Frequently Asked Questions

You may qualify for in-state tuition rates under the Armed Forces Residency Benefit. More information is on the Armed Forces Residency page.

• Current Active Duty, Reserve or Kansas National Guard members and their spouses/dependents can get in-state rates regardless of where they live under the Armed Forces Residency Benefit.
• Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill® users (at the 100% rate) attending either the Lawrence or Edwards campuses may be eligible for Yellow Ribbon Program funding. KU Medical Center does not have Yellow Ribbon Program funding.
• Online students: Most online programs have a flat rate tuition regardless of where you live.

Yes, but if you plan to live in Kansas while attending KU, you will not need Yellow Ribbon. Apply for in-state tuition rates per the Armed Forces Residency Benefit instead. If you are using Post-9/11 GI Bill at 100% and live in Missouri (or another state) while attending classes at KU AND are paying out-of-state tuition, please complete the Yellow Ribbon Application.

Yellow Ribbon is only available for Post-9/11 GI Bill users at the 100% rate per the VA.

Online students in flat-rate programs do not need Yellow Ribbon.

If an undergraduate student is offered an out-of-state KU merit scholarship and then is granted in-state tuition, the merit scholarship will be adjusted to the appropriate in-state merit scholarship, per KU policy. Visiting this scholarship page will show equivalent in-state scholarship for KU merit scholarships.  

Students must apply for in-state tuition per the Armed Forces Residency Benefit (AFRB), according to state law. Students can apply for AFRB after they are admitted and have a KU login. 

For those admitted as out-of-state, KU waits to convert merit scholarships until after you have been approved for AFRB. This protects the student and helps ensure they get the maximum benefit based on their individual circumstances. 

Getting approved for AFRB and receiving an in-state merit scholarship is a better financial deal overall for students than receiving any out-of-state merit scholarship. 

You can check out the tuition and fees page to get estimates.

You can use also the Net Price Calculator. We offer this calculator to assist students with early financial planning for college. It will provide an estimate of your cost to attend KU as well as the federal, state, and institutional financial aid you may qualify for.

Everything is done online. You will fill out a web form each semester you wish to use your benefits. Visit our Using VA Benefits page for the steps.

• Post-9/11 GI Bill users: get a copy of your Statement of Benefits if you have already applied for your benefits and received a COE before. 
• All other GI Bill/VA benefits users: Click the "Ask a Question" button (login required) on the GI Bill website and submit a query for the VA to mail copy of your COE. Or call the GI Bill hotline at 888-442-4551 to request a copy.
• If you have never applied for benefits and received a COE before, visit the VA's website to apply.

Submitting your COE

• Students will upload their COE when they complete the New KU Request for Benefits form. Students will only need to submit a COE the first time they are using a VA benefit. 

The VA will send you a letter each semester regarding the amount of entitlement you used and the amount remaining. Other ways to find out:

• Chapter 31 (VR&E): can check with your VR&E counselor. 
• Chapter 33: check your Post-9/11 GI Bill Statement of Benefits on the VA's website. 
• All other chapters: Use the Ask VA  tool or call the GI Bill hotline at 888-442-4551 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT.

Students must be seeking a degree (or graduate certificate) and all classes must count toward graduation for the VA to cover all classes. 

• Majors/Minors: Yes, the GI Bill will cover additional majors and minors. Effective Fall 2024, we received updated information from our Education Liaison Representative that VA doesn't limit the number of majors/minors a student can have.
• Certificate programs: 
  • Undergraduate certificate programs are not approved for the GI Bill, unfortunately. Certificate program courses must meet some other KU graduation requirement in order for the VA to approve the courses.
  • Graduate certificate programs: If your program is listed in WEAMS, VA will cover it. If it is not in WEAMS, contact us.

Only classes that meet a graduation requirement for your degree program, minor, dual degree, dual major, or potentially graduate certificate, can be reported to the VA for the purpose of determining your rate of pursuit (full-time status). Speak with your advisor to make sure your course fits some sort of graduation requirement (e.g. in your major, KU Core goals, junior/senior hours, etc.).

The VA will not pay for repeat courses unless you received an “F” OR if you must pass the course with a certain grade in order to move forward in your program.

When you complete your Using VA Benefits web form each semester, we push your deadline back for tuition, fees and any housing/dining/bookstore charges to Dec. 15 (fall), May 15 (spring), Aug. 15 (summer).

You will still receive e-bills each month, but KU Enroll & Pay will always show your actual due date. 

If you get a late fee, it likely means you did not complete your VA request for the semester. Contact us with questions.

Ch. 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill users: We first tell the VA just the credit hours you're enrolled in to get your book stipend/housing allowance going. A second certification will occur after the add/drop period with your tuition and fees, as required by law. This means it will take longer for the VA to pay your tuition/fees.

