Veterans Engagement Services

The Veterans Engagement Services (VES) team serves as the direct point of contact for all military-affiliated students who hold the following military status' Active Duty servicemember, a National Guard member, a Select Reservist, a Retired Veteran, a Spouse, a Dependent, or any member of the ROTC Cadet Command. 

The Veterans Engagement Services (VES) team manages funding under the following GI Bill and DoD Educational Benefits and funding programs:

Chapter 33: Post 9/11 - The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 provides educational assistance to individuals who served on active duty on or after September 10, 2001. These individuals must have served at least 90 aggregate days or have been discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. Recipients entitled to this benefit can receive up to 36 months of education benefits, which can be increased to 48 eligible months determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs on a case-by-case basis. For more information visit the www.va.gov.  Students eligible for Post 9/11 benefits at the 100% entitlement rate could also have an opportunity to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which may make additional funding options available to a non-resident or out-of-state student, as long as the institution of higher learning attended is a participating university. To apply for benefits or get benefit assistance go to www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/

Chapter 31: Veterans Readiness & Employment Program - Veteran Readiness and Employment Service (VR&E) also known as Chapter 31: VR&E, assists veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 20 percent, and need vocational rehabilitation services for employment. Eligible veterans entitled to this benefit: have received, or will receive an honorable or other than dishonorable discharge, have a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% with a serious employment handicap or 20% or more with an employment handicap, and must apply for VR&E services. For additional information go to www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/ 

Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB-AD) - Soldiers who have served on Active Duty for at least 2 years may qualify for this entitlement. There are four eligibility categories for those honorably discharged and who meet the criteria under at least one of the categories. Select the Category titles below view the requirements and determine where you fall.  Category I, Category II, Category III, or Category IV.  Eligible recipients could have up to 10 years to utilize the Chapter 30 entitlement at the discretion of the Department of Defense. For more information or to apply for this entitlement go to www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/montgomery-active-duty/

Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB- SR) - Any selected reserve servicemember of the Army, Army National Guard, AirForce, Air National Guard, Marine Corps, Navy or Coast Guard Reserve could be eligible to receive educational/training benefit entitlement under this GI Bill for up to 36 months. Each applicant MUST have at least a 6-year service obligation in the Selected Reserve or be an officer in the Selected Reserve and agree to serve an additional 6 years outside of your original service obligation. For benefit eligibility information and how to apply go to www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/montgomery-selected-reserve/

Chapter 35: Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) - This entitlement was created to provide educational assistance to eligible spouses, dependents, and survivors of any military service member who has died in the line of duty, is captured or missing, or has a been identified as having a service-connected disability. Additional eligibility requirements may apply and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. To determine if you are eligible for this entitlement and to get information about the application process go to www.va.gov/education/survivor-dependent-benefits/dependents-education-assistance/

Edith Nourse Rogers Stem Scholarship - The Edith Nourse Rogers (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) scholarship is an extension benefit of Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill and the Fry Scholarship. This scholarship is only available to eligible recipients pursuing educational training in the STEM field and are close to exhaustion of their current benefits. Veterans entitled to Post 9/11 and dependent recipients of the Fry Scholarship could receive up to 9 months or $30,000.00 of added benefits (whichever comes first). For additional eligibility and application details go to https://www.va.gov/education/other-va-education-benefits/stem-scholarship/

Federal Tuition Assistance Program (FTA) - Federal Tuition Assistance is an additional educational benefit available to all uniformed service members. Each branch of service has eligibility criteria including obligated service time, the application process, and funding restrictions. This funding pays for tuition costs and certain course-specific fees directly required for enrollment into that course. These funds are paid directly to the institution the soldier is attending and are managed by the Education Office which can assist soldiers with getting started, applications, and TA requests.

All soldiers must create an account through the portal specific to their branch of military service.

Air Force - Virtual Education Center

Army Tuition Assistance - Army Ignited 2.0

Navy

Marines

Active Duty service members may use the "MGIB - Top-Up" and their service-provided FTA to cover high-cost courses. For additional information on the Top-Up program go to Tuition Assistance Top-Up.

Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) or (TA) is not a loan; and should be considered as funds you have earned, similarly to your base pay. This funding can be used with any GI Bill funding and State Assistance. Morgan State University's Federal Tuition Assistance Program funding is managed by the Office of the Bursar and the Veterans Engagement Services team. For information about reporting requirements, documentation submission, course or class withdrawals, grades, military leave, refunds or the return of funds go to VES Resource Hub. Specific branch information about FTA requirements and TAR submissions can be found on the Military Once Source - Tuition Assistance Program website.

Maryland National Guard State Tuition Waiver (STW) - The Maryland National Guard State Tuition Waiver reduces the tuition cost by up to 50% off of tuition costs for Guard members taking undergraduate, or graduate courses at any Maryland partner school. To see if your school participates go to https://military.maryland.gov/NG/Pages/Partner-Schools.aspx. National Guard waivers are managed via a mobile app and are available to National Guard members with at least two years of service time remaining, are in good military standing, are not flagged, and are participating regularly in drilling.

