Veterans Center
About Meet the Team Veterans Center Student Lounge Stories of Success
Military Education Benefits Checklist Scholarships, Grants, & Financial Aid Military & Academic Credit In-state Tuition
GI Bill® Benefits VA Certification Request
Triton Vets
Campus & Community Resources Faculty & Staff Resources
Military & Veterans Studies ROTC

Military Education Benefits Checklist

Apply for Admission - Application is Free for Veterans & Servicemembers

Review the  UMSL admission requirements and apply online

Transfer Students: 

NOTE for currently serving applicants:  UMSL is proud to be a signatory of the Department of Defense Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Students planning to use a Department of Defense education benefit, including Federal or State Tuition Assistance (TA), should first register for their desired courses.

Once course registration is complete, the UMSL Veterans Center team can assist you with the Tuition Assistance application process and help coordinate your education benefits. Eligible service members may begin the process up to:

- 60 days before the start of classes (Army, Navy, and Marine Corps)
- 45 days before the start of classes (Air Force)

To ensure your benefits are approved on time, all Tuition Assistance requests must be completed no later than 8 days before the first day of class. Please plan ahead, as the application process can take up to two hours to complete.

Service-specific information on TA applications and processes can be found at:

As a military-friendly school, UMSL will evaluate your military transcript for academic credit. In most cases, course credit may be given for military technical training when the credit recommendations are similar to courses offered at UMSL.

Send official transcripts to the Office of Admissions at this address: Office of Admissions, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1 University Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63121-4400. Please visit our Credit for Military Service page for more information.

Congratulations! You're once step closer to earning your degree at UMSL!

Confirm Enrollment

  • This process must be completed before you can register for classes.
  • Log into your Triton Portal (tutorial) to confirm your enrollment.
    • Transfer students can defer this fee to their student account and it will be covered by GI BIll. Select the "defer payment to student account" option on the payment page.
    • First-year students will need to pay the fee and receive reimbursement once the GI Bill is applied to your student account. If this creates a financial hardship, call the New Student Programs office at (314) 516-5291 to have it manually deferred to your student account.

Sign-up for Orientation

  • Orientation is a requirement for all newly, admitted, degree-seeking, undergraduate students. It must be completed prior to your first day of classes. Learn more about orientation and see upcoming dates.

Contact your academic advising office to schedule an appointment. View contact info.

  • At your advising appointment, inform your advisor that you are using VA benefits and that you need a VEV note added to your file. IMPORTANT: A VEV must be added EACH semester in which you wish to receive benefits. Be sure to notify the advisor you are using benefits.

Review eligibility for all GI Bill Chapters. If you qualify for  benefits and would like assistance in navigating your options, please call our office BEFORE applying for benefits online. 

Apply online for GI Bill® Benefits at VA.gov.

  • After submission, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in the mail within 3-4 weeks.  
  • Bring a copy of your COE to the Veterans Center, 211 Clark Hall, for certificate verification. 

Complete Request for Certification (RFC)

  • Go to: UMSL Veterans Center Website
  • Under the banner, click “Complete Request for Certification” (right icon).
  • Ensure you select the correct Request Form for the correct school term year.
  • Once in the Microsoft Form ensure you select the correct semester and year for the semester you wish to use benefits for.
  • This short form takes only a few minutes.

Request VEV Note from your Academic Advisor

  • Email your advisor:

“I am using VA/Military benefits and need a Veteran Enrollment Verification (VEV) note added to my file.”

  • If your advisor needs help, direct them to the Veterans Center.
  • Graduate students will need to have their advisor place the note in an email or word document that is signed by them if they do not have access to MyConnect

Important Notes

  • The RFC and VEV note must be completed EVERY semester.

Review eligibility for all GI Bill®Chapters. If you qualify for multiple benefits and would like assistance in navigating your options, please call our office BEFORE applying for benefits online. 

