Pictured | Savanna Hebert-Annis, B.A., B.S. | Indiana University, 2014 | Assistant Registrar

Veteran Student Services

Administration 101 | (574) 520-4115 | veterans.iusb.edu

The core mission of the Office of Veteran Student Services (OVSS) is to ensure that the veterans who attend IU South Bend have the resources they need to persist and succeed in their education and make the transition back into their civilian life.  The OVSS strives to provide a one-stop support center that acts as a liaison to the Department of Veteran Affairs, the campus-community, and the regional community for our student veterans and service members. 

In keeping with the diverse and intersectional character of the Armed Forces, the OVSS believes in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community. Education for the student veteran and service member is the end goal, nevertheless the OVSS is committed to educating the community about the unique character of this population and to empowering the student to actively engage in their academic experience.  

Applying for Veteran Affairs (V.A.) Education Benefits

Complete information on education benefits for veterans and their dependents may be obtained in the Office of Veteran Student Services or via email at veterans@iusb.edu. Application for VA education benefits can be completed via electronic submission or by mail. Once the application is completed and submitted to the Department of Veteran Affairs, they will review the claim to make a formal decision. If you need assistance applying for benefits, please let us know.

For more information, you may visit our office or the webpages listed.

VA Education and Training Benefits

VA Education and Training Benefits help veterans, servicemembers, and their qualified family members with  finding the right school or training program. Learn how to explore, apply, and manage your education and training benefits.

eBenefits

With eBenefits, you can apply and manage your VA education benefits electronically. In addition, you can see all applications for benefits, options to manage those benefits, and options to manage your health.

WEAMS Institutional Search

WEAMS assists you in checking the BAH/MHA VA and DoD rates in addition to the VA School Certifying Officials (SCOs).

To use WEAMS Public, you must be using Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE 11.0) browser. Although all browsers are allowed to access WEAMS Public, other browsers have not been fully tested to certify compatibility.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Transfer of Entitlement (ToE) to Spouse and Dependents

The transferability option under the Post-9/11 GI Bill allows Servicemembers to transfer all or some unused benefits to their spouse or dependent children. The request to transfer unused GI Bill benefits to eligible dependents must be completed while serving as an active member of the Armed Forces.  The Department of Defense (DoD) determines whether or not you can transfer benefits to your family. Once the DoD approves benefits for transfer, the new beneficiaries apply for them at VA. Visit the webpage for more information.

Yellow Ribbon Program

Current and former members of the armed services or eligible dependents who qualify for Post 9/11 benefits and are classified as nonresidents for fee paying purposes may be eligible for this program if one of the criteria listed below is satisfied:

• Honorably discharged veterans who served a minimum of 36 months of active-duty after September 10, 2001
• Honorably discharged veterans with a 30 percent or more service connected disability and who served a minimum of 30 active-duty days after September 10, 2001

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)

Application is separate and distinct from other VA educational benefits (you will work with a VR&E counselor).

Disability rating:

• Active duty servicemembers: must obtain a memorandum rating of 20%.
• Veterans: service-connected disability rating of at least 10%.
• You must have received a discharge that is other than dishonorable.

Visit the VR&E webpage for more information.

Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (MGIB-AD)

The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of education 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. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. This program is also commonly known as Chapter 30.

Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)

The MGIB-SR program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.

You may use this education assistance program for degree programs, certificate or correspondence courses, cooperative training, independent study programs, apprenticeship/on-the-job training, and vocational flight training programs. Remedial, refresher and deficiency training are available under certain circumstances.

Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components. VA makes the payments for this program.

You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits.

Your eligibility for the program normally ends on the day you leave the Selected Reserve.

One exception to this rule exists if you are mobilized (or recalled to active duty from your reserve status), in this case your eligibility may be extended for the amount of time you are mobilized PLUS four months. For example, if you are mobilized for 12 months your eligibility period is extended for 16 months (12 months active duty PLUS 4 months.) So even if you leave the reserves after mobilization, you may have additional eligibility to the MGIB-SR.

If your unit is deactivated during the period beginning on October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2014 or you are involuntarily separated (for reasons other than misconduct) you will retain your original period of eligibility which is 14 years from the date of your first 6 year obligation with the selected reserves.

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

REAP was established as a part of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. It is a Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or Congress. This program makes certain reservists who were activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001 either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits.

The National Defense Authorization Act of 2016 ended REAP on November 25, 2015. Some individuals will remain eligible for REAP benefits until November 25, 2019, while others are no longer eligible for REAP benefits.

