Understanding and Using Your Military Education Benefits

Fordham: The Best Choice for Veterans and Military-Connected Students

Start Here for Benefits

Checklist for New Student Veterans

Transfer Benefits to Eligible Dependents

Yellow Ribbon Commitment

Apply for Benefits

We’re Here to Help You Use the Benefits You’ve Earned

Navigating military and veteran education benefits can be complex—but you don’t have to do it alone. At Fordham, we’re committed to helping you make full use of the funding available to you, including federal benefits like the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, Yellow Ribbon Program, and Tuition Assistance. Whether you're an active-duty service member, veteran, spouse, or dependent, our dedicated staff will walk you through the process step by step. From determining your eligibility to submitting paperwork and understanding what’s covered, we provide the guidance you need to stay focused on your education. We understand the urgency of getting it right, and we take pride in ensuring your benefits are applied smoothly and completely.

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Checklist for New Student Veterans​

Certification of Benefits

Each student must request benefits certification at the beginning of each term. Failure to do some will result in delayed tuition and BAH payments. The video below will walk you through the process.

Before Discharge
  1. Obtain copies of:
    • High School Diploma
    • Medical and Dental Records (can be requested through the National Archive)
    • DD-214, (can be requested through the National Archive)
    • Awards and Letters of recommendation
    • College Education Transcripts (Military Joint Service Transcripts)
    • Certificate of Eligibility – (you can do this online through the Veterans Affairs (VA)
    • Print out of the GI Bill Comparison Tool Quote
    • Servicemembers using military Tuition Assistance should speak with their Educational Service Officer (ESO) or counselor within their military servcice prior to enrolling at Fordham.
  2. Obtain your Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
    • Create your MyPay, GI-Bill, and VA.gov accounts (write down your user names and passwords in a secure place).
    • To activate your GI-Bill, you need to submit your application for educational benefits using VA Form 22-1990. If you have any questions, eBenefits can walk you through the application form by calling 1-800-983-0937. Allow at least three months before school starts for the VA to process your application.
    • Make sure to select Post 9/11 GI-Bill (Chapter 33), on your application. You may use the Montgomery GI-Bill (Chapter 30), but it will not pay Fordham’s tuition in full and you will not qualify for the Post 9/11 GI-Bill Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).
  3. Once your application is processed by the VA, the VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in the mail. (Allow four to five weeks for delivery.)
    • When you receive your COE, make sure to e-mail a copy of your COE and your DD-214 (member copy 4) to your corresponding Fordham certifying official so they can create your student/VA profile and get your credits certified. (You must do this to start your VA benefits on time.)
  4. Once you pass your end of active service (EAS), immediately call the VA Education, Benefits, and Training Department at (1-888-442-4551) and ask the following questions to prepare accordingly:
    • Are you registered as a veteran in their system? (You need to be registered as a veteran in their system to receive BAH). Do not assume this happens automatically. You may need to send the VA a copy of your DD-214 to confirm your eligibility.
    • Make sure your mailing address and pertinent information are updated with the VA as they periodically send important mail.
    • Arrange to set up your direct deposit information in their system. You will need to provide the VA your personal bank routing number and account number. Otherwise, expect to receive a check by mail which could further delay receipt of your benefits.

Note A: If your semester starts before your end of active service, (i.e. going to college during your terminal leave), there may be some financial planning issues to work out. Reach out to your certifying officials (Ms. Heslin-Scott/ Ms. Saumell).

Note B: Do note, there’s a delay in receiving your BAH and it usually takes about a month – i.e. receiving your housing allowance for September/January on October/February 1st. Plan your financials accordingly.

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Transfer Benefits to Eligible Dependents​

Transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill to Spouse and Dependents

The transferability option under the Post-9/11 GI Bill allows Service members to transfer all or some unused benefits to their spouse or dependent children. The Department of Defense (DoD) determines whether or not you can transfer benefits to your family. Once the DoD approves benefits for transfer, the new beneficiaries apply for them at VA.

Type of Assistance

Eligible Service members may transfer all 36 months or the portion of unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (unless DoD or the Department of Homeland Security has limited the number of transferable months). If you’re eligible, you may transfer benefits to the following individuals:

  • Your spouse
  • One or more of your children
  • Any combination of spouse and child

Available Benefits and Eligibility

Family members must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) and be eligible for benefits at the time of transfer to receive transferred benefits.

The option to transfer is open to any member of the armed forces active duty or Selected Reserve, officer or enlisted who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and meets the following criteria:

  • Has at least six years of service in the armed forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval and agrees to serve four additional years in the armed forces from the date of election.
  • Has at least 10 years of service in the armed forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval, is precluded by either standard policy (by Service Branch or DoD) or statute from committing to four additional years, and agrees to serve for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute.
  • Is or becomes retirement-eligible and agrees to serve an additional four years of service on or after Aug. 1, 2012. A Service member is considered to be retirement-eligible if he or she has completed 20 years of active federal service or 20 qualifying years as computed (pursuant to section 12732 of title 10 U.S.C.).
  • Transfer requests are submitted and approved while the member is in the armed forces.

For more information visit the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs or Apply Now.

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Yellow Ribbon Commitment​

100% Tuition Coverage Through Yellow Ribbon

Fordham has been committed to assisting Veterans to succeed in their higher education. We are an approved Yellow Ribbon Program University. Our commitment to this program guarantees that ALL tuition and fees are fully covered for admitted veterans who are classified in the VA’s maximum benefit category of eligibility.

Tuition Assistance (TA) may be available for Active Duty students and is applied for through your branch of service. If approved by your branch of service it may provide $250 per credit up to $750 per course with an annual maximum. If you are using TA, please email the certifying officials at Fordham.

For more information, contact any of the below Fordham certifying officials

Fordham Certifying Officials

Rose Hill/Westchester
(student veterans and dependents)
Ms. Seton Heslin-Scott
Email: heslinscott@fordham.edu
Office: 718-817-5905

Lincoln Center and Online Social Work
(student veterans and dependents)
Ms. Mara Saumell
Email: msaumell@fordham.edu
Office: 212-636-7717

Law School
(student veterans and dependents)
Ms. Ursula Duran
Email: uduran@law.fordham.edu
Office: 212-636-6872

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Apply for Benefits

How to Apply for Your VA Education Benefits

Before you can use your military education benefits at Fordham, you’ll need to apply through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This process will determine your eligibility and generate a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which is required to certify your enrollment. You can begin the application online through the VA’s official education portal, where you’ll also find tools to compare benefits, review timelines, and explore the programs you qualify for.

Apply for VA Education Benefits