G.I. BILL® BENEFITS
Below is a brief overview of the different benefits available and military tuition assistance. For more information regarding educational benefits or to apply for a chapter, please visit the website.
Chapter 33 | Post 9/11 G.I. Bill®
The Post 9/11 GI Bill® provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of active duty service on or after September 11, 2001, or for individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill®. Your benefit will be based on your length of active duty service.
Approved training includes both undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as some certificate programs.
Transfer of Post 9/11 G.I. Bill®
Service members in the Post 9/11 GI Bill® program are able to transfer unused educational benefits to their spouse or children effective August 1, 2009.
After you have received transferred entitlement you need to apply with the VA to use the benefit.
Details about the transfer of eligibility program are available on the Department of Defense website.
Chapter 30 | Montgomery G.I. Bill® - Active Duty
To qualify for Chapter 30 benefits, you must have entered active duty on or after July 1, 1985 and made contributions to the Montgomery Fund while on active duty. A monthly benefit is paid to students based on the training time and/or training program. You may receive up to a maximum of 36 months of benefits under this program. Veterans have 10 years from their discharge date to use the benefits.
Chapter 31 | Veteran Readiness and Employment
This program is designed to assist veterans with service-connected disabilities obtain and maintain gainful employment that is consistent with their interests, aptitudes and abilities and that can be supported through the current labor market. .
Eligibility
- Veterans who have received, or will receive, a discharge that is ‘other than dishonorable’
- Have a service-related disability rating of at least 10% or a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the Department of Veteran Affairs
Chapter 35 | Dependents Educational Assistance
The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) Program offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or of veterans who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.
Chapter 1606 | Montgomery G.I. Bill® - Selected Reserves and National Guard
If you are a member of the Selected Reserves, you may be eligible for this program. The Selected Reserves includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. You must have a six-year obligation to service in Selected Reserves and have completed basic training.
PA National Guard Education Benefits
(EAP) is a state-funded program; it provides educational assistance for eligible members of the Pennsylvania National Guard. EAP funding is awarded regardless of financial need. In addition, reductions or adjustments of PA State Grants cannot be as a result of a service member receiving EAP. The amount of each award will be based on enrollment status (full-time or part-time).
Military Tuition Assistance
Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. The Department of Defense (DoD) limits TA to $250 per semester credit hour and $4,500 per year. Each military branch can establish their own specific eligibility criteria and limits to manage their TA funds. DoD pays TA directly to the University.
All students who intend on using TA must contact Amy Rockwell, the School Certifying Official, in the Registrar’s office to ensure your program/major and courses are loaded into the appropriate service-specific TA systems.
Service-specific TA information is available at the , , , and education portals.
The University's Bursar’s office will apply tuition coverage to your tuition bill in the amount authorized on your TA authorization. You are responsible for paying any remaining tuition balance by the published tuition deadlines.
The DoD Memorandum of Understanding requires ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ University to return unearned Military Tuition Assistance (TA) funds on a prorated basis through 60% of an academic course. The University will not return any TA funds once a student completes 60% of an academic course.
We recommend that students contact the School Certifying Official in the Registrar’s office before withdrawing from a TA funded academic course to determine how this policy could impact TA and potential repayment obligations of the student.
The University will work with the affected service members to identify solutions that will not result in student debt for the returned portion of Tuition Assistance as a result of a military service obligation.