Last Revision: August 21, 2026
Enrollment Status Definitions and Requirements for VA Benefits
The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) uses the following guidelines to determine enrollment status for students who use VA benefits to pay for school. The VA determines student status on a monthly basis.
VA Enrollment Chart
American Public University (APU) offers courses in an 8-week and 16-week formats. Courses start the first Monday of each month at APU. All VA enrollments are based on a student’s monthly enrollment status. Overlapping course starts may result in differing enrollment statuses than those below.
Course Load and Student Status for VA Benefits
Student status for VA Benefits is based on monthly course load. The chart below applies to VA Benefit requirements for full, three quarter, or half-time benefit levels.
| Session of Courses | Monthly Course Load | Student Status | Rate of Pursuit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master's Level: 8-Week Courses | 4 + Credit Hours 3 Credit Hours | Full-time Three-quarter time | 1.00 .75 |
| Master's Level: 16-Week Courses | 9 + Credit Hours 6 Credit Hours 3 Credit Hours | Full-time Three-quarter time Half-time | 1.00 .75 .38 |
| Undergraduate: 8-Week Courses | 6 + Credit Hours 5 Credit Hours 4 Credit Hours 3 Credit Hours 2 Credit Hours | Full-time Three-quarter time Three-quarter time Half-time Less than Half-time | 1.00 .83 .67 .56 .38 |
| Undergraduate: 16-Week Courses | 12 + Credit hours 9 Credit Hours 6 Credit Hours 4 Credit Hours 3 Credit Hours | Full-time Three-quarter time Half-time Less than Half-time Less than Half-time | 1.00 .75 .50 .33 .25 |
- BAH is only payable for a rate of pursuit greater than .50.
- Rate of Pursuit is calculated by Department of Veterans Affairs. This calculation is determined by training level, credits taken in a term, and length of term. APU does not calculate the Rate of Pursuit.
Doctoral Student Enrollment Status for VA Benefits
| Term Length | Credit Hours per Term | Enrollment Status for VA |
|---|---|---|
| 16-Week Term | 4+ Credit Hours or enrolled in disseration 1 to 2 Credit Hours | Full-time Half-time |
| 8-Week Term | 4+ Credit Hours or enrolled in Dissertation 3 Credit Hours 1 to 2 Credit Hours | Full-time Three-quarter time Half-time |
Please note: The above charts do not apply to Federal Student Aid (FSA). If a student is applying for Federal Student Aid, there are different standards by which enrollment is measured. Please refer to the following policies for:
- Enrollment Status Definitions and Requirements for FSA
- Enrollment Intensity Definitions and Requirements for the Pell Grant
“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 http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.”