Tips for completing your Spring 2027 Certification Request in VA Works

Here are some helpful links as you prepare for self-registration in Workday:

• Prepare for Registration (includes holds, advisor info, and registration appt time)
• Create and Edit an Academic Plan (video)
• Register from an Academic Plan (video)
  • Be sure to check for Holds on your account before your registration period. If you have a hold due to a military benefits reason, reach out to VMSC staff so we can help you resolve it in time to register.

Once you have officially registered for classes, we highly recommend completing your VA Works Certification Request. Reminder: we will be processing these in the order they are received.

Below you will find a list of the MOST FREQUENT MISTAKES AND ISSUES. If you double check these things, it will not only speed up the timeline in which you receive your benefits, but it will help everyone get theirs faster! Even if you think you did it correctly, double check. Majority of people made at least one of these mistakes.

GO to vaworks.uark.edu.

1. The Wait
   • Has it been 24 hours since you registered for classes? The Workday integration updates overnight each night so you will need to register and then wait until the next day to log into VA Works.
   • More specifically, the load happens between 5-7pm so if you register for classes after 5pm, they will not be loaded until the following day closer to 8pm in VA Works.  
2. The Benefit
   • Make sure you double check which benefit you are using. Some of you change between terms and this is very important because if you do not change it here, we will have to delete it and start over.
     • This is auto-populating from your initial registration form OR your most recently paid benefit so make sure you email us at vaworks@uark.edu to let us know you have switched benefits and send us your updated COE.
3. The Term
   • When you start a new request, the very first question it will ask is which term the request is for. If you have a traditional full semester January to May class, you are most likely choosing 2027 Spring Full Semester. If you have an 8-weeks class or intercession, make sure you pay attention.
   • A good way to know is that the dates for the term you select will auto-populate on the page where you enter your classes. If they don’t match Workday, you chose the wrong term!
   • There will be a drop down for other terms if you don't see yours there. They are in date order so your term may not be at the top of the list.
     • For grad students with mini or irregular terms, if you do not see your specific term with the correct dates, email vaworks@uark.edu as we will likely have to build it for you.
   • If you choose the wrong term, your classes WILL NOT auto-populate correctly. Start over and double check your term.
   • You will submit a new form for EACH term. So if you have full semester classes and an 8W1 class, you will complete the process twice.
4. Course Toggles
   • In VA Works, you will get a list of all classes in that term you have ever been enrolled in. 
     • Toggle off any classes/sections you are not longer in.
     • Toggle off any class when the section number starts with D or L. These are duplicates. 
   • When you get to the confirmation page, ALL classes will still be listed. Go ahead and submit. You can't see the on/off toggles on that page but we can see them on the backend. 
5. Major and Minor
   • The VA will only pay for classes for 1 approved major + 1 approved minor or 2 approved majors in any given term. If you have more than that, you will need to choose which two you are certifying for this semester. Don't even list the third. That way we don't have to reach out to you and ask which two you want to use.
     • Also remember your classes must be required for your major or minor or we cannot certify them. If you are in doubt, please contact your academic advisor and verify with them. You need to remind them you are using VA education benefits as VA requirements are sometimes different than university requirements. If your advisor has questions, they can reach out to our office for clarification.
     • The major or minor you enter on your CR form must match what is in Workday.
     • Another great way to double check your requirements is to use the Academic Plan feature. See the links at the top of this post.
     • Not sure if your major is approved? Check that HERE. 
       • Minors are now all approved! There has been a change in the interpretation of the policy regarding minors. If you were previously told you had an unapproved minor, that will no longer apply. 
       • Programs like honors, premed, etc are still not VA approved so any classes for those programs/prereqs must be requried for an approved major or a minor. 

For all other tips, please reference the full Guide that is attached to this email. It is much more in-depth and step-by-step but if you check the 5 things listed above, we will solve many of the time-consuming issues!

Timing

For some context about the process, we do certify requests in the order they are received. Once we receive the request, the campus process is a multi-step process that can take 2-4 weeks depending on where you fall in the queue and the time of the semester. Also keep in mind that we will not process certifications between Nov 21-29 or Dec 19-Jan 3 as the office will be closed for breaks. Include those breaks as you estimate how long it may take to process your submission. (The earlier, the better!!)

Once we send to the VA, it can be another 2-4 weeks depending on their timeline. Unfortunately, once we send it off, we are not privy to that information. You will get an email when we certify you. We recommend waiting 1-2 days after that and then you can call the VA Education Hotline to get an update on your payment amounts and the timeline for those payments.

• If you are using Ch 33, remember you are certified TWICE. The first time is sent to the VA and will trigger your book stipend and housing allowance. Then after the 11th day of classes, we will certify you again for your tuition and fees. This one is also sent to the Treasurer's office to put an estimated deferred payment on your student account so you do not get late fees while we wait on the VA payment.
• There are still delays with Ch 35 students using MDS/Heroes the fall semester as well as NGTW. If you have a question about these scholarships/tuition waivers or the timeline, contact the Financial Aid office directly. Additionally, the Treasurer's Office should have those rosters to assist you in temporarily lifting registration holds as needed as long as your balance is paid down to the amount that aid will cover.

 

If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to our office.

vmsc@uark.edu or 479-575-8742