The Veterans Certifying Official in the Office of Financial Aid at Millersville University handles all paperwork for individuals applying for the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) educational benefits. This office is also your link to the DVA in cases of problems with educational benefit processing.

Brandyn Whitmyer, VA Coordinator/ Certifying Official
Brandyn.Whitmyer@millersville.edu

Office of Financial Aid - 2nd Floor Lyle Hall
PO Box 1002
Millersville PA 17551
Telephone: 717-871-5100
Fax: 717-871-7980

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For advisement and registration assistance, contact Joseph Sciarretta, Advisement Coordinator. Mr. Sciarretta provides resources and support to assist Vets in adapting to the personal and academic transition to the University.  He specializes in discharge classifications that may directly affect learning needs that would be eligible for educational accommodations and academic strategies for success.

Joe Sciarretta, Advisement Coordinator
Joe.Sciarretta@millersville.edu
Office: Lyle Hall 262
Phone: 717-871-7609

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We are proud to serve you as a military-friendly institution! The Veterans Resource Center is located on campus in Mercer House at 28 W Cottage Avenue. For more information on the Veteran's Resource Center, click here or contact Allan!

Allan Rivard, Army ROTC & Veterans Resource Center Manager
Allan.Rivard@millersville.edu
Department of Military Science/Blue Mountain Battalion - Army ROTC
Telephone: 717-871-5900

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STEP 1:

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All students must apply with the VA to use their education benefits. 

I need to apply:

• If you have not applied and/or do not know which benefit you may receive, the GI Bill® Comparison Tool can help you explore options and find out what benefits you may be eligible for.
• Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool  OR  Apply for Education Benefits

I already applied:

• If you applied and were approved for Post-9/11 GI Bill® education benefits, your GI Bill® Statement of Benefits will show you how many of your benefits you’ve used and how much you have left to use. 
  • View your GI Bill Statement of Benefits.

I am transferring my benefits from another institution to Millersville University:

• If you are transferring your benefits you must
  • Change your GI Bill School
  • Submit an updated Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

I am changing my program of study:

• If you are changing your program of study you must
  • Change your GI Bill Program
  • Submit an updated Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

"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. "

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STEP 2:

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To determine eligibility at Millersville, students must submit the following items:

1. A copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)  
   • The COE is available approximately 2-3 weeks after applying for benefits with VA. 
   • The Statement of Benefits can be accepted if a Certificate of Eligibility is unavailable.
2. A copy of your "Member 4" DD214 or Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE)
3. Millersville's VA Enrollment Certification Form
   • This form is required and used to notify the Office of Financial Aid that you want to utilize your benefits and gives Millersville University permission to release your information to the VA. 
   • This form must be submitted each semester you are requesting benefits.
     • Do not complete this form until after you register for classes.
   • These forms are reviewed after bills post for the semester and enrollment is verified after the add/drop period each term.Summer Enrollment Certification Request FormFall Enrollment Certification Request FormWinter Enrollment Certification Request FormSpring Enrollment Certification Request Form

All required documentation can be sent to the Office of Financial Aid - Attn: VA Certifying Officials

• Email: fa.mail@millersville.edu 
• In-Person: Lyle Hall, 2nd Floor
• Fax: 717-871-7980

Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, adds new requirements for educational institutions participating in the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Click the link below to access more information and tools that can help you through your college planning process.

college planning tools

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CHAPTER 30 - MONTGOMERY GI BILL ® ACTIVE DUTY

• Service after 7/1/85
• 3 or 2 years of continuous Active Duty 
• GED or High School Diploma
• Contributes $100 per month for first 12 months
• Accrues at the rate of 1 month for each month of Active Duty up to 36 months

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CHAPTER 31 - vETERAN READINESS & EMPLOYMENT (VR&R)

• Needs a 10% VA disability or more to apply
• As many as 48 months of entitlement 

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CHAPTER 33 - POST 9/11 GI BILL ® 

• Served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty since 09/10/01; and is still on active duty or was honorably discharged
• Served 30 days on active duty and was honorably discharged for a military service-determined medical condition 

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CHAPTER 35 - SURVIVORS & DEPENDENTS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

• For spouses and children of 100% service-connected disabled veterans or spouses/children of veterans who died in service

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CHAPTER 1606 MONGOMERY GI BILL - SELECTED RESERVE (MGIB-SR)

Enlist or re-enlist:

• For 6 or more years in the Selected Reserves after 7/1/85
• GED or High School Diploma 
• Completed the initial Active Duty for training
• Completed 180 days of service in the Selected Reserves
• You must verify your enrollment for each month to receive payment for that month through the WAVE program. 
• If your enrollment has changed during the month, you must re-verify your enrollment through the WAVE program.
• You can submit your enrollment certifications via two options:
  • Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) program at gibill.va.gov/wave 
  • Touch-tone telephone at 1-877-823-2378 (toll-free).

