Veteran Benefits
Military & Veterans
Paying for Your Education
Blue Ribbon Grant (Exclusive to University of Fairfax)
The Blue Ribbon Grant is designed to recognize and assist veterans, active-duty military personnel, spouse and dependents by providing additional grant funds upon the exhaustion or expiration of military education benefits to support the individual to enhance their educational benefits.
Eligibility:
The University of Fairfax provides a grant of up to 35% of the total amount that is paid toward the direct cost of education on behalf of an individual qualified by the Veterans Administration under Chapter 30, 31, 33, 35, 1606, Military Tuition Assistance or State National Guard. (MYCAA recipients are not eligible)
Application:
See the Financial Aid Office staff for an application.
Award:
Eligible students may accumulate up to a maximum of $18,000 to extend or complete their programs of study, or assist a current spouse or qualified dependent at the University of Fairfax. Once earned the accumulated grant amount may be utilized to pay tuition and fees at University of Fairfax in any academic program or degree level including to fund an external certification that is associated with the students program of study. The grant funds must be used within 10 years of the last day of the term the Blue Ribbon Grant was earned.
The military student earning the grant may elect to transfer the earned grant to a current spouse or qualified dependent under the age of 30. In the event of such transfer, the grant will be considered earned, transferable, and payable toward the transferee spouse or qualified dependent’s account following the completion of any term in which the military student’s benefits are paid toward the transferor’s tuition and fees.
Military Benefits for Active Duty and Discharged Service Personnel
Active Duty Tuition Assistance:
- ArmyIgnitED (previously GoArmyEd) is an online portal for all eligible Active Duty, National Guard, and Army Reserve Soldiers to request Tuition Assistance and plan your educational path.
- Air Force Tuition Assistance
- Navy College
- Marine Corps Tuition Assistance
- Coast Guard Tuition Assistance
CHAPTER 30: Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
Eligibility is based on serving at least 2 years on active duty and honorably discharged. This bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits and payable for up to 10 years.
Check the VA Benefits page for eligibility requirements: Montgomery Bill Eligibility
Use VA form 22-1990 to apply for benefits.
CHAPTER 31: Veteran Readiness and Employment Program
Veterans who have a service-related disability of at least 20% and are in need of vocational rehabilitation can receive Chapter 31 funds. This bill provides up to 48 months of full-time benefits and they have 12 years from the date they are notified of entitlement to use the benefits.
Check the VA Benefits page for eligibility requirements: Veteran Readiness and Employment
Use VA form 28-1990 to apply for benefits.
CHAPTER 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill®
The University of Fairfax is pleased to accept Post – 9/11 GI Bill® benefits for eligible students. Only active duty service performed after September 10, 2001 is considered for determining eligibility for this benefit. A veteran’s level of eligibility is determined by his/her accrued length of service after September 10, 2001. Eligible veterans with less than 100% eligibility receive a pro-rated percentage of the maximum award. Award percentages range from 40% to 100%. To determine your eligibility visit the VA Benefits page for the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
Use VA form 22-1995 to apply for benefits
CHAPTER 35: Dependent Education Assistance Program
This bill provides education benefits to the spouse and child/children of veterans who either passed away or became 100% disabled as a result of a service-connected disability. This bill provides up to 45 months of full-time benefits and 10 years from eligibility.
Check the VA Benefits page for eligibility requirements: Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance
Use VA form 22-5490 to apply for benefits.
CHAPTER 1606: Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserves (MGIB-SR)
Chapter 1606 benefits are available to reservists who enlist, reenlist, or extend an enlistment in the Selected Reserve for no less than 6 years, on or after July 1, 1985. This benefits provides up to 36 months of full-time benefits.
Check the VA Benefits page for eligibility requirements: Montgomery Bill Selected Reserves
Use VA form 22-1990 to apply for benefits.
CHAPTER 1607: Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
This bill provides up to 36 months of benefits to members of the Selected Reserves, Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), and National Guard, who are called or ordered to active service in response to a war or national emergency, as declared by the President or Congress.
Go to http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/ and submit the Veterans Online Application
How to use your military benefits
- You can submit your Application for VA Benefits online. Apply online now.
- The amount you are eligible for changes yearly. Check this site for the most up-to-date rates. https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/resources/benefits_resources/rate_tables.asp
- Enroll in class at University of Fairfax with your Academic Advisor.
- Pay your tuition balance. (The VA will send your benefits directly to you.)
- Verify your enrollment each month with the VA.
For more information or questions regarding military benefits, contact:
* 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 website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.