Advance payment is the VA educational assistance allowance paid to the student for the first partial (at a prorated amount) month and the following full month of enrollment. 

Students should be aware that if they elect to receive advance payment, they will not receive another benefit payment until the end of the third month of enrollment.  For example, if you received an advance payment for the months of August and September, you will not receive your next benefit payment until the beginning of November.

Advance payment is sent to the University on behalf of the student.  Notification is sent by the OVA upon receipt of the advance payment.  However, the student must be registered for at least half-time prior to receiving his/her advance payment and all required forms and documentation has been submitted to the OVA. 

Advance payment can only be requested by students initially enrolling or students who have been absent from school for a semester/term that is more than 30 calendar days and did not receive break pay.  

Each institution sets their own deadlines for submitting paperwork to their office, so that they may meet the deadlines established by the DVA.  For a listing of deadline dates, please see the Main Campus and Ft Campbell Center important dates sections.

For a more specific explanation and requirements, please contact the APSU OVA campus that you will attend directly.