Skip to main contentSkip to main navigationSkip to footer content

Military and Veterans Admission Requirements

New Student-Veterans (First-Time GI Bill® Benefit Recipients)

Thank you for considering the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith. We're eager to welcome you to your new academic home. To ensure you receive full benefits and credit from any of your past institutions, please follow these steps:

  1. Complete and submit your Application for Admission. Please remember to submit all official transcripts from previous institutions, including your military transcripts. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard veterans can access their transcript from the Department of Defense (DOD) Joint Services Transcript website. Air Force veterans can access their transcript through the Air University website.
  2. Apply to the Department of Veterans Affairs for education benefits:
    •     Military service members, veterans, and reservists use VA form 22-1990
    • Dependents applying for transfer of entitlements use VA form 22-1990e
    • Dependents of permanently and totally disabled or deceased veterans and Fry Scholarship recipients use VA form 22-5490
  3. Once this application has been submitted, the VA will send the student a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Only courses that are considered part of your current degree program are eligible for certification by the VA.
  4. Submit a copy of your COE to Heather Chance, UAFS's veteran services coordinator, by email at Heather.ChanceFREEuafs or delivering a physical copy to the Financial Aid Office, located on the second floor of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center.
  5. Attend a MANE Event New Student Orientation and register for a R.O.A.R. Registration appointment to meet with your assigned advisor. 

    Once you have registered for courses, you will meet with the veteran services coordinator each semester to complete and submit your online Veteran Request to Certify Hours form and set up your VA educational benefits for the upcoming term.

Transfer Student-Veterans (Used GI Bill® Benefit at Another Institution)

Thank you for considering UAFS. We're eager to welcome you to your new academic home. To ensure you receive full benefits and credit from any of your past institutions, please follow these steps.

  1. Complete and submit your Application for Admission Please remember to submit all official transcripts from previous institutions, including your military transcripts. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard veterans can access their transcript from the Department of Defense (DOD) Joint Services Transcript website. Air Force veterans can access their transcript through the Air University website.
  2. Request a Change of Program or Place of Training from the Department of Veterans Affairs:
    • Military service members, veterans, and reservists use VA Form 22-1995
    • Military dependents use VA Form22-5495
  3. Once this application has been submitted, the VA will send the student a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Only courses that are considered part of your current degree program are eligible for certification by the VA.
  4. Submit a copy of your COE to Heather Chance, UAFS's veteran services coordinator, by email at Heather.ChanceFREEuafs or delivering a physical copy to the Financial Aid Office, located on the second floor of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center.
  5. Your admissions letter will provide you with the name and contact details of the academic advisor within the college of your major. Contact this advisor to set an appointment, declare your major, and register for courses.

    Once you have registered for courses, you will meet with the veteran services coordinator each semester to complete and submit your online Veteran Request to Certify Hours form and set up your VA educational benefits for the upcoming term.

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 website.