VA College Benefits and Yellow Ribbon Program
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a number of VA education benefits to help eligible veterans pay the cost of outstanding tuition and fees. Grand Canyon University (GCU) can help you apply and use your approved Top-up as well as your Chapter 30 and/or Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill to cover the cost of your program.
GCU is also a Yellow Ribbon school. This program allows institutions of higher learning in the U.S. to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the VA to help fund tuition expenses for veterans. As a Yellow Ribbon college, we are proud to support this initiative to help make education more affordable for our veterans.
Eligibility for all VA education benefits is based on the department's review and approval. The VA can provide up to the maximum amount payable to a veteran, but entitlements may be based on the program used.
GCU's Veterans Affairs Office includes a team of dedicated military benefit liaisons who process certifications for all VA and Vocational Rehabilitation entitlements. In efforts to uphold accuracy in reporting, all VA applications must be submitted to the Veterans Affairs Office, through your military university counselor. If you would like to use your entitlements, complete the three-step process below. Military university counselors are available to assist you in the process toward obtaining your military education benefits.
Contact us at militarybilling@gcu.edu for more information.
Your military enrollment representative will guide you through the appropriate questions to determine which benefits are best for funding your degree program. Explore the benefits below to familiarize yourself with the programs available to you.
The Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty (MGIB-AD) may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship or on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Contact the military enrollment team for more information by calling 855-GCU-LOPE and asking to speak to a military enrollment specialist.
The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program assists veterans with service-connected disabilities gain post-secondary training at a college, vocational, technical or business school. These services help veterans prepare for, find and keep suitable jobs. Learn more by visiting https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides financial support for education and housing to individuals seeking degrees, vocational or technical training, on-the-job training, flight training, correspondence training and licensing and more. To determine eligibility and eligibility percentage, contact your regional benefits office.
The Chapter 35 VA benefits, also known as the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Program provides up to 90 months of education benefits and training opportunities to eligible dependents and survivors of certain veterans. The GI bill Chapter 35 benefits are offered to those who qualify. For more information about this Chapter 35 benefit, visit benefits.va.gov/gibill.
The Montgomery GI Bill® – Select Reserve (MGIB-SR) is for those participating in the Selected Reserve in the Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard. The Department of Veterans Affairs administers the program. Learn more at benefits.va.gov/gibill.
The Yellow Ribbon Program
The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act and allows educational institutions in the U.S. to fund expenses that exceed the annual maximum cap for private institutions. Accordingly, the VA will match the institution's amount. GCU is proud to be a Yellow Ribbon school and to participate in this program. We annually contribute up to $1,000 to each eligible student enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or doctoral program. Learn more at benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp.
With the assistance of your military enrollment counselor, complete all necessary VA forms to begin the VA education benefits application process. If you do not have a Certificate of Eligibility from the regional VA office for GCU, complete the appropriate Veterans Online Application (VONAPP) for your benefits.
If you have questions regarding this step, call 855-GCU-LOPE and ask to speak to the military university department.
Once you have completed your application form for VA Education benefits, please submit completed documents to your military university counselor. For additional questions or assistance about educational benefits, call us at 855-GCU-LOPE.
Grand Canyon University will certify VA benefits in two stages. An initial certification will be submitted with $0 Tuition and Fees. A subsequent certification will be submitted no later than 60 days after the beginning of the term. To begin the initial certification phase, students must acknowledge and complete the certification request document in their student portal prior to the start of each course.
*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.