Benefits

Former and current members of the armed services and their families may be eligible to utilize military educational benefits. There are several types of Veterans Affairs educational benefits currently utilized by Emerson College students. Below are the four most common types that include information on how to apply for each.

Please note: Emerson College's Certifying Official will submit certifications to the VA immediately after the close of the add/drop period in both fall and spring semesters (approximately two weeks after the start of each semester). Veteran benefits cannot be utilized for LA courses or study abroad programs. Emerson College is not authorized by the VA to permit veteran students to use benefits to enroll in courses or pay for other affiliated expenses at these satellite locations. For other billing or financial aid questions or deadlines, please refer to the Office of Financial Aid.

If you receive a benefit not listed here and have questions, please reach out to our VA Certifying Officer at veterans [at] emerson.edu (veterans[at]emerson[dot]edu).

Veterans Affairs Benefits

Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program

Also known as VocRehab, this program helps current members of the armed forces as well as veterans who have disabilities connected with their military service to get ready for and sustain careers and/or to remain as independent as possible. Services associated with this program last 48 months but can be extended in certain circumstances, though these circumstances should be first discussed with the student’s caseworker and not with Emerson College.

For First-Time Applicants:

1. Complete steps on the Veterans Affairs Site.
2. Your case worker submits your Certificate of Eligibility and VA Form 28-1905 to us.
3. Once your enrollment has been established, the Certifying Official will return a completed VA Form 28-1905 to your case worker so that you can begin using your benefits at Emerson College.

How to Apply Subsequent Years:

1. Returning students must have their case workers submit a new VA Form 28-1905 every semester for verification.
2. Returning students do not need to resubmit Certificates of Eligibility unless something about the benefits changes.

Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill®

The Post 9/11 GI Bill® provides financial support for education and housing to veterans, service members, and their families. To qualify, an individual must have at least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10th, 2001 or, in the case of those discharged with a disability, 30 days. These benefits provide up to 36 months of education benefits, as determined by an individual’s post-9/11 service.

There are many different tiers of benefits under Chapter 33 as determined by the VA, a breakdown of which can be seen on the Veterans Affairs site.

Important: Housing payments are based on the ZIP code of the school and not on the student’s home ZIP code. While the school will receive tuition and fee payments directly from the VA, the student will receive all housing and book stipend payments. For more information on transferring benefits, please refer to this Transferability Fact Sheet.

For First-Time Applicants:

1. Complete the Veterans Online Application (VONAPP). Once you have completed VA Form 22-1990 via VONAPP, the VA will begin reviewing it and in 6-10 weeks you will be notified on their decision and should receive your Certificate of Eligibility.
2. Submit Certificate of Eligibility to veterans [at] emerson.edu (veterans[at]emerson[dot]edu)
3. The Certifying Official will confirm that they received your Certificate of Eligibility and will certify your enrollment with the VA after that semester’s add/drop period. Please review dates and deadlines for the certification timeframe.

How to Apply Subsequent Years:

Returning students do not need to resubmit Certificates of Eligibility every year unless something about the benefits they are receiving changes.

Chapter 35: Survivors & Dependent Assistance

Also known as Dependents’ Educational Assistance, this educational program offers educational and training assistance to dependents of veterans who are permanently disabled as a result of a service-related condition to or who died while on active duty as a result of a service-related condition.

This educational program offers educational and training assistance to dependents of veterans who are permanently disabled as a result of a service-related condition to or who died while on active duty as a result of a service-related condition. Chapter 35 students can receive up to 45 months of benefits under this program, though as of October 1st, 2013, some beneficiaries may receive up to 81 months of benefits if this is used in conjunction with another form of VA educational program. Payment received under this benefit changes based on the student’s current level of enrollment. Please refer to this benefits chart for more information regarding payment amounts under Chapter 35. Please be aware that payments under this Chapter do not go to the school; the VA makes all payments directly to the student.

For First-Time Applicants:

1. Complete VA Form 22-5490 and mail it to: VA Regional Office, PO Box 4616, Buffalo NY, 04240-4616
2. Submit your Certificate of Eligibility to veterans [at] emerson.edu (veterans[at]emerson[dot]edu).
3. The Certifying Official will confirm that they received your Certificate of Eligibility and will certify your enrollment with the VA after that semester’s add/drop period. Please review dates and deadlines for the certification time frame.

How to Apply Subsequent Years:

Returning students do not need to resubmit Certificates of Eligibility every year unless something about the benefits they are receiving changes.

Yellow Ribbon Program

Students that are 100% eligible for Chapter 33 Post 9/11 benefits are eligible to receive money via the Yellow Ribbon program. Yellow Ribbon funds can only be granted to a student once all Chapter 33 Post 9/11 funds have been exhausted for the academic year.  In most cases, a student will only receive Yellow Ribbon funds in the spring semester.

Emerson College does not cap the number of students who may receive Yellow Ribbon funds.  Beginning 2015–16, all Yellow Ribbon eligible students will receive the award once their Chapter 33 benefits have been exhausted. The Yellow Ribbon award will cover any remaining tuition and fees charged to the student (excluding room and board).

We encourage all recipients of Veterans Benefits to file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to assess whether or not you are eligible for additional federal financial aid.