Veterans’ Benefits

Where to Start

• Apply for admission to any of our four campuses: declare yourself as a veteran or dependent if you plan to use VA benefits.
• Apply for benefits using the VA website.
• Submit a copy of your COE (Certificate of Eligibility) to your VA School Certifying Official (SCO).

Supplement VA/DOD Benefits with Financial Aid

• Apply for financial aid by completing a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Assistance).
• Contact the Financial Aid Office (978-646-4018) or email [email protected]
  • Discuss state and federal aid possibilities, scholarships, and/or payment plans if your military benefit coverage is less than 100 percent, or if you will soon exhaust military benefit.
• Tuition Assistance students: See “Tuition Assistance” below.
• Access Tuition and Fee and Medical Insurance Information
• Access Financial Aid information and forms, including the Student Expense Worksheet

Know Your Responsibilities

• Contact your SCO before the start of each term to request enrollment certification.
• Notify your SCO when adding, dropping, or withdrawing from any courses and if there are any changes to your personal information (mailing address, phone).
• Register for courses required by your degree program; only these courses can be certified to the VA or paid with Tuition Assistance.
• Notify the SCO if you encounter personal issues that impede your ability to complete your studies satisfactorily or by the academic deadlines.
• Understand the impact of credit hours on certification enrollment (Chapter 33): some housing benefits are distributed based on the level of enrollment you choose each semester (number of credits that are certified).
• Be aware that the same number of months of benefit are used whether you are a full- or part-time student. Check current Student Handbook for status definitions.

Apply for Benefits

Benefits pay for some or all of your educational expenses, which include tuition, fees, and books. Some benefits also provide a monthly housing allowance. Military benefits are available through the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), the Department of Defense (DoD), and State Assistance programs.

Begin Your Studies

• Attend Orientation to receive academic advising, complete tasks required for registration, and meet other students, staff, and faculty.
• Register online for courses and contact your SCO to request certification for the term.
• Buy books: purchase books as soon as possible; not all benefits provide a stipend for books and supplies.

Department of Veteran Affairs

• Apply online (for all benefits except Chapter 35) using the VA website and upload necessary documentation as instructed (i.e., recent DD214, Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE), change of program or place of training request).
• Find FAQs at the GI Bill® Help Desk, call 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (442-4551), or use the GI Bill® Comparison Tool.
  • Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty
  • Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E)
  • Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® 
  • Chapter 35 Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program

Tuition Assistance

Federal and State Tuition Assistance (TA) is a benefit for eligible members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Selected Reserve components. Each branch has its own application process, criteria for eligibility, and restrictions. For branch-specific information, see the links below and click on the comparison tool.

• Tuition Assistance DECIDE – Department of Defense Comparison Tool
• Army – www.goarmyed.com and GOARMYED Federal Tuition Assistance Guide (PDF)
• Air Force – http://www.military.com/education/money-for-school/air-force-tuition-assistance.html
• Marines – http://www.marines.com/being-a-marine/benefits/education
• Navy –  www.navycollege.navy.mil
• Coast Guard – http://www.uscg.mil/

“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 website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.