Veterans & Active Duty Military

If you're a freshman, you must submit your SAT or ACT test score and a high school transcript to the University of Saint Mary.

The first step to realizing your benefits for new students is to apply for eligibility benefits through the Veterans Administration. You can also download a copy of VA form 22-1990 to send in. 

Transfer students should complete Form 22-1995 Request for Change of Program or Place of Training.

Continuously enrolled returning students must re-certify each semester. Contact the registrar for more information.

The Federal government provides a variety of benefit programs for veterans and students with military obligations.

This list includes a number of the more frequently used programs, but should not be considered exhaustive. Please check out the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits page for a more complete overview.

 

• Chapter 33, the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®. 

• Chapter 31, for disabled veterans.

• Chapter 30, the Montgomery G.I. Bill® (MGIB-AD) for active-duty and previously active-duty military

• Chapter 35, Dependents Education Assistance (DEA) program, for dependents of totally disabled or deceased veterans

• Chapter 1606, Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR), for other reservists

• To determine if you or a family member are eligible for G.I. Bill® benefits, check out the above links or call 1-800-GI-BILL1 (1-800-442-4551)

The VA has also established a seamless transition website to better explain benefits for veterans returning from active duty.

Other Resources

• Military.com's scholarship finder

• CareerOneStop's scholarship search

• Scholarships for Military Spouses

• A Compendium of G.I. Bill® regulations, a Cornell Law School reference guide

• The Military Spouse Resource Center, which helps spouses of servicemembers find education resources and other information

• The Military Officers Association of America, which provides help with education and second-career planning among other services.

Withdrawal procedures for students called to active duty

Military Withdrawal Policy

Active Duty members of the United States Armed Forces, or members of the National Guard or Reserve that are activated for duty, or receive Deployment or Temporary Duty orders that require extended absence and/or inability to perform academic work for a sustained period of time during an academic term will be permitted to withdraw without penalty from the University of Saint Mary. Under this policy, students presenting a copy of their military orders to the Registrar will receive a 100% refund of tuition and fees with funds from any form of financial aid being returned to that source. Students will, therefore, have a zero balance remaining after withdrawal (with the exception of prorated room and board charges, if applicable). Further, students that are spouses, partners, family, or dependents of the military member receiving orders, where such orders prevent continued enrollment, will also be permitted to withdraw from the University of Saint Mary as above.

Alternatively, Incomplete (I) grades for all classes, with no tuition and fee reimbursement, may be more appropriate when the withdrawal is near the end of the semester.

Incompletes must be by agreement between the instructor(s) and the student, and approved by the applicable Division Chair.

If the student chooses to withdraw from only a portion of his/her classes and receives Incomplete grades in the remaining classes, he/she would receive a prorated reimbursement of tuition and fees only if the number of remaining credit hours is fewer than twelve. In either of these alternative cases, the student will receive a prorated refund of room and board charges, if applicable, and be allowed to complete the coursework according to the established policies of the university and the Incomplete agreement with the instructor(s) involved.

Failure to attend class does not constitute an official withdrawal.

Readmission

USM will readmit Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard students who withdrew to perform military service. The readmitted student will maintain the same academic standing he or she had when last in attendance at the University of Saint Mary, so long as the absence does not exceed one calendar year. The student must provide the Registrar’s Office with notification of the military service as soon as reasonably possible. In addition, the student must also notify the Registrar’s Office of the intent to return within three years after the completion of the period of service. Upon return to USM, the student must contact the school certifying official in the Registrar’s Office to resume using VA educational benefits or use them for the first time.

 

I would like to attend USM and have questions regarding my education benefits. Who do I contact? 

If you have questions about USM's veterans services, contact USM's School Certifying Official. 

Where can I find more information about Financial Aid?

USM's Financial Aid Office has helped more than 98 percent of our students receive aid of some kind. Contact Financial Aid.

I'm applying as a freshman. What process should I follow?

If you are applying as a recent high school student or without any college experience under your belt, you are considered a freshman. Freshman applicants must submit their high school transcripts or GED scores, an ACT or SAT score, application, and application fee. Visit the USM Admissions Office for more information or to apply online. 

Does USM accept military credit?

Yes. USM recognizes the unique nature of the military commitment and seeks to ease the transfer of relevant course credits, offers flexible scheduling, and provides credit for learning stemming from appropriate military training and experience. 

I have to withdraw due to an active duty commitment. How does this procedure work?

USM is sensitive to the responsibilities of our active-duty students and tries to make the process of withdrawal and eventual readmission as painless as possible. Find more info on withdrawal and/or readmission above.

Request military records

USM Veterans Forms

Active Duty Withdrawal Request Forms are available in the USM Registrar's office. 

Other USM Forms

Online Admissions Application

Online Housing Application:

— Go to eSpire >> Campus Life >> Required Housing Forms Printable Housing Application 

Applying for Financial Aid

GI Bill® Forms 

VA Educational Benefits (.pdf)

Transfer of Entitlement (.pdf)

Change of Program or Place of Training (.pdf)

Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (.pdf)

Verification of Enrollment

VA Forms

VA Education Benefits forms are available online at the VA forms webpages. Most are in .pdf format. 

Here are links to some of the more commonly used forms:

The Disability Forms homepage

VONAPP - Veterans Online Application

VA/DOD Joint Disability Evaluation Board Claim (.pdf)

Request for Employment Info (.pdf)

Auto and Adaptive Equipment (.pdf)

Increased Compensation Due to Unemployability (.pdf)

Contact the VA.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

The G.I. Bill® website

The G.I. BIll® Yellow Ribbon Program 

G.I. Bill® Rates

G.I. Bill® Education Forms 

The VA's VetSuccess Program

Tuition Assistance Top-Up

The "Seamless Transition" site for returning veterans

The VA's Enrollment Verification site

Veterans Service Organizations

Check out a helpful clearinghouse for veterans' benefits information

U.S. Army

Army AARTS

U.S. Navy

Navy SMART 

U.S. Air Force

My AF Portal

Marines

Coast Guard

Scholarship Links

• CareerOneStop's scholarship search

• Scholarships for Military Spouses

Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs