Veterans Education Benefits
Accessing your veterans’ benefits can be a challenging experience, but we at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville are here to help. The Wright Center staff is your resource for all information related to benefits, transitions, and veteran life on the UW-Platteville campus.
There are benefits administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and those specifically for Wisconsin veterans and families. To determine your eligibility or which program is right for you, please contact your county veterans service officer or a veteran’s benefits counselor. You can review the full list of benefits at Federal Veteran Education Benefits.
Our School Certifying Official (SCO) can be reached at 608.342.7576 or in the Wright Center.
Where to Start
- Get a summary of the specific benefits that you are eligible for as a result of your service from your County Veterans Service Officer.
- After you register for classes, please complete a Veteran Services Information Sheet (VSIS) to let the School Certifying Official know that you wish to use veterans benefits to pay for school, and to request certification of those benefits. Once this form is completed, please allow one day for processing, and then contact the School Certifying Official to discuss what documentation she will need to certify your benefits.
- Provide the requested documentation. If you forget to send copies of the documentation to the School Certifying Official, there may be a delay in receiving the benefits that you have earned.
- If you apply for federal benefits, you will receive an email from the VA as soon as our School Certifying Official certifies your benefits. Watch for this to ensure that your benefits were processed by the Wright Center.
- If you apply for Wisconsin benefits, you will notice in PASS that once your benefit has been processed, your tuition and fees will be removed from your term balance.
Benefits
Determining which of the many veteran’s education benefits you may be eligible for is a complex process. Your School Certifying Officials and County Veteran Service Officers are here to help.
For details, read the section below that best describes you. Then contact your School Certifying Official or County Veteran Service Officer to learn more about how to apply.
These are only examples, to receive an accurate determination of benefits, you will need to contact your County Veterans Service Officer for your individual eligibility.
County Veteran Service Officer Contact Information - Wisconsin
County Veteran Service Officer Contact Information - Illinois
County Veteran Service Officer Contact Information - Iowa
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Active Duty or Recently Separated Veteran
If you entered active duty on or after September 11, 2001, you will likely qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) or the Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapter 30).
If you joined the military as a Wisconsin resident, or you have been a Wisconsin resident for at least 5 continuous years prior to the start date for any term, you may also be eligible for the Wisconsin GI Bill®. While state law does require that the Post 9/11 GI Bill® be used first, you are encouraged to apply for both. Some students may receive additional benefits depending on the details of their GI Bill® eligibility.
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Wisconsin National Guard
You may be eligible for the Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant. Once you've completed both your Basic and Skill training, you may also be eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill® for Selected Reserves (Chapter 1606), depending on the specifics of your service obligation and military contract.
If you joined the military as a Wisconsin resident, or you have been a Wisconsin resident for at least 5 continuous years prior to the start date for any term, you may also be eligible for the Wisconsin GI Bill®.
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Reserves
After completion of your Basic and Skill training, you may be eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill® for Selected Reserves (Chapter 1606), depending on the specifics of your service obligation and military contract. If you have been part of long-term deployments, you may qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill® depending on the length of deployment.
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Parent or Spouse in the U.S. Armed Forces
If your parent or spouse was honorably discharged, now has a 100% disability rating, or was killed on active duty, you may be eligible for the Survivors and Dependents Education Assistance Program (Chapter 35).
Additionally, if your parent or spouse entered service as a Wisconsin resident, was honorably discharged, and now has a disability rating of 30% or more, you may be eligible for the Wisconsin GI Bill®.
If your parent died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001, you may be eligible for the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship.
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Study Abroad Benefits
Looking to study abroad? Here is some information from the VA and Wright Center about studying abroad and your educational benefits.
Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
What is paid?
- Home school's tuition and fees
- Books and supplies
- Monthly housing allowance based on the home school's address
- In order for VA to pay any additional fees specific to the study abroad program, the study abroad must be required for graduation
Foreign schools that charge a flat rate must be able to break down the amounts charged for tuition, lodging, meals, etc., so that the correct amount can be reported to the VA. If the school is unable to provide a breakdown of the charges, no amount should be reported to the VA.
VA Information Sheet for Post 9/11 GI Bill®
Other Federal Educational Benefit Types (Ch. 30, 31, 35, 1606)
Benefits are paid on a monthly basis directly to the veteran, just like during attendance at U.S. schools.
Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant
Benefits are paid for study abroad programs where the fees are billed, collected by, and stay at UW-Platteville. Programs where the fees are collected and are subsequently paid to a non-UW-Platteville institution are not eligible.
Wisconsin GI Bill®
This provides remission of any tuition and fees that remain at the home school. Academic fees charged by UW-Platteville for study abroad programs, where the fees collected are subsequently paid by the UW-Platteville to a non-Wisconsin institution, are not eligible. Non-instructional fees charged in connection with a study abroad program, such as for travel or living expenses, are not covered.
Processing Benefits Each Term
Complete the Veteran Services Information Sheet to let the School Certifying Official know that you want your benefits processed for the current or upcoming term. This must be completed each semester.
- Please fill it out once enrolled for classes, prior to the start of the semester.
- We will process your benefits when you turn in and fill out the form.
