Veterans' Benefits
![Veterans Benefits A Military Hat on a Chair Outside John Barry Hall](/content/university/office-of-financial-assistance/veterans-benefits/_jcr_content/pagecontent/textimage/image.img.jpg/1696428368297.jpg)
If you are looking for VA specific information please contact the VA Student Hotline (1-888-442-4551).
The Office of Financial Assistance at °®°®Ö±²„ seeks to ensure that all students have equitable and fair access to our need based funds. While we are compassionate to our military families and all they have sacrificed, it is important to understand that we cannot exclude Post 9/11 GI BillĀ® benefits from the financial aid packaging process in regards to institutional need-based aid. Thus, students who receive the Post 9/11 GI BillĀ® benefits will have their institutional (all °®°®Ö±²„ Sponsored Need Based Grant/Scholarships) financial aid evaluated based on the receipt of the Post 9/11 GI BillĀ® benefits. To ensure early notice of any change due to the studentās benefits please submit a copy of your Certification of Eligibility prior to the start of the fall semester. This COE (Certification of Eligibility) should be submitted every year as a part of your °®°®Ö±²„ Financial Aid document packet. Please note that this is only in reference to your institutional need based aid. Federal financial aid is not affected by the Post 9/11 GI BillĀ® benefit.
Students who receive Yellow Ribbon funding are not eligible for the need-based °®°®Ö±²„ Grant since the combination of Post 9/11 GI BillĀ® benefit and Yellow Ribbon covers the cost of tuition and fees.
Note: You must still submit your COE to our VA Certifying Official. Please continue to the Office of Veterans and Military Service Members webpage for further VA information.
Using Military Tuition Assistance
Federal 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 Registrarās 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.
Paying Tuition
The University's Bursarās 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.
Policy on Return of Unearned Tuition Assistance
The DoD Memorandum of Understanding requires °®°®Ö±²„ 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 Registrarās office before withdrawing from a TA funded academic course to determine how this policy could impact TA and potential repayment obligations of the student.
Withdrawal Due to Military Service Obligation
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.
MEET YOUR FINANCIAL AID COUNSELOR
Students are encouraged to meet with their financial aid counselor prior to enrolling to learn about federal, state, and institutional aid (grants, loans, work study). Students are assigned a counselor based upon the student's last name, please refer to our Meet Our Staff webpage to contact your counselor.
DIRECT COSTS
What °®°®Ö±²„ bills directly to you for full-time enrollment for the academic year (Fall and Spring semesters). For the complete list of direct costs (tuition, fees, room, and board) for the academic year, please visit theĀ Bursar's Webpage.
INDIRECT COSTS FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS
These are the additional costs that the University does not bill you; however, they are included in the cost of attending °®°®Ö±²„ in order calculate your aid eligibility.
- Books: $940
- Supplies: $160
- Personal: $1,450
- Transportation: $850
Total Cost of Attendance = Direct + Indirect Costs.
Costs above are for full-time undergraduate students in the traditional day program. For graduate and part-time students consult with your financial aid counselor.
GRANTS AND AID
A Pennsylvania State Grant is based on financial need for students and their parents who qualify as Pennsylvania state residents and who are accepted/enrolled in an undergraduate program and enroll for at least six credits each semester. For State Grant consideration, students are required to file either an initial FAFSA or a Renewal FAFSA by May 1. Additional information on the Pennsylvania State Grant can be found at .
Service to our country may qualify you or your dependents for financial aid when you pursue higher education. Please visitĀ .Ģż
Certain states permit their own state grant funds to be used by students attending schools in Pennsylvania. Students are responsible for checking with their respective state's Higher Education Agency as to the correct application process and deadlines that are necessary for state grant consideration.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT ENROLLMENT FOR FEDERAL STATE AND INSTITUTIONAL AID |
CREDITS PER SEMESTER |
Full-Time |
12 or more credits |
Three-Quarter Time | 9-11 credits |
Half-Time | 6-8 credits |
Less than Half-Time | Less than 6 credits |
*Graduate students should refer to their specific program of study to determine their credits needed to determine full-time, three-quarter time, and half-time status.