Educational Benefits for Veterans and Servicemembers

‘‘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 Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.”

There are many different types of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefits available to advance the education and skills of veterans and service-members in the United States Armed Forces. To learn more about your eligibility, please visit the VA website. Along with the Chapter 33 benefits outlined below, students typically qualify for other benefits that include:

• Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty
• Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
• Chapter 35: Survivors and Dependents’ Educational Assistance
• Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve

In order to receive any VA educational benefits at North Park, please visit the procedures page for information on documentation that must be provided to the University. Contact North Park’s Veteran Coordinator for more information.

Post-9/11 GI Bill®

Veterans who served a minimum of 90 days active duty after September 11, 2001 (or 30 continuous days and were discharged due to a service-connected disability), are eligible for education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill and may be eligible for additional benefits through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Additional information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill is available online.

Below is an example of how benefits may be applied for traditional undergraduate students. However, benefits may be applicable to students in all of our graduate and degree-completion programs. Please contact the Office of Admissions or the veteran coordinator to learn more about how Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits work in other programs at North Park.

Benefits Example from Post 9/11 GI Bill®

• Tuition and Fees: The VA will pay a maximum amount of $22,805.34. Students eligible for the maximum VA benefits may be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, which could cover all additional costs over the annual maximum. Receipt of 100% VA educational benefits may result in an adjustment of institutional scholarships and grant aid so that those limited funds can assist additional students. For students who receive the Illinois Map Grant, that grant can only be used for tuition charges. Thus, the amount of the grant will be subtracted from tuition charges before the VA education benefits are applied.
• Monthly Housing Allowance: This amount is based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) calculations. The monthly housing allowance is paid directly to the student after enrollment verification.
• Annual Stipend for Books and Supplies: A maximum amount of $1,000 per year based on enrollment during the academic year.

Who Qualifies

The amount of active duty service determines the maximum percentage of benefit eligibility:

Remember, the VA will make the final determination of your percentage of maximum benefit payable for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.

Yellow Ribbon Program

North Park University is pleased to participate in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program). A provision of the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, this program provides matching funds from the Department of Veterans Affairs as a supplement to the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.

How it Works

After the Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefit is applied to those at the 100% benefit level, North Park University will offer assistance for half of the remaining tuition and the VA will match this amount. This allows qualified students to attend North Park tuition-free.

The Yellow Ribbon Program covers tuition and mandatory fees. Fees are not represented in the example below. These benefits will replace merit scholarships. Yellow Ribbon recipients will also receive a monthly housing allowance and an annual stipend for books and supplies which are both sent from the VA directly to the student. Students who are eligible for the Illinois MAP Grant will have those funds applied after the GI Bill® and before the Yellow Ribbon Funds.

Yellow Ribbon Benefits Example

Who Qualifies

Individuals who meet one of the following standards:

• Served an aggregate period of at least 36 months after September 11, 2001
• Were honorably discharged from active duty for a service connected disability and served 30 continuous days after September 11, 2001
• Are dependents eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®

Transfer of Entitlement

The Department of Defense offers members of the Armed Forces the opportunity to transfer Chapter 33 Benefits to their spouses and dependent children. Service members can apply using the ToE website to designate, modify, and revoke a ToE request.

After the transfer has been approved, the spouse or child must apply with the VA before they can begin to receive Chapter 33 benefits. The application VA Form 22-1009e can be completed online through VONAPP.

Once approved the spouse or dependent will need to submit his/her Certificate of Eligibility, a copy of the Service Member’s DD214 (if applicable), and the North Park Veteran’s Certification Form.

VA Pending Payment Compliance

North Park University will not take any of the four following actions toward any student using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while their payment from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs is pending to the educational institution:
• Prevent their enrollment;
• Assess a late penalty fee to;
• Require they secure alternative or additional funding;
• Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:
• Produce the VA’s Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class;
• Provide written request to be certified;
• Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies (see our VA School Certifying Official for all requirements).

Questions

Questions about benefits for veterans should be directed to the veteran coordinator in the Office of the Registrar via email or at (773) 244-5560.