Active Military and Veterans — Earn Your Degree Online
Use Your Benefits at a Military Friendly School
We're thankful for your service and are dedicated to your success.
Get the right credentials to reach your goals and advance your career through Shawnee State University's online campus. We've made it our mission to assist U.S. military veterans, service members, and their families in obtaining all the educational benefits they've earned through service. As a Military Friendly® school that was also selected as a Best for Vets school in 2021, we'll provide you and your family the guidance and support you need to transition to academic and civilian life.
Use Your Benefits
Our military support teams can help you determine eligibility for a variety of programs available to lower your out-of-pocket costs. For information regarding GI Bill® or Tuition Assistance benefits, contact the SSU veterans' coordinator:
Doug Shoemakerdshoemaker@shawnee.edu
(740) 351-4441
Services for Veterans and Military-Connected Students
GI Bill®
Government-Based Education Assistance
Veterans and active-duty, guard and reserve service members, as well as their spouses and dependents, can use a variety of GI Bills to help fund their education.
Forever GI Bill®
The Forever GI Bill® expands the eligibility for and the amount of education benefits provided in the Post-9/11 GI Bill® as well as the length of time veterans have to use them. See Full Details
Post-9/11 GI Bill®
Get help with tuition and fees, money for housing, books, and supplies. If you've served on active duty after September 10, 2001, you may qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33).
If you're a member of the Reserves who lost education benefits when the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) ended in November 2015, you may qualify to receive restored benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
See Full DetailsMontgomery GI Bill® — Active Duty
If you have served at least two years on active duty, the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) can help you pay for up to 36 months of education benefits. You must meet eligibility requirements in one of four categories. See Full Details
Montgomery GI Bill® — Selected Reserve
The Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program offers up to 36 months of education and training benefits for members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard. See Full Details
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E; Chapter 31)
Formerly referred to as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, this program helps you explore employment options and addresses training needs. In some cases, your family members may also qualify for certain benefits. See Full Details
Military Tuition Assistance
DoD Tuition Assistance (DoD TA)
Active military students may be eligible to use DoD TA to cover tuition expenses up to $250 per credit hour if they're eligible.
Ohio National Guard Education Programs and Services
The Ohio National Guard offers scholarship programs and education benefits so you may complete your degree with the least out-of-pocket expense possible. Get Full Details
See How Your Military Benefits Affect Your Costs
| Full-Time Tuition | 100% |
|---|---|
| Post-9/11 GI Bill Academic Year Cap | 35% |
| Remaining Balance | 65% |
| Full-Time Tuition | 100% |
|---|---|
| Post-9/11 GI Bill Academic Year Cap | 82% |
| Remaining Balance | 18% |
Get Dedicated Military Support
Shawnee State faculty complete Green Zone Training to understand our military-affiliated students' backgrounds and mindsets. We're honored to help you transition to college life and offer the support you need to succeed in earning your degree and launching your chosen career.
Office of Military and Veterans Services
- Financial aid
- Campus resources you can connect with online
- A dedicated admissions associate
- One-on-one advising
Additional Veteran Support
- Student Activities – involvement, leadership, and empowerment
- Student Career Services – job search workshops, resume writing, interview skills
- Accessibility Services – support for disabilities, TBI, technical assistance
- Counseling Services – confidential support for mental health and adjustment
Save Time and Money
You can save time and money earning your degree by transferring credits, utilizing our military affiliations, and applying for scholarships in tandem with your education benefits.
Active-Duty Tuition Discount
Active-duty service members using federal tuition assistance pay a reduced tuition rate of $250 per credit hour.
Transfer Your Credits
Receive credit for U.S. military training and take fewer courses to earn your degree.
- Bachelor's Programs — Earn and apply up to 90 transfer credits.
- Master's Programs — Apply up to nine graduate-level transfer credits.
Get Your Military Transcripts
The American Council on Education (ACE) provides students quality assurance and JST-policy guidance as their credits are reviewed. ACE provides SSU with the suggested credit hours and course evaluations for various military training based on a service member's Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript.
Use Our Military Affiliations
Our military agreements with METC and CCAF can ensure you graduate with your degree faster.
Medical Education and Training Campus (METC)
As an METC graduate, you can apply 13 to 35 transfer credits to the Associate of Arts in General Studies, Bachelor of Science in Health Science, or Bachelor of Individualized Studies programs.
Guide to Transfer offers more details about obtaining college credit for your METC training at Shawnee State.
| METC Training Program | Degree Program | Transferable Credit Hours | Credits to Complete | Degree Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant Program | Associate of Arts in General Studies | 13 | 47 | |
| Dental Assistant Program | Bachelor of Science in Health Science | 13 | 107 | |
| Dental Assistant Program | Bachelor of Individualized Studies | 13 | 107 |
Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) General Education Mobile (GEM)
Through the General Education Mobile (GEM) program, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force members are able to fulfill their general education requirements for their Associate of Applied Science degree at the CCAF through Shawnee State University. This gives you the ability to study when and where it's best for you in an online format.