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CHAPTER 1607 RESERVE EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (REAP)

• Serve a minimum of 90 consecutive days on Active Service after 9/11/01
• Remain with your component

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EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) & military family education program (mfep)

If you, a parent, or a spouse are in the PA National Guard, you may qualify for tuition benefits.  National Guard Service Members who are enrolled can apply for EAP, while a dependent or spouse can apply for MFEP.

• Applications can be submitted online directly to the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Authority (PHEAA) at pheaa.org. 
• Millersville University will pay the EAP/MFEP funds to the student account once we have received your information on the roster from PHEAA.
• Per state guidelines, military aid, such as Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) and CH 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill ® will be taken into consideration and may reduce your EAP award, even if Millersville University is notified after your aid has been disbursed.

Undergraduate Students

• EAP/MFP: 
  • Full-time award: $4,097 OR tuition charged plus technology fee; whichever is LESS each semester
• EAP/MFP:
  • Part-time award: $342 per credit OR tuition charged plus technology fee; whichever is LESS each semester

Graduate Students or students who already hold a Bachelor's Degree or its equivalent

• EAP:
  • $3,762 OR $342 per credit OR tuition charged plus technology fee; whichever is LESS each semester
• MFEP:
  • Full-time award: $4,097 OR $342 per credit OR tuition charged plus technology fee; whichever is LESS each semester
  • Part-time award: $342 per credit OR tuition charged plus technology fee; whichever is LESS each semester

FEDERAL TUITION ASSISTANCE (FTA)

• The Department of Defense (DoD) has directed a uniform per semester hour cap of $250 for tuition assistance (FTA) and an annual ceiling of $4,500. 
• Your military branch will pay 100 percent of tuition costs up to the DoD semester hour cap of $250 per semester cap for up to 16 semester hours of TA-funded courses per fiscal year.
• School fees are not eligible for funding with FTA. 
• Students can apply for FTA through their branch portal to get approval for use of these funds.
• Once approval has been received, send a copy of the approval letter to the Certifying Official in the Office of Financial Aid.

Find more information on the military branches that offer FTA:

Air Force   Army   Coast Guard   Marines

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MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY TUITION ASSISTANCE (TA) REFUND POLICY

Military Tuition Assistance is a benefit paid to the school for eligible military student recipients who are active members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The student is awarded the TA benefit with the understanding that the student will attend the entire semester. Millersville University is required to calculate Military Tuition Assistance (TA) earned when a military student using TA withdraws.

As participants in the Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), students who officially or unofficially withdraw from a course and have not completed more than 60% of the semester have not earned 100% of their voucher for the withdrawn course.

Millersville University is required to return the unearned portion of the TA funds to the military service that provided the TA funding. Unearned TA funds that are returned to the appropriate military branch of service will become an institutional debt to the student. Millersville University will calculate the amount of unearned Tuition Assistance funds using the official last date of attendance, as determined by the institution’s attendance records. The last date of attendance is used to determine the number of days completed.

To remain in compliance with the Department of Defense’s policy, Millersville University will return any unearned TA funds through at least 60% of the semester on a prorated basis. The amount of unearned TA that is returned is based on the date of withdrawal from the course.

If the service member withdraws due to a military service obligation, the University will work with the service member to identify a solution that will not result in student debt for the returned TA portion.

After 60% of the semester has passed, TA will not be evaluated for a return to the DOD.

 

 

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MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS

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Millersville University utilizes Scholarship Universe for both internal and external scholarships.

• The more questions you answer, the more scholarship applications you will be matched to!
  • Internal scholarships are available for Veterans who are returning students and have an established GPA at Millersville. 
  • External scholarships are available for Veterans and can also be found in Scholarship Universe once a student has paid their deposit to MU.

