The Department of Veterans Affairs launched an online GI Bill ® Comparison Tool to make it easier for Veterans, Service members and dependents to calculate their Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits and learn more about VA’s approved colleges, universities and other education and training programs across the country. Read more here.

The GI Bill® Comparison Tool can be found at: www.va.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool

The Montgomery GI Bill® 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 but must be pre-approved by the Veterans Administration. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following release from active duty.

A veteran of World War II or thereafter who has a service-connected disability (20% or higher) which entitles him or her to VA disability compensation and who is in need of vocational rehabilitation because his or her disability creates an employment handicap, may be eligible for Chapter 31 benefits.  Vocational rehabilitation may be provided for up to 48 months, and an eligible veteran now generally has 12 years from discharge or release from active duty in which to use these benefits.  Disabled veterans are encouraged to contact the regional VA office in their area to obtain detailed information and to request VA form #28-1900, Disabled Veteran's Application for Vocational Rehabilitation.

The Post 9/11 GI Bill® provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 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®.

The Veterans Administration limits eligibility to Post 9/11 GI Bill®recipients, who are eligible for 100% of the benefits. Effective August 1, 2010 MSMU participates in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program. You may visit the GI Bill® website for more information on MSMU Yellow Ribbon awards. Awards are given on a first-come first serve basis; however, applications cannot be considered until all documentation is received.

For more information, please visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/

The sons, daughters, spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran may be eligible for educational assistance if the veteran died while on active duty, died after release or discharge from active duty or a service-connected disability (80%-100%), became permanently and totally disabled as a result of a service-connected disability, died while a service-connected disability was rated permanent and total, or has been listed as missing in action, captured, detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power for more than 90 days. Eligible persons are entitled to 45 months of educational assistance and are paid benefits on the same basis as a veteran with no dependents.

Basic eligibility exists for a person who (after June 30, 1985) enlists, reenlists or extends an enlistment in 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.  An eligible reservist is entitled to a maximum of educational assistance based upon full-time training (or the equivalent based upon three-quarter or half-time training.)

REAP was established as part of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. It is a new 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 new 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.

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 www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

• Contact one of the following military offices and ask for an authorization form or letter to be sent to the Student Accounts office at Mount Saint Mary’s University.
  • Air Force, (858) 292-8303
  • Army Education Benefits, (858) 292-8600
  • Marine Corps Tuition Assistance (619) 524-6865 or (858) 577-1801
  • Navy Tuition Assistance, (619) 556-4922 or toll-free (877) 253-7122
• Request the letter to be mailed or faxed to:
  • Mount Saint Mary’s University
    Susanna Nelson - Director of Student Accounts
    10 Chester Place
    Los Angeles, CA 90007
    Fax: (213) 477-2939
• Request the authorization as soon as possible before the semester begins, so that payment can be posted to your student account in a timely manner.

• Contact Susanna Nelson at (310) 954-4046 or snelson@msmu.edu
• After receiving the authorization form or letter, the Student Accounts office will credit your student account with the funds.

• View your bill on Student Planning via MyMSMU Portal
• MSMU invoices the military office for payment each authorized semester

• If your status changes or you are no longer eligible for tuition assistance, you may be billed for your fees directly.