Veteran & Military Benefits

In the News

First Black Female POW Shoshana Johnson Discusses Veterans Issues At IOP Event - Retired U.S. Army Specialist Shoshana N. Johnson, who was America’s first Black female prisoner of war, discussed veterans' issues at a Harvard Institute of Politics forum.

From the Military to Classroom - After four years of serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Emann is one of 51 veterans currently enrolled at Harvard College, according to the Harvard Undergraduate Veterans Organization. The veteran population at the College has steadily grown in recent years, jumping from 24 students in 2020 to 51 students in 2021, amid recruiting efforts and increased support from organizations like Service to School and Next Step Inbound, which focus on helping veterans attend college.

Between Army and Medical School, a stop in hell - Veteran who lost legs in combat reflects on Afghanistan service and decision to become a doctor

Education Benefits

Education benefits are available for veterans, active military personnel, and their eligible dependents. These programs have different benefits packages and eligibility requirements, and students may only use one at a time:

 

Post 9/11 GI Bill® (CH33)

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (CH30)

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (CH1606)

Survivors and Dependents Benefits (CH35)

 

CH33 is a commonly used benefit at Harvard University. CH33 provides up to 36 months (4 regular school years) of education benefits to eligible service members (Active Duty, Guard and Reserve) and Veterans who have served at least 90 days on active duty since 9/10/2001. Benefits include paid tuition and fees, a stipend for books and a monthly housing allowance. Benefits are tiered based on number of days on active duty, and can be transferred to spouse or family member in certain circumstances.

 

Students who are eligible for a monthly housing allowance through the VA must attend most of their classes on campus to receive their full benefit.

 

For more information on applying for these benefits, visit the VAs website.

 

Students planning to utilize these benefits should inform their financial aid office and complete the Notice of Student Enrollment annually.

 

Yellow Ribbon Program

Harvard University is pleased to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program in which additional financial assistance supplements the base educational benefits provided by CH33.

The Yellow Ribbon Program requires participating institutions to specify the award amount and number of awards to be distributed annually. The VA then provides a dollar-for-dollar match of institutional aid given to eligible veterans. Only veterans eligible for Ch33 at the 100% tier (or their designated transferees) may receive this funding. Yellow Ribbon is available once the VA CH33 base is exhausted for the year (August 1 – July 31).

 

Yellow Ribbon Program information for Harvard’s participating programs and matching amounts for the academic year can be found here.

 

Veterans Readiness and Employment (CH31)

Veterans Readiness and Employment, or VR&E, is available to individuals who have a service-connected disability that limits their ability to work or prevents the individual from working. VR&E is not an education benefit, but it can be used by eligible service members and veterans to pay for tuition and required fees.

Individuals using VR&E to pay for their education at Harvard University will have their benefit managed as third-party billing. The VR&E counselor assigned to the individual will submit a PO to studentaccountoperations_fad@harvard.edu and an invoice will be submitted via Tungsten.

As with other veterans benefits, students should inform their financial aid office that they intend to use this benefit and should complete the Notice of Student Enrollment.

ROTC

Harvard University has a long history with the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Army ROTC was established on campus in 1916, and the University was one of the six original partner institutions of Naval ROTC in 1926. While all battalions and detachments are located nearby at MIT, there are Navy and Army ROTC offices on the Harvard campus. To join ROTC, cross-register with one of these three service programs: Air Force ROTC, Army ROTC, or Navy ROTC. Details on ROTC at Harvard can be found on the Harvard College website.

Active-Duty Military Tuition Assistance (TA)

Active-Duty Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is a distinct source of financial aid offered by the federal government that may be available to eligible service members. Each service branch administrates award amounts, eligibility, restrictions, and application process.

Click here for information on applying.

Contacting Harvard

Press inquiries should be directed to Harvard Public Affairs & Communications.

For more information, visit:

‘‘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."