Veterans Administration Benefits
Veterans of the United States military, their spouses and dependents are often eligible for educational funding through the Montgomery G.I. Bill (Chapter 30), the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill (Chapter 33), the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance Bill (Chapter 35), the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP, Chapter 1607) and other programs sponsored by the Veterans Administration. Students who believe they are eligible for these benefits while a student at Wesley should contact the Office of the Registrar for more information about establishing a file and verifying their enrollment to the VA. Each eligible student must supply a Certificate of Eligibility before Wesley can certify semester/term enrollments. This Certificate must be requested by the student through the VA’s website at www.gibill.va.gov.
Due to new legislation entitled the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010, retired or non-active duty students receive VA benefits for tuition and fees up to $17,500 per academic year at private institutions such as Wesley. This only applies to students eligible at the 100% rate; those with less than 100% eligibility will have their tuition and fees pro-rated according to length of service. Tuition and fees are paid directly to Wesley after the Registrar certifies the student’s enrollment status each semester or term.
Tuition and fees for active duty military are paid at the 100% tuition rate only after accruing 36 months of service. Those with less than this threshold will receive a pro-rated amount of tuition and fees. As of October 1, 2011, active duty students are also eligible for the Books & Supplies Stipend, which is paid directly to the student and is calculated based on Wesley’s location.
Yellow Ribbon Program
Wesley participates in the Yellow Ribbon program under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill (Chapter 33). Through this program, the VA pays a larger portion of the total tuition/fees and Wesley makes up any remaining difference, ensuring that the student receives 100% coverage of all tuition/fees. This provision is only available to retired and non-active duty students with 100% eligibility based on service length entitlement. Active duty military are not eligible for the Yellow Ribbon subsidy toward tuition and fees.
Additional funds for living and academic expenses are provided to Yellow Ribbon eligible students via the Housing and Books & Supplies Stipends. The VA pays Yellow Ribbon students directly for eligible expenses; this reimbursement is calculated based on Wesley’s location and differs by the veteran’s rank and service length entitlement.
A limited number of Yellow Ribbon spaces are available to Wesley students each academic year. Presently there are 40 spaces authorized, divided evenly between Master’s level and D.Min. students. To check your eligibility for Yellow Ribbon funds after establishing a VA file with Wesley, contact the Office of the Registrar at (202) 885-8650 or registrar@wesleyseminary.edu.