Online Degrees for Veterans

You’ve taken off your uniform, and now you’re wondering, “What’s next?” Discover your next mission with National University, a nonprofit college for Veterans who want to utilize their V.A. Educational Benefits.

A winner of the prestigious Ray Ehrensberger Award for Institutional Excellence in Military Education, National University’s online degree program for Veterans, recognizes the unique needs of Veteran students. Offering 190+ degree programs, certificates, and teacher credentialing programs available online, in-person at locations across California, and on select military bases nationwide. Our one-month class format, you can help start your journey sooner and finish faster.

Military Veterans

You joined the United States military to serve your country and build character. Your military service allowed you to do that and so much more. Now it’s time to move forward and further your education, but perhaps you are unsure where to start.

Whether you are preparing to transition to a new career or are a Veteran looking to explore new career opportunities and directions, as a United States military Veteran, you will qualify for the most comprehensive package of military tuition assistance available.

Not only that, but your family members may also be eligible for educational assistance. However, taking advantage of your benefits requires some knowledge and research.

The NU Veteran Center can provide military-affiliate students with resources to maximize funding for their education and assist with VA education benefits, scholarships, reduced tuition rates, and more.

Education Benefits for Veterans

If you served in the military, you might be eligible for some of the educational benefits for Veterans listed below. To learn more about your eligibility and benefits, please visit the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more. Educational benefits you may be eligible for include:

The GI Bill

The GI Bill is the most familiar military tuition assistance program available, allowing millions of Veterans to further their education since 1944. Under this bill, qualifying Veterans and their family members can receive money to cover all or some of the education costs.

Post-9/11 GI Bill®

The Post 9/11 GI Bill® is a wide-ranging educational provision for active-duty military, mainly based on your length of military service. Benefits match up to 100 percent of your tuition cost of the most expensive public state schools.

In addition, your chosen school may participate in the “Yellow Ribbon Program.” Schools such as National University may voluntarily waive a portion of the remaining tuition not already covered by other financial aid you may have received.

Montgomery GI Bill

The Montgomery GI Bill provides eight semesters or up to 36 months of monthly tuition payments at eligible US academic institutions. The program serves members of our armed forces who completed active terms of service during the 1990’s, up through the passage of the Post 9/11 Bill. (See below.) The current maximum payment under the Montgomery GI Bill is $1,928 monthly, based on the number of classes you enroll in (also known as “training time”), which is determined as follows:

• 12 hours and above – full-time
• 9-11 hours – 3/4 time
• 6-8 hours – 1/2 time
• 3-5 hours – less than 1/2 time
• 0-2 hours – 1/4 time

All told, that’s over $60,000 in available aid over the life of your benefits package.
In order to receive military tuition assistance, you must have completed high school and two years of active military service.

Furthermore, if you attend an accredited school such as National University, you will find additional military tuition discounts and scholarships for military personnel and your dependents.

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 https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Reserve Educational Assistance Program

The Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) is a program that provides benefits to reserve members who have been called or ordered to active service. This program can provide financial assistance to eligible persons for various training programs.

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

Formally known as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, the VR&E (Chapter 31) benefits are available for eligible service members with a service-connected disability that limits or prevents them from working and addresses education or training needs.

Survivors’ and Dependents Educational Assistance

Survivors and dependents benefit, also known as Chapter 35 benefits. You may qualify for this benefit if you are a dependent spouse, child, surviving spouse, or child of a U.S. military Veteran. There are two main GI Bill benefit programs you can apply for under chapter 35. Find out more here about V.A.’s (Chapter 35 benefits) education benefits.

Veteran Financial Aid Assistance

Outside of the benefits service members receive from the VA, Veterans are eligible to receive traditional federal grants and low-interest loans through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To determine your eligibility, you will need to fill out an application. More information and assistance can be found on the financial aid and scholarships page.

Scholarships and Grants for Veterans

Military Veterans have several scholarships and grant options to help pay for education. See below for some of the National University’s scholarship and grant opportunities for military personnel.

Veterans Victory Scholarship – A Scholarship of up to $5,000 is awarded to Veterans based on academic or community achievement and financial need. This award is considered a “last money” scholarship and is designed to supplement military GI Bill® Chapter 31 and Chapter 33 educational benefits when those benefits are exhausted during the current National University degree program.

NOTE: All National University scholarships and grants are administered through the Financial Aid Office. The information here is provided for convenience only and is subject to change without notice in line with Financial Aid policies and applicable state and federal law. Visit National University’s Veteran Center for more information.