- Each course corresponds to a general education area requirement for a degree
- GEM courses are taught 100% online
- Multiple start dates
Oral Communication
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits | Course Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM1103 | Public Speaking/Human Communication | 3.00 | 7 weeks |
Written Communication
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits | Course Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL1101 | Discourse and Composition (A) | 3.00 | 7 weeks |
| ENGL1105 | Composition and Argumentation | 3.00 | 7 weeks |
Mathematics
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits | Course Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATH1000 | Reasoning Using Mathematics | 3.00 | 7 weeks |
| STAT1150 | Principles of Statistics | 3.00 | 7 weeks |
Social Science
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits | Course Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANTH2250 | Principles of Cultural Anthropology | 3.00 | 7 weeks |
| ECON2201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3.00 | 7 weeks |
| ECON2202 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3.00 | 7 weeks |
| HIST1340 | American History Since 1865 | 3.00 | 7 weeks |
| HIST2223 | Ancient History of the Near East | 3.00 | 7 weeks |
| POLS1210 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3.00 | 7 weeks |
| PSYC1101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3.00 | 7 weeks |
| SOCI1101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3.00 | 7 weeks |
Humanities
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits | Course Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL2200 | Introduction to Literature | 3.00 | 7 weeks |
| MUSI1201 | Music Appreciation | 3.00 | 7 weeks |
| SPAN1111 | Elementary Spanish 1 | 3.00 | 7 weeks |
| PHIL2320 | Ethics in Public/Private Life | 3.00 | 7 weeks |
External Scholarships
To shorten your search time, we've curated a list of scholarships. The list is not meant to be all-encompassing and you should seek additional sources as you're able.
Military Scholarships
Airborne Scholarship Association (ASA)
The ASA offers three scholarship programs to active-duty, veterans, and dependent family members. See Full Details
Ohio War Orphan & Severely Disabled Veterans' Children Scholarship
Children of deceased or severely disabled Ohio veterans who served in the armed forces during a period of declared war or conflict may be funded 100% of their tuition and general fees at public institutions and $8,575 for the year at private institutions. See Full Details
Comprehensive Scholarship List
The Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs has an impressive list of more than 50 military scholarships. While some are state-specific, much of this list contains national scholarships available to veterans, active military, or their dependents or spouses. See List
Veterans' Service Organization Scholarships
American Legion
The American Legion's purpose is to enhance the well-being of America's veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by devotion to mutual helpfulness. Their Legacy Scholarship provides college funding to children of post-9/11 veterans who died on active duty, or those who have a combined VA disability rating of 50% or greater. See Details and Application
Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)
Paralyzed Veterans of America is proud to offer funds to PVA members and their immediate family members through our Educational Scholarship Program. You need to be a PVA member, the spouse of a member, or an unmarried, dependent child to be eligible. See Details and Application
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
The VFW's "Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship" provides active military and veterans with the financial assistance they need to complete their educational goals with a scholarship award of up to $5,000. See Details and Application
Additional Military Resources
- VA Education and Training Benefits
- Find Veterans' Benefits Forms
- eBenefits
- The Ohio Department of Veteran Services
- Ohio Cares*
- Military Supportive Colleges
Ohio Cares is a collaborative effort formed with local and state agencies to support the mental health needs of returning veterans and their families. Their purpose is to enhance the "safety net" of behavioral health services available including those of the Department of Veterans Affairs and Vet Centers.
- Their non-emergency resource information line is 1-800-761-0868.
- If you are a soldier or airman in distress, or know of one who needs immediate assistance, call their crisis hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
If you have questions or concerns, contact the Veterans Coordinator in the Student Success Center:
Doug ShoemakerVeterans Coordinator
dshoemaker@shawnee.edu
(740) 351-4441
Which Degree Is Right for You?
Small class sizes allow experienced faculty to focus on their military students. You'll be guided by experts in the industry throughout your program and can count on the individualized attention you need. Review the programs below and reach out for more information on the ones that interest you the most. View Programs Now
Military Benefits FAQs
Beyond my government education benefits, are there other ways to save on the cost of tuition?
You can apply for grants, scholarships, and federal financial aid. See the Save Time & Money tab above for the many options available.
You can also apply for student federal aid: Shawnee State's federal school code 009942.
Can I be certified without a COE? Classes are scheduled to start before it will arrive.
Yes, if you provide documentation that you are eligible for the benefit, and that you have applied. However, only the Department of Veteran Affairs can determine eligibility for VA benefits. We are only estimating what they will pay. You will be responsible for any amount of your debt VA has determined they will not pay for. If you are unsure, wait until your COE is mailed to you.
Can I receive credit for my U.S. military service?
Can I use other forms of financial aid with my GI Bill®?
Yes, you can. We are required to report the net tuition cost to the VA after applying grants, scholarships, discounts, etc. that apply to tuition. The balance is what VA will pay under chapter 33.
Do I need to pay taxes on my GI Bill® benefits?
No. You will not receive a W-2 from the VA and benefits paid under any law administered by VA should not be reported as income to the IRS.
How do I apply for my educational benefits?
How do I apply my benefits to my tuition and fees?
How do I find out if I'm eligible for military benefits and apply?
Go to the VA's education application page and follow their instructions.
How do I get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)?
If you are a veteran, use the Find a Form link, search and complete VA Form 22-1990, Application for VA Education Benefits. You will be mailed a COE in approximately eight weeks.
To access your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), please sign in to your account. Once you log in to your account, you can make this request. You will only be able to view the benefit if you were awarded educational benefits.
How do I get transfer credit for my military training?
Request and provide an official copy of your JST or CCAF transcript during the admissions process along with your prior college transcripts and high school transcripts so they can be evaluated.
You can order your transcripts using the appropriate military branch link below. Please note that you will likely be prompted to manually accept the DoD's security certificates.
How will I receive my benefits?
I have a question that is not listed here, can you answer it?
Please contact SSU Veterans Coordinator:
Doug Shoemaker
dshoemaker@shawnee.edu
(740) 351-4441
You can also visit www.gibill.va.gov.
If I use the Montgomery GI Bill® first, then I can also use the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, right?
It is possible. If you're authorized to use more than one GI Bill® benefit you're allowed to use up to 48 months of benefits, but one at a time. If you have used up your entire chapter 30 and have never used a different chapter (31, 32, 34, 35, 1606, or 1607) you could be eligible for an additional 12 months if you have not reached your delimiting date.