New students that have never used educational assistance benefits from the US Department of Veteran’s Affairs must make an appointment with our Veteran Certifying Officer. You will need to apply for education benefits: https://www.va.gov/
If you have attended other (non-CUNY) institutions and used your VA Education Benefits, your process is slightly different — you will not need to complete an application to begin using the benefits. We simply ask that you schedule an appointment with our Veteran Certifying Officer(padraig.odonoghue@slu.cuny.edu) who will help you to transition your benefits. Transfer students, generally, only need to complete a VA 22-1995 Change in Place of Training form.
Students continuing their studies at SLU can be certified for benefits as soon as they have registered for the semester; contact the Veteran Certifying Officer(padraig.odonoghue@slu.cuny.edu). It is recommended that you complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Disabled Students are eligible for additional financial help when they apply for Vocational Rehabilitation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Disabled students must have a VA-certified disability rating of at least 20 percent. Disabled students will receive authorization directly from the VA. This authorization needs to be brought to the student’s college and the college will then notify the VA when the student is enrolled and in attendance at the college.
Service members wishing to enroll at through the Department of Defense Voluntary Education Program must consult their Educational Services Officers (ESO) or counselor within their military service prior to enrolling, more information.
Advance Payment provides students with benefit payments at the beginning of a school term by paying the student’s monthly benefit for the first* and second month of the semester in advance. Eligible veterans may request an advance payment for their first two months prior to being certified. Advance payment checks are mailed directly to the college’s veterans affairs representative. Students should be aware, however, that after receiving an advance payment check they will not receive another check for several months. Completed forms are to be submitted to the College’s Veteran Certifying Officer(padraig.odonoghue@slu.cuny.edu).
*The first month will only pay from the term start date through the end of the month.
Students must be eligible for the following benefit types:
- Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill®
- Chapter 32: VEAP
- Chapter 35: Spouse/Dependents Education Assistance Program
- Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill®-Reserves
Additionally, students must have at least 31 days break since the last time student received VA Education Benefits, be enrolled at least ½-time in required courses, and must request advance advance pay no sooner than 120 days and no later than 45 days before the first official day of the semester.
Those certified for benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill are eligible for tuition and fee deferral.
Those certified for benefits under other programs may request a tuition-only deferral, and fees must be paid at the time payment is due. A tuition-only deferral will be processed for veterans who are certified for veteran’s benefits by the Certifying Official. The deferral must be presented to the bursar, along with the payment of fees.
Veterans are responsible for the payment of tuition whether they have received U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits or not. Students who have received a veteran’s deferment and have not cleared their debt will be prevented from registering for the following semester and will have a hold placed on their records.
