Veteran Student Services
The core mission of the Office of Veteran Student Services (OVSS) is to ensure that our military-connected students 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 Veterans Affairs, the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, campus-community, and the regional community for our student veterans, service members, reservists, National Guard, and their families and dependents.
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, service member, reservist, National Guard, and their families and dependents is the end goal. 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.
Note | GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Applying for Veteran Affairs (VA) 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@iu.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.
VA.GOV
With VA.GOV 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 MHA VA and DoD rates with the CH. 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill®, approved IHL and NCD programs at the institution, VA School Certifying Officials (SCOs), and participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
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® helps you pay for school or job training. If you've served on active duty after September 10, 2001, you may qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.
This program is commonly known as Chapter 33.
Transfer of Entitlement (ToE) to Spouse and/or 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 Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits for transfer, the new beneficiaries must apply for the GI Bill® using VA Form 22-1990E.
Visit the webpage for more information.
Yellow Ribbon Program
The Yellow Ribbon Program can help you pay for higher out-of-state, private school, foreign school, or graduate school tuition and fees that the Post-9/11 GI Bill® doesn't cover.
Find out if you qualify.
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
If you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) can help. This program–also known as Chapter 31 or VR&E–helps you explore employment options and address education or training needs. In some cases, your family members may also qualify for certain benefits.
Find out if you qualify.
This program is commonly known as Chapter 31.
Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
The Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty (MGIB-AD) can help you pay for education and training programs. If you've served at least 2 years on active duty, find out if you qualify.
This program is commonly known as Chapter 30.
$600 Buy Up Program
If you take part in the $600 Montgomery GI Bill® Buy-Up program, you’ll get more money each month through your GI Bill® monthly payments. Find out how it works.
Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
The Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program offers up to 36 months of education and training benefits. If you're a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard, you may be eligible for this benefit.
Find out if you qualify.
This program is commonly known as Chapter 1606.
Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) GI Bill®
Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) GI Bill® 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 Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) GI Bill® on November 25, 2015. Some individuals will remain eligible for Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) GI Bill® benefits until November 25, 2019, while others are no longer eligible for Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) GI Bill® benefits.
This program is commonly known as Chapter 1607.
Monthly Enrollment Verification
For students who are utilizing VA education benefits under Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill® (MGIB-AD), Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR), or Chapter 33 Post- 9/11 GI Bill®, you are required to verify your enrollment on a monthly basis if you are certified for your GI Bill® for the semester.
Learn more about how to verify your monthly enrollment at www.va.gov/education/verify-school-enrollment/#for-montgomery-gi-bill-benefit.
Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) GI Bill®
You may be able to continue your education by using part of your military pay to help cover the cost of school. Find out if you can get benefits through the Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)-a $2-to-$1 government-match program for educational assistance.
Find out if you qualify.
This program is commonly known as Chapter 32.
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
If you performed a period of national service, you may qualify for the National Call to Service program. This program allows you to choose an education benefit as an alternative to the Montgomery GI Bill® (MGIB).
Find out if you qualify.
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA) GI Bill®
Learn about the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program. If you're the child or spouse of a Veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or has disabilities, you may be able to get help paying for school or job training through the DEA program.
Find out if you qualify.
This program is commonly known as Chapter 35.
Fry Scholarship
Learn about the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship), a scholarship for children and spouses of certain Veterans. If your parent or spouse died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, while serving in the Armed Forces, or was a member of the Selected Reserve who died from a service-connected disability, you may qualify for this benefit.
Find out if you qualify.
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 Tuition and Fee Exemption for Children of Disabled Veterans or Purple Heart Recipients provides up to 100% of tuition and regularly assessed fees for up to 124 semester credit-hours at Indiana public colleges and universities at the undergraduate resident tuition rate.
The Tuition and Fee Exemption for Children of Disabled Veterans or Purple Heart Recipients provides an annual award of up to $5,000 of tuition and regularly assessed fees at Indiana private, non-profit colleges and universities at the undergraduate resident tuition rate if the recipient graduated high school January 1, 2023 or later.
Recipients who graduated prior to January 1, 2023 are not eligible to use the award at private, non-profit colleges and universities.
Find out if you qualify.
Indiana Purple Heart Recipient
The Tuition and Fee Exemption for Indiana Purple Heart Recipients provides up to 100% of tuition and regularly assessed fees for up to 124 semester credit-hours at Indiana public colleges and universities at the undergraduate resident tuition rate.
Find out if you qualify.
Indiana National Guard Supplemental Grant (NGSG)
The National Guard Tuition Supplement Grant provides 100% tuition and regularly assessed fees at an Indiana institution for eligible members of the Indiana Air and Army National Guard. Students can attend either full-time or part-time.
The National Guard Tuition Supplement Grant provides an annual award of up to $5,000 towards tuition and regularly assessed fees at an Indiana private, non-profit college or university for eligible members of the Indiana Air and Army National Guard. Students can attend either full-time or part-time.
Find out if you qualify.
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.