Ch. 31 VR&E users: VA should pay everything on your Enroll & Pay account, except bookstore charges. Bookstore charges require a separate purchasing process. If you see bookstore charges on your Enroll & Pay account, contact us. 

Other VA benefits users: The VA will pay nothing on your KU Enroll & Pay account. You are responsible for paying your entire bill. 

Contact us by Dec. 1/May 1 if you still have charges on your account that you feel should not be on there.

Students must be enrolled full time in term-long classes to receive full GI Bill benefits, as your benefits are charged by day. This means short-term and non-standard courses can affect your full-time status and, therefore, your benefits (and housing allowance if you're using the Post-9/11 GI Bill). 

For example, undergraduate students must be in 12 credits that all start at the beginning of the semester and end at the end of the semester. If you have 12 credits but one of those courses starts later (e.g. October), you will be part time until that course starts. If you're in 15 credits and one of the 3 credit hour courses starts later, there is no issue since you're in 12 credits for the entire semester. 

Before you enroll in short classes, contact us to learn how short courses might affect your benefits. Or see the "Enrollment Status and Training Time" section on this web page for more details.

Withdrawing from a class, especially outside the 100% refund window, can result in you owing KU and/or the VA money. This is regardless of which VA benefit you are using.

Contact us before dropping a class to understand the potential financial implications.

If you have mitigating circumstances, let us know BEFORE you drop the class so that we can inform the VA. If you don't let us know VA will mail you a letter explaining they were notified about your drop. They may ask you to submit any mitigating circumstances that led to the drop. In response, you’ll need to mail the reasons to your Regional Processing Office or send them using the “Submit a Question” button on VA's website. VA will notify you by letter if your reasons are accepted and the amount of any final benefit debt. VA also automatically grants mitigating circumstances for up to 6 credits the first time, and only the first time, you drop classes.

You may still owe money, though, even if VA grants you mitigating circumstances.

The VA requires certain users to verify their enrollments at the end of each month for the time they were in classes. Visit the VA's website to learn more and to verify your enrollment. 

Part of it depends on when you submit your KU request for benefits. On average, it takes KU 10-14 business days to send your info to VA (peak times, i.e. August & January, may take longer). VA has 30 days from that point to process your paperwork and will notify you once it's complete. You should then receive your monthly stipend at the beginning of the next month for the time you were in classes the previous month(s).

VA typically pays around the first of every month for the previous month. For example, around Sept. 1 (though it could be a few days later) you’ll get a payment for the days you were in classes in August. For VA purposes, each month has 30 days so you can calculate prorated amounts by dividing your monthly stipend by 30 and multiplying by number of days school is in session (e.g. if classes being Aug. 20 and BAH is $1494, your BAH for August would be $498). Visit the GI Bill Comparison Tool to see your specific rates.

Visit the GI Bill Comparison Tool for specific information.

It depends on whether you are getting restricted aid or unrestricted aid. Visit our aid page for more information.

Post-9/11 GI Bill users: to receive that money while waiting on the VA to pay your tuition and fees, complete the VA Educational Benefits - Early Release of Funds* form each semester. *A link to this form is included in the KU request for VA benefits form you complete each semester.

It depends.

Veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill and this is the first VA benefit you have used: Yes, VA should pay for the entire term for all classes that started while you still had benefits left.

Veterans who combined benefits (e.g., used 36 months of the Montgomery GI Bill and 12 months of the Post-9/11 GI Bill) and will exceed your 48th month during the semester: VA will only make payments for tuition and BAH up to the last day of that 48th month.

Spouses and dependents using Post-9/11 GI Bill: the VA will stop payments on the last day of your benefits (and prorate the tuition/BAH), unless you are the very last family member to use the very last day of your family's VA benefits. If you're the last family member, VA should pay for the entire term for all classes that started while you still had benefits left.

Ch. 35 DEA and Ch. 1606 MGIB-SR students: VA typically stops paying the day you run out of benefits.

You can update your direct deposit information in your VA.gov profile. You'll need your bank's routing number and account number to make the updates.

For steps on setting up or updating your KU direct deposit information in Enroll & Pay, visit Student Accounts & Receivables.

If you are switching your VA benefits program while at KU, you will need to complete a "New KU Request for Benefits" instead of a "Continued Request" and upload your new Certificate of Eligibility. 

The VA determines who is eligible and who will receive benefits. More information at: Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship.

Yes, but if you plan to live in Kansas while attending KU, you will not need Yellow Ribbon. Apply for in-state tuition rates per the Armed Forces Residency Benefit instead. If you are using Post-9/11 GI Bill at 100% and live in Missouri (or another state) while attending classes at KU AND are paying out-of-state tuition, please complete the Yellow Ribbon Application.