For assistance with applying for the waiver and access information personnel at the Education Office can be reached by calling 667-296-4132. Applications for waiver assistance must be submitted and approved at least 10 days before the start of class for the semester intended. For additional information about Army Guard applications email ng.md.mdarng.list.education-services@mail.mil. For information about Air Guard applications email usaf.md.175-wg.mbx.tuition-assistance@mail.mil. Scan the QR codes below for more assistance with this process. 

Maryland National Guard service members are eligible to utilize the State Tuition Assistance Reimbursement Program (STAR). This program is currently only available for Army personnel who apply for the STW and will reimburse MDNG service members' tuition and fees up to 100%. The annual fiscal year cap for STAR reimbursement is $8500.00. The same eligibility requirements for MD NG State Tuition Waiver apply in addition to committing to a 2-4 year service commitment contingent upon the degree program selected. Additional educational programs include Certificate, Associate, Bachelor, Graduate, and Doctoral Programs, however, they can only be used at a participating school. To see a list of partner schools go to https://military.maryland.gov/NG/Pages/Partner-Schools.aspx.

All applications must be started and emailed at least 45 days before the course begins to participate. At the close of each semester, to be eligible for reimbursement, the service member must submit documentation including transcripts with grades C or better, the final university bills showing all funding requested during the semester, and the signed STAR application within 45 days of the end of the course. All document submissions must be in PDF format and submitted after the term's last day of the course. Additional eligibility determinations can be made through the Company Commander's memorandum requests on a case-by-case basis. Funding priority may also be provided to E1 - E4 service members obtaining their first degree. For more information or to apply the MD NG Education Officer can be reached by emailing MDNGSTAR@army.mil or MDNGEDUCATION@army.mil or by calling 667-296-4132.

National Call to Service Program - The National Call to Service Program became effective on October 1, 2003, to those service members who perform a period of national service that allows you to choose an education benefit as an alternative to the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB).  For more information and eligibility requirements go to https://www.va.gov/education/other-va-education-benefits/national-call-to-service-program/.

Yellow Ribbon Program - The Yellow Ribbon Program is a benefit implemented by the Post 9/11 Veterans Educations Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows colleges and institutions of Higher Learning to partner with the VA to cover costs exceeding the 100% entitlement amount of the (uncovered costs) of out-of-state tuition for eligible Post 9/11 G.I. Bill recipients. Participating institutions contribute a set amount for the student's out-of-state tuition expense and the VA will match that amount, up to 50% of the difference. Amounts payable under the Yellow Ribbon Program vary based on the participating school, degree type, and academic program sought. To determine if you qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program and to see the list of participating schools go to https://www.va.gov/education/yellow-ribbon-participating-schools/

VA Work Study Program - The VA Work Study Program was established to offer service members, spouses, and dependents the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and supplement their income while matriculating. Eligible participants must be utilizing Chapter 30: MGIB (AD), Chapter 31: VR&E, Chapter 33: Post 9/11, Chapter 1606: MGIB (SR), Chapter 35:DEA, Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship, Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship or a National Call to Service participant.

Additional eligibility requirements include:

• Students must be enrolled in at least 9 cr semester hours or more to participate.
• Students must be certified using the VA Form 22-1999 in Enrollment Manager, and have an active enrollment in the school system for the semester they intend to work.
• New applications must be submitted for each term and upon approval of the site supervisor, extension contracts are allowed for an additional 30-day period beyond the contract end date. The extension approval is also pending the participant has remaining hours on the contract. All work-study participants must be accepted to an approved Work Study site before applying. All sites must have approved participants complete the VA Form 22-8691 Application for Work-Study Allowance.

Each VA Work Study site has a cap on how many eligible students can participate in the program during any given term. Participating schools have a designated Site Supervisor who approves and manages the work-study site and application process. Students can work up to 400 hours during a typical semester based on the term start date. Approved participants should not begin work under this program until an application is submitted and approved. VA Work Study contracts are initiated and processed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and forwarded to the Site Supervisors for signature and return. All schedules, and timesheet due dates are coordinated between the Site Supervisor and the accepted participant. For more specific information about the VA Work Study program, COVID provisions, and particular benefit instructions go to the VES VA Work Study Program information page.

If you are a new First-Time freshman or a new incoming Transfer Student who holds any of the following military statuses (Active Duty servicemember, Select Reservist, National or Air Guard service member, Retired Veteran, Spouse or Dependent), wishing to use VA or DoD Educational benefits, you MUST first Apply for Benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).  

New First-Time Freshmen - As an additional tool to guide you through the entire Admission to Enrollment process, you can download our PDF version of the New Student Veteran Checklist. This checklist offers students a detailed step-by-step to-do list and timeline beginning with the application process of becoming a Morganite up to your first day of class.

New Transfer Students - The Office of Transfer Initiatives has provided a PDF downloadable Transfer: New Student Checklist to kickstart your journey and stay on track.

