Office of Veteran Success

The VA offers several education benefit programs, each with its own eligibility requirements and payment rates.  You can find more details using the links below.

1. Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill®
2. Chapter 31 Veterans Readiness and Employment 
3. Chapter 35 Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance* 
4. Chapter 30 The Montgomery GI Bill®-Active Duty
5. Chapter 1606Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve*

• Questions about your eligibility? Contact the VA directly
  • Phone: 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551)
  • Online: Ask VA Portal.
• Questions about how your VA Education Benefits apply to your Syracuse University student account? Contact the Office of Veteran Success (OVS)
  • Email: veterans@syr.edu
  • Phone: (315) 443-0358.

Note: The VA pays Chapters 30, 35, and 1606 benefits directly to students.  Syracuse University does not receive tuition or fee payments from the VA for these benefits.

For current VA educational pay rates please visit the VA’s website.

• Apply For Benefits: Students who are using VA Education Benefits for the first time *must apply directly though the VA to determine your eligibility.
  • It can take the VA approximately 30 days to process a new application. Once processed, the VA will mail you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).  You can also access your COE through your My VA.gov account.
• Dependent Transfer of Benefit (TOB): Dependents of service members using the Post-9/11 GI Bill® can find detailed information about the transfer of entitlement process on the VA website.  Please note that once the transfer is approved, dependents must submit their own application for benefits.
• Questions about transferring your benefit to dependents? Contact the VA directly:
  • Online: Ask VA portal
  • Phone: 1-888-442-4551

Questions after successfully transferring your benefit? Contact the Office of Veteran Success (OVS):

• Email: veterans@syr.edu
• Phone: (315) 443-0358

• Once the VA processes your application, the VA will mail you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) outlining your education benefits. The COE indicates the VA’s decision (approved or denied), the specific benefit you have been approved to use, and the number of months of eligibility remaining.
• If you are using CH33 Post 9/11 GI® Bill benefits, you can download a copy of your COE from My VA.gov account.
• Please send a copy of your COE to the Office of Veteran Success (OVS) at veterans@syr.edu. We accept either a copy of your mailed COE or a downloaded copy from your My VA.gov account.  The COE is required when you first start using VA benefits or when you switch from one benefit program to another.
• Questions? Contact the Office of Veteran Success (OVS).
  • Email: veterans@syr.edu
  • Phone: 315-443-0358.

• Syracuse University requires students using VA education benefits to complete a Request for Certification (RFC) form each semester they register for courses and want to use their benefits.
• The RFC can be found in the Financial Aid To-Do list within your MySlice account (your Syracuse University student portal). If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Veteran Success (OVS) at veterans@syr.edu.
  • Undergraduate students using the Post-9/11 GI Bill® can submit the RFC before registering, once they have received a pre-bill from the Bursar’s Office. For students using CH 30, 35 & 1606, please submit your form once registered for courses.
  • Graduate students do not receive a pre-bill, so they should submit the RFC after finalizing their course registration for an upcoming term.
• Questions about the RFC process? Contact the Office of Veteran Success (OVS)
  • Email: veterans@syr.edu
  • Phone: 315-443-0358

• Syracuse University School Certifying Officials (SCOs) will certify your enrollment to the VA for payment. SCOs may contact you about your enrollment or certification, so check your school email regularly.
• The VA will email you a confirmation after Syracuse University certifies your enrollment.
• For students using Post-9/11 GI Bill® (CH33): An estimate of VA funding for eligible tuition and fees will appear on your Bursar account.
  • Note: This is only an estimate based on your benefit eligibility, actual payment amounts may vary.
• For students using Chapters 30, 35, and 1606 benefits: These benefits provide a monthly stipend paid directly to students based on enrollment. Syracuse University receives no tuition or fee payments from the VA.  Please ensure you have other funding sources to cover tuition and fees.
• Your Bursar account will be updated with the actual VA payment amount once the funds arrive.
• Enrollment Changes: You are responsible for notifying the Office of Veteran Success (OVS) of any enrollment changes (adding/dropping courses, withdrawals, etc.). Failure to do so may result in payment delays or incurring a VA debt.
• Questions or concerns about the estimate for your bill? Contact your School Certifying Official (SCO) at the Office of Veteran Success (OVS).
  • Email: veterans@syr.edu
  • Phone: 315-443-0358

