Advance Payment
Advance payment allows eligible students to receive their first two months of VA benefit payment at the beginning of the term, before the regular monthly payment schedule begins. This can help cover expenses at the start of a semester before standard payments arrive.
Participation in advance payment is voluntary on the part of schools. APSU offers this option to eligible students.
Who Qualifies
Eligible benefit chapters
Advance payment is available for students using:
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Chapter 30 — Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty
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Chapter 32 — VEAP
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Chapter 35 — Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance
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Chapter 1606 — Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve
Chapters 31 (VR&E) and 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®) do not qualify for advance payment.
Additional requirements
To receive advance payment, you must also:
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Request advance payment within the published deadline — at least 60–90 days before the first day of classes (see Important Dates)
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Be enrolled and certified for at least half-time
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Be either a first-time applicant using VA education benefits or have been absent from APSU for more than 30 calendar days
How Advance Payment Works
Advance payment covers your monthly benefit for the first and second month of the term, paid upfront. Note that the first month's payment only covers from the start date of classes through the end of that month — not a full month's payment.
After receiving advance payment, you will not receive another payment until the end of the third month of the term.
Example: An advance payment for Fall would pay from the first day of classes through the end of the following month. The next regular payment would not arrive until the beginning of the month after that.
How to Request
Submit your advance payment request using the Advance Payment Request Form within the published deadline. Requests submitted after the deadline will not be processed for that term.
When Your Check Arrives
Advance payments are issued as U.S. Treasury checks and mailed to the APSU Veterans Education Benefits office — they are not deposited directly to your bank account.
When your check arrives, our office will notify you by phone and/or your APSU student email. To pick up your check, you must:
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Have your registration confirmed
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Present a valid photo ID to sign for the check
After the first day of classes, our office will submit the Certification of Delivery (VA Form 22-1999V) to the VA to verify your enrollment and that you received the check.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).