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Military and Veteran Benefits

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Saint Leo University offers programs that are approved for Military Tuition Assistance and Veteran Administration (VA) Education Benefits. VA Education Benefits help veterans, service members, and their qualified family members pay for college. Eligibility to receive VA education benefits is determined by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Military Tuition Assistance is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application processes, and restrictions. Future students should verify their eligibility with their branch’s military education office prior to enrolling. Service members must receive approval from an Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within the Military Service prior to enrolling. Saint Leo University does not determine Military Tuition Assistance or VA Education Benefit eligibility.

Students eligible to receive Federal military or veterans’ educational benefits and who have applied for Title IV aid using the Free Application for Federal Student AID (FAFSA) can access a College Financing Plan. The College Financing Plan is a standardized financial aid offer designed by the Department of Education. It is a snapshot of a student’s personal aid package, intended to provide prospective undergraduate and graduate students with a consistent way to view costs and aid between universities. The College Financing Plan is available through the Saint Leo Portal and complies with the Principles of Excellence for Educational Institutions Serving Service Members, Veterans, Spouses, and Other Family Members.

In compliance with regulatory agencies, Saint Leo University does not provide commission, bonus or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing Service member enrollments. Additionally, our policies are consistent with the ban against high-pressure recruitment tactics as identified in DOD Instruction 1322.25 and the DODMOU.

Saint Leo University Veterans Affairs Guide

VA Benefits-Billing Statement FAQs

Military Student Resources Guide

College Financing Plan Guide

Tuition Assistance

TA must be requested each term, for each class.

To verify your eligibility and assess the resources available, please contact your military education office. Perspective students should consult their military education office prior to enrolling regarding eligibility and the process to apply for TA funds. The Service member should also visit their respective Military Service's education portal for additional information. Once eligibility has been confirmed, fax your approved TA form to (352) 433-1903 or email the document to Jennifer.Werme@saintleo.edu (US Navy/Marine Corps/ Coast Guard) or Tami.Gildea@saintleo.edu (US Air Force). US Army/US Army Reserves/US Army National Guard do not need to submit TA forms, Saint Leo University will download the eligibility list from the respective website. 

Please see branch and armed services-specific policies below:

VA Education Benefits

Military students that have been on active duty for at least two years and have applied to the VA for either MGIB or Post- 9/11 may elect to use part of their VA benefits to "top-up" and cover tuition costs that exceed the standard tuition assistance cap. Requests for top-up are submitted directly to the VA by the military student.

You may utilize your VA benefits for Saint Leo University programs. To assess eligibility for benefits under the GI Bill®, please call the VA at 1-888-442-4551. Benefits are based on a number of considerations, including the subject matter of your studies, your length of military service, DOD supplements to your MGIB, and other factors. Detailed information of Veterans Education Benefits can be found on the VA website: www.gibill.va.gov.

In order to use your VA education benefits at Saint Leo University, you must:

Officially apply to Saint Leo University and request all transcripts sent for evaluation within the first two academic terms. Saint Leo University does not determine VA eligibility. Eligibility to receive education benefits is determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Once you have registered for classes, provide your Veteran Certifying Official (VCO) with documentation of your VA eligibility in the form of a certificate of eligibility letter or a copy of your VA application. Your VCO will then submit a 22-1999 to the VA on your behalf.

Students wishing to participate in the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veteran Affairs (CH 30, 31, 33, 35, 1606) must submit a Request for Certification of Enrollment form in order for Saint Leo to certify their course enrollment to the VA. The Request for Certification of Enrollment form should be submitted at least 30 days prior to term start to allow time for processing and timely receipt of benefits. The Request for Certification of Enrollment form is available via eForm. You can access eForm by logging into the student portal at Community - Intranet and clicking on "eForm" under the Online Services section.  Using eForm allows you to complete, sign, and submit forms online.

What will VA Cover?

Montgomery GI Bill ®, Selected Reserves 1606, DEA Chapter 35

These funds do not come to Saint Leo University. They will be sent to you on a monthly basis depending on your enrollment status. Discuss your options of tuition payment with your admissions representative.

Post-9/11 GI Bill ®

Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill ®, individuals who have served on active duty for at least 90 days on or after September 11, 2001 receive tuition and fees not to exceed the capped costs set for private institutions of higher education. They also receive a monthly basic allowance for housing (BAH) based upon one-half the national average and a yearly stipend ($125 per 3 credit hour class not to exceed $1,000 annually) to supplement the cost of books. Tuition is paid directly to Saint Leo University. BAH and book stipends are paid directly to the student. The percentage rate (50%, up to 100%) paid is based on the accumulated time served after September 11, 2001. For more information on the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, visit www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

Yellow Ribbon Program

To assist students whose tuition and fees exceed the capped amount, the Post-9/11 GI Bill® has an additional provision called the Yellow Ribbon Program. Under this voluntary program, Saint Leo University has entered into an agreement with the VA to help fund the additional expenses for eligible students. You must be eligible for Post-9/11 at 100% to also be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program. For more information on the Yellow Ribbon program, visit the Yellow Ribbon program page.

Chapter 31: Veteran Readiness and Employment

To qualify for this benefit, the service member must have a service-connected disability. For more information regarding this benefit and the application process, contact the VA at 800-827-1000 or visit https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/ for more information.

