Veteran & Military Students

Refer to the Financial Aid Application Process.

Returning students should review and adjust their financial aid applications each year. This includes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Penn College Scholarship Application, in addition to other general scholarships and external scholarships.

When completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), keep in mind these two points:

• Answer ALL questions pertaining to your veteran status and veteran’s education benefits.
• In general, you do not need to report combat pay earnings on the FAFSA. However, if your combat pay was included in your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) on your federal (IRS) tax return, you will need to report the amount in FAFSA Question 44e (Question 93e, for parents). The amount of your combat pay shows in Box 12, code Q, of your military W-2 form.

• Fill out the online application to obtain your VA Certificate of Eligibility.
• To qualify for education benefits, your military affiliation must be either 'active service member,' 'veteran,' or 'dependent/family member.'
• You may receive benefits based on your parent's service if they are 100% disabled or deceased as a result of military action. You may also receive educational benefits that were transferred to you while your parent was serving in the military. To apply, complete the online application.

If you didn’t already do so when you obtained your Certificate of Eligibility, apply for veteran’s benefits (GI Bill^®) by completing the online application.

You only need to submit your application for VA Education Benefits ONCE. Benefits remain in effect until they are exhausted. We recommend applying as early as possible before you begin your first semester. However, you can apply at any time during your first year of enrollment.

• Military Reservists: Apply for Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) each semester.
• PA Army National Guards & Reserves: Apply for the Federal Educational Assistance Program (EAP) each year, depending on the specific benefit.
• PA National Guard: In addition to the GI Bill^®, FAFSA, and Penn College's FAA, apply for Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) from the GoArmyEd website and for the Educational Assistance Program (EAP) through your Unit of Assignment.
• Army Reserves: In addition to the GI Bill^®, FAFSA, and Penn College's FAA, apply for Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) from the GoArmyEd website.

Combined Benefits: Some education benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the National Guard or Army Reserves can be combined. Contact Penn College's Coordinator of Veteran & Military Services for more information. You may also refer to the Education Benefit Rate Table to choose the benefit best for you.

• If applicable, complete a request for Change of Program or Place of Training form.
• Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant and Federal Work-Study awards cannot be transferred to Penn College.
• Your financial eligibility will be determined upon completion of the financial aid process.

• If you’ve completed advanced courses or educational experiences as part of military training, you may be eligible for advanced credit through transcript evaluation, testing, and/or competency assessment.
• To translate military service into college credit, a Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript is required.
• If you have completed military basic training within the past ten years, you may be eligible to receive a fitness elective credit.
• ROTC cadets may also be eligible for a fitness credit by submitting a JST to Penn College's Admissions Office.
• Not all military experience can be translated into college credit. Requests for additional credit are handled on a case-by-case basis and should be directed to the department head for fitness and lifetime sports or the Dean of the School of Nursing & Health Sciences.