ONU is committed to helping you transition from active duty, to life as student, to ultimately, a successful career. We highly value your qualities of leadership, maturity, persistence, dedication and responsibility that enhance our campus community!
TYPES OF BENEFITS
Post-9/11 GI Bill® – Chapter 33
This benefit was implemented on Aug. 1, 2009, and provides educational assistance to individuals who have served on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001. Persons eligible for Chapter 30 or REAP benefits may elect to receive benefits under this new Post-9/11 GI Bill®.
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/.
Yellow Ribbon Program
As part of the Yellow Ribbon Program, Ohio Northern University will cover 50 percent of any tuition and fees that remain after Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits have been used by an eligible service member. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will then match Ohio Northern’s contribution, which means eligible military veterans can attend ONU tuition-free.
Montgomery (New) GI Bill – Chapter 30
Veterans who entered Active Duty after June 30, 1985, are eligible. They must have completed at least two years of continuous active service, contributed $1,200 to the program, received a high school diploma or GED, and received an honorable discharge.
Reserve GI Bill – Chapter 1606
Eligibility given to any person who enlists, re-enlists or extends an enlistment in the Selective Reserve for not less than six years, in addition to any other period of obligation after June 30, 1985, and completed high school or GED, IADT, and 180 days of service in the selective reserve, and is satisfactorily participating in required training in the selective reserve.
Dependents Educational Assistance – Chapter 35
This portion of 38 U.S.C. authorizes educational benefits to dependents and survivors of certain veterans who have serious disabilities as the result of their service (100 percent disabled), who have died of a service-connected cause, who were prisoners of war or who are missing in action.
Vocational Rehabilitation – Chapter 31
Veterans who have been declared disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs due to service-related injury are eligible for this entitlement. For more information on Vocational Rehabilitation, contact the VA representative in your community.
For more information about these and other benefits programs or to apply, visit Department of Veterans Affairs.
APPLYING FOR BENEFITS
1. Determine your eligibility for benefits through the VA. Begin an application for benefits online at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepage or contact the VA regional office directly:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Regional Office
P.O. Box 66830
St. Louis, MO 63166-6830
888-GI-BILL-1 (888-442-4551)
http://www.benefits.va.gov/stlouis/
2. Schedule an appointment with the certifying official at the Ohio Northern University Office of Financial Aid.
Several forms are required to begin processing student veteran’s paperwork, including the DD214 or letter from commander certifying educational intent (current National Guard and Reserve personnel) and Letter of Eligibility from the VA. Forms can vary depending on type of benefit being claimed. Certifying officials will clarify which forms are needed before your appointment. The Office of Financial Aid can be reached at 419-772-2272 or financial-aid@onu.edu.
3. Individual follow-up appointment if necessary to discuss further benefits that may be available.
RETAINING EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS
All veterans are required to notify the VA benefits certifying official of any changes listed here:
- Dropping any class or decreasing credit hours by any means
- Adding a class or increasing credit hours by any means
- Deployment (National Guard or Reserve) – copy of orders required
NOTE: All veterans are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) during enrollment processing. In some situations, veterans drawing benefits through the VA may have additional eligibility for institutional assistance (e.g. scholarships and grants). However, students who are using the Post 9/11 (Chapter 33) benefits and qualify for 100 percent tuition coverage are not eligible for additional institutional assistance.