Yellow Ribbon is only available for Post-9/11 GI Bill users at the 100% rate per the VA.

Online students in flat-rate programs do not need Yellow Ribbon.

Start with your Education Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within your specific branch prior to enrolling.

• Kansas Guard members: Contact the Kansas National Guard ESO
• Other branches: You should be able to locate your ESO contact in either your TA portal or on your military installation. 

Information on using TA at KU can found on our military tuition assistance webpage.

Eligibility and administration for the Army's College Loan Repayment Program (LRP) varies by component. Details by component can be found by going to the MyArmyBenefits webpage. Basic details:

• Soldiers must have been granted LRP eligibility when signing their initial contract
• Student loans must meet program requirements for repayment, all of which require that a student has completed their FAFSA application
• Repayment is provided as a minimum amount or percentage of the outstanding principle balance (varies by program)

For more information and eligibility questions, visit the MyArmyBenefits webpage, or reach out to:

• Army Guard – Visit the Education Office webpage and look for the Student Loan Repayment Manager contact
• Army Reserve – For technical assistance and general inquiries, contact the RCMS helpdesk at 1-800-339-0473

If they refer you to your education institution, let us know so we can assist you further.

KU awards some college credit for military courses. Visit the KU credit transfer page and look for the “military service credit” section for more details. KU only awards transfer credit for courses that fall within the level, scope and content offered in our undergraduate curriculum. Many courses on military transcripts are technical or occupational in nature and are not accepted. KU does not award transfer credit based on ACE or Dantes recommendations.

• Visit KU CredTran to see how JST/CCAF courses have historically transferred. For JST or by MOS, select the state, "District of Columbia." For CCAF/Air University, select "Alabama."
• Future students: To get credit for military courses, if you list your military affiliation and include your SSN on your KU application, KU will order a copy of your military transcripts from the JST system for you; or you can get them on the JST website and send to KU transfercredit@ku.edu (Air Force – you will need to request your CCAF and/or Air University transcript regardless)
• Current students: Students can request a transcript on the JST website or CCAF and/or Air University and send it to transfercredit@ku.edu.

Advanced Education Programs (AEPs) incorporate a variety of sub-programs through which military personnel can pursue fully funded masters or doctoral degrees. These sub-programs include:

1. Advanced Civil Schooling (ACS)
2. Expanded Graduate School Program (EGSP), which include:
   • Commanders Program and Menu of Incentives (MOI)
   • Graduate School for Active Duty Service Obligation (GrADSO)
3. Performance Based Graduate School Incentive Program (PB-GSIP)

AEPs require certain documentation from the university to complete the eligibility and acceptance packets. These documents may include:

1. Letter of Acceptance. The letter needs to list the specific program you are attending, contain the university letterhead, and signature block from the university admissions office. To obtain a letter of acceptance, apply and be admitted to KU.
2. Application for Detail as Student at Civilian Educational Institution (DA 2125). This document outlines your proposed class schedule and timeline for degree completion. A signature from an Academic Advisor in your graduate program is usually required on the document to validate the schedule and timeline. You can obtain this once you have been admitted.
3. Tuition Agreement. This document lays out all the costs of the program by semester and needs to match your proposed class schedule. The agreement needs to include a KU letterhead and signature from a KU official. Once you have your proposed class schedule from your advisor, contact the MASC for assistance.

If you have trouble obtaining any documentation or have any questions and don't know where to start, please fill out our contact form, selecting "active duty programs" for the topic and answer the subsequent questions.

Most KU military-affiliated scholarships open each spring for the next academic year. KU book scholarships for veterans/Guard/Reservists/ROTC are open each fall and spring semester, while funding is available. Check the military-affiliated scholarships page to learn more. 

We keep track of national military-affiliated scholarships on our Scholarships page. Deadlines and criteria vary.

To be considered as an independent student, based on veteran status, the Department of Education uses the following definition:

A veteran is a former member of the Armed Forces of the United States (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard) who served on active duty and was discharged under conditions, which were other than dishonorable. There is no minimum number of days a student must have served on active duty to be considered a veteran. However, periods of active duty for training, pursuant to an enlistment in the National Guard or Reserves, do not qualify a student as a veteran. Thus former or current members of the National Guard or Reserves are not considered to be veterans unless they had prior or subsequent service with an active component of the Armed Forces. (Reservists called to active duty by Executive Order qualify as veterans.) Since the DD Form 214 is issued to those leaving the active military as well as to members of the National Guard and Reserves completing their initial active duty for training, possession of this document does not necessarily mean the student is a veteran.

Persons who attended military academies are now considered veterans for financial aid purposes.

Applicants who meet the criteria of the definition should check "yes" to the vet question on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

What you receive in term of financial aid/military/VA education benefits and when you receive everything you are entitled to will depend on a variety of factors. Visit our aid page to learn more. 

