Military & Veteran Services site logo

Military & Veteran Services

Division for Student Affairs

Using Your Education Benefits

 

Using Your Education Benefits

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on using your education benefits at the George Washington University. This page is designed to provide detailed insights into maximizing your benefits effectively.

 

 

We understand that navigating VA education benefits, such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and VR&E, can be complex. From understanding the total cost of courses and managing living expenses to exploring the various chapters of the GI Bill® that cover tuition and fees, we provide clear information to help you plan your educational journey. Additionally, discover the federal financial aid options available to supplement your benefits and learn about our Transfer of Credit Policies, tailored by school, to streamline your path to academic success.

 

Helpful Information for GW Students

In compliance with the provisions of Isakson and Roe and our commitment to excellence, we offer valuable guidance to assist students in navigating their academic journey. Please note that estimates for course costs, living expenses, and financial aid are typically based on semester or academic year averages and may vary depending on the program, individual needs, available funding, and other pertinent factors. We encourage you to use this information as a resource to calculate your own costs and estimated financial aid based on your unique circumstances.

Rate of Pursuit

For Post-9/11 GI Bill®, your "rate of pursuit" is based on the number of credits you are enrolled in during a given term, and is expressed as a percentage of full-time status, rounded to the nearest 10%.

An undergraduate student in a standard semester (15 to 19 weeks) is considered full-time (100% rate of pursuit) at 12 or more credits.

A graduate student in a standard semester (15 to 19 weeks) is considered full-time (100% rate of pursuit) at 9 or more credits.

Your "rate of pursuit" does not affect tuition and fee payments to the school. Your tuition and fees will be paid based on your eligibility percentage.

Total cost of courses
Cost of attendance
Type and amount of federal financial aid offered that individual may qualify to receive
Transfer credits and policy
Study Abroad Policy

In January 2020, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced upcoming changes to their approach to study abroad eligibility and payments. Effective August 1, 2020, the Post 9/11 GI Bill® will NOT pay for Study Abroad UNLESS it is specifically listed in the degree plan as a DEGREE REQUIREMENT.  Few programs at GW have a study abroad requirement. If your program does, please coordinate with your academic department/program and our office to ensure your program qualifies for VA payments under this policy. If you have any questions, please contact our office to speak with a School Certifying Official BEFORE applying for Study Abroad.

VA Study Abroad Info (PDF)

Guest Students
 

GW Students Taking Course(s) at Another Institution

To be a GW student, you must be matriculated (formally admitted and degree-seeking) or non-matriculated (pending admission). Submit your proof of VA education eligibility to vetserveatgwu [dot] edu. If you are taking GW credits during the same semester, request certification via GWeb per our certification process. A parent letter is needed for a secondary institution to certify those credits.

  1. Speak with your GW Academic Advisor/Program Director to confirm that the credits you plan to take at a secondary institution will transfer to your GW degree.
  2. Request a Parent Letter Template from our office at vetserveatgwu [dot] edu, and provide the contact information for the School Certifying Official (SCO) at the secondary institution.
  3. Have your Academic Advisor/Program Director complete the Parent Letter and send it directly to our SCO, April Clark, at aprilclarkatgwu [dot] edu.

Note: The Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP) varies by school. Please contact the secondary institution SCO to verify your eligibility for YRP and how to request certification as a guest student.

 

Guest Students from Other Institutions Taking Course(s) at GW

A guest student is non-matriculated and pursuing a degree at an academic institution other than GW. A parent letter is needed before GW credits can be certified. Follow your parent institution's instructions to be certified for credits at that school.  

  1. Contact your parent institution for instructions on how to obtain a parent letter.
  2. Have your SCO send the completed Parent Letter to our SCO, April Clark, at aprilclarkatgwu [dot] edu (subject: GW%20Parent%20Letter) (aprilclark[at]gwu[dot]edu).
  3. Request certification prior to the start of each University semester via GWeb. How? Select Student, then Access Veteran Certification.

Note: Guest students are not eligible for GW Yellow Ribbon Program.