Veterans and Military Education Benefits

First and foremost, your service to our country is appreciated!

If you have not yet connected with the University’s Military and Veteran Success Coordinator, we encourage you to visit the Veterans Resource Center location in the Centennial Student Union, Room 167, to introduce yourself and learn more about the support available to you as a veteran or active military student.

A variety of educational benefit programs have been established to assist students who have served or are currently serving in the military. There are other individuals designated to assist you with all the questions that can arise about these benefits, to guide you through the application process, and to ensure you receive all the benefits and for which you are eligible.

Applying for Federal Student Aid

The annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process determines a student’s eligibility for a number of Federal and State financial aid program resources.

Students who have been discharged from any regular branch of the United States military; Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard, with a discharge reason of other than dishonorable, are considered veterans for financial aid purposes. Veterans are automatically independent regardless of age; checking the Veteran’s box on the FAFSA initiates a comparison with the Veteran’s Administration database. It sometimes takes up to six months between a veteran’s discharge and inclusion on this database. If your FAFSA record does not match with the VA database, you can furnish a copy of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD214), to Student Financial Services at the Campus Hub to expedite the processing of your financial aid application.

Students who are members of the National Guard or Reserves are not considered veterans for financial aid purposes unless the student has completed active duty exclusive of training purposes. All National Guard or Reserve members who have completed active duty either in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the United States or active duty in a foreign country and have been discharged with a discharge reason other than dishonorable are considered veterans, and therefore, independent students regardless of age. National Guard and Reserve members records do not get sent to the Veteran’s Administration database; therefore, you can furnish a copy of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD214), to Student Financial Services at the Campus Hub to confirm veteran status and expedite award processing.

All veteran’s educational benefits, regardless of the chapter under which they are paid, are considered a resource for financial aid purposes and must be reported to Student Financial Services. Benefits may be reported through the online financial aid award acceptance step on E-services within the Financial Aid menu.

More information about tuition costs and financial aid is provided online. Feel free to contact us at the Campus Hub if you have any questions or need an appointment to discuss your financial aid options.

Minnesota GI Bill®

The Minnesota GI Bill® is a new program that provides post-secondary educational assistance above and beyond other benefits to eligible Minnesota veterans. Full-time undergraduate or graduate students may be eligible receive up to $3,000 per academic year and part-time students can receive up to $500 per semester.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, you must be a Minnesota resident enrolled at Minnesota institutions and a:

Veteran who is serving or has served honorably in any branch of the United States armed forces at any time on or after September 11, 2001, or;
Non-veteran who has served honorably for a total of five years or more cumulatively as a member of the Minnesota National Guard or any other active or reserve component of the United States armed forces, and any part of that service occurred on or after September 11, 2001, or;
Surviving spouse or children of a person who has served in the military at any time on or after September 11, 2001, and who has died or has a total and permanent disability as a direct result of that military service.

More information about the MN GI Bill® Grant

Apply for the MN GI Bill® Grant

Service-Related Protections: Deployment, Disability, Medical Conditions

Certain rights and protections are available to students ordered into active military service or who have a service-connected medical condition or medical treatment requirements. For more information, refer to:

Specifically, if you are called up for active duty military services during the semester, you have options regarding your enrollment status. Refer to the Deployment / Re-enrollment Checklist page for detailed guidance to smoothly navigate both your departure and return to the University.

Please also note that if you withdrew from college during a term because you were called up for active duty military service after December 31, 2002, and you were eligible for Minnesota State Grant funds, please inform the Campus Hub of the semester you were required to withdraw. Provide a copy of your orders or your DD214, and we will evaluate your eligibility to receive an additional semester of Minnesota State Grant funds to replace the semester lost due to active duty.

Military Service Benefit for Loans

Veterans and those being deployed and returning from deployment:

You are eligible for a deferment during the time that you are called up for active duty on your federal student loans. Please contact your Guarantor and/or lender for information and forms needed for this deferment opportunity

After your deployment:

You are eligible for a deferment of 180-days on your federal student loans when you return from active duty. Please contact your Guarantor and /or Lender for information and forms necessary to take advantage of this deferment opportunity.
If you were in school or in your grace period when you were called up, you have the ability to take a 13-month deferment on your federal student loans following your return. Please contact your Guarantor and /or Lender for information and forms necessary to take advantage of this deferment opportunity.

Additional Resources

Military Service Benefits (FATV Get Answers 24/7)
Resources for Veterans and Service Members (MinnState)
MyMilitary GPS Life Plan (MinnState)
Army ROTC Maverick Battalion (Minnesota State Mankato)

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 Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.