Benefits and Services for Veterans
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Put your benefits to work with our Veterans Career Transition program!
Our dedicated staff knows firsthand the issues you face transitioning from service, as well as identifying and accessing your veteran’s benefits. We provide the resources and support you need to pursue your educational goals. Our full-time veterans services coordinator can help you with everything from:
- Applying for admission and education grants
- Serving as your liaison to other university offices
The Support You Need
The veterans services coordinator works with a single point of contact at Student Financial Services (SFS) on all matters regarding military members or veterans.
You can feel rest assured that we have the best interest of our veterans and military members at heart. University:
- Does not pay commissions, bonuses, or other incentive payment programs to employees or contractors for the purpose of securing enrollments of military service members and employ high-pressure recruitment tactics for military members or veteran students
- Has enrollment coordinators that are paid bi-weekly or monthly as part of a set annual salary and are not incentivized in any way (specifically, there is no bonus structure) for signing up students
For the purpose of securing service-member enrollments, multiple unsolicited contacts of potential students, identified as service members, will not be accomplished, nor will there be same-day recruitment and registration of service members.
During the recruitment process, our prospective military members and veterans will be assisted by admissions counselors, student financial services counselors, and a veterans services coordinator. Offers of financial aid are created by both the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions in accordance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines. Before federal loan disbursement, new students are required to complete both Federal Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note for University. Highly trained Student Financial Services counselors are readily available to discuss all types of financial aid before, during, and after a military member’s or veteran’s enrollment at University.
To ensure you can enroll in the courses necessary to complete your degree in a timely manner, and as a sign of our commitment to elevate the veteran student experience, we provide priority registration to all eligible veterans.
We know your life as a service member can be unpredictable. If you are called to active duty, your academic advisor and veterans services coordinator will assist with all the paperwork involved, so you can take a temporary leave from your studies. In addition, should you have to unenroll from University due to military service, University aligns its readmissions policy with Chapter 3 Vol 2 of the Federal Student Aid Handbook. University will promptly readmit a service member with the same academic status as he/she had when last attending the school or accepted for admission to the school.
is a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program and is honored to be just one of two in Pennsylvania designated as a Purple Heart University. Our participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program offers veterans and their dependents help paying tuition that the Post-9/11 GI Bill® does not cover.
In 2018, we were named a Purple Heart University by the Military Order of the Purple Heart for our support of U.S. military men and women wounded or killed while serving in the line of duty. Purple Heart recipients (or their spouses/dependents) receive a $1,000 credit on each graduate course. The up to 40% savings on tuition is in recognition of the veteran’s service to our country.
One of the best graduate schools for veterans hoping to become teachers, offers a special tuition rate for veterans pursuing teaching certification (grades 7 through 12) through our Secondary Education master’s degree program.
Our military-friendly university provides educational opportunities for undergraduates. Career transition programs cover a range of interests:
• Certificates, including our Municipal Police Training Academy
• Associate degrees, including Hospitality Management
• Bachelor’s degrees, including health-related careers
We respect the experience you gained in the military. Our graduate programs allow you to build on your knowledge and successfully transition from service. Popular graduate degrees among veterans are Applied Intelligence, Criminal Justice Administration, and Organizational Leadership:
• Applied Intelligence Master of Science (M.S.)
• Applied Intelligence Online 12-Credit Graduate Certificate
• Criminal Justice Administration Online Master of Science (M.S.)
• Criminal Justice Administration Online 12-Credit Graduate Certificate
• Organizational Leadership Online Master of Science (M.S.)
• Organizational Leadership Online 9-Credit Graduate Certificate
The Veteran Student Resource Center
We provide military-friendly resources to help you feel supported. In fact, we have set aside a place just for you—the Veteran Student Resource Center. It is a quiet place to socialize with other veterans, study, grab a snack, enjoy a complimentary coffee, and relax on the comfiest couches on campus.
See why we’re among the best graduate schools for veterans!
Disabled veterans’ education benefits by state may vary, but do not struggle through the process alone. Our veterans services staff is here to help you determine the benefits available for you, your spouse, and dependents. We are committed to helping you maximize your benefits, learn how to apply for those benefits, and see how administers those benefits.
