Post-9/11 GI Bill Updates

Emergency Payments for Veterans Awaiting VA Educational Benefits: The VA has authorized advance payments up to $3,000 for Veterans who have applied for VA educational benefits and who have not yet received their monthly education payments.

If you are a Veteran who has applied for one of VA’s education programs and have not yet received your monthly benefit payment for the Fall 2009 term, you can submit a request for an advance payment online at advancepay.gibill.va.gov or you can go to your nearest VA regional office to receive an advance pay. A list of 20 VA regional offices is available at www.vba.va.gov/VBA/benefits/offices.asp. You will need to bring a photo ID and your course schedule when you visit the regional office.

It is recommended that you call the Manhattan Office in advance of going in person at 212-807-3021.
For more information on the Emergency Payments, please visit https://advancepay.gibill.va.gov/
For FAQs on the Emergency Payments, please visit http://www.gibill.va.gov/advpayqa.htm.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

Effective August 1, 2009, the Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education. For more information on exact benefits and criteria for eligibility, click here.

Generally, the following individuals may be eligible. Only the VA can confirm your eligibility.

• 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. The discharge must be an honorable discharge.
  

Tuition and Mandatory Fees Benefit

These benefits apply to both graduate and undergraduate education programs. The Post- 9/11 GI Bill will pay for eligible individuals’ tuition & mandatory fees (paid directly to the school) not to exceed the highest public in state undergraduate tuition rate (in New York $1010 per credit hour for 2009-10) and mandatory fees (capped at the New York high of $12,697 per term). Mandatory fees exclude room and board, study abroad, parking fees, penalty fees or other fees not mandated by the university for all students in a specific program. Generally, vets receive up to 36 months of entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

For individuals with the maximum Post-9/11 benefit rate, tuition and fees at the following Fordham University schools will be fully covered:

For Fordham’s other schools, please click here for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Transferability of Educational Benefits (TEB)

For the first time in history, service members enrolled in the Post-9/11 GI Bill program may, with the approval of the Department of Defense, be able to transfer unused educational benefits to their spouses or children beginning August 1, 2009.

For information on basic benefits, eligibility requirements and transferability of benefits to dependents, click here.

For information on applying for benefits, click here.

or information on maximum in-state tuition rates, click here.

Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon Program allows schools to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the Veterans Administration to help fund the portion of the student's tuition and fees that exceeds the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate of $1010 per credit hour in New York.

For the 2009-2010 academic year, Fordham University has agreed to contribute 50% of those expenses up to a maximum of $6275 for traditional undergraduate day students (depending on the number of credit hours in which student is enrolled) and up to a maximum of $11,500 for graduate and doctoral students. The VA will match the same amount that Fordham University is contributing dollar for dollar and issue payment directly to the University.

Fordham’s Yellow Ribbon agreement and basic Post -9/11 benefits are expected to cover all tuition and fees at the following schools:

Fordham’s Yellow Ribbon agreement for the 2009 – 2010 academic year for students eligible for the maximum benefit rate of 100% (based on service requirements) will:

• Offer assistance to a maximum of 500 eligible individuals on a first come, first served basis regardless of whether the student is full or part time First come, first served is based on acceptance of admission or enrollment and the order in which the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is received by the certifying official of the university.
• Award institutional aid that covers 50% of the tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate set by the VA up to a maximum of $6275 per academic year for traditional undergraduate day programs (depending on number of credits in which the student is enrolled) and up to a maximum of $11,500 per academic year for graduate and doctoral programs. Fordham assistance may be in the form of Fordham institutional aid or restricted scholarship, need-based grant, tuition discount, tuition remission, other miscellaneous non-federal aid or a combination of these awards. Aid will vary depending on the number of credits for which the student is enrolled.
• Continue to assist Yellow Ribbon eligible students, with remaining entitlement per VA guidelines, in all subsequent academic years in which Fordham University chooses to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The student must maintain satisfactory progress, conduct, and attendance as defined by Fordham University.

Eligibility for the Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon benefit is supplemental to the basic Post- 9/11 GI Bill. Only individuals entitled to the maximum benefit rate of 100% (based on service requirements) may receive Yellow Ribbon benefits from Fordham and the VA.

Active duty members, and spouses of active duty members eligible for transfer of entitlements are not eligible, if their tuition and fees are paid in full under another VA benefit program.

For information on Yellow Ribbon eligibility, click here.

Applying for Post 911 and Yellow Ribbon Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs is now accepting and processing applications for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Veterans at all benefit rates should:

• Complete and submit the application form available online at http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/How_to_Apply.htm You will receive your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA indicating your eligibility for the program and whether your service meets Yellow Ribbon Program requirements.

• The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) must be given to the certifying officer at the appropriate Fordham University campus below.

For Rose Hill – Irene Sarno, Certifying Officer
For Lincoln Center – Vito Terzulli, Certifying Officer
For Westchester – Irene Sarno, Certifying Officer
Evette Nin (receipt of COE only)
For Law School – Loretta Richardson, Certifying Officer

• Certification of enrollment and eligibility for VA benefits as well as certification of those selected for Fordham University’s Yellow Ribbon Program will be made to the VA. Certifications will occur at the conclusion of the add/drop period of each semester. Benefits will not be processed until you are enrolled.

Applying for Financial Aid

All veterans are strongly encouraged to apply for federal assistance at www.fafsa.ed.gov and state assistance at www.hesc.com and other outside assistance. Veterans will receive all federal Title IV entitlements for which they are eligible. However, veterans receiving full tuition coverage will not be eligible to receive state or other outside assistance which is tuition specific. Outside scholarships that are not tuition specific can be applied to non-tuition costs.

Fordham University gift aid together with all other tuition benefits is limited to the total cost of tuition.

All aid and benefits must be in keeping with Chapter 33 Guidelines.

Related Links and Contact Information

For more information on the GI Bill, see www.gibill.va.gov or contact Department of Veterans Affairs at 888-442-4551.

For Fordham Admission information, contact lyconnell@fordham.edu

For Veterans FAQS, click here.

For more information on the Financial Aid, please visit Fordham University's Financial Aid web page.