U.S. Military Veteran's Tuition Grant Policies and Procedures

All photos courtesy of the Department of Defense.

Ashford University U.S. Military Veteran's Tuition Grant

Everyone deserves a quality education at an affordable price. Make your investment in your education count when you choose Ashford University. One of Ashford's goals is to help maximize your investment from initial fees through the entire financial process. Whether you use Military Tuition Assistance, Veteran's benefits, tuition reimbursement, cash, third party billing or financial aid, you will have help every step of the way.

As a veteran, you have earned certain benefits so it's crucial that you use them. To determine benefit status, you should contact a benefits counselor at the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) or visit www.gibill.va.gov.

Military Veteran's Benefits Plan

The Military VA Plan requires that all tuition and any applicable fees be paid prior to each course's start date. You may choose to have your tuition and/or fees automatically charged to your credit card (Debit cards are not accepted). Automatic credit card payments are charged after the start date of each course; otherwise, full cash payments must be made prior to the start date of each course. Credit card information will be requested of students selecting this option in order to establish credit for this plan.

U.S. Military Veteran's Tuition Grant

If you are a veteran and enrolled in an undergraduate program offered through the Ashford University College of External Studies, you may apply for Ashford's U.S. Military Veteran's Tuition Grant.

To receive the Ashford University U.S. Military Veteran's Tuition Grant, you must be a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces and certified for VA benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and by Ashford University. Please note that grants are only applicable to courses for which tuition is in excess of $250 per credit hour. The dollar amount of these grants varies depending on the tuition price per credit hour. For courses with tuition of $257 per credit hour, the grant is $7 per credit hour. For courses with tuition of $330 per credit hour, the grant is $80 per credit hour. In addition, this grant also covers the full $990 Technology Services Fee. Tuition grants are only applied if you are eligible and upon receipt of an approved VA certification.

VA Classification of Full-Time Ashford University Students

As a veteran, you are classified as three-quarters time and are only eligible for partial grants. The only way to get the full- time payment rate is to take two courses at a time, after successful completion of the first two courses with Ashford University.

GI Bill Application Procedure

You must obtain the appropriate form(s) from www.gibill.va.gov under "Education Benefits." Forms can be submitted online directly to VA. Mail the signature page from the appropriate form(s) directly to VA at VA Regional Office, PO Box 33860, St. Louis, MO 63166-6830. Be sure to double-check that your name and social security number appear on the bottom of the signature page. Ashford University requires a signed copy of the appropriate completed form(s) for your file as follows:

• 22-1990 (Application for VA Education Benefits) for Veteran students who are using their GI Bill for the first time.
• 22-1995 (Change of Program/Training) for Veteran students who have used their GI Bill benefits before.
• Chapter 35 Dependent/Spouse benefit forms are available for each branch on the website below.
• DD-214 (Release from Duty). Ashford University requires a copy of this form for your file if available. This form does not hold up certification.
• Ashford University's certifying official will certify you for one year of courses on the VA-ONCE website.

Once you receive an award letter from the VA, you are required to start verifying monthly enrollment by the 30th of each month. This verification is accomplished by using the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) or by Interactive Voice Response (IVR).
WAVE = www.gibill.va.gov.
IVR = 877-823-2378

You should allow 10-12 weeks after completion of all paperwork to receive yourfirst payment, which will be based on certification beginning with your first date of eligible attendance in an Ashford University degree program. Subsequent payments should be received monthly, as per the VA Office's processes.

Since payment of VA Benefits are mailed directly to you, you are responsible for paying Ashford University tuition and fees at the start of each course, unless there is alternative, approved financial aid.

The University's VA Certifying Official will report course drops and withdrawals to the VA on a weekly basis. Course drops may affect your eligibility for VA benefits.

For more information, please contact:
Ashford University VA Certification
400 North Bluff Blvd
Clinton, IA 52732
Phone: 877-241-9893 Ext. 7102
Fax: 877-342-7330
Email: VACertification@ashford.edu