admissions office to find out how to re-enroll. If you withdrew from school, you may be required to re-apply in order to re-enter the system. Contact your school’s admissions counselor for application details and to determine your class standing.Note: Depending on how long you were deployed, this process may differ from that of a first-time applicant.
- Contact your school’s Financial Aid office to determine eligibility for tuition assistance and state-funded education assistance (if applicable). Ask specific questions to determine your eligibility for the Active Duty
GI Bill and to establish reinstatement of your GI Bill benefits. - Re-establish contact with your academic advisor to discuss continuation of your degree program and applicable credit for your military experience and training.
Date
Name of College
College Address
City/State/ZIP
Dear College Administrator:
I, [your name, your Social Security number], request cancellation of my [Fall, Spring, etc.] term enrollment
and that all charges incurred be waived for this term. The reason for this request is the activation of my military unit for [reason for mobilization]. A copy of my order to active duty is attached.
The U.S. Department of Education issued guidance to colleges and universities strongly encouraging them to provide full refunds of tuition and other institutional charges to those students forced to withdrawal to fulfill their military obligation. Thank you for your consideration in this matter and I hope to return to classes as soon as I am released from active duty.
Sincerely,
[your name and signature]
Street Address
City/State/ZIP
Enclosure:
Soldier’s Order
Date
Name of Lender
Lender’s Address
City/State/ZIP
Dear Loan Administrator:
I, [your name, your Social Security number], have been ordered to active duty for [reason for mobilization].
A copy of my order to duty is attached.
I request that my student loan(s) [in an in-school status, in an in-school deferment status, or in a grace period status] remain(s) in that status during my period of active duty. I also request the appropriate time for me to resume enrollment in the next regular enrollment period that is available.
OR
As my loan(s) is/are in a repayment status, I request forbearance for the period indicated on my attached orders.
Should you have any questions, please contact my institution’s Financial Aid Office at [phone number].
Sincerely,
[your name and signature]
Street Address
City/State/ZIP
Enclosure:
Soldier’s Order
CF:
___________________
Unit
cc:
[State personnel office]
Date
Name of Firm
Firm’s Address
City/State/ZIP
Dear [Internship/Apprenticeship/OJT Certifying Official]:
I, [your name, your Social Security number], have been ordered to active duty for [reason for mobilization].
A copy of my order to duty is attached. I request cancellation of my [internship/apprenticeship/OJT training program]. My last day of employment prior to activation will be [date].
Thank you for your consideration in this matter, and I hope to return to work here soon after I am released from active duty. Upon my return to work, the [state approving agency] must to be notified as to the following:
- First day back to work
- Deactivation orders
- Form DD-214
This is a significant change in the status of my enrollment and must be accompanied by VA Form 22-1999b.
Should you have any questions, please contact my academic advisor, [name], at [telephone number and/or e-mail address].
Sincerely,
[your name and signature]
Street Address
City/State/ZIP
Enclosure:
Soldier’s Order
CF:
___________________
Unit
cc:
[State personnel office]
[State approving agency office]