Benefits listed in the section below are subject to change based on current and ongoing legislation, as well as federal and state budgetary considerations. Our list is not all-inclusive, so if you have questions, please contact our Office of Veterans Services at 814-824-2617 or the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs at 888-442-4551. More information is available on the Veterans Administration website.
- Chapter 1606, 30, and 33 - New students should use VA Form 22-1990. Transfer students should use VA Form 22-1995
- Chapter 35 - Use VA Form 5490 (Application for Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance) for new applicants and VA Form 5495 for transfer students
- Chapter 31 - Your VA Rehabilitation Case Manager must provide you with VA form 28-1905 (Authorization and Certification of Entrance or Reentrance into Rehabilitation and Certification of Status). A new form must be provided to for each semester you wish to claim VA educational benefits
- Reservists or members of the National Guard obtain a Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) from their unit. Then complete an online application to the Department of Veterans Affairs
- All VA beneficiaries should provide the veterans services program manager with a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (this document will be mailed to you from the VA after your application has been processed and your educational benefits have been approved). National Guard beneficiaries should provide the veterans services program manager with a copy of your Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) provided to you by your unit
- All active duty, reserve, and veterans should provide with a copy of your military transcript for review. Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy affiliates can obtain their transcript from the Joint Service Transcript System. Air Force affiliates can obtain it from the Air Force
- Veterans must provide with a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy)
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you have never applied, first obtain a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. Use 's school code, 003297, when completing these materials
- Tuition assistance for active duty and reservists through their military branch and Department of Defense (DoD)
- Pennsylvania state grants for children of POW-MIA
- Pennsylvania state grants for eligible veterans
- Pennsylvania National Guard Education Assistance Program (EAP) for members of the Pennsylvania National Guard attending a Pennsylvania college or university
- If you want to use non-VA military benefits, contact your base’s Education Office, education service officer (ESO), or an education counselor within your military service before enrolling at University
- The veterans services coordinator processes the enrollment verification for all VA and DoD beneficiaries, assists in the admissions process for veteran applicants, and helps as needed with the admissions process for VA and DoD beneficiaries
We are here to support you as you apply for VA benefits to attend University. Veterans, or those using Chapter 33, should complete an online application to the Department of Veterans Affairs:
You don’t have to wait! Apply for your benefits and apply to at the same time. Doing this will help expedite the admissions process.
For individuals who entered the military on or after July 1, 1985, had their basic military pay reduced by $100 per month for the first 12 months, and have an honorable discharge.
Provides training and rehabilitation for veterans with a service-connected disability with a rating of at least 20%.
For individuals who served 90 aggregate days of active-duty service on or after September 11, 2001, and have an honorable discharge. Starting in 2009, active-duty service members may be eligible to transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement to dependents and/or spouses. Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, students may be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
For dependents of a veteran who is 100% disabled or who has died from a service-related injury or illness. A dependent may be a child under 26 or a surviving spouse.
For persons who have enlisted, reenlisted, or extended an enlistment in the Selective Reserve on or after July 1, 1985, and served for a period of not less than six years following the date of such action.
Public Law 111-32, the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship, amends the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) to include the children of service members who die in the line of duty after Sept. 10, 2001.
In addition to standard veterans education benefits you may also be eligible for non-VA military benefits such as:
Considering using VA or DoD education benefits? Contact our veterans services coordinator to ensure that you receive proper certification.
Start your transition from service while you make the most of your education grants by pursuing your degree at . Request more information or apply now.
"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.
Educational Resources
- Call the Education Call Center, toll-free, at 1-888-442-4551
Certification Forms Required for Veterans Affairs (VA) Education Benefits
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- Received after applying for VA Educational Benefits via VONAPP
Medical/Wellness/Government Agencies
- Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255
- Press 1
- Text 838255
- or call them, toll-free, at 814-868-8661 or 800-274-8387
- or call them at 814-451-6270
- Call the Erie Vet Center at 814-453-7955 or 24/7 Call Center at 877-927-8387
- Call the Homeless Veterans Hotline at 877-424-3838
Chris Popa
Veteran Services Coordinator
Office: Old Main 213
Meet our Staff
Office of Veteran's Services