Apply online for Veteran Readiness and Employment CH 31 at VA.gov.

  • Have Your Counselor Submit a Purchase Order (PO)

    • Your VR&E counselor must submit a PO through Tungsten.
    • If your counselor has already submitted it, let us know.
    • If they need assistance, provide these details:
    • Facility Code: 11964125
    • Vendor ID: 436003859A2
    • Search for our school as: “Curators of the Univ”
    •  

    Complete Request for Certification (RFC)

    • Go to: UMSL Veterans Center Website
    • Under the banner, click “Complete Request for Certification” (right icon).
    • Ensure you select the correct Request Form for the correct school term year.
    • Once in the Microsoft Form ensure you select the correct semester and year for the semester you wish to use benefits for.
    • This short form takes only a few minutes.

     

    Request VEV Note from your Academic Advisor

    • Email your advisor:

    “I am using VA/Military benefits and need a Veteran Enrollment Verification (VEV) note added to my file.”

    • If your advisor needs help, direct them to the Veterans Center.
    • Graduate students will need to have their advisor place the note in an email or word document that is signed by them if they do not have access to MyConnect

     

    Important Notes

    • The RFC and VEV note must be completed EVERY semester.

Eligible combat veterans may qualify for reduced tuition through the Missouri Returning Heroes' Education Act (MRHEA). To find out more information you may visit the Missouri Returning Heroes website.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a Missouri resident.
  • Must have served in a combat theater after September 11, 2001.
  • Must be enrolled at a Missouri public institution.

Tuition Benefits

  • Undergraduate Students: Tuition is capped at $50 per credit hour.
  • Graduate Students: Tuition is capped at no more than 30% of the standard tuition rate.
  • Benefit applies to tuition only and does not cover fees, books, housing, or other educational expenses.
  • Students may use MRHEA in conjunction with other VA education benefits; however, VA benefits are applied first.

Provide Proof of Eligibility

Submit a copy of your DD-214 (with your Social Security or DOD ID Number redacted) to the Veterans Center for review.

  • Email: veteransoffice@umsl.edu
  • If a DD-214 is unavailable, alternative documentation such as a Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) or stamped deployment orders may be accepted for review.

Complete Request for Certification (RFC)

  • Go to: UMSL Veterans Center Website
  • Under the banner, click “Complete Request for Certification” (right icon).
  • Ensure you select the correct Request Form for the correct school term year.
  • Once in the Microsoft Form ensure you select the correct semester and year for the semester you wish to use benefits for.
  • This short form takes only a few minutes.

 

Request VEV Note from your Academic Advisor

  • Email your advisor:

“I am using VA/Military benefits and need a Veteran Enrollment Verification (VEV) note added to my file.”

  • If your advisor needs help, direct them to the Veterans Center.
  • Graduate students will need to have their advisor place the note in an email or word document that is signed by them if they do not have access to MyConnect

 

Important Notes

  • The RFC and VEV note must be completed EVERY semester.

Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) is available to eligible service members through their military branch. Students must apply through their branch's education portal and receive approval 60 to 8 days before classes begin and 45 to 8 days before classes begin for Air and Space Force.

 

  • Army
  • Air Force &Space Force
  • Marines
  • Navy

Submit Courses (Individually)

  • Select the exact start and end dates for each course.
  • Select the appropriate course from the catalog.
  • Indicate that you are taking classes online or off installation. DO NOT SELECT ON INSTALLATION
  • Select the correct tuition rate for your degree program.
  • Submit one course at a time.
  • Check Your Status
  • Courses will appear as either approved or pending review within your branch's system.
  • Print and Submit Your TAR
  • After approval, print your Tuition Assistance Request (TAR) and provide it to the UMSL Cashier's Office.
  • Monitor Your Email
  • Watch for notifications regarding approvals, corrections, or additional documentation requirements.

