Click here and scroll down to the green button labeled find your application benefits form.
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 EN A014
Veteran Benefits Application →
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.
Email: conroyb1@southernct.edu or santacrocek2@southernct.edu. You can also bring all of your documents to the Veterans Center in Engleman Hall A 014
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 911 GI bill benefits online; if you are the service member.
You can use this link to check on VA payment history for VA Education and Disability payments, Pension, Survivor Pension, DEA/CH 35 or, DIC Pension payments
The Veterans’ Center offers a lively meeting place with computers and comfortable furniture where you can meet other students, study, socialize or relax between classes. The center is located in Engleman Hall, Room A014 and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m to 6:00 p.m.
Where is the Veterans’ Office, and when can I visit it?
The office is located in Engleman Hall, Room A 014. We are open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Drop by anytime or call (203) 392-6822.
What are the services offered by the Veterans’ Office?
We provide academic guidance, GI Bill® and Tuition Waiver Certification support and liaison with state and federal agencies.You can obtain information about the G.I. bill and laws that provide rehabilitation and educational assistance to disabled or war veterans and their dependents. You can also find out about medical entitlements, discharge upgrades and other benefits available from the Veterans Administration.
What are my VA Health Benefits?
Upon discharge from active duty you should visit your closest VA Medical Center. The VA Medical Center in West Haven, CT is the closest to SCSU. Bring your DD 214, no matter what you consider your medical condition to be. If you end up with a service connected disability you will have free medical care for the rest of your life. If you do not have any service connected illnesses you are still eligible for 2 years of medical care.
What is the Soldier’s, Sailor’s and Marine’s Fund?
It is a state fund administered by the American Legion for the purpose of providing temporary financial assistance for veterans with 90 days or more of wartime service who are unemployed or for sickness. It provides funding for emergency needs such as clothing, food, medical and surgical aid, and general care and relief. Call (860) 296-0719 or visit The American Legion Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Fund.
What is the CT Property Tax Exemption?
Veterans who have served 90 days or more of wartime service are eligible for a $1,500 exemption for real property or automobiles. Certain veterans who do not own real property or a motor vehicle may be eligible for a tax refund if they are leasing a motor vehicle. Veterans below a certain income level and/or service disabled veterans are eligible for additional property tax exemptions. Surviving spouses may also be eligible. Contact your town’s Tax Assessor Office.
Where do I go for advocacy if I’m experiencing problems with the university or the Veteran’s Administration?
Visit our Veterans Center in Engleman Hall A014 and speak with Coordinator Britt Conroy.
How do I find out if I’m eligible for a Veteran’s Tuition Waiver?
Visit Tuition Waiver / Assistance for information.
Does Veterans/Adult Student Services deal with things that are not related to veterans issues?
Yes, you can visit the office for answers to a wide range of questions. Perhaps you would like to ask about courses, majors, or careers. Maybe you want to talk over some personal matters relating to classes, family or friends. Whatever your questions or issues, Britt Conroy will provide information and guidance in a variety of areas.
Are there student organizations associated with this office?
The Veterans Association provides veterans with the opportunity to share the bond developed through military service. Its direction is determined by its members and includes campus and community service, social activities, and veterans awareness programs.
State and Federal VA Benefits
To learn about state benefits, visit the Connecticut State Department of Veterans’ Affairs. For federal benefits, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
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.
Eligibility
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.
Connecticut National Guard Tuition Waiver for Full-Time or Part-Time Students
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
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.
GI Bill® programs help veterans and dependents pay for colleges and universities. GI Bill® payments are tax-free.
The Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapter 30)
Chapter 30 is for individuals who have been on active duty since 7/01/85 who have contributed $1200 to an education fund and have completed a qualifying amount of “honorable” active-duty service.
The Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)
The Chapter 1606 program is for individuals who have incurred an initial 6 year Select Reserve obligation after June 30, 1985 in the Reserves or National Guard. In general you must remain in Select Reserve status during your 14 years of eligibility.
Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Act of 2008 program provides up to 36 months of educational benefits. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. If you were discharged before January 1, 2013, you have 15 years to use your GI Bill®. If you were discharged on or after January 1, 2013, you have forever to use your GI Bill®.
Based on your length of active duty service, you’re entitled to a percentage of the following:
- Actual net cost of mandatory tuition and fees at a public institution of higher learning after the application of any waiver, scholarship, aid or assistance provided directly to the institution solely to defray tuition and fees (funds are paid directly to the school);
- Monthly housing allowance* equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to a military E-5 with dependents, in the same zip code as your school;
- Books not to exceed $1000 per year
Note: The housing allowance and books and supplies stipend are not payable to individuals on active duty. The housing allowance is not payable to those pursuing training at half time or less. Individuals enrolled solely in distance learning receive the equivalent to the national average. Individuals are limited to a maximum of 48 months of entitlement when using benefits under two or more programs (i.e., 30, 31, 32, 33, 35 and1606). Veterans who have eligibility under these other GI Bill® programs should contact the Veterans’ Office before you apply for the new GI Bill®.
Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)
Dependents’ Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who have died while on active duty or as the result of a service connected disability or is 100% permanently and totally disabled for service-related reasons as the result of their military service. You may receive up to 45 months of education benefits depending on qualifying circumstances. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training.
Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31)
Vocational Rehabilitation is for service-connected disabled veterans. Learn more about Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment.
