Veteran’s Benefits Check List
- Application for GI Bill® benefits
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- TAP (Undergraduate Students Only)
- Apply for Veterans Tuition Awards & Other State Grants
- Apply for Military & Veteran Scholarships
- Iraq & Afghanistan Service Grant
- Employer Reimbursement Policy
- The Veteran Education Tuition Scholarship
- Certificate of Eligibility/NOBE/Kicker Contract/buy up
- Financial Aid Award Letter
- Attendance
Check List Instructions:
1. Application for GI Bill® benefits
To fill out an application for GI Bill® benefits, simply go to www.gibill.va.gov . From this website, click the link titled Education Benefits; it is located on the left-hand side of the page. Next, select How to Apply for Benefits. Here you will be given directions on how to complete the online application or request a hard copy of the application be mail to you. Once you have been accepted into a Chapter, please send your Certificate of Eligibility to the Financial Aid Office via finaid@medaille.edu or Medaille College, 18 Agassiz Circle, Buffalo NY 14214
2. FAFSA Application (What am I applying for?)
To complete the FAFSA on the Web: First-time users need to apply for a U.S. Department of Education personal identification number (PIN) at www.pin.ed.gov .
Once you have your PIN go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to complete the FAFSA. A helpful tool to use when completing the FAFSA online is the FAFSA on the web worksheet. You can print one at the FAFSA website.
Through completing the FAFSA application, you are applying to see if you qualify for the Pell Grant (undergraduate students only) which does not have to be repaid, and student loans (undergraduate and graduate students).
Undergraduate students please note if you are not interested in receiving loans, but would like to see if you are eligible for the Pell Grant, you are still required to complete the FAFSA but will not be packaged for loans if you are not interested in this aspect of financial aid. If you are an undergraduate student, your veterans benefits will not be certified until the application for FAFSA and TAP have been completed. Please contact the Financial Aid Office with questions regarding the FAFSA process.
3. TAP (undergraduate students only)
Upon completion of the FAFSA (prior to exiting the site), if you listed NY as your state of residency, you will find a link to the TAP website. Clicking this link will populate your application form using information from your FAFSA. If you do not choose this option, you may fill out your application at anytime by going to www.hesc.ny.gov
Undergraduate TAP code: 0505
If you are an undergraduate student, this application must also be completed before your veteran benefits can be certified
4.) FINANCIAL AID OFFERED FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES
After you have completed the FAFSA & TAP, you may be eligible to apply for a Veteran Tuition Award (VTA) or other Veteran aid offered through NYS Programs. There is a section on the HESC website that lists all awards available to veterans and their families. You can do this by following the steps below.
(Complete after you apply for the FAFSA & TAP)
- Go to https://www.hesc.ny.gov
- Click on the “Military Corner” Tab
- Click “NYS Programs”
- Review the awards listed under “Financial Aid for Veterans and their Families”
- Click on award you would like to apply for
- Follow directions indicated by HESC
*There is a section on the HESC website (see the link above) that lists all awards available to anyone who is eligible. This can be found by clicking on the “Military Corner” tab and then clicking on “Apply for Tap” and then clicking “Apply for Grants/Scholarships/Awards.” Review the list given on the site.
*Please note Veterans who are receiving tuition payments through Chapter 33 at the 100% level or Chapter 31 are considered duplicative of any VTA (Veteran Tuition Award) and or TAP award. For more information please see the HESC website.
*ALSO If tuition is 100% covered through a combination of chapter benefits, scholarships & grants, then your Veteran Tuition Amount and TAP amounts will be null and void.
If you have questions, please contact the Scholarship Unit at 1-888-NYSHESC (1-888-697-4372). Additional Information is available at NYS Division of Veterans' Affairs.
5.) Military & Veteran Scholarships
To review additional military & veteran scholarships that you may be eligible for, please visit the link listed below to take you to the military section on the Fast Web Website, which is the leading scholarship service on the web. Please note this website also has other scholarships that you are free to apply to as well. http://www.fastweb.com/scholarships-directory/military-and-veteran-scholarships/
6. Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
To qualify for this grant you must meet the following criteria:
- Must NOT be eligible for the Pell Grant
- Must be an undergraduate student
- Must be under 24 years old OR have been enrolled in college (at least half time) at the time of their parent/ guardian’s death due to service
- Parent/guardian must have passed away due to armed forces service after 9/11/01 in Iraq or Afghanistan
- Must meet all Title IV student eligibility requirements.
- The awarded amount is the same as the maximum in Pell (pendant upon enrollment status and Cost Of Attendance)
- To apply, please complete the FAFSA and contact the Financial Aid Office
If you would like to see if you qualify, and to discuss what additional documentation is required, please contact the Financial Aid Office at (716) 880-2610 or via email at finaid@medaille.edu
7. Employer Reimbursement:
If you are receiving employer tuition reimbursement, then please provide the Financial Aid Office with a copy of the policy that states the amount that will be covered by the employer. You can find this information on your company’s website or through their Human Resources Department.
9. The Veteran Education Tuition Scholarship (VETS)
Medaille College is now offering up to $1,000 offered towards tuition only for veteran students who attend Medaille College. For more information on the Scholarship, eligibility requirements and how to apply go to: www.medaille.edu/veterans.
10. Certificate of Eligibility/NOBE/kicker contract/buy up
After filling out your application for GI Bill® benefits, you should receive a Certificate of Eligibility. Once you receive this Certificate, please send a copy to the Financial Aid Office, along with your NOBE, kicker contract, and buy up if any of these items are applicable. The Financial Aid Office also needs a copy of your DD-214. Please note your veteran chapter benefits will not be certified by Medaille until Financial Aid Office receives the copy of your Certificate of Eligibility, you are fully admitted and registered.
11. Financial Aid Award Letter
Once you are packaged you will receive a notification to your Medaille email that will instruct you to log into your Medaille360 account to accept your financial aid awards. The email will provide detailed steps in assisting you with how to accept or decline your offered awards on Medaille360. Please note that you must log into this account and actively accept or decline the offered amounts before your financial aid can be sent to the College.
12. Attendance
Your VA certifying officials must be able to verify your attendance. If there are ANY changes in your attendance, you must notify the Office of Military Affairs as soon as possible in order to ensure your chapter benefits are maintained.