Military Students
Serving Those Who Have Served
We proudly welcome U.S. military students at Shawnee State University Online Campus.
We want to help U.S. military veterans and current active duty service members take advantage of the educational benefits they have earned. Those who have served in the U.S. military can apply for GI Bill benefits to receive financial assistance for their online program.
What Is the GI Bill?
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides educational benefits to veterans and active duty service members through the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, also known as the Forever GI Bill. The Forever GI Bill incorporates the following changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill:
- All service members are eligible for educational benefits as there is no longer a 15-year time limit for the use of benefits
- Purple Heart recipients can receive benefits at the 100-percent level for up to three years
- Service members in the National Guard and Reserve can receive benefits
- Increased benefit levels
Am I Eligible for GI Bill Benefits?
You must meet any of the following criteria in order to be eligible to receive GI Bill educational benefits:
- Have served at least 30 days of continuous active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, and were discharged due to a service-related disability
- Have served 90 days of active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, and received honorable discharge
- Have received a Purple Heart or the Fry Scholarship
- Are serving in the National Guard or Reserve
How Will My Military Benefits Affect My Costs?
| Bachelor’s Degree | |
|---|---|
| Full-Time Tuition | 100% |
| Post-9/11 GI Bill Academic Year Cap | 35% |
| Remaining Balance | 65% |
| Master’s Degree | |
|---|---|
| Full-Time Tuition | 100% |
| Post-9/11 GI Bill Academic Year Cap | 82% |
| Remaining Balance | 18% |
Additional Resources
If you’d like to learn more about military benefits, you may visit any of the following resources:
- Benefit comparison and payment rate information
- List of veterans educational programs
- Information for overpayment or debt
- Apply for benefits
Military Benefits FAQs
- Yes, you may be eligible to receive credit for your U.S. military service. First, you must request your Joint Service Transcript (if you served in the U.S. Air Force, you may request your transcript through the Air Force website). After we receive your transcript, one of our advisors will evaluate it for college credit.
- After you apply for admission to one of Shawnee State University’s online programs, you need to complete the application for DVA Education Benefits on the GI Bill website. Then, submit your Certificate of Eligibility to the Office of Military and Veteran Services after you’ve received it (typically within 30-45 days), along with a copy of your DD-214 form. You’ll also need to submit all previous college transcripts, military transcripts, and joint transcripts to Shawnee State’s Admissions Office by the end of the semester. Additionally, you may need to complete college assessment exams. Finally, you will meet with your advisor for an academic plan and a VA Semester Worksheet, and then provide a copy of your Veteran Services Registration form to the Office of Military and Veteran Services.
- After you’ve received your educational benefits payments, you can apply them to your tuition and fees by making payments through your MySSU account.
- Your benefits payments from the VA can be directly deposited into your checking or savings account.
- If you did not meet the minimum grade required to pass a course, the VA will pay for you to retake the class. However, the VA will not pay for any repeated courses successfully passed.
- If your military educational benefits result in overpayment, you must repay the VA. Failure to do so may result in legal proceedings. If you have an overpayment of benefits, you may request a waiver or repayment of debt in monthly installments. Contact the Office of Military and Veteran Services if you need to make one of these requests.