Complete Request for Certification (RFC)

  • Go to: UMSL Veterans Center Website
  • Under the banner, click “Complete Request for Certification” (right icon).
  • Ensure you select the correct Request Form for the correct school term year.
  • Once in the Microsoft Form ensure you select the correct semester and year for the semester you wish to use benefits for.
  • This short form takes only a few minutes.

 

Request VEV Note from your Academic Advisor

  • Email your advisor:

“I am using VA/Military benefits and need a Veteran Enrollment Verification (VEV) note added to my file.”

  • If your advisor needs help, direct them to the Veterans Center.
  • Graduate students will need to have their advisor place the note in an email or word document that is signed by them if they do not have access to MyConnect

 

Important Notes

The RFC and VEV note must be completed EVERY semester.

Missouri National Guard State Tuition Assistance (State TA) provides educational funding for eligible Missouri National Guard members. Applications must be submitted each term and require supporting documentation.

 

Application Deadline

  • Submit your application no later than eight days before classes begin.
  • An incomplete application may be submitted before the deadline and updated later with additional documentation.

 

Apply Online

 

Complete Required Forms

  • Complete the State TA Application.
  • Complete the Statement of Understanding.
  • Have your commander sign the required Commander Letter (electronic CAC signature or handwritten signature accepted).
  • Applications with unsigned forms will be returned for correction.

 

Upload Required Documents

Submit the following documents as PDF files:

  • Paid Fees Letter from MyView (under Finances and you must select to add course schedule).
    • This serves as both your itemized bill and course schedule.
  • Unofficial or official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. (must contain students name, schools name, and cumulative GPA)
  • FAFSA completion documentation or FAFSA confirmation email.
  • Tuition Assistance Requests (TARs) from ArmyIgnitED or AFVEC, if applicable.
  • Signed Commanders Letter 
  • Note: Only Air National Guard members on active-duty status may be eligible for Federal Tuition Assistance through AFVEC.

 

Submit Your Application

  • Upload all required documents through the State TA application portal.
  • Applications are submitted directly to the Missouri National Guard State Tuition Assistance Office for review.

 

Approval Process

  • The State TA Office will review your application packet.
  • You will be notified if additional information or corrections are needed.
  • Complete applications are typically processed within 10 to 30 days.
  • Once a decision is made, you will receive an official award or denial letter signed by State TA leadership.

Complete Request for Certification (RFC)

  • Go to: UMSL Veterans Center Website
  • Under the banner, click “Complete Request for Certification” (right icon).
  • Ensure you select the correct Request Form for the correct school term year.
  • Once in the Microsoft Form ensure you select the correct semester and year for the semester you wish to use benefits for.
  • This short form takes only a few minutes.

 

Request VEV Note from your Academic Advisor

  • Email your advisor:

“I am using VA/Military benefits and need a Veteran Enrollment Verification (VEV) note added to my file.”

  • If your advisor needs help, direct them to the Veterans Center.
  • Graduate students will need to have their advisor place the note in an email or word document that is signed by them if they do not have access to MyConnect

 

Important Notes

  • The RFC and VEV note must be completed EVERY semester.

 

 

Veterans using GI BIll still qualify for federal student aid including grants and loans

View additional veteran and service member specific scholarships

As an UMSL student, you have access to wealth of resources and support services available to ensure that you have a successful student experience! Check out a few to get you started below: 

  • Health, Counseling, and Disability Access Services is a one-stop shop for many of medical and mental health needs. They also offer individualized, appropriate accommodations and services to ensure full and equal participation in all education opportunities. 
  • Student Advocacy and Care provides students with interventions, education, and access to resources which empower them to address barriers relative to academic progress and personal success. 
  • Student Academic Support Services (SASS) Student Enrichment and Achievement, the University Tutoring Center, Multicultural Student Services, Pre collegiate Student Services, and UMSL’s TRIO Student Support Services are all a part of SASS. These departments provide students with workshops, success coaches, learning tools and more!