Veteran Benefits for Financial Aid

Who is a Veteran?

A veteran is a former member of the Armed Forces of the United States (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard) who served on active duty and was discharged under conditions that were other than dishonorable. There is no minimum number of days a student must have served on active duty to be considered a veteran. Periods of active duty for training, pursuant to an enlistment in the National Guard or Reserves, do not qualify a student as a veteran.

Former or current members of the National Guard or Reserves are not considered to be veterans unless they had prior or subsequent service with an active component of the Armed Forces. 

Educational Benefits

Many members and former members of the armed services have earned educational benefits as a result of their service. To determine if you are eligible for educational benefits resulting from your military service, you must complete and file the appropriate forms and become certified to receive them. Eligible students may use their benefits to supplement their financial aid package.

Veterans can be certified under several chapters:

Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill:  active duty and veterans; not transferrable to dependents (pdf).

Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation; veterans who have at least a 10% disability rating are eligible to apply, however approval is not guaranteed; up to 48 months of entitlement possible. 

Chapter 33:  Post-9/11 GI Bill:  active duty and veterans may be eligible for up to 36 months of benefit.  This benefit may be transferred to qualifying dependents, with restrictions (pdf).  Also see the Transferability Factsheet (pdf). 

Chapter 35:  For spouses and children of 100% services-connected disabled veterans or of veterans who died in service; up to 45 months of entitlement are allowed (pdf).

Chapter 1606:  National Guard and Reserves who have completed the initial Active Duty for training and 180 days of service in the Selected Reserves; may be eligible for up to 36 months of benefit.  

Chapter 1607:  National Guard and Reserves who have completed a minimum of 90 consecutive days on Active Duty after 9/11/01; may be eligible for up to 36 months of benefit.

Tuition Assistance:  If you are currently serving in the military, you may be eligible for funding offered through the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance program (also known as Federal Tuition Assistance - FTA).  Check with your local Educational Assistance office for eligibility and enrollment requirements.  Tuition Assistance Top-Up information (pdf)

Application Forms

Your application forms must be returned to the campus certifying official--Ms. Stephanie Penvose, 256 Swift Building--who will submit them to the VA Regional Office in Buffalo, NY, for processing. Once you have been approved by that office, the certifying official will verify your enrollment and you will receive your benefits on a monthly basis throughout the academic year.

For more information contact the Financial Aid Office at (814) 375-4761 or call toll free at 1-800-346-ROAR.

The Penn State DuBois Veteran's Club

Penn State DuBois is proud of the Veterans Club and the active role it plays in campus life. Some club-sponsored activities are voter registration days, an annual Veterans Day program, and Bowling for Kids Sake. In addition to service projects, the club is active in fundraising projects that benefit the annual end-of-the-year trip. The Veterans Club is open to anyone--veterans and non-veterans--who shares an interest in service to campus and community.

If you are interested in joining, contact any member of the Veterans Club or call the Student Affairs Department at (814) 375-4760 (toll free at 1-800-346-ROAR).