Veterans often have a unique outlook on the college experience. Many veterans have been away from the educational experience for an extended period of time, are balancing multiple work and family obligations, and aren’t sure how to pursue different career paths. Additionally, it may be challenging to understand how to access the education benefits veterans have earned as part of their service. Southern has a rich history of serving student veterans and the military connected community.

Whether a student veteran is pursuing a specific career or seeking intellectual stimulation and involvement, Veterans’ Services provides support to incoming students. Established in 1975, Veterans’ Services provides guidance to accessing benefits, resources, and connecting with other students.

The Veteran’s Center, located in Engleman Hall A-014, serves as a lively meeting place with a quiet study space, social lounge, computer and printing access, and academic support. Veterans and military connected should contact the office to learn more about how to pursue their college careers as student veterans at Southern. For more information, email Veterans@SouthernCT.edu or stop by the Office of Veterans Services in Engleman Hall A-014.

Whether transitioning from a long career within the military, a veteran making a career change or building skills, it is important to understand how to translate a lifetime of development within a specific skill set to civilian employment. This FREE course prompts military veterans to examine their experience, understand the unique challenges related to job seeking for veterans, military, and their families. This course will focus on career planning and skills development, such as resume writing and improving interviewing skills, for those seeking employment. You’ll hear from other veterans about their own experiences along the way.

On the veterans affairs website, scroll down to the blue button labeled “Apply For Education Benefits.”

If you have already used your GI bill benefits at another institution you will need to complete VA form 22-1995 if you are the veteran or if you are using GI bill benefits that were transferred to you. Dependents and survivors should complete VA form 22-5495 if using DEA or Fry Scholarship. Both forms can be found here:

Once you have been accepted to SCSU please complete the Veteran Benefit Application linked below and send it, or bring it and any other applicable documents to the Veterans Center in Engleman A014.

Depending on the benefits you are using we may need any or all of the following documents:

• DD214 Member 4 (or member 2)
• COE (Certificate of eligibility for your GI bill)
• NOBE

Please send in all documents together with your Veteran Benefit application once you have been accepted. 

You can also bring all of your documents to the Veterans Center in Engleman Hall A 014 or email them to conroyb1@southernct.edu or santacrocek2@southernct.edu.

If you have exhausted your GI bill benefits or do not qualify for GI bill benefits you may qualify for one of the following:

• CT Veterans Tuition Waiver
• National Guard Tuition Waiver – Active members of the CT Air or Army National Guard should request the tuition waiver from their unit education officer.
• Army Tuition Assistance – eligible service members can apply for TA
• Navy Tuition Assistance – eligible service members can apply for TA
• Marine Corps Tuition Assistance – eligible service members can apply for TA
• Air Force Tuition Assistance – eligible service members can apply for TA

For questions about your GI bill payment or to find out your remaining benefit entitlement, please call the VA Education Line at 1-888-442-4551 or to check on your Post 9/11 GI bill benefits online; if you are the service member.

Click the button below to check on VA payment history for VA Education and Disability payments, Pension, Survivor Pension, DEA/CH 35 or, DIC Pension payments.

For the purpose of granting a tuition waiver, a veteran is anyone who served on active duty in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Air Force and has been released from active duty. Pursuant to Public Law 18-47, effective October 01, 2018, the CT Veterans Tuition Waiver is extended to certain veterans with “Other than Honorable” discharge. The individual applying for the waiver must submit a completed CT DVA OTH Form 1 along with all other required documentation. Individuals with a “Bad Conduct” or “Dishonorable” discharge are not eligible for the waiverEligibility for the GI Bill® is not a determining factor in granting a tuition waiver. You must be matriculated but you may be full time or part time to receive the CT State Veterans Tuition Waiver. Also, the CT State Veterans Tuition Waiver covers 100% tuition during the fall and spring semesters and 50% of course fees during Wintersession, Spring Break and Summer semesters.

The tuition waiver does not apply to fees or other costs.