Yes, the KU chapter of Student Veterans of America is open to all KU students. Contact them by visiting Rockchalk Central, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. You can also email them at kusva@ku.edu.

The Kansas Law School Military and Veterans Society is open to all KU students. Their focus is to help veterans interested in attending law school, to help those in law school who are interested in military service after graduation, and to provide camaraderie for all those who appreciate and want to support the military. Contact them by visiting RockChalk Central.

We are located on the 3rd floor of Summerfield Hall, Room 345, and you can find our hours on this webpage.

We provide a space where all military-affiliated students – Active Duty, National Guardsmen, Reservists, veterans, spouses, dependents, and ROTC students – can get help with VA/TA benefits, relax, and study.

Amenities include:

• A lounge with WIFI, computers with CAC readers, and cable TV
• Printing
• A break room with coffee/tea, microwave, fridge
• Meeting/conference rooms for study groups
• VA VetSuccess on Campus career and Veterans Readiness & Employment counselor
• KU Student Veterans of America headquarters

• On campus: Learn more about KU Tutoring, which is free to KU students.
• Off campus (free): Tutor.com for DoD service members, civilian personnel, ROTC students and all dependent family members, is a program that provides on-demand, online tutoring and homework help at no cost. Live tutors available 24/7.
• GI Bill users: The VA may cover some tutoring in limited circumstances. Contact us for the process.
• Ch. 31 VR&E users: Speak with your VR&E counselor for options.

You can sign up for the email newsletter.

Our VA VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) counselor, Angela Warwick, can provide the following to military/veterans and spouses/dependents eligible for the GI Bill®:

• Personalized career counseling to maximize your GI Bill benefits
• Connection to other VA benefits, e.g. VA health care & mental health services
• Veterans Readiness & Employment (VR&E) information

We also have representatives from the Kansas Office of Veterans Services visit the MASC to help provide information on filing for medical, disability or other benefits. Or you can reach out to the Kansas Office of Veterans Services located in Lawrence to make an appointment. 

Visit our School Enrollment Verification Letters page for the process.

The Military-Affiliated Student Center has multiple computers with CAC readers. Visit our Current MASC Hours & Amenities page for more info.

Watson and Anschutz libraries also have CAC readers.

First, we highly recommend reaching out to the Military-Affiliated Student Center via our contact form so we can address your concerns. The MASC is comprised of military-affiliated staff, so we really understand what it means to be using benefits and can help address your concerns. You can also stop by our center in 345 Summerfield and ask for April or Drew. (Using the contact form, though, will ensure we can set up a time to meet when we are here and it is convenient for you.)

Any formal complaints registered through the DoD Postsecondary Education Complaint System are reviewed by the Office of the University Registrar and Military-Affiliated Student Center in coordination with the Office of the General Counsel and other parties as determined by the nature of the complaint.

University policy lists required military service as excused absences. That means a student cannot be penalized and shall receive an accommodation for completing the missed work. University excused absences apply to all course requirements, including any final examinations, quizzes, in class work, and tests other than final examinations. In cases where part of a class grade is based on attendance, a student shall not be penalized for missing class due to a university excused absence.

1. Notify your instructors in writing as early as possible. Don't wait until the last minute. 
2. MASC staff are available to chat with you about having discussions with your instructors, and if you have any questions or concerns. Make an appointment with one of your "Military-Affiliated Support" team members via Jayhawk GPS/EAB Navigate App, or contact us.
3. If you are going to miss more than a couple of weeks of classes/assignments, you may want to consider a partial or full military withdrawal. Feel free to reach out to us to discuss your specific circumstances. 

Please visit our Activation/Mobilization page for detailed information.

Yes. This can help ensure a smoother return to KU if you take a semester off. Visit our Activation/Mobilization page for the process.

We recommend you wait to do this process until you have orders. If you do not have orders, it is wise to proceed as though you are not going on active military duty since deployments/activations may change.

Contact us when you are ready to return to KU. We will assist you with the readmission process in any way they can.

Visit with your advisor to discuss plans for your return, i.e. retaking courses or what courses you will need to enroll in upon your return.

John Hanysz

Veteran Services Coordinator

Dykes Library

veterans@kumc.edu

913-588-7055

You can also visit their Military and Veterans Affairs page.

The MASC on the Lawrence campus also serves Edwards Campus students. Contact us.

Sarah Weygand, Program Manager

sweygand@ku.edu

913-897-8557

Schedule an appointment with Sarah here

Lucas Schmalbeck, Program Coordinator

lschmalbeck@ku.edu

913-897-8568

Schedule an appointment with Lucas here

General email: leavenworth@ku.edu

General phone: 913-897-8424

You can also visit the Leavenworth page.