Military Education Benefits for active duty, reservists, National Guard, veterans, spouses, and children
The Financial Aid Office, 218 Murphy Center, is the certifying office for Military Education Benefits at Viterbo University. Contact Carey Jennings, the School Certifying Official, at 608-796-3900 or cdjennings@viterbo.edu.
Post 9/11 GI Bill® and Yellow Ribbon Program (Chapter 33)
Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® program provides up to 36 months of education benefits, which are based on the amount of active duty time served. To learn more about eligibility, how to apply, benefit level, and payment information, go directly to the VA website at Chapter 33 Education Benefit.
Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty (Chapter 30)
The Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty program may be available to you if you served as an active duty member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. For eligibility criteria and how to apply, go directly to the VA website at Chapter 30 Education Benefit.
Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)
The Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve program may be available to you if you are a member of the selected reserve (Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, or the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard). For eligibility criteria and how to apply, go directly to the VA website at Chapter 1606 Education Benefit.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31)
Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment is a program to assist veterans who have a service connected disability. The VA will pay required costs, such as tuition and fees, books, supplies, equipment, and if needed special services. For eligibility criteria and how to apply, go directly to the VA website at Chapter 31 Education Benefit.
Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)
Chapter 35 Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. For eligibility criteria and how to apply, go directly to the VA website at Chapter 35 Education Benefit.
Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Program (DOD TA)
The Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance (TA) program provides financial assistance to service members for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of professional and personal self-development goals. TA is available for courses that are offered in the classroom or by distance learning and are part of an approved academic degree or certificate program. The courses must be offered by schools that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and are signatories to the current DoD Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (DOD MOU). To learn more about branch specific eligibility and how to apply, go directly to the DOD Tuition Assistance website at DOD TA Education Benefit.
Fry Scholarships
The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship) currently pays a benefit equal to the Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Click here for rates). Beneficiaries attending school may receive up to their full tuition and fees for a public school or a statutory annual maximum amount for a private school, plus a monthly living stipend and book allowance under this program. The benefit is available to the children and surviving spouses of service members who die in the line of duty after Sept. 10, 2001.For eligibility criteria and how to apply, go directly to the VA website at Fry Scholarship Education Benefit.
Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant
All Wisconsin National Guard enlisted members and warrant officers in good standing who do not possess a bachelor’s degree are eligible to receive the Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant. This benefit may be used toward 12 quarters of your college undergraduate education. For eligibility criteria and how to apply, go directly to the Wisconsin website at Wisconsin National Guard Education Benefit.
Wisconsin Veterans Education (VetEd) Reimbursement Grant
The Wisconsin Veterans Education Grant program may be available to you if you are a Wisconsin veteran who has not yet earned a bachelor’s degree. For eligibility criteria and how to apply, go directly to the Wisconsin website at Wisconsin Veterans Education Grant Education Benefit. NOTE: Students interested in Vet Ed will need to apply through their local county veterans service office.
Wisconsin Veteran Student Assistance Grant
The Wisconsin Veteran Student Assistance Grant is a State of Wisconsin veterans benefit available to qualified veterans, as well as certain spouses and children of qualified veterans, for use at a private nonprofit educational institution that is a member of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU). (Viterbo is a member of WAICU.) Dependent children of qualified veterans must be at least 17 but not yet 26 years of age in order to qualify. See website for other service, residency, and disability qualifications that must be met.
To apply students must:
- Review the Wisconsin Veteran Assistance Grant website and complete the WDVA 2059 (Request for Certification for Wisconsin Veteran Student Assistance Grant) form in the “How to Apply” section.
- Complete the “Student Section” on the Wisconsin’s Veteran’s Grant for Private Non-Profit Schools form, found on the Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB) webpage. The Form is then submitted to the Viterbo Financial Aid Office via email FAdocuments@viterbo.edu, via fax to (608)796-3859 or in person to Murphy Center/Room 218.
Viterbo will be notified of the student’s eligibility for the grant by the Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board.
Military Reduced Tuition Rate
The Military Reduced Tuition Rate is eligible for active duty, veteran, and eligible spouses who are enrolled in the following business degree completion programs at Viterbo University:
- Accounting (Online)
- Business Leadership (Online)
- Health Care Management (Online)
All eligible students receive a reduced tuition rate of $420 per semester hour for these programs. To apply for the reduced rate, contact Kassea Krueger, Academic Advising, at kjkrueger@viterbo.edu, or at 608-796-3396.
To be eligible for the Military Reduced Tuition Rate, one of the following documents must be presented upon enrollment to ensure awarding of the reduced rate.
Acceptable documents for veterans (disabled /non-disabled):
- VA issued ID Card
- DOD issued ID Card
- VA certifying letter from the Veterans Administration. To obtain a copy, go the VA e-benefits page at VA e-benefits page
- DD214
Acceptable documents for active duty:
- DOD issued ID Card
- Active duty orders
Acceptable Documents for active duty/veteran spouses:
- DOD issued ID Card
- Active duty orders with marriage certificate
- VA certifying letter with marriage certificate
IMPORTANT
All students who are receiving the Montgomery GI Bill® must now verify their enrollments monthly to receive payments. This verification can be done by using the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) or by using an automated telephone system at 1-877-823-2378.
It is the student veteran's responsibility to report any changes in enrollment to the Certifying Official at Viterbo. Changes will then be reported to the VA. This may result in an overpayment/debt situation.
If you have questions regarding your specific entitlements, contact the St. Louis VA Regional Office at 1-888-442-4551 or go to www.benefits.va.gov/stlouis/.
The La Crosse County Veterans Service Office is also available for assistance—call 608-785-9719. The office is located in the County Courthouse, 204 Administrative Center, 400 N. 4th Street North, La Crosse, WI 54601.
If you are eligible for an entitlement that is not listed above, contact the School Certifying Official at 608-796-3900 or cdjennings@viterbo.edu.