Military Benefits | Rhodes College

The Office of Financial Aid assists students and their families in navigating the VA education benefit process. The majority of Rhodes students receiving VA benefits are dependents of active duty and retired personnel. While additional VA education benefit programs are available (see "Related Websites"), our office currently administers the below chapters for our student beneficiaries. https://www.rhodes.edu/admission-aid/cost-affordability/admitted-applicants/military-aid-programs/va-application-certification

Program eligibility questions should be directed to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1-888-442-4551.

Post-9/11 GI Bill®

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible. This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits, generally payable for 15 years following your release from active duty. The Post-9/11 GI Bill® also offers some service members the opportunity to transfer their GI Bill® to dependents. If you are not eligible for the full benefit, the payment and maximum amounts listed will be prorated based on your eligibility percentage. Benefits may include:

Tuition and fees sent directly to the school. Private college tuition/fees are capped at the national maximum rate.
A monthly housing allowance (MHA) sent to you
An annual books and supplies stipend sent to you
A one-time rural benefit payment
Yellow Ribbon Program funding (additional eligibility requirements apply)

Chapter 35: Survivors & Dependents Assistance (DEA)

Dependents′ Educational Assistance (DEA) provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. Some DEA beneficiaries may be eligible for 81 months of GI Bill® benefits if they are eligible for more than one education benefit.

Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill®-Selected Reserve

You are eligible for this assistance program if you are a member of the Selected Reserve, including the National Guard, and if you enlisted, reenlisted, or extended your enlistment for 6 years or more in the Selected Reserve after June 30, 1985.

If you participate in this program, the VA requires that you certify your enrollment once a month. You may do this in either of two ways:

Online using VA′s Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) website.
By phone: Call 1-877-823-2378.

Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

A COE is generally received from the VA within 3-6 weeks of applying for benefits. A copy of this document is REQUIRED for the student file and is necessary for VA certification. Upon approval and receipt of your COE or your VA Award Letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, submit a copy to the Belmont University School Certifying Official in the Registrar's Office prior to your first semester of enrollment.

Yellow Ribbon

For consideration of the Yellow Ribbon Program benefit, the student must provide a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or VA Award Letter, which is issued by the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA). The certificate or award letter must declare the student as eligible for the maximum benefit rate (100%)** of the Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill®. Recipients may be eligible for $5000 in Yellow Ribbon funds paid after maximum annual benefits have been paid out.

VA Student Responsibilities Checklist

All VA benefit recipients must fulfill the listed requirements and sign the VA Student Responsibilities Checklist.

Please go to https://www.vets.gov/education/apply/ to accurately and completely fill out the

VA application for educational benefits.

Once your application is processed and you receive your Certificate of Eligibility, please submit a
copy of this form as well as any applicable supplementary documentation (DD214, NOBE, etc.) to the School Certifying Official.
Notify the VA and your School Certifying Official of any changes in address, phone number, direct deposit, or Active Duty/Selected Reserve Status.
Carefully read all notifications from VA about monthly rates and effective dates of your benefits.
If you believe there to be a discrepancy in these figures, please contact the VA before using funds from the payment.
Carefully read all letters from the VA requesting information and respond quickly with the requested information.
Supply your School Certifying Official with a copy of all VA issued letters.
Notify your School Certifying Official of ALL changes you wish to make to your enrollment status.
These changes include but are not limited to the following:
- Adding/dropping courses
- Withdrawing from courses
- Changing Degree, Major, or Minor
- Changing school training or teaching facilities.
If you have questions about the application process, you may search the website or call the VA toll-free line at 1-888-442-4551. For questions concerning your specific education claim, you may also submit an inquiry through the following site: http://gibill.custhelp.com/app/ask/

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 Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

ROTC

Rhodes, in cooperation with the University of Memphis and the Departments of the Air Force, Army and Navy, participates in crosstown agreements that provide the opportunity for Rhodes students to enroll in Aerospace Studies (Air Force ROTC), Military Science (Army ROTC) and Naval Science (Navy ROTC) at the University of Memphis. Although a student takes the ROTC courses at The University of Memphis, that student is a full-time student at Rhodes, and any financial assistance provided by the military services is based on tuition and fees at Rhodes. Upon successful completion of the reserve officer training programs and the undergraduate degree at Rhodes, a student receives a commission as a second lieutenant or an ensign in the appropriate military service. Visit the current Rhodes College Catalogue for degree-specific course details.

Institutional fellowships, scholarships, and grants may be used to pay Rhodes tuition, fees, room and board only (direct cost), unless otherwise specified, and are awarded on a full-academic year (two semesters), fall and spring semesters only. Please note, Rhodes scholarships may have to be reduced if you receive awards from outside sources that in combination exceed direct costs.