Veterans and ROTC

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If you are a veteran or you are a dependent of a veteran, Veteran’s Education Benefits may be available to you. Veterans’ Affairs Certifying Officials, located in the Office of the University Registrar, assist veterans and dependents of veterans who are entitled to VA educational benefits.

If you are not clear as to which benefit you are eligible for, please call the VA Educational Hotline at 1-888-442-4551 or visit benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Resources received for veteran’s benefits on your student account will be considered when determining financial need for institutional need-based funds.

Benefits Available

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  • YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM

    The Yellow Ribbon Program allows institutions of higher learning (such as colleges, universities, and other degree-granting schools) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs to help fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed what the Post-9/11 GI Bill covers. The VA will then also help cover some of the additional charges.

    You may qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program benefit if you:

    • Served on active duty after September 10, 2001, for a period of at least 36 months.
    • Were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability and you served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001.
    • Dependents are eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill based on an individual’s service under the eligibility criteria.

    For more information, visit registrar.miami.edu.

    Please note:

    • Undergraduate and graduate programs offer an unlimited number of Yellow Ribbon grants.
    • The Law School offers a maximum of 15 grants and they are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
    • The Miller School of Medicine offers a maximum of 5 grants and they are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. 
    • The Yellow Ribbon Grant applies to the Fall and Spring semesters only. The Summer semester/sessions are not covered by this grant.
    In accordance with University policy, veterans’/military benefits and ROTC are considered a resource when calculating eligibility for the institution’s need-based aid programs.

  • ROTC

    Fully qualified students who are participating in ROTC and have successfully completed the medical evaluation may be determined eligible for an ROTC scholarship from the University of Miami equal to at least 25 percent of the tuition per semester. However, if the student’s award package from the University already contains any combination of institutional grants or scholarships equal to or more than the 25 percent commitment, no additional funds are awarded.

  • MONTGOMERY GI BILL®

    The Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty, called “MGIB” for short, provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans for:

    • College
    • Technical or vocational courses
    • Correspondence courses
    • Apprenticeship/job training
    • Flight training
    • High-tech training
    • Licensing and certification tests
    • Entrepreneurship training
    • Certain entrance examinations

    To learn more, call toll free 1-888-GI-BILL-1 or visit benefits.va.gov/gibill. You can apply by filling out VAForm 22-1990, Application for Education Benefits.

    Almost everyone receiving MGIB-Active Duty (Chapter 30), REAP (Chapter 1607), or MGIB-Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606) must verify their enrollment each month to receive payment for that month. You can do this online at benefits.va.gov/gibill by clicking on the “Verifying your attendance” link in the “Verify School Attendance” box on the right-hand side of the page. This will take you to the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) page, where you can complete the information

  • MILITARY SERVICE INTEREST WAIVER

    If you borrowed a Direct Loan, no interest will accrue for up to a period of 60 months if you meet one of the following conditions:

    • You are serving on active duty during war or other military operations or national emergency.
    • You perform qualifying National Guard duty during war or other military operations or national emergency service in an area of hostilities for which service qualifies for special pay.

    The Military Service Interest Waiver applies to Direct Loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2008. Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL), which are loans you would have borrowed through a lender that first disbursed on or after October 1, 2008, are also eligible for the Military Service Interest Waiver when included in a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan.

    This also includes consolidation loans that repaid FFEL or Direct Loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2008. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

  • SERVICEMEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF ACT (SCRA)

    During your period of active duty, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) establishes a maximum interest rate of 6 percent on any student loans borrowed by you prior to your military service. This student loan interest rate also applies to any private education loans you may have borrowed prior to your service dates.

    To qualify for the 6 percent interest rate cap, you need to provide your lender or loan servicer with written notice and a copy of the military orders calling you to or extending your military service. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

Additional Information

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  • VETERANS FORMS

    Be sure to fill out both the Student Enrollment Certification Request form and the VA Certification of Enrollment Information form in order to complete the application process and send to the VA Certifying Official at the registrar’s office.

    The following forms are available at registrar.miami.edu:

    • Student Enrollment Certification Request for VA Educational Benefit – Undergraduate, Graduate, Law, Medical Programs
    • Student Enrollment Certification Request for VA Educational Benefit – Online Programs
    • VA Certification of Enrollment Information Form for New & Current Students

    VA Certifying Officials at the Office of the University Registrar:

    For last names beginning with A–L,
    Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, and 1606:
    Esther Molina, 305-284-6418

    For last names beginning with M–Z,
    Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, and 1606:
    Gregory Bellamy, 305-284-9432

  • HOW TO AVOID OVERPAYMENTS

    An overpayment of benefits will be charged for courses in which nonpunitive grades (“NG” for No Grade; “W” for Withdraw) are received unless the student presents evidence of acceptable mitigating circumstances.

    No benefits will be paid for courses that do not meet school or college requirements for graduation. At the time of registration, please be sure your selected courses meet the requirements toward your specific degree.

    It is the responsibility of those receiving benefits to inform their respective Veterans’ Affairs Certifying Official of any changes in their academic career immediately. Failure to do so may result in a temporary interruption of benefits.

    Please note that certifications of enrollment are processed in the order they are received. During busier times of the year, the certification process may take longer; however, all certifications will be completed no more than 30 days from the start of the term (first day of class).

  • VERIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT & BENEFITS

    Chapters 30 and 1606 Veterans must verify their enrollment at the end of each month by calling 1-877-823-2378 or by visiting gibill.va.gov/wave.

    Chapter 30 Veterans may access Web Automated Verification of Enrollment at gibill.va.gov/wave to obtain a benefit letter indicating remaining benefits.

  • VETERAN AFFAIRS HELPFUL INFORMATION

    Department of Veterans Affairs

    Transition Assistance benefits.

    Yellow Ribbon Grant information and application

    FATV Portal: Veteran's Benefits

    For inquiries concerning financial aid and the completion of the FAFSA, visit miami.edu/veterans or call 305-284-6000.

    Veterans Affairs Education Assistance Service toll-free number
    1-888-442-4551

    Questions about filling out your application
    1-800-827-1000