VR&E Process at Saint Leo University

 

For Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Ch 33) students and VA Veteran Readiness and Employment (Ch 31) students, our tuition policy complies with 38 USC 3679(e) which means Post 9/11 and Veteran Readiness and Employment students will not be charged or otherwise penalized due to a delay in VA tuition and fee payments.  For eligibility consideration, a Post 9/11 GI Bill student must submit a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and a Veteran Readiness Student must have authorization in the Tungsten portal.

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 at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Which benefit is right for me?

Listed below are some of the highlights of each educational program.

  Post – 9/11 GI Bill® Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty Montgomery GI Bill® Reserves Survivor and Dependents Benefits
Tuition & Fees Paid directly to the school. Not to exceed highest in-state undergraduate rate at a public school. Paid directly to the veteran. Paid directly to the veteran. Paid directly to the spouse/dependent.
Housing Allowance Paid at the E-5 with dependents rate. Based on Zip Code of the center. Not payable for active duty or for those attending ½ time or less. Students enrolled entirely in distance learning programs will receive benefits at the online BAH rate.. N/A N/A N/A
Book Stipend Receive up to $1,000 per year. Paid at $41.67 per credit hour. N/A N/A N/A
Time Limit to use benefit 15 years or no delimiting date if student is eligible for Forever GI Bill® Benefit. 10 years Eligibility normally ends once you leave the service 10 years from the date we determine they qualify or from the veteran’s date of death. A child may use benefits between ages 18 and 26 (there may be exceptions).
600 Buy-up Not payable Paid at applicable rate Not Payable Not Payable
Licensing & Certification Tests Reimbursement for ONE. Licensing or certification test may not exceed $2,000 Benefit available Benefit available Benefit available
Transfer of Entitlement Those eligible may transfer up to 36 months of entitlement to a dependent. N/A N/A N/A

**GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.**

Can I Use My VA Benefits and Apply for Financial Aid?

VA is the NET PAYOR, and Saint Leo University must deduct any payments made directly to the university that is only for tuition and fees. Examples of such payments and waivers include, but are not limited to:

  • Non-Title IV financial aid
  • Military tuition assistance
  • Employer tuition payments paid to the university
  • Private scholarships for tuition (paid to the university)
  • Military Spouse Career Advancement Accts (MYCAA)
  • Tuition percentage discounts

In no instance is an award of federal financial aid under Title IV deducted from net charges for tuition and fees. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Unsubsidized and Subsidized Federal Family education loans
  • Unsubsidized and Subsidized Federal Direct Stafford loans
  • FFEL Parent (PLUS) loans, Federal Direct PLUS loans
  • Federal Pell Grants
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity grant

Education-Related Programs

VA Work-Study Allowance Program

The Work-Study Program is available to any educational benefit recipient who is attending a college or university at three-quarter time (16 week semester = 9 credits) or more. Students may obtain employment at the VA Medical Facility, VA Regional Office, or at other approved state employment facilities. Students are paid at federal or state minimum wage (whichever is higher), and these payments are non-taxable. More information can be found at: www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/work-study/.

Veterans Upward Bound

The Veterans Upward Bound Program provides instruction and advising to veterans beginning or returning to college or pursuing a GED. The program provides services to all low-income or first generation college-bound veterans. The program offers day and evening classes and operates on an open entry system. To qualify, a veteran must have served more than 180 consecutive days on active duty with at least a portion of this service falling after January 31, 1955. Discharge status can be anything but dishonorable in order to participate. Courses offered include English/Reading, Writing/Literature, Math, Basic Computers, Spanish, and Science. More information can be found at www2.ed.gov/programs/triovub/index.html.

ThanksUSA.org

The nonprofit organization ThanksUSA invites all children and spouses of military personnel to apply for one of nearly 1,000 scholarships of up to $5,000 each for college, vocational, and technical schools. Apply by May 30 to qualify. To learn more about the scholarship and to download the application, go to www.thanksusa.org.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs regulations require that all persons using any type of veteran educational assistance programs make satisfactory academic progress toward achievement of their educational objective (degree plan), as defined in the Saint Leo University catalog. A student who fails to meet the minimum standards will be placed on probation or disqualification.

Learn more about Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

Changes in Student Status

It is the veteran student's responsibility to notify Saint Leo University regarding any change in enrollment, address, degree plan, enrollment at another institution, or any other change that may impact his or her veteran educational benefits. Failure to report such changes can result in an overpayment requiring debt collection action from the VA.

Credit for Prior Training/Training

Veteran students are required to request and have evaluated all prior college and university credit received prior to, during, and after military service. This is to ensure that the VA does not pay for coursework twice and that students receive the most from their benefits.

All active military and veterans attending Saint Leo University are encouraged to contact their Veteran Certifying Officials by phone or email with any questions pertaining to the processing of VA educational benefits or military activation assistance while at Saint Leo University.

Veteran Certifying Officials (VCOs)

Students with questions about their veteran benefits should contact their Saint Leo University Veteran Certifying Official. Contact information for Saint Leo University Veteran Certifying Officials can be found on the Saint Leo Veteran Certifying Officials (VCOs) webpage.

Office of Military Affairs & Services

Military and Veteran Experience | OMAS

Building 4 (Old Lakeside Room) 
33701 SR 52 
Saint Leo, FL 33574-6665

MilitaryServices@saintleo.edu