The DVA approval process can take 30-45 days for processing. Once approved and have your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in hand, you can upload it along with any supplemental documentation for certification into the VES Military Funding Request form. This form is our standardized tool designed to be used by each student veteran as a request to be certified for courses taken during the term toward their Degree Plan. This document MUST be completed every term that the student intends to enroll in classes, regardless of the funding used in that specific term.

NOTICE

New Transfer Students (previously benefited) - If you have used a benefit entitlement at a previous college or institution, you MUST first contact the VA Educational Hotline at 888-442-4551 to submit a Change of Place and Location.  This request will allow any remaining entitlement to be transferred over to Morgan State University to be used as your new school. An updated Certificate of Eligibility (COE) will be mailed to you showing any remaining benefits. Once received upload your updated COE into the VES Military Funding Request Form for review and processing. 

Retroactive Students - If you have recently been deemed eligible for benefit entitlement as a new or continuing student and have chosen a retroactive date for your benefits to start, upload your approved Certificate of Eligibility (COE) into the VES Retroactive Military Funding Request Form for review and processing. Retroactive benefits are paid based on the Department of Veterans Affairs' determination of benefit eligibility. 

DISCLAIMER - Your VA School Certifying Officials (VA SCOs) are employees of Morgan State University who work with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense assisting with the management of your entitlement. SCOs DO NOT determine benefit eligibility, debt garnishments, or payment approvals. 

Any continuing student with one or more military statuses listed below is considered to have a military affiliation and can continue to utilize their benefit entitlement at will.

• I am a Retired Veteran From the U.S. Armed Forces or
• I am an Active Duty Servicemember or 
• I am a current Select Reserve Service member or 
• I am a current National/Air Guard Service member or 
• I am a spouse of an Active Duty, Retired, or Deceased member of the U.S. Armed Forces or 
• I am a dependent of an Active Duty, Retired, or Deceased member of the U.S. Armed Forces or 
• I am a Transfer or Continuing student interested in becoming a Commissioned Officer or 
• I am or have an interest in the ROTC Military Science Program as a new or continuing student cadet

As such each student is required to complete the Military Funding Request Form (MFRF) for the term being requested. This form is mandatory for all student veterans regardless of classification or degree level. The MFRF should be completed regardless of the funding being used. A valid registration must be in the system at the time of form submission. The Military Funding Request is a term-based form and a separate form should be completed for each term attended using the specific term dates identified on the university's academic calendar. This form can be found on the VES Online forms page and is linked here. 

All forms are reviewed by a VES staff member before processing.  All form submissions require at least one document upload, that verifies the funding entitlement (ie Certificate of Eligibility or MD NG State Tuition Waiver form, etc.). One form should be completed per term and the processing time can range from 3 - 30 business days per submission once all documentation is received. 

NOTE: Any missing, or incomplete supplemental documentation or duplicate forms may delay processing times.

Students can view the progress of their Military Funding Request Form submissions using the Service Request feature in their WEBSIS account menu by accessing the SmartSheet Dynamic View and looking for the veterans@morgan.edu dashboard. 

If you have additional questions about this process or your benefits please contact the Veterans Resource Coordinator or email veterans@morgan.edu.

The Veterans Engagement Services (VES) team and its university partners offer additional services to student veterans during their matriculation at Morgan.

• Military-specific Orientations
• Military-specific Information Sessions
• Military-specific Internal scholarships
• Military-specific benefits advising
• Military-specific Residency Reclassifications
• Military-specific Leave policy
• Priority Registration
• Veteran Student Association
• Disability Support Services
• Counseling Center Services
• Tutoring Services - (CASA)
• Writing Center Services
• Military Credit Evaluations
• Military Appreciation Day events
• Veterans Hiring Fair Events
• Veterans Graduation Reception
• Veterans Advisory Committee
• Online and In-person one-to-one consultations

The Veteran Shopping Sheet is a consumer tool that students and parents can use to compare the Cost of Attendance when making a college acceptance decision. Using a basic format, the Cost of Attendance (COA) budget presents one academic year's estimated educational and living expenses. (Fall & Spring).

At Morgan State University (MSU), the Office of Financial Aid will make available to all student veterans the consumer information reported on the Shopping Sheet as Direct Costs that a student could incur. The College Financial Plan located within the student's WEBSIS profile can also be used to provide and compare financial aid packages offered by different institutions.  For more information about the cost details go to the Financial Aid Cost of Attendance webpage. The Cost of Attendance information or the Shopping Sheet analysis provided is not a bill.

To estimate the overall cost of attendance to include any Department of Veterans Affairs VA Educational Benefits, or to get an estimate of the anticipated Department of Defense allotments use the Interactive VA MSU Direct Campus Cost/Resources Worksheet. 

All Student Veterans are encouraged to view the Shopping Sheets again after the bills are disseminated by the Bursar's Office to ensure that the billing statements correlate with the actual billing indicated in the system.  To determine the current rates of tuition & fees, as well as the billing schedule and refund process go to https://www.morgan.edu/bursar. The 2024-2025 cost for health insurance has not been finalized. (Figures shown below are based on the 2023-2024 Academic Year)