To be eligible for the waiver a veteran must be a Connecticut resident, matriculated and have served during the following periods.

Active duty for at least 90 days during

• World War II ( 12/7/41-12/31/46)
• Korean Hostilities (6/27/50-1/31/55)
• Vietnam Era (12/22/61-7/1/75; (any child of a Vietnam-era veteran who has been declared a MIA/POW also is eligible provided the parent entered the service after 1/1/60)
• Persian Gulf Wars (8/1/90 to present) Includes Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, Somalia and Bosnia

Engaged in combat or in a combat-support role (DD214 must indicate an Expeditionary Medal)

• Lebanon (7/1/58-11/1/58 and 9/29/82-3/30/84)
• Grenada Invasion (10/25/83-12/15/83)
• Operation Earnest Will (Escort of Kuwaiti oil tankers in Persian Gulf) (7/24/87-8/1/90)
• Panama Invasion (12/20/89-1/31/90)

Persons who served during any other periods are not eligible for a tuition waiver. National Guard or Reserve  “active duty for training ” is not considered active duty . The DD214 must state: ACTIVE DUTY.  To determine eligibility, bring your DD214 to the Veterans’ Office at Engleman Hall, Room A 014.

Any Connecticut resident who is a dependent child or a surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces killed in action on or after 9/11/2001 who was a Connecticut resident is eligible for the tuition waiver.

Pursuant to Section 1005 of the Isakson and Roe Act, certain out-of-state veterans and their dependents may be eligible for in-state tuition and fee rates. Covered individuals include:

• A veteran who lives in the state in which the institution of higher learning is located (regardless of his/her formal stat of residence) and utilizes Post-9/11 GI Bill®, Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty, or VR&E benefits.
• A spouse or child using transferred benefits Under Post-9/11, who lives in the state in which the institution of higher learning is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).
• A spouse or child using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship who lives in the state in which the institution of higher learning is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).
• A dependent or surviving spouse or child utilizing Dependent’s Educational Assistance (CH35) who lives in the state which the institution of higher learning is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence). Pursuant to the Colonel M. Hughes Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act of 2021.

• For more information or to reclassify residency status, please contact the SCSU Veterans’ Services Office.

Members of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard and enrolled as full-time or part-time/matriculated, undergraduate or graduate students are eligible for a tuition waiver. The tuition waiver does not apply to other costs and fees, such as student activity fees and laboratory fees. It covers tuition only.

Army National Guard Tuition Waivers should be requested through the student’s unit readiness NCO. This paperwork is submitted to the student’s chain of command. The waiver is emailed directly to SCSU once approved by the National Guard Education Office in Hartford. The student is not sent their waiver directly. This process can take about a month and must be completed each semester. Air Force National Guard waivers are requested through the student’s unit education officer each semester. Typically, these waivers are given to the student directly and students are required to provide the waiver to the Veteran Coordinator or School Certifying Official (SCO).

Tuition Assistance and Tuition Assistance Top-Up is available for active duty, National Guard, and Reservists. For more information, contact Britt Conroy at (203) 392-6822.

SCSU offers interest free payment plans for fall, spring, and summer!

Payment plans must be established when payment or financial aid cannot be posted to satisfy the balance in full by the bill deadline.  After you register for classes, log into your account to view charges, credits/financial aid, and then choose the payment plan that’s right for you!  The first payment will be due at time of enrollment and payments are due on the 15th of the month thereafter.  The $45.00 plan fee is waived for eligible veterans.

Students who register for classes after the bill due date has passed, may enroll in a payment plan for the remaining installments available at that time.  Plans will automatically recalculate due to account adjustments, which may include additional charges, unanticipated payments, or a change in financial aid credits to your account. Students and authorized users will be notified of any adjustments to the student’s monthly payment plan amount. Please see Past Due Accounts for other terms and conditions regarding late fees/holds that may be placed on past due payment plan accounts.

GI Bill® programs help veterans and dependents pay for colleges and universities. GI Bill® payments are tax-free.