Veterans Resources

If you are a veteran who served on continuous active duty for 181 days or more after Jan. 13, 1955, you may qualify for educational benefits under the G.I. Bill®. If you are a dependent of a veteran who died or is permanently disabled due to military duty, you may be eligible for educational benefits. The Department of Veterans Affairs determines eligibility for the various VA Educational Benefits programs in all cases.  Application forms for your VA benefits are available at Find a VA form or the Financial Aid Office. The amount of money you will receive for education benefits differs for each program, so it is best to call our office, 660.562.1141, or the VA Regional Office, 888.442.4551, with a specific question about pay.

To be eligible for VA Educational Benefits, students must be degree-seeking with a declared major. It is possible that courses a student is advised to take by their advisor will not meet VA certification requirements. This may include repeated or elective classes. In such cases, the student will be personally responsible for the resulting cost. The student’s responsibility is to make sure that classes meet VA certification requirements if VA payment is desired for these classes. Our School Certifying Official can assist you with questions or concerns you may have.

Veterans Responsibility and Conditions for Benefit Eligibility

In order to comply with laws governing the G.I. Bill®, it is your responsibility as a student to notify the VA official in the Financial Aid Office of your status. You must inform the School Certifying Official when you add or drop a class, change your major, change your address, or withdraw from Northwest. The Dept. of Veterans Affairs will not pay for the repeat of satisfactorily completed courses, except under exceptional circumstances such as required for your degree. If you do not make satisfactory academic progress and are suspended by Northwest, your G.I. Bill® benefits cannot be resumed until you have met the requirements for reinstatement. Your benefits may be terminated if you do not comply with the regulations stated above. You may contact Veterans Affairs at 888.442.4551.

Credit for Military Experience

Northwest Missouri State University may award credit hours of physical education for military training. To obtain this credit, veterans must submit a copy of their DD-214 form to the Admissions Office for evaluation to receive this credit.

Below is the process to apply for your qualified benefit and what needs to be done in order to start using your benefit at Northwest Missouri State University.

1. First, apply for your qualified benefit on va.gov. If you are not sure what benefit you fall under please reference the “Benefit Programs” tab below.
2. After applying for your VA educational benefit on va.gov, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA.
3. To request certification of veterans benefits for the first time at Northwest Missouri State University please turn in your COE and complete the Veterans Enrollment Certification Request Form. (See forms to download)
4. Turn in official high school transcripts to the Admissions Office; or official transcripts from all colleges previously attended to the Admissions Office
5. Give DD-214, if applicable to the Admissions Office for military credit evaluation.

Montgomery GI Bill® for Reservists- Chapter 1606

An individual who enlisted, re-enlisted, or extended an enlistment in the Selected Reserve or National Guard for 6 years after July 1, 1985, and has completed the initial active duty training is eligible for VA benefits. This program does not require a contribution by the service person. Complete VA form 22-1990 and submit online. For more information about this benefit please visit va.gov.

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) - Chapter 1607

This benefit makes specific individuals who were activated after September 11, 2001, either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits. It is a DoD education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or Congress. Complete VA form 22-1990 and submit online. For more information about this benefit please visit va.gov.

Montgomery GI Bill® - Chapter 30

Individuals who entered active duty after July 1985, and participated in the pay reduction program (pay reduced $100 a month for 12 months) and served honorably for two years or more are eligible. Veterans or service persons cannot withdraw money paid into the fund. Complete VA form 22-1990 and submit online. For more information about this benefit please visit va.gov.

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)- Chapter 31

If you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) can help. This program—also known as Chapter 31 or VR&E—helps you explore employment options and address education or training needs. In some cases, your family members may also qualify for certain benefits. Please refer to va.gov for more information pertaining to this program and to apply.

Post-9/11 Veterans Education Act of 2008 - Chapter 33

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® is a new benefit providing educational assistance to individuals who have served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. This program was implemented in August 2009. The program is designed to pay for tuition, fees, books, and living expenses and allows for entitlement to spouses and children. Please refer to http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/ for information pertaining to this program. Information will be updated as available. You may use the Benefit Comparison Chart to compare chapter 33 to chapters 30/1607. Complete VA form 22-1990 and submit online. For more information about this benefit please visit va.gov.

