Active Duty & Veterans

What is the Post-9/11 GI Bill^®?

The Post-9/11 GI Bill^® provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001 or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill^®.

How do I apply for benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill^®?

The Department of Veterans Affairs is now accepting and processing applications for the Post-9/11 GI Bill^®. Complete and submit the application form available online, and you will receive written notification explaining VA's decision regarding your eligibility for the program. If you are eligible, your Certificate of Eligibility will also advise you if your service meets the requirements for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Remember, to receive benefits under the Yellow Ribbon Program:

• You must be eligible for the maximum benefit rate of 100% under the Post-9/11 GI Bill^® (Chapter 33).
• The school must be a participant in the Yellow Program.
• The school must have not offered Yellow Ribbon to more than the maximum number of individuals stated in their participation agreement.
• The school must certify your enrollment to VA, including Yellow Ribbon program information.

What is Concordia University Chicago’s recruitment policy?

Concordia University Chicago complies with all federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to the Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits and Department of Defense tuition assistance programs.  The University does not provide commissions, bonuses, or other incentive payments based directly or indirectly on securing service member enrollments or federal financial aid. Furthermore, the University prohibits the use of high-pressure recruitment and registration tactics.

What is Concordia-Chicago's full process for students receiving military educational benefits?

Download the process document (word doc).

Where can I find additional information about education benefits?

Visit the VA Education And Training Benefits | Veterans Affairs website.

What scholarships and/or grants are available?

Utilize the Military Scholarship Finder, a scholarship search engine just for military students. You will be able to search for a variety of scholarships and grants just for the military community. 

Additionally, Illinois AMVETS is offering scholarships to Illinois veterans. Award amounts will vary and are based on eligible funding each year. Scholarships can be applied toward books, housing expenses, school fees and tuition. Scholarship applications are available on the Illinois AMVETS website.

In accordance with the regulation requirement from the Department of Defense, Tuition Assistance must be calculated to determine eligibility when a service member has withdrawn from their course(s). The full amount of Tuition Assistance that a student receives is based on the completion of their course(s). Students will be considered to have earned all of their Tuition Assistance after the completion of 60 percent of the payment period. If a student officially or unofficially withdraws from the semester on or before the 60 percent of the payment period and received Tuition Assistance, Concordia University Chicago (CUC) is required to review eligibility for the amount received.

In order to determine the amount of Tuition Assistance earned up to the time of withdrawal, CUC determines the percentage of the payment period the student attended. In addition, the unearned amount of aid is also determined by the percentage of the payment period the student attended. The student may have officially withdrawn from their course(s) or, in the case of an unofficial withdrawal, CUC will use the last date the student was involved in an academically related activity.

The following formula will be used to calculate the unearned portion amount of Tuition Assistance:

For example, if a student completes 30% of the course(s), 70% will be the unearned portion that must be returned to the government.

Any unearned Tuition Assistance that was applied to the student account must be returned within 45 days of the date the school determined the student withdrew. The unearned portion will be returned directly to the government. Any remaining balance on the service member’s account would be their responsibility and should contact Student Business Services at Student.Accounts@CUChicago.edu for payment arrangements.

Download the schedule for return of unearned TA funds.

DoD MOU Program Specific Pricing Fall 2024 through Summer 2025.

Tuition Assistance is a military benefit that pays the partial cost of tuition up to a maximum annual amount.

Who is eligible? Virtually all military service members are eligible. However, each service branch determines its criteria for eligibility. For more information, please visit DANTES website.  

What is the benefit? 

• $250 per semester credit hour
• $4500 per fiscal year

How do you apply for Tuition Assistance?

• Contact you Educational Services Officer (ESO) for your military branch
• Obtain approval prior to enrolling in courses

What am I required to submit to my school? You are required to submit a Copy of Authority for Tuition Assistance for each course approved.

Will the tuition assistance cover 100% of tuition and fees? Tuition assistance will not cover 100% of your tuition and fees. The remaining costs will need to be covered by the student. Some options available would be a payment plan each semester or completing the annual FAFSA for financial aid eligibility.

Tuition Assistance "Top-Up" Program is an additional benefit intended to supplement other tuition assistance programs. 

Who is eligible? To be eligible for the Top-Up benefit, you must be approved for federal Tuition Assistance by a military department and be eligible for MGIB-Active Duty benefits.

What is the benefit? The amount of the benefit is limited to the amount that you would receive for the same course if regular MGIB benefits were being paid. 

Post-9/11 GI Bill^® provides up to 36 months (4 regular school years) of education benefits to eligible service members and veterans for:

• College, Business
• Technical or Vocational Courses
• Correspondence Courses
• Apprenticeship/Job Training 

Who is eligible? Service members (Active Duty, Guard and Reserve) and veterans who have served at least 90 days on active duty since 9/10/2001.

What is the benefit? 

• Paid tuition and fees, living (housing) stipend and book stipend.
• Benefits are tiered based on number of days on active duty.
• Some limitations apply to those currently on active duty.
• Benefits can be transferred to spouse or family member.

What am I required to submit to my school?

• Copy of your Certificate of Eligibility from the Veterans Administration
• Copy of your DD-214
• Change of Program Form (if you recently attended another college or university)

The Montgomery GI Bill^® - Active Duty & Veteran provides up to 36 months (4 regular school years) of education benefits to eligible service members and veterans for:

• College, Business
• Technical or Vocational Courses
• Correspondence Courses
• Apprenticeship/Job Training

Who is eligible? Active Duty members who have served at least two years on active duty and Veterans—there are four categories of Veteran eligibility depending on when you enlisted and how long you served on active duty.

What is the benefit? The benefit amount varies depending on enrollment status. Benefits end 10 years from the date of your last discharge or release from active duty.

What am I required to submit to my school?

• Copy of your Certificate of Eligibility from the Veterans Administration
• Copy of your DD-214
• Change of Program Form (if you recently attended another college or university)