• If you are using Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) you do not need to complete the RFC form. We will certify your enrollment once we receive an approved purchase order (PO) from your VR&E counselor.
• Your VR&E counselor must send two approved purchase orders (PO) on your behalf: one to the bursar’s office (tuition and fees) and one to the bookstore (books & supplies). If your counselor has questions about where to send the POs, please have them contact the Office of Veteran Success (OVS), veterans@syr.edu.
• Questions? Contact:
  • VA Certification: Office of Veteran Success (OVS), veterans@syr.edu
  • Tuition & Billing: Bursar’s Office, Nick Nesbitt, agencybilling@syr.edu
  • Book & Supply Ordering: LeeAnna Baldick lbaldi01@syr.edu or John Cusick, SU Campus Bookstores, jcusick@bncollege.com

For more information about CH31 VR&E and how to apply visit the VA’s website.

Syracuse University is a Yellow Ribbon Program partner with the VA, allowing eligible students to maximize their Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits.  The University has an unlimited number of Yellow Ribbon scholarships for students who are eligible to participate in the program.  You are not required to complete a separate application to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program.  However, students must still submit a Request for Certification (RFC) form each term.

The Yellow Ribbon Program only works in conjunction with the Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill® and you must be eligible at the 100% tier.  To remain eligible, students must have Chapter 33 entitlement available.  Once these benefits are exhausted or the delimiting date is reached, eligibility for the Yellow Ribbon Program ends.

For eligible students, Yellow Ribbon funding is applied to cover remaining qualifying tuition and fees after the VA annual cap has been reached.  The annual cap runs August 1st – July 31st of each year and the cap for the 2025-2026 school year is $29,920.95. Syracuse University’s Yellow Ribbon contribution is matched dollar for dollar by the VA. The VA will match Syracuse University’s Yellow Ribbon contribution.

For more information about Syracuse University’s Yellow Ribbon program please contact the Office of Veteran Success

• VA Housing Allowance (MHA): If you are using Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill® or Chapter 31 (VR&E) benefits, your housing allowance is paid directly to you by the VA based on your enrollment. The VA issues housing payments on the first of each month for the previous month’s of attendance. Payments are issued only for the days you are enrolled during the semester; if you are not enrolled for the full month, the payment will be prorated.  Please note: Active-duty service members and spouses of Active duty members are not eligible for the housing allowance.
• Books & Supplies:
  • Chapter 33: Students using Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits are also eligible for a books and supplies stipend. The VA provides up to $1,000 per academic year, paid directly to you, which may be used to help offset the cost of required books and supplies. For current books and supplies rates, please visit the VA’s website.
  • Chapter 31: Students using Chapter 31 (VR&E) benefits must have an approved purchase order (PO) submitted by their VR&E counselor to the Syracuse University bookstore (Barnes & Noble). Please allow 24 – 48 business hours for the PO to appear in the bookstore’s system. Once it has populated, you may visit the bookstore in person to obtain your books and supplies.

If you are unable to come to campus, please email your course schedule and mailing address to LeeAnna Baldick  (lbaldi01@syr.edu). The bookstore will place the order on your behalf and ship the books to your provided mailing address.

• Orange Inclusive Access Books: These books and course materials are available in digital format through your Blackboard account (except for the Whitman Online MBA program). The cost of these materials will be billed to your student account and will not be covered by Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits.

If you choose not to participate in the program, you will receive an email with instructions on how to opt out. The opt-out process is completed through Blackboard and must be finalized by the deadline indicated in the email. If you do not opt out by that deadline, the charges will remain on your student account through the Bursar’s Office.