Transfer Of Entitlement (TOE) - Chapter 33

The transferability option under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® allows Service members to transfer all or some unused benefits to their spouse or dependent children. The Department of Defense (DoD) determines whether or not you can transfer benefits to your family. Once the DoD approves benefits for transfer, the new beneficiaries apply for them at VA. To find out more, visit Transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.

GI Bill® for Dependents - Chapter 35

A child or spouse of a service-connected deceased or 100 percent disabled veteran may be eligible for VA educational benefits. Benefits may be used until the dependent has reached the age of 27 or 8 years from the date that eligibility is determined, whichever is later. Complete VA form 22-5490 and submit online. For more information about this benefit please visit va.gov.

In addition to their eligible benefits, the following individuals shall be awarded a tuition waiver covering all out-of-state tuition charges, resulting in them being charged in-state tuition:

• A veteran using educational assistance under either chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill® - Active Duty Program), chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment), or chapter 35 (Dependents’ Educational Act), of title 38, United States Code, who lives in Missouri while attending a school located in Missouri (regardless of their formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school following discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
• Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Missouri while attending a school located in Missouri (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school following discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
• Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Missouri while attending a school located in Missouri (regardless of their formal state of residence) and the transferor is a member of the uniformed service who is serving on active duty.
• Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in Missouri while attending a school located in Missouri (regardless of their formal state of residence).
• Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same school. The person so described must be using educational benefits under either chapter 30 or chapter 33, of title 38, United States Code.

All eligible Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve Military branches can request Tuition Assistance (TA) benefits from their respective military branch portals, whose links can be seen listed below.  These portals allow military members to ask TA, request Education Counselor support, and help manage their education records (college courses, testing, on-duty courses, etc.).

Please remember, the Department of Defense (DoD) requires that Service members must receive approval from an Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within the Military Service prior to enrolling.

Federal TA Rates and Fees

The Department of Defense (DoD) has directed a uniform TA fiscal policy across the military services. The per semester hour cap is up to $250, and the fiscal year ceiling is $4,500. The Army will pay 100 percent of the tuition charged by a school up to the established per semester hour cap and fiscal year ceiling.

Authorized fees covered by TA are mandatory fees that are associated with individual course enrollment. Non-refundable fees and fees that are not linked to individual course enrollments (e.g., designated fee, textbook fee, technology fee, new student fee, web course fee, application fees, degree completion fees) are not covered by TA.

Tuition Assistance Application Procedures for Military Services

• Army
• Marines
• Navy
• Air Force
• Coast Guard

Northwest Missouri State University is a participant in the Missouri Returning Heroes' Education Act program. The Heroes' Act limits tuition and fees charged to combat veterans to fifty ($50) per credit hour for any program leading to a certificate or bachelor's degree. The Heroes' Act limits the amount of tuition and fees charged to combat veterans that are seeking a graduate degree to no more than 30% of the cost of tuition and fees. A "combat veteran" is anyone who served in armed combat after September 11, 2001, who was a Missouri resident when first entering the military and discharged from military service under honorable conditions.

To initiate the process, a veteran must complete the form (each year) and return it with a copy of their DD-214 (initial application only) to:

Northwest Missouri State University
Attention: Office of Scholarships & Financial Assistance
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468

After this form, the Office of Scholarships & Financial Assistance will evaluate eligibility for the Heroes' Act, and the DD-214 is received. Veterans must maintain a 2.50 cumulative GPA to maintain eligibility for additional semesters.

State Tuition Assistance (TA) will only be used after all Federal Tuition Assistance has been exhausted or if the soldier is not eligible for Federal Tuition Assistance.

State TA Rates and Fees

Currently, State TA covers 100% of tuition for students with ten years or less of service; for students with 10 to 17 years of service, it covers 50% of tuition. Tuition is paid at the in-state tuition rate per credit hour. The program covers up to 39 credit hours per year (15 credit hours for fall/15 credit hours for spring/9 credit hours for summer). State TA will not cover the textbook usage fee, technology fee, or designated fee.

