Veterans Benefits

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® also offers some service members the opportunity to transfer their GI Bill® to dependents.

The Post 9/11 GI Bill® will pay eligible individuals (prorated by eligibility level):

• $26,381 for tuition and fees per academic year, paid directly to Mount Holyoke.
• A monthly housing allowance and up to $1,000 for a books and supplies stipend, both paid directly to the student.

Penalties during delayed disbursement of Chapter 33 veterans’ benefits

In compliance with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, an individual who is entitled to educational assistance under Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (Chapter 33) may attend and participate in education at Mount Holyoke College without penalty during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under Chapter 33 and ending on the earlier of the following dates: the date on which payment from the Veterans Administration is made to Mount Holyoke or 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility. The certificate of eligibility may be a “statement of benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ website, eBenefits. During this period, no penalty will be imposed upon the covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the College due to the delayed disbursement of funding from the VA under Chapter 33. Penalties to be suspended during this period include assessment of late fees, denial of access to classes or institutional facilities and any requirement that the covered individual borrow additional funds.

Mount Holyoke College participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. In addition to the Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits, we will contribute 50% of the remaining tuition and fee expenses up to $10,000 in grant funds which will be matched by the Veterans Administration. Full-time students will receive a total of $20,000 ($10,000 of MHC grant funds; $10,000 of VA benefits).

Eligibility

You may be eligible if:

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

Learn more about The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Yellow Ribbon program and veteran eligibility.

How to apply

• Complete and submit to the VA Form 22-1990 Application for Education Benefits (veterans) or 22-1990E (dependents) or apply online through VONAPP. You will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (which may take several weeks).
• Submit a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to Student Financial Services at Mount Holyoke College.
• Yellow Ribbon Program funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, determined by the date of receipt of all completed application requirements.

The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. This program is also commonly known as Chapter 30. Service members who served after September 10, 2001, can also apply for up to an additional 12 months of entitlement under Chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill®, once their 36 months of Chapter 30 benefits expire. Or they can convert to Chapter 33 in lieu of their Chapter 30 benefits before their Chapter 30 benefits expire.

The benefit is a monthly stipend paid directly to the student. The current monthly rate (for those completing an enlistment of three years or more) in the 2017–18 academic year is $1,928 for a full-time student, prorated by the number of days in the academic calendar.

How to apply

• Complete and submit to the VA Form 22-1990 Application for Education Benefits (veterans) or apply online through VONAPP. You will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (which may take several weeks).
• You must submit a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to MHC’s Student Financial Services in 16 Skinner Hall or fax to 413-538-2512. More information can be found on the VA website.

Dependents’ Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 36 months of education benefits.

DEA benefits are paid directly to the student. Monthly rates are $1,224 per month in the 2018–19 academic year, prorated by the number of days in the academic calendar.

Eligibility

You must be the child or spouse of:

A veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.

A veteran who died from any cause while such permanent and total service-connected disability was in existence.

A service member missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force.

A service member forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.

A service member who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a permanent and total service-connected disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability.

How to apply

• Complete and submit to the VA Form 22-5490 Application for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance or apply online through VONAPP. You will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (which may take several weeks).
• You must submit a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to MHC’s Student Financial Services in 16 Skinner Hall or fax a copy to 413-538-2512.

More information can be found on the VA website.