For more information please contact your professor or the bookstore.

• Please contact your school certifying official and OVS immediately, if you are contemplating taking a Leave of Absence (LOA). An LOA may impact your VA educational benefits and you financially.
• A Leave of Absence is defined as departing the University before completing your degree requirements. You must file a Leave of Absence request, whether you intend to return to the university or not.
• Undergraduate students must initiate the process through their school/college office, and graduates do so through their academic department.
• If you leave without notifying the University after the semester begins, you will continue to incur tuition, room, board, and other charges. Course registration will remain on your transcript record, and any grades or grading symbols submitted by your instructors will also appear on your transcript.

Note: If you are using a VA educational benefit and considering a LOA, please contact the Office of Veteran Success (OVS) to discuss how this may affect your VA benefits.

For more information about how to request a LOA, please visit the Registrar’s website.

• Syracuse University accepts Military Tuition Assistance (TA). Before registering for classes, speak with your unit’s Educational Services Officer (ESO) to confirm eligibility, then submit your request through your branch’s portal.  You must have an approved degree plan. Once approved, submit your TA voucher to Syracuse University.
  1. College of Professional Studies students: Email PDFs of your approved TA documents to the CPS Bursar/Registrar Office at bursareg@syr.edu. Please copy the SU Bursar third-party billing team at agencybilling@syr.edu.
  2. All other Syracuse University students: Email approved TA documents to agencybilling@syr.edu. For questions about TA funding on your account, contact the Bursar’s Office at this same address.
• For more information about completing your TA documentation at Syracuse University, visit the TA Info Page.
• Each branch has an annual TA funding cap. Check your branch’s TA site for details.
• You can use both Tuition Assistance (TA) and VA Education Benefits together. If you plan to use both, contact the Office of Veteran Success at veterans@syr.edu to discuss how these funding sources work together.
• Select part-time degree programs offered at Syracuse University are subject to a TA tuition rate match. To learn more, you can refer to the College of Professional Studies.
• The Office of Veteran Success (OVS) does not process TA. If you have questions about TA funding, please contact the Bursar’s Office at: agencybilling@syr.edu.

It is highly encouraged that you apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and for Syracuse University aid through the CSS Profile each year, even if you are using VA educational benefits.

For information and questions about financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Syracuse University was invited to become a Pat Tillman Foundation University Partner in 2017.  The Tillman Scholar Program brings together and empowers exceptional military veterans and spouses as the next generation of leaders in both the public and private sectors.  Syracuse University proudly shares these values and is honored to support Tillman Scholars on our campus.

• For more information about the Pat Tillman Foundation and the scholarship, please visit the Pat Tillman Foundation website.
• View the previous Syracuse University Scholars.
• For questions about Syracuse University’s Tillman Scholar program please contact the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs.

Syracuse University is proud to be one of a few campuses in the U.S. with a VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) counselor on campus.  The program is designed to support Veterans, Servicemembers, and their eligible dependents by providing coordinated, on-campus benefits assistance and counseling.  The program helps participants successfully complete their education and prepares them to enter the workforce in meaningful and sustainable career paths.

This position is currently vacant, and we are awaiting the VA’s rehiring of this role.

For more information about VetSuccess on Campus, please visit the VA’s VSOC website.

The Betty & Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic provides legal representation to veterans and their families seeking benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or assistance with military discharge upgrades through the various service branches.

If you are interested in receiving legal assistance from the Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic, please contact the clinic by calling 315-443-4582 or toll-free at 888-797-5291, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.  Walk-in appointments are not currently available.

• Our office is located in the National Resource Veteran Resource Center (NVRC), Suite 012.
• Our office hours are:
  • Fall/Spring Semesters, Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5pm
  • Summer Semester, Monday – Friday 8am – 4:30pm
• Contact us at:
  • Phone: 315-443-0358
  • Email: veterans@syr.edu