Many military-affiliated students use some form of VA benefits to help pay their costs of attendance. The use of VA benefits is the same for both undergraduate and graduate students.

VA Educational Benefit Programs:

Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill®)

The Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty Educational Assistance Program, also known as MGIB-AD or Chapter 30, provides education benefits to Veterans and Service members who have at least two years of active duty.

These benefits are, typically, paid to students on a monthly basis. Students receive their VA education benefit payments on or after the first of the month following the month payment is due.

Learn more about Chapter 30 benefits.

*It is very important for students receiving Chapter 30 benefits to verify their enrollment on a monthly basis. You can verify your enrollment online through the Web Automated Verification system (called “WAVE”) or by calling 877.823.2378.

Chapter 31 - Veteran Readiness and Employment

Veteran Readiness and Employment, also known as Chapter 31, provides education benefits to Veterans who have a 20–100% service-connected disability.

Learn more about Chapter 31 benefits.

Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®, Fry Scholarship, and STEM Extension Scholarship)

The Post- 9/11 GI Bill®, also known as Chapter 33, is an education benefit program for individuals who served on active duty after September 10, 2001. If you are eligible for Chapter 33 benefits and any other GI Bill® program, you must make an irrevocable election of the Post-9/11 GI Bill® before you will receive any benefits.

Generally, the VA will pay a percentage of the student's tuition and fees directly to FDTC. VA percentage rates are based on the student's aggregate active duty service after September 10, 2001. The books and supplies stipend and kickers are paid in a lump sum directly to the student, if they qualify, at the beginning of the semester. The Monthly Housing Allowance is paid directly to the student at the beginning of the month for the previous month to eligible students as well.

Learn more about Chapter 33 benefits.

Chapter 35 (Dependents' Educational Assistance Program)

The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program, also known as DEA or Chapter 35, offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or dependents of Veterans who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.

These benefits are, typically, paid to students on a monthly basis. Students receive their VA education benefit payments on or after the first of the month following the month payment is due.

Students who qualify for Chapter 35 benefits, may also qualify for The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship). If you qualify for both programs, you must make an irrevocable election for one of the programs before you will receive any benefits.

A child of a wartime veteran may also qualify for State Free Tuition. Please call 803.647.2434 for more information.

Detailed information about Chapter 35 benefits

*It is very important for students receiving Chapter 35 benefits who are pursuing a certificate or diploma program to verify their enrollment. Students are mailed a monthly verification form (VA Form 22-8979) by the Regional Veteran Affairs Office. You may verify your enrollment in 3 ways:

Chapter 1606 (Montgomery GI Selective Reserves)

The Montgomery GI Bill® - Selected Reserve Educational Assistance Program, also known as MGIB-SR or Chapter 1606, provides educational benefits to eligible members of the Selected Reserve, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Army National Guard and Air National Guard.

These benefits are, typically, paid to students on a monthly basis. Students receive their VA education benefit payments on or after the first of the month following the month payment is due.

Detailed information about Chapter 1606 benefits

*It is very important for students receiving Chapter 1606 benefits to verify their enrollment on a monthly basis. You may verify your enrollment in 3 ways:

Chapter 1607 (Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

REAP provides educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency declared by the President of Congress.

The National Defense Authorization Act of 2016 ended REAP on November 25, 2015.

Some individuals will remain eligible for REAP benefits until November 25, 2019, while others are no longer eligible for REAP benefits.

If you are no longer eligible to receive REAP benefits, you may be eligible to receive benefits under the Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Under the Chapter 1607 REAP, you must verify and complete your monthly enrollment verification.

Tuition Assistance (TA)

Students Using Tuition Assistance Checklist

Tuition Assistance (TA) is a Department of Defense program. The program is not administered or monitored by the VA. TA rules vary by branch of service and can even vary between different units within the same branch. The Education Service Officer (ESO) at your military installation should be your starting point for questions regarding TA, as well as the obtaining the necessary application forms.

Note: Be sure to check with your ESO on the fiscal year cap, as funding and total credit allotments may change. Military students will likely have an out-of-pocket cost at some point within the academic year.

Note: Start early! We recommend starting this process as early as four to six weeks prior to the start of classes, but certainly no later than 15 days prior. Keep in mind TA rules and deadlines vary by branch of service, but TA must be approved prior to the start of classes.

Steps to Apply for Tuition Assistance

  1. Speak with your ESO or command to ensure you are eligible for Tuition Assistance (TA).
  2. Gain approval from your chain of command to attend classes. Note: To use TA at WU, you must be an admitted WU student enrolled in an approved program.
  3. Meet with your Financial Aid Department to determine if you are eligible to receive an additional tuition-and-fee specific funding.
  4. Meet with your WU Academic Advisor to complete an education plan.
  5. Once your education plan is completed, please email the education plan to registrar@walsh.edu in a PDF format so that it can upload your classes to the respective military portal.
  6. Follow the military service branch and component specific instructions how to request Tuition Assistance for your course(s). Take note of the TA request timeframes (specific to your branch) and WU academic calendar.
  7. Submit your approved TA request (which is signed by you and your military branch) to registrar@walsh.edu in a PDF format. The Center of Veteran Affairs will process your approved TA request and work with the Student Accounting office to posts the credit to your student account. Please note that it can take 3-5 business days for a form to be processed to your account from the date it is submitted. We cannot guarantee that late forms will be processed to your account by the fee payment deadline. Any late fees assessed due to late TA form submission cannot be waived.