Monthly Enrollment Verification

For students who are using VA education benefits under Chapters 30 (MGIB-AD), 1606 (MGIB-SR), or 1607 (REAP), you are required to verify your enrollment on a monthly basis. To verify your enrollment, you can use one of two methods: W.A.V.E. or IVR.

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

VEAP is available if you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program. Your contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis by the Government. You may use these benefits for degree, certificate, correspondence, apprenticeship/on-the-job training programs, and vocational flight training programs. In certain circumstances, remedial, deficiency, and refresher training may also be available.

Educational Assistance Test Program (Section 901)

Section 901 is a National Testing Program created by the Department of Defense Authorization Act of 1981 (Public Law 96-342) to encourage enlistment and reenlistment in the Armed Forces. Benefits are available to individuals who entered on active duty after September 30, 1980, and before October 1, 1981 (or before October 1, 1982, if entry was under a delayed enlistment contract signed between September 30, 1980, and October 1, 1981).

National Call to Service Program

There is a three-tiered service requirement to qualify for incentives under the National Call to Service program:

• First, after completion of initial entry training, individuals must serve on active duty in a military occupational specialty designated by the Secretary of Defense for a period of 15 months.
• After this, and without a break in service, these individuals must serve either an additional period of active duty as determined by the Secretary of Defense, or a period of 24 months in an active status in the Selected Reserve.
• After completion of this period of service, and also, without a break in service, the remaining period of obligated service specified in the agreement will be served as follows:

• On active duty in the armed forces
• In the Selected Reserve
• In the Individual Ready Reserve
• In Americorps, or another domestic national service program jointly designated by the Secretary of Defense and the head of such a program

• Any combination of the service referred to above may also be approved by the Secretary of the military department concerned pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense and specified in the agreement.

Students who plan on using VA education benefits at IU South Bend will need to submit a copy of their DD214 and eligibility letter to the IU South Bend Office of Veteran Student Services

Survivors’ and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA)

Dependents' Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Indiana Child of a Deceased or Disabled Veteran
Child of Purple Heart Recipient or Wounded Veteran or Deceased Disabled Veteran
Child of Prisoner of War or Missing in Action

The regularly assessed fees for children of disabled veterans:

Both benefits are limited to a maximum of 124 credit hours. If the veteran parent initially enlisted before June 30, 2011, there is no time limit to use the allotted 124 credit hours. If the veteran parent initially enlisted after June 30, 2011, the allotted 124 credit hours must be used within 8 years after the date the child first applied.

Both benefits may be used at the undergraduate and professional degree level at eligible public institutions. Tuition and regularly assessed fees for all students will be paid at the undergraduate rate charged by the institution.

For complete information, visit the webpage.

Indiana Purple Heart Recipient

The Commission offers a supplement to other state grants by guaranteeing 100% of tuition and regularly assessed fees for students who are Indiana veterans who are Purple Heart Recipients.

The benefit is limited to a maximum of 124 credit hours. If the veteran initially enlisted before June 30, 2011, there is no time limit to use the allotted 124 credit hours. If the veteran initially enlisted after June 30, 2011, the allotted 124 credit hours must be used within 8 years after the date the student first applied.

This benefit may be used at the undergraduate, graduate and professional degree level. Tuition and regularly assessed fees for all students will be paid at the undergraduate rate charged by the institution.

For complete information, visit the webpage.

Indiana National Guard Supplemental Grant (NGSG)

Through a partnership with the Indiana National Guard, the Commission guarantees 100% of tuition and regularly assessed fees for eligible members of the Indiana Air and Army National Guard. Students can attend either full-time or part-time and receive the National Guard Tuition Supplement Grant (NGSG) but can only be used in the fall and spring semesters.

Indiana National Guard Extension Scholarship (NGES)

The National Guard Scholarship Extension Program is a limited scholarship that provides 100% of tuition and regularly assessed to former National Guard members who left the Guard under honorable discharge conditions, used the National Guard Supplement Grant in the past, and who served on active duty overseas since September 10, 2001. Students can attend either full time or part time.

Military Tuition Assistance (TA)

Military Tuition Assistance is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Congress has given each service the ability to pay up to 100% for the tuition expenses of its members.

Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application processes and restrictions. This money is usually paid directly to the institution by the individual services.

Please see our office for assistance with applying for tuition assistance.