Benefits at a Glance

Federal Veterans’ Educational Assistance Programs

Veterans’ Educational Benefits

VA (Veterans’ Affairs) educational benefits are available to eligible veterans for attendance at institutions of higher education (e.g. four-year university, community colleges, etc.), for undergraduate, graduate and online programs and other degree- and nondegree-granting courses. Benefits are based on the VA Program/Chapter for which students are eligible (defined by the type and length of military service) and the number of classes for which they are enrolled during a given semester (e.g., full-time, part-time, etc.). Payments are made by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs either directly to the student/veteran or, in the case of the Post 9/11 GI Bill (GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs [VA]), directly to the school. It is important to note that the cost of tuition and fees to the University remains the responsibility of the student/veteran. It is recommended that students consult with the director, Office of Veterans Services, at Fairleigh Dickinson University for more detailed information on any of these programs. Visit the main Veterans page for contact information.

Post 9/11 GI Bill

The Post 9/11 GI Bill — also commonly known as Chapter 33 — is a VA-administered program for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate active-duty service after September 10, 2001, and are still on active duty, or if they are an honorably discharged veteran or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. Purple Heart recipients, regardless of length of service, are qualified for Post 9/11 benefits at the 100-percent level. This benefit provides up to 36 months of educational benefits. If the students’ release from active duty was before January 1, 2013, there is a 15-year time limitation for use of benefits. For individuals whose last discharge date is on or after January 1, 2013, the time limitation has been removed. It is important to note that Fairleigh Dickinson University has agreed to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, that is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. Under this program, FDU has agreed to fund tuition expenses for eligible veterans that exceed the highest public instate undergraduate tuition rate by matching a VA contribution of 50 percent with an FDU contribution for the same amount.

This program will provide the following benefits for eligible individuals:

  • Tuition and fees paid directly to the school are not to exceed the annual state cap. The cost of private university tuition and fees may be fully covered for those veterans eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
  • A Monthly Housing Allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school where the student physically attends the majority of classes.
  • A yearly books-and-supplies stipend of $1,000.00 paid proportionately based on enrollment.

If students are enrolled exclusively in online training, they will receive a reduced Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA). If students are on active duty, they will not receive the housing allowance. If students are enrolled half time or less, they will not receive the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA).

In Accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection(e) of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, students who utilize Post 9/11 GI Bill (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 web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.), Chapter 33 and Veteran Readiness and Employment, Chapter 31 will not have an Enrollment Hold placed on their account or registration pending disbursement of funding for tuition and fees by the Veterans Administration. Their account will not have penalty fees applied because of late tuition payment by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Students will not be required to secure alternative or additional funding because of late payment by the VA. For charges incurred for campus housing and meals, the student may be liable for payment if these charges are not covered by the VA benefit. To qualify for this provision, students will need to supply their Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and Veteran Semester Enrollment Form to the School Certifying Official by the first day of class; and/or provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment.

Yellow Ribbon Program

Fairleigh Dickinson University is proud to participate in the Post-9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program which will allow any eligible veteran to enroll in any FDU undergraduate or graduate program for little or no cost. Only individuals entitled to the maximum benefit rate (based on service requirements) may receive this funding. Therefore, you may be eligible if:

  • You served an aggregate period of active duty after September 10, 2001, of at least 36 months;
  • You were honorably discharged from active duty for a service connected disability and you served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001;
  • You are a dependent eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill based on a veteran’s service under the eligibility criteria listed above.

For more information about the Yellow Ribbon Program, please visit the website.

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)

As provided under the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) — also commonly known as Chapter 30 — students who entered the military after June 30, 1985, are eligible for educational benefits if they elected to reduce their monthly salary by $100.00 for the first 12 months while on active duty. The MGIB program provides a maximum of 36 months of educational benefits. However, additional entitlements may be available. Consult with the director, Office of Veterans Services, at Fairleigh Dickinson University. 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 release from active duty. For more information go to The Montgomery Bill – Active Duty.

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA – Chapter 35)

Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA – Chapter 35) provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of educational benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship and on-the-job training. A spouse may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. The stipend is paid directly to the student. It is still the responsibility of the students to pay their tuition and fees.

Federal Tuition Assistance

Military Tuition Assistance is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Congress has given each service the ability to pay up to $250.00 per credit for the tuition expenses of its members. A member is eligible for up to $4,500.00 a fiscal year in Federal Tuition Assistance benefits. Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process and restrictions. This money is usually paid directly to the institution by the individual services. If you plan on using Federal Tuition Assistance (TA), you must receive approval from your Educational Services Officer (ESO), or counselor and supply a copy of your Tuition Assistance Request Authorization/Approval form to the School Certifying Official. FDU is a private university and does not accept Commander’s Certificate of Eligibility.

The Montgomery GI Bill–Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)

The Montgomery GI Bill–Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program — commonly known as Chapter 1606 — may also be available if the student is a member of the Selected Reserve, which includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Students may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits. Period of eligibility: (a) If the students’ eligibility to this program began on or after October 1, 1992, the period of eligibility ends 14 years from their beginning date of eligibility or on the day they leave the Selected Reserve. (b) If the students’ eligibility to this program began prior to October 1, 1992, their period of eligibility ends 10 years from their beginning date of eligibility or on the day they leave the Selected Reserve. For more information go to The Montgomery GI Bill–Selected Reserve.

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

A veteran who is eligible for an evaluation under Chapter 31 must complete an application and meet with a VA Veteran Readiness and Employment Counselor (VR&EC). If the VR&EC determines that a handicap exists as a result of a service-connected disability, the veteran is found entitled to services. Entitlement to services is established if the veteran is within his or her 12-year basic period of eligibility and has a 10 percent or greater service-connected disability rating. The VA Veteran Readiness and Employment Bill, under Chapter 31, pays the cost of tuition, fees, books, equipment and supplies. Medical Insurance provided by the university is not covered by CH 31. The veteran also receives a monthly subsistence allowance. Eligible veterans must apply online at the Veteran Readiness and Employment website. Veterans may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of educational benefits.

Other Veterans’ Administration Educational Benefits

There are additional veterans’ educational benefits available for the dependents and widows of veterans who died of service-related causes. If you meet the requirements, you may be eligible to apply for the Fry Scholarship and the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship. Individuals in the Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606) and those who contributed to the Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP-Chapter 32) also may be eligible for VA educational benefits. For additional information regarding veterans’ educational benefits, contact the Office of Veterans Services at Fairleigh Dickinson University and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Educational Benefits website.