Active Military and Veterans — Earn Your Degree Online
Use Your Benefits at a Military Friendly School
Use Your Benefits | Get Dedicated Military Support | Transfer Credits | Save Money
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:
Eric Ramaekers
eramaekers@shawnee.edu
740-351-4441
Services for Veterans and Military-Connected Students
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.
You can compare benefits easily by using the GI Bill Comparison Tool and viewing current payment rates.
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.
Montgomery 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. If your obligation started after June 30, 1985, or for some types of training, after September 30, 1990, you may be eligible for this benefit. 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 >>
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.
Visit your service branch for more information:
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 >>
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%
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.
This office will be your constant connection to assistance and support. They’re here to help you apply for and receive educational benefits, support you as you transition to academia and connect you to support resources such as:
- Financial aid
- Campus resources you can connect with online
- A dedicated admissions associate
- One-on-one advising
- Student Activities – Take advantage of opportunities for involvement, leadership, and empowerment through a wide variety of organizations and programs.
- Student Career Services – Become well-informed and be prepared to make good career choices. As graduation approaches, the office offers job search workshops and assists students and alumni in their job search strategies while helping them with resume writing, cover letter composition, and interview skills.
- Accessibility Services – Access the services you need if you have a learning disability, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or other disability. This office is prepared to coordinate technical assistance to improve learning.
- Counseling Services – Get confidential support to improve your mental health, cope with stress, and adjust to civilian and academic life.
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.
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 your graduate with your degree faster.
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.
The Guide to Transfer document offers more details about obtaining college credit for your METC training at Shawnee State.
METC Training Program Shawnee State University Degree Program Transferable Credit Hours Credits to Complete Downloadable Degree Map Dental Assistant Program Associate of Arts in General Studies 13 47 PDF – Dental Assistant – AAGS Dental Assistant Program Bachelor of Science in Health Science 13 107 PDF – Dental Assistant – BSHS Dental Assistant Program Bachelor of Individualized Studies 13 107 PDF – Dental Assistant – BIS Radiologic Technologist Program (Air Force & Navy) Associate of Arts in General Studies 33 27 PDF – Radiologic Technologist Air Force, Navy – AAGS Radiologic Technologist Program (Air Force & Navy) Bachelor of Science in Health Science 33 87 PDF – Radiologic Technologist Air Force, Navy – BSHS Radiologic Technologist Program (Air Force & Navy) Bachelor of Individualized Studies 33 87 PDF – Radiologic Technologist Air Force, Navy – BIS Radiologic Technologist Program (Army) Associate of Arts in General Studies 35 25 PDF – Radiologic Technologist Army – AAGS Radiologic Technologist Program (Army) Bachelor of Science in Health Science 35 85 PDF – Radiologic Technologist Army – BSHS Radiologic Technologist Program (Army) Bachelor of Individualized Studies 35 85 PDF – Radiologic Technologist Army – BIS Hospital Corpsman Basic Associate of Arts in General Studies 19 41 PDF – Hospital Corpsman Basic – AAGS Hospital Corpsman Basic Bachelor of Science in Health Science 19 101 PDF – Hospital Corpsman Basic – BSHS Hospital Corpsman Basic Bachelor of Individualized Studies 19 101 PDF – Hospital Corpsman Basic – BIS 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.
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. You can learn more about the scholarships, their eligibility requirements, and award amounts here.
Active-duty military, veterans, and their families can find scholarship opportunities with the following organizations.
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
Find quick connection points to the military resources you are most likely to need.
- VA Education and Training Benefits
- Find Veterans’ Benefits Forms
- eBenefits
- The Ohio Department of Veteran Services
- Ohio Cares*
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:
Eric Ramaekers
Veterans Coordinator
erameakers@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
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.
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
- 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.
Go to the VA’s education application page and follow their instructions.
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.
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.
- Your benefits payments from the VA can be directly deposited into your checking or savings account.
Please contact SSU Veterans Coordinator:
Eric Ramaekers
eramaekers@shawnee.edu
740-351-4441
You can also visit www.gibill.va.gov.
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.
- 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.