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Overview
At Minnesota State University, Mankato, specific policies are in place to help ease that transition, including priority registration and protections related to VA education benefits. Here’s what you need to know.
Priority Registration for Veteran Students
Minnesota State Mankato recognizes the service and commitment of veteran and military-affiliated students by offering priority registration.
Who Is Eligible?
- Students receiving VA education benefits automatically receive information about priority registration each semester via email.
- Veteran students not currently using education benefits can still qualify by:
- Self-identifying with the university’s certifying officials
- Providing proof of military service or veteran status
Once verified, students remain eligible and will continue to receive priority registration details each semester.
What Does Priority Registration Mean?
Eligible students receive access to register for classes 24–48 hours earlier than standard registration periods. While this may seem like a small window, it can make a significant difference especially for high-demand courses or tightly structured degree programs.
Enrollment Protections While Waiting for VA Payments
In addition to priority registration, federal law ensures that veteran students using VA education benefits are not disadvantaged while waiting for tuition payments to be processed.
What the University Will Not Do
Under federal guidelines (Title 38 US Code 3679(e)), Minnesota State Mankato will not:
- Prevent a student from enrolling in classes
- Charge late payment fees related to delayed VA funding
- Require alternative or upfront payment while VA funds are pending
- Restrict access to classes, libraries, or campus facilities
These protections apply to students using:
- Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
- Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Chapter 31) benefits
This policy ensures that veteran students can focus on their education without unnecessary financial stress or administrative barriers.
Steps Students Must Take
- To take advantage of these protections, students are responsible for complete the Certification Process.
- Completing these steps helps the university verify eligibility and apply the necessary protections.
Attribution notice: "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 Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill."
More Resources
Still Need Help?
Contact a VA Certifying Official in Registration and Academic Records.