Veteran's Benefits
Goucher College accepts and participates in most U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs educational benefits chapters. For VA Benefits chapter and eligibility information visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. If you already know your benefit chapter, then you may also use the VA's Comparison Tool to estimate your benefits.
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 Website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Yellow Ribbon Program
Goucher College is proud to participate in The Yellow Ribbon Program. *Undergraduate students who are Yellow Ribbon eligible will have all tuition and required fees covered by their VA Benefits combined with Goucher College's Yellow Ribbon matching grant. They also receive a housing allowance directly from the VA which is usually more than enough to cover the basic housing costs of a resident student. (Since the housing allowance is paid monthly, most families need to make payment arrangements for some portion of room and board at the beginning of the semester before they begin receiving their benefit payments directly from the VA.)
Goucher College does not limit the number of Yellow Ribbon participants or the dollar amount of matching grants, however Yellow Ribbon funding cannot be used in conjunction with other institutional aid. If you are Yellow Ribbon eligible and interested in using your benefits at Goucher, please e-mail us for more information.
(*Graduate students and Post-Baccalaureate Premedical students are not eligible for Yellow Ribbon matching grants.)
How do I start?
The first step is to apply for benefits with the VA and obtain your Certificate of Eligibility:
If you need any assistance with transferring benefits or applying to the VA for benefits, then you may call the VA at 888-442-4551.
Initial Goucher Paperwork
All Goucher College students using VA benefits for the first time should submit this form along with their Certificate of Eligibility:
VA Policies and Procedures (PDF)
Re-Certifying Each Semester
This VA Benefits form should be submitted prior to every term, when you are confident of your enrollment plans. To help insure your benefits are paid promptly by the VA, please submit by no later than the end of the drop period each term.
Housing Allowance Changes as of December 2019
For information on the December 2019 changes to how the VA determines housing allowances, please see the official guide published by the VA.
Housing Allowances for Graduate Students or Online Programs
The VA calculates housing allowance and rate of pursuit based on specific course beginning and end dates and online vs. in-person classes. If some classes are online or not for the entire term, then this means your VA rate of pursuit may be different than your enrollment status for academic, billing, or regular financial aid programs.
VA Benefits for Study Abroad
Please note that VA Educational Benefits for study abroad are subject to approval by the VA's designated State Approving Agency (SAA), the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). For this reason, it is best to submit your request by no later than 90 days before your study abroad begins.
VA Benefits Study Abroad Request (PDF)
Request an Appointment
Still have questions? You may schedule a Zoom appointment with Goucher's School Certifying Official (SCO) using Calendly.
Title 38 Compliance Statement of Policy
- A Covered Individual who is entitled to educational assistance under Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or Chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill® Benefits is permitted to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to Goucher College a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under Chapter 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website e-Benefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates: 1. The date on which payment from VA is made to the instituion; 2. 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.
- Goucher College will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to Goucher College due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under Chapter 31 or 33.