Steps for Veterans

The Post 9/11 GI Bill® provides up to 36 months of educational benefits toward your IU degree or certificate program. Benefits are available to you for 15 years after ending active duty. Under this program, you are entitled to funds based on the length of time you were active duty. Dependents may also use Chapter 33 benefits transferred to them by their sponsor.

IU Kokomo is participating in Yellow Ribbon program for one out of state veteran. For a maximum of $3,000 per academic year ($1500 per regular term), with the Department of Veterans Affairs matching the dollar amount up to our maximum of $3,000 for first qualified applicants.  We have two such awards per academic year. For information regarding the Yellow Ribbon Program choose Yellow Ribbon Info

Criteria:

• Eligible for Ch 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® education benefits at the 100% level
• Maintain good academic standing at IU Kokomo
• Be admitted as a degree-seeking student with tuition and fee charges above the VA's maximum in-state undergraduate rate as posted at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

If you believe you are eligible, you should apply immediately. Awards to the qualified applicant are on a first-come basis established by the date and time your application is received by the Veterans Representative in the Financial Aid office.

The Yellow Ribbon program under the Post 9/11 GI Bill® provides additional financial assistance to a nonresident or graduate students whose costs are not fully covered by the Post 9/11 GI Bill®. To qualify, you must be eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill® at the 100% tier and be charged non-resident tuition rates.

Veteran's can also apply for other types of financial aid by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

For GI Bill® information, please visit the United States Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill® Website. This site includes a helpful question and answer section.

This program provides up to 36 months of educational benefits toward your IU degree or certificate program. Benefits are available to you for 10 years after ending active duty. You must have contributed $1,200 to the MGIB during your first year on active duty to be eligible.

In most cases, in order to receive Chapter 31 education benefits, you must receive monthly VA disability payments. However, exceptions are made in some cases. This award will cover tuition, books, supplies, and other education-related expenses. The application is separate and distinct from the education benefit applications. Contact Veterans Support Services for further information.

To receive funds for your education under this program, you must be the son, daughter, or spouse of a deceased, disabled, or captive veteran. Limitations for receiving benefits vary with age, and the circumstances surrounding the veteran’s discharge.

The Montgomery GI Bill®-Selected Reserve benefits are available to members of the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard. Funding will be provided toward your IU degree or certificate program.

Indiana University Kokomo values the sacrifice put forth by our vast population of student veterans and we continue to do all that we can to aid them in pursuing a higher education.

If you are serving on active duty stationed in Indiana on permanent change of station (PCS) orders, you and your spouse may be considered non-residents of the state of Indiana for university tuition purposes.  However, your military status entitles you to a remission of the non-resident portion of your credit hour fees. This does not change your residency classification, but provides a reduction in tuition charges down to the resident (in-state) rate.  You must provide a copy of the military orders and a photo ID to the VA School Certifying Official.  Spouses of military personnel must provide a military-issued ID card in addition to military orders. 

If you are a veteran with an honorable discharge who is enrolling as a non-resident student within 12 months of separation from service, you may qualify for a residency exception under Senate Enrolled Act 177 or 434.  Current members of the Indiana National Guard are also eligible.

You must present a copy of your DD214 or proof of current NG membership to the Veterans School Certifying Official.  You are also required to show intent to establish residency by providing an IN driver’s license, IN automobile registration, or IN voter registration within your first 12 months at IU.  This does not change your residency classification, but provides a reduction in tuition charges down to the resident (in-state) rate.

If you are a veteran or dependent using Post 9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill® benefits within three years after final discharge or on terminal leave, you may qualify to receive the resident tuition rates under the Choice Act. 

Section 702, The Choice Act

Beginning July 1, 2015: Section 702, The Choice Act, requires public institutions of higher learning to charge resident tuition rates to veterans and dependents of veterans who are using Post 9/11, Montgomery GI Bill® or Fry Scholarship benefits and are within 3 years after their final discharge from active service. You must be discharged or complete terminal leave during the semester to qualify.

Indiana Purple Heart recipients may qualify for a state tuition fee remission. The Indiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs has applications for this program online. In some instances, veterans attending college are eligible for unemployment benefits. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development offers detailed information concerning jobless benefits for student veterans.

Children of disabled Indiana veterans may qualify for a state tuition fee remission. The Indiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs has applications for this program online.

The Berkman Foundation was founded by Harold W. Berkman and his wife, Muriel, to pursue their longstanding dedication and commitment to higher education in the United States in preparing future business leaders and promoting the growth of knowledge into effective business and administration.

In addition to preparing future business leaders, the Foundation aims to recognize particularly the achievements of the men and women who have honorably served this country in military service. Since 2014, the Foundation has awarded hundreds of $1,000 scholarships to veterans advancing their education.

One of the veteran recipients each year receives the $2,000 General Albin F. Irzyk Veteran Scholarship (no additional application required).

For more information, visit: https://berkmanfoundation.org/