The Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty (Chapter 30) is an education benefit that provides up to 36 months of full-time payments to eligible veterans for approved College, Business, Technical or Vocational Courses, Correspondence Courses, Apprenticeship/Job Training and Flight Training. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.

Additional Information: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/montgomery_bill.asp

Apply: https://www.vets.gov/, Form 22-1990

The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program, also referred as the Chapter 31 program, is administered by a different department of VA than regular education benefits. The goal of VR&E Chapter 31 is to assist a service-disabled veteran to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment. For those veterans who are severely disabled and that gainful employment is not an option, VR&E offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.

Additional Information: http://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab

Apply: https://www.vets.gov/, Form 28-1900

The Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) is available if you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program. The government matches your contributions on a 2-for-1 basis.

Additional Information: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/veap.asp

Apply: https://www.vets.gov/, Form 22-1990

The Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or 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®.

Additional Information: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp

Apply: https://www.vets.gov/, Form 22-1990

Beginning with the Fall 2012 semester, Emporia State University will participate in the Department of Veterans Affairs Post 9-11/Chapter 33 Yellow Ribbon Program. The criteria for eligibility at Emporia State University are as follows:

Yellow Ribbon funds will be available to 100 eligible out-of-state veterans or out-of-state transfer of eligibility students.

Yellow Ribbon allocations will be awarded on a first-come/first-served basis per academic year.

The maximum contribution will be $2,000 per academic year to out-of-state veterans or out-of-state transfer of eligibility students ($1,000 per Fall/Spring semester).

Emporia State University will fund up to 10 out-of-state veterans or out-of-state transfer of eligibility students per academic year.

All supporting documentation MUST be submitted with the VA Form.

A degree plan must be completed and signed by the academic advisor each semester.

For further information, contact the Veterans Educational Services Certifying Official.

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. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training.

Additional Information: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/dea.asp.

Apply: https://www.vets.gov/, Form 22-5490.

The Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, as well as the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses.

Additional Information: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/mgib_sr.asp

Apply: https://www.vets.gov/, Form 22-1990

The Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) is education assistance provided to members of the reserve components - Selected Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve who are called or ordered to active service in response to a war or national emergency, as declared by the President or Congress. A member who serves on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 under Title 10, U.S.C., for at least 90 consecutive days under a contingency operation is eligible for REAP. Your eligibility generally ends when you leave the Selected Reserves.

Additional Information: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/reap.asp

Apply: https://www.vets.gov/, Form 22-1990

The Kansas Military Service Scholarship is available for the payment of tuition and fees at a public Kansas institution for students who are residents of Kansas and have:

served in military service in international waters or on foreign soil in support of military operations for which the person received hostile fire pay for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001, or served less than such 90 days because of injuries during such military service;

have received an honorable discharge or under honorable conditions (general) discharge from military service or are still in military service; and

have provided copies of military discharge papers (DD-214 form) or active duty orders whichever such paper or order indicate the location of such person’s deployment and indicate the person has served after September 11, 2001, in any military operation for which the person received hostile fire pay.

Because financial need is a priority in awarding this scholarship, students will need to file a FAFSA form. Once your school considers you as a graduate status student, you are not eligible for this scholarship. Priority Deadline: May 1.

Additional Information: http://www.kansasregents.org/students/student_financial_aid/scholarships_and_grants

Apply: State of Kansas Student Aid Application - online | PDF

The Kansas National Guard Educational Assistance provides a percentage of tuition and fees paid; up to a maximum rate not to exceed the maximum rate that would be charged by the state educational institutions for enrollment and that percentage is determined by the number of eligible students and available appropriations. Students may be pursuing a certificate, diploma or degree program and must be an enlisted member of a Kansas Air/Army National Guard unit. Full-time enrollment not required. Student must have a GED or high school diploma to qualify for this assistance. The member must have less than 20 years of service with the National Guard and not already have obtained a bachelor’s degree.

Additional Information: http://www.kansasregents.org/students/student_financial_aid/scholarships_and_grants

Apply: State of Kansas Student Aid Application - online | PDF

Attention: Prior to enrolling in courses at Emporia State University we encourage all veterans, eligible dependents/spouses, and active duty service members to speak with their Educational Services Officer to discuss how their Tuition Assistance or other Veteran Educational Benefits can be applied.

To use your VA education benefits, you must enroll in classes at Emporia State University and be certified by the Office of Financial Aid, Scholarships & Veterans Services.

Apply to the VA to establish your eligibility for education benefits. If eligible for more than one education benefit, such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and the Montgomery GI Bill®, you must choose which benefit to receive, a decision that is final and cannot be changed.
Review a comparison chart of benefits.

If you are a new or transfer eligible student:

Apply for education benefits. Click apply for education benefits and complete the application for the appropriate chapter. Once the Department of Veterans Affairs has processed your application, they will send you a Certificate of Eligibility – submit a copy to ESU.

