Veteran Certification

First time Beneficiaries:

Students who are initiating their VA educational benefit for the first time should apply for their benefit electronically by utilizing either the VA.gov or eBenefits websites. Services members that are prospective students should first contact the military education liaison prior to semester enrollment.

Resuming Benefit:

Students who have previously utilized their educational benefit at another institution will have to electronically submit a Change of Program or Place of Training Form to the VA through either the VA.gov or eBenefits websites. Ensure that you submit the form that corresponds to your benefit (see below).

• All beneficiary recipients (Post-9/11, MGIB, etc.), excluding Chapter 35 (DEA) & Fry Scholarship, should submit the VA Form 22-1995.

• Students utilizing either Chapter 35 (DEA) or the Fry Scholarship should submit the VA Form 22-5495.

If you have questions regarding your VA Educational Benefit, please contact the Department of Veterans Affairs: 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) or submit a question electronically through Ask a Question.

Stevens Institute of Technology participates in the Yellow Ribbon program for the Fall and Spring semesters.

View current VA pay rates here.

Once you have applied for or transferred your benefit to Stevens Institute of Technology, please submit the required documentation to the university's certifying official(s):

• DD-214: If you are the dependent/spouse of the veteran, please disregard; this document is only a requirement of service members/veterans.

• Certificate of Eligibility (COE): Once the VA processes your application, it will send you this letter stating which benefit you are eligible for and at what rate.

• Certification Request Email:  Once a student has registered for an upcoming term and would like to have their enrollment certified with the VA, they must complete a request through Workday. The Military Benefits Application must be completed each semester for which a student wishes to be certified, prior to the start of the semester.

Benefits for Veterans

• Chapter 30

• Chapter 31

• Chapter 33

• Chapter 1606

Benefits for Dependents

• Chapter 35

• Chapter 35 TOE

• Fry Scholarship

Students using Veteran benefits may be eligible for money to help pay for housing, books and supplies. 

This rate is determined by:

• your eligibility percentage

• whether you take online or distance learning courses

• your rate of pursuit, which is calculated based on the number of credits you take (to be eligible for housing allowance, you must be enrolled at a 60 percent rate of pursuit or greater)

Rate of Pursuit:

Graduate students are considered full-time with an enrollment of 9 credit hours. Graduate students are considered ¾ time with an enrollment of 7 or 8 credit hours. Graduate students are considered ½ time with an enrollment of 5 or 6 credits. Anything below 5 credits would be considered less than ½ time.

Undergraduate students are considered full time with an enrollment of 12 credit hours. Undergraduate students are considered half time with an enrollment of 6 to 11 credit hours or less. Anything below 6 credits would be considered less than ½ time.

Current rates may be found on the va.gov site.

Students must submit a Military Benefits Application for each semester in which they intend to utilize benefits. Applications should be submitted after the student has registered for the semester. Due dates for the application are listed below.

• Fall: August 15 (new incoming students: August 20)

• Winter: January 1

• Spring: January 15

• Summer and Summer I: May 1

• Summer II: July 1

Once the application is received, the School Certifying Officials (SCOs) will begin the certification process. Please note that final certification will not take place until after the add/drop period for each semester. It is the student's responsibility to alert the SCO of any schedule changes during the semester.

Military Connected students will not incur any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

Military Connected students will be eligible to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the student provides a certificate of eligibility (or statement of benefits) on the earlier of these dates:

• Date on which payment from VA is made to the institution

• 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility

Stevens Institute of Technology will allow you to earn some college credit for your military training. Students must obtain military transcript copies for review. The Office of Undergraduate Academics will assist with transferring any coursework that may be used toward the student's degree program. 

• Completion of military basic training will meet one PE requirement

• Approved transfer credit may apply to lower level coursework

Undergraduates

Undergraduates may take a leave of absence from Stevens for up to six months. A leave of absence may be extended for another six months with permission.

Students seeking a Leave of Absence should consult the Office of Undergraduate Academics on the 9th floor of the Howe Center before completing a Leave of Absence request in Workday.

Veterans and military personnel seeking to extend their leave of absence must contact the Office of Undergraduate Academics before the current leave of absence expires. 

Veterans and military personnel may be granted a Leave of Absence for a period of up to two years for active duty (inclusive of any approved extensions). Requests for additional leaves will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Return from an approved Leave of Absence request will also be made in Workday in consultation with the Office of Undergraduate Academics at least one month before the start of the semester.

Graduates

Graduate students apply for a leave of absence by completing a Leave of Absence request in Workday Student. A Leave of Absence is normally granted for a limited time period, usually six months or one year. Upon student request, the period may be extended at the discretion of Graduate Academics and Student Success.

Veterans and military personnel seeking to extend their leave of absence must receive permission from Graduate Academics and Student Success before the current leave of absence expires.

Time spent in active duty while on leave of absence is not included in the six-year limit to complete the degree.  

Return from an approved Leave of Absence request should also be made in Workday at least one month before the start of the semester.

• Green Zone Advocate Training is an initiative to support military-connected students.

• Volunteer participants are identified by a Green Zone emblem located outside their office door and/or their syllabus.

• This is more than a professional development opportunity; it also is a way to be supportive to those who have sacrificed for others.

• The program helps advocates provide supportive services to ensure that military-connected students are successful in their academic pursuits, adjust to the campus environment and eventually transition to civilian employment.

Training Overview

• Training is self-paced and provides a series of modules to help you support military campus community members. You may complete the training in one sitting or break it up between several days to meet your availability.

• After completing the final module you will receive an electronic certificate and a sticker. We hope that you display this sticker to show that you support and are willing to assist our military campus community.

• This training is a continuous professional development opportunity. Each semester, supplemental articles will be added to the training for current and past participants. Your access to the program will be available during your Stevens career.

Enroll here.

Contact info:
Jamie Kriger, School Certifying Official
Nina Hernandez, School Certifying Official

Finances:
Ginny Figueiredo, Student Accounts, TA & Holds
Paul Barisano, Financial Aid

Stevens Veterans and Military Office:
Liliana Delman, Director

ROTC:
Kenneth Nilsen, Dean of Students

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.