VA Form 22-10215: 85/15 Rule Compliance (Fillable PDF)

VA Form 22-10215: 85/15 Rule Compliance (Fillable PDF) – Educational institutions participating in VA education benefits programs, such as the GI Bill, must comply with the 85/15 Rule (also known as the 85 percent enrollment ratio). VA Form 22-10215 is the official fillable document schools use to report these calculations.

This guide explains what the form is, who needs it, how to complete and submit it, key deadlines, exemptions, and compliance tips for U.S. school administrators and certifying officials.

What Is the 85/15 Rule?

The 85/15 Rule, governed by Title 38 U.S.C. 3680A(d) and 38 CFR 21.4201, ensures that VA beneficiaries (Veterans and eligible persons using education benefits) do not make up more than 85% of the total enrollment in any approved program at a participating institution.

The goal is to confirm that non-VA students find the program valuable enough to enroll and pay tuition independently, maintaining program quality and preventing over-reliance on federal benefits.

Supported students generally include those receiving any VA education benefits, institutional scholarships/grants/waivers, or those with unpaid tuition/fees (unless under a compliant payment plan). Non-supported students pay full tuition independently without institutional aid.

Purpose of VA Form 22-10215

Schools use this fillable PDF to provide detailed 85/15 calculations for each approved program during specific enrollment periods. It includes:

  • Institution and facility details
  • Term/enrollment start date
  • Program-by-program enrollment data (total students, supported students, FTE calculations, and supported student percentage)
  • Certification by a school official

A continuation sheet (VA Form 22-10215a) is available for additional programs.

Download the latest fillable version here: VA Form 22-10215 (PDF)

Who Must Use VA Form 22-10215?

  • Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs) and Non-College Degree (NCD) schools charging tuition and fees.
  • Schools without an approved 35% exemption from routine reporting.
  • Non-accredited schools requesting the 35% exemption (must submit the form with VA Form 22-10216).

Accredited schools qualifying for the 35% exemption generally do not need to complete or submit this form routinely.

Vocational flight schools use a separate form (currently under review; check VA resources for updates).

Key Deadlines for Submission

Submit calculations no later than 30 days after the start of each regular term (excluding summer) or enrollment period, or before the next term begins—whichever is earlier.

Use the VA Education File Upload Portal: https://www.my.va.gov/EducationFileUploads

Failure to report can lead to suspension or withdrawal of approval for GI Bill benefits.

The 35% Exemption (VA Form 22-10216)

Schools where VA beneficiaries are 35% or less of total enrollment may request exemption from routine reporting.

  • Accredited schools qualifying for exemption often skip the 22-10215.
  • Non-accredited schools must submit the 22-10215 with their exemption request.
  • Exemptions are reviewed periodically; schools must still monitor ratios and report if they exceed 85%.

Learn more and download VA Form 22-10216 from official VA pages.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete VA Form 22-10215?

Refer to the detailed instructions on the form and VA’s calculation guidance.

  1. Blocks 1-4: Enter institution name, facility code, term start date, and calculation date.
  2. Block 5: For each approved program (from your WEAMS 22-1998 Report):
    • 5A: Program name (include all, even with zero enrollment; separate lines for concentrations if needed).
    • 5B: Total students enrolled.
    • 5C: Total supported students (skip detailed FTE if fewer than 10 supported students in some cases).
    • 5D & 5E: Calculate Full-Time Equivalents (FTE) for supported and non-supported students.
    • 5F: Total enrolled FTE.
    • 5G: Supported student percentage (must not exceed 85%).
  3. Certify with printed name, title, signature, and date.
  4. Attach continuation sheets if needed.

FTE Example: Full-time students count as 1.0; half-time as 0.5, etc. Combine across programs carefully for dual enrollments.

Detailed calculation instructions are available on the VA site: 85/15 Calculation Instructions.

Common Compliance Tips

  • List all approved programs, even those with no VA students.
  • Properly classify institutional aid, payment plans, and third-party funding.
  • Maintain records and be prepared for audits.
  • Contact your Education Liaison Representative (ELR) for jurisdiction-specific help or questions.
  • Review the School Certifying Official Handbook for additional guidance.

Recent Updates (as of 2025-2026)

  • Form revision: January 2025.
  • Changes from the Ensuring the Best Institutions for Veterans Act of 2022 continue to affect exemptions and reporting.
  • OMB approval expires 01/31/2028.

Always use the most current form from VA.gov.

Resources for School Administrators

Note: This form is for educational institutions only, not individual Veterans.

For the latest official information, visit VA.gov or consult your ELR. Staying compliant protects your school’s ability to support Veterans through GI Bill programs.