Apply for admission and enroll in classes at ESU. Learn more at our Admissions homepage. The VA will only pay for approved degree/certificate programs.

Complete the Veterans Information Form. This form will route to your advisor who will verify that your courses are required for your degree program. This form must be submitted after enrollment every semester in which you want to use your education benefits.

When your enrollment is certified to the VA, you will receive an email confirmation of receipt from the Veterans Administration.

The School Certifying Official will review course schedules. To be certified to the VA, your classes must be required for your degree curriculum. To ensure that your classes will be certified, you should use the ESU’s Degree Works program to see how your classes are fitting into your degree curriculum or visit with your Academic Advisor.

Educational benefits for all chapters, except Chapter 33, are sent directly to the student, and the students themselves are responsible for making tuition and fee payments to the university. Chapter 33 benefits for tuition and fees are sent directly to the institution and all other benefits are sent to the student. Students are responsible for any tuition and fees paid by the VA. Benefits are paid at the rate of pursuit and level of eligibility for the length of eligibility. Students are responsible for keeping informed of their remaining eligibility.
Full time rate of pursuit for is 12 for undergraduate and 9 hours for graduates. All hours must count toward a degree and students must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

REFUNDS: Once certification is received, your student account will be credited conditionally for the amount certified by the VA. This credit does not reflect payment but will remain on the account to prevent late fees. When payment from the VA is received, any amounts due to you will be processed at that time which is usually with 15 – 30 days of the first day of classes if paperwork is submitted timely. Questions: Cashiering Services, cashier@emporia.edu or 620-341-5135.

Reporting Course Changes to the VA

Once enrolled, any change in your schedule should be reported as soon as possible to the School Certifying Official. Changes in enrollment can result in an overpayment that will be determined by the VA.

Service members and reservists who were temporarily unable to attend due to service requirements will be readmitted to their degree program following the steps outlined.

Prior to enrolling in courses at Emporia State University we encourage all veterans, eligible dependents/spouses, and active duty service members to speak with their Educational Services Officer to discuss how their Tuition Assistance or other Veteran Educational Benefits can be applied.

For each semester that you want to have your enrollment certified to the VA, you must submit the Veterans Information Form. This form will route to your advisor and they will verify that the enrolled courses meet the requirements of your degree program.

It is strongly encouraged that students submit this form well in advance of the first day of courses for each semester.
Course schedules will also be reviewed by the School Certifying Official. To be certified to the VA, your classes must be required for your degree curriculum.

When your enrollment is certified to the VA, you will receive an email confirmation of receipt from the Veterans Administration.

REFUNDS: Once certification is received, your student account will be credited conditionally for the amount certified by the VA. This credit does not reflect payment but will remain on the account to prevent late fees. When payment from the VA is received, any amounts due to you will be processed at that time which is usually with 15 – 30 days of the first day of classes if paperwork is submitted timely. Questions: Cashiering Services, cashier@emporia.edu or 620-341-5135.

Reporting Course Changes to the VA

Once enrolled, any change in your schedule should be reported as soon as possible to the School Certifying Official. Changes in enrollment can result in an overpayment that will be determined by the VA.

Approved Programs

While you are using VA Education benefits at ESU, the VA will only allow certification for courses that apply towards your declared degree program.

Generally, enrollment in online and other distance learning classes can be certified to the VA. However, the VA does not allow certification for enrollment in distance learning for remedial classes.

Additionally, enrollment in distance learning classes can affect your eligibility for Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) under the Post 9/11 GI Bill® .

Reports must be submitted on the last day of each month

Chapter 30, Chapter 1606 and Chapter 1607 students must report school attendance to the Department of Veterans Administration on the last day of each month in order to receive payment.

Call 1-877-823-2378 or verify your school attendance online.

Students using Dependents Education Assistance (Chapter 35), Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33), or Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31) are NOT required to verify monthly attendance.

Military Tuition Assistance (MilTA) is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Armed Forces. Congress has given each branch the ability to pay up to 100% of the tuition expenses of its members.

Application for MilTA must be initiated by the service member and is time sensitive. Applications should be initiated well in advance of the start of the semester in which the assistance is being requested. Service members MUST receive approval from an Educational Services Officer or Military Service counselor PRIOR to enrolling in classes. This money is usually paid directly to the institution by the individual services.

Air Force

Army

Navy

Marines

Coast Guard

National Guard

Reserves

Submit your Tuition Assistance approval paperwork to Vicky Cooper at vcooper@emporia.edu; 620-341-5340.

Frequently asked questions from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what types of federal aid you may be eligible for in addition to your veteran education benefits. The FAFSA opens October 1 of every year for the next academic year and can be completed at https://studentaid.gov. If you need assistance completing your FAFSA, you can schedule an appointment with one of our staff. For general questions regarding completion of the FAFSA call 620-341-5453 or email finaid@emporia.edu.