SCHOLARSHIP UNIVERSE 

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INTERNAL VETERAN-SPECIFIC SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE

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William Dinges Veterans Scholarship

• Awarded to a Veteran from Pennsylvania who is a full-time upper-class student. The student must demonstrate financial need and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.  First preference will be given to a veteran who has served in a combat zone.
• The dollar amount of the scholarship awarded is determined annually and is subject to change. 

Howard W Wright Jr. '72 & Lois B. Wright Veterans Scholarship

• Awarded to any student who is a veteran.  First preference will be given to a student who is a combat veteran as per DD214.  Financial need is a consideration but is not required.  If multiple students meet the above criteria, the first preference is for a student who is an applied engineering major.
• The dollar amount of the scholarship awarded is determined annually and is subject to change.

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ADDITIONAL EXTERNAL VETERAN-SPECIFIC SCHOLARSHIPS

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• Pat Tillman Foundation
• Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
• Fisher House Foundation
• Wells Fargo Veterans Scholarship Program
• Dolphin Scholarship Foundation
• The Tailhook Educational Foundation 
• AMVETS National Scholarship Program
• Afghanistan & Iraq War Veterans Scholarship 
• Educational Gratuity Program

 

 

 

A Veteran utilizing Veteran Education Benefits or a dependent/spouse using transferred Veteran Education Benefits may be eligible for in-state tuition.

Veterans

• Must remain continually enrolled in any PA State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) school in one or more programs.
• Must live in PA on the first day of the semester or term, which can include student housing.
• Must provide a Member 4 copy of their DD214 form or copy of current orders to the School Certifying Official in the Financial Aid Office.
• Must provide a copy of their Certificate of Eligibility (COE) that establishes eligibility for Veterans Education Benefits to the School Certifying Official in the Financial Aid Office.
• Must provide evidence that you are residing in PA at the start of the term.
• Veterans are not required to utilize their VA Education Benefits to receive in-state tuition provided they can meet the above criteria.

 Dependents/Spouses

• Must remain continually enrolled in any PA State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) school in one or more programs.
• Must live in PA on the first day of the semester or term, which can include student housing.
• Must provide a Member 4 copy of the Veteran’s DD214 form or a copy of the servicemember’s current orders to the School Certifying Official in the Financial Aid Office.
• Must provide a copy of their Certificate of Eligibility (COE) that establishes eligibility for Veterans Education Benefits to the School Certifying Official in the Financial Aid Office.
• Must provide evidence that you are residing in PA at the start of the term.
• Must use Veteran Education benefits until exhausted, with the exclusion of summer and winter sessions.

 

Students who receive VA Education Benefits may also be eligible to receive priority registration for their classes at Millersville!

• If you currently receive VA Education Benefits or have received benefits in the past, you will be notified by the Registrar's Office when you are eligible to register.
  • After you receive the email notification, you can contact your advisor to obtain your priority registration code. 
• If you do not currently utilize VA Education Benefits, contact the Certifying Official in the Office of Financial Aid to initiate priority registration.
  • A DD214 may be required for proof of veteran status. Once your status has been confirmed you can contact your advisor to obtain your priority registration code. 
• Dependents and Spouses receiving VA Education Benefits are not eligible for priority registration.

Priority Registration Policy

The Military Leave of Absence is specifically for students who are being deployed overseas or to assist in a national catastrophe. This does not include students enlisting in the military or going to basic training.

Students who are called to active duty must have:

• A completed Military Leave of Absence Form (form available here).
• A copy of their military deployment orders.
• Take both of those items to the Registrar’s Office in Lyle Hall, first floor, for assistance with arranging a leave of absence and their subsequent return to the University.

Students who expect to return to class within the current semester to complete their coursework, or who are called to duty after completing a significant part of the course requirements, should contact their faculty regarding missed work. Students who cannot complete the current semester will be granted a leave of absence for military duty and will be allowed to return for the next semester without penalty.

The overall goals and intent of the organization is to provide a place for students and veterans to receive support and assistance in attending and successfully graduating from college. Further, we look to utilize the skills that our Veteran students have learned about how to adjust to changes in life and then pass that along to incoming and current students having a difficult time adjusting to civilian college life. The student veteran's organization will also be a source of support for families of soldiers who are currently or preparing for deployments related to military service.

The organization is free to join.  For more information on the Student Veteran's Association, see their webpage.

For more information on applying for federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid resources please visit the Office of Financial Aid's main website! You will be able to find information on how to apply, program-specific checklists, and other important information.

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