Requirements for State TA

1. State TA is available to all Missouri Army and Air National Guard members and pays for tuition only for schools approved for Missouri State Tuition Assistance.
2. All Army members MUST APPLY for and exhaust their Federal TA before they are awarded State TA.
3. Applicants must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.50. Failure to maintain the GPA will result in the student being placed on academic probation for the next semester. Should the GPA remain below the 2.50 level, the student will be denied any further State TA until achieving the required grade point average.
4. State TA may not be used to obtain a degree in theology or divinity.
5. State TA may only be used to obtain your first undergraduate degree.
6. Soldiers/Airmen must remain in an active military status for the semester/session for which they are receiving educational assistance. Failure to maintain active status will result in the recumbent of all money awarded for that semester/session.

Requesting State TA Procedures

1. Applications for State TA with the statement of understanding (SOU) are digital forms and must be filled out by the applicant and submitted to their Commander for signature. The Commander is certifying that the applicant is an active member in good standing.
2. Complete the State TA Application and Statement of Understanding online at the Missouri National Guard.
3. In addition to the application and statement of understanding, a copy of the applicant’s itemized bill/course schedule and unofficial transcript may be emailed or mailed for processing to the following address:

Army National Guard
Office of the Adjutant General
ATTN: JFMO-PER-INC (State TA)
2302 Militia Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65101-1203
ng.mo.moarng.mbx.per-inc-stateta@mail.mil

Air Guard
Office of the Adjutant General
ATTN: JFMO-ANG-MP (State TA)
2302 Militia Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65101-1203
ng.mo.moang.mbx.ang-ta-mail@mail.mil

The Vietnam Veteran Survivor Grant Program offers up to 12 grants annually to children and spouses of Vietnam veterans who served between 1961 and 1972 and whose deaths were caused by or attributed to exposure to toxic chemicals during the Vietnam conflict. The veteran must have been a Missouri resident when entering the military and at the time of death. To be eligible for the grant, a student must be an undergraduate enrolled full-time (12 credit hours) at a participating Missouri postseason school, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. For a complete description of eligibility requirements, students can go to the Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE) and download and complete the application or request it from MDHE at 800.473.6757.

• Award: Varies. The maximum award per semester will be the lesser of the actual tuition charged for 12 credit hours at the school where you have enrolled full-time OR the average tuition charged for 12 credit hours at the Missouri public four-year regional institutions.

• Deadline: None

The Wartime Veteran’s Survivors Grant Program offers 25 grants per year to children and spouses of veterans whose deaths or injuries were a result of combat action or were attributed to illness that was contracted while serving in combat action, or who became 80% disabled due to injuries or accidents sustained in combat action since September 11, 2001. The veteran must have a Missouri resident when first entering the military or at the time of death or injury. To be eligible, a student must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or otherwise lawfully present in the U.S., be enrolled at least half-time in a participating college or university, and be the veteran’s spouse at the time of death or injury OR the veteran’s child who is under 25 years of age. Eligible students must download the application from the and complete it or request it from MDHE at 800.473.6757.

• Award: Varies. The maximum amount awarded per semester will be the sum of the following:
  • The lesser of the actual tuition charged for the number of hours you are enrolled, OR the amount of tuition charged a Missouri resident for the same number of hours at the University of Missouri Columbia.
  • Up to $2,000 a semester for housing and food
  • The lesser of the actual cost of books OR $500
• Deadline: None

The purpose of this award is to encourage the students to serve their country through the National Guard and, at the same time, continue their education at Northwest. Students must provide a letter of good standing from their commanding officer as proof of eligibility, maintain a 2.50 Northwest GPA, and be enrolled full-time (12 hours or more per semester) to receive the scholarship. Contact Office of Scholarships and Financial Assistance 660.562.1363.

• Award: Students residing in residence halls will receive $700 per year, while those residing off-campus will receive $475 per year.
• Deadline: None

• Vets.gov - Apply and manage educational benefits
• WAVE - Web Automated Verification of Enrollment
• VA-22-1995 - Request for change of program or place of training
• VA-22-5495 - Dependent request for change of program or location of training