How to Use VA and Other Educational Benefits at Towson University

Disclaimer: The Towson University Military & Veterans Center is operated by employees of the university who work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to process your benefits on your behalf. We do not determine benefits eligibility.

We encourage our community to meet with us at any time during normal hours to discuss your benefits. You can set up a meeting with us here.

First-Time Applying for VA Benefits or Continuing to Use Benefits (Veterans, Dependents, and Currently Serving)

First-time veteran and dependent students should Apply for Benefits within the Department of Veterans Affairs eBenefits website. The Department of Veterans Affairs will send you an eligibility letter in the mail. The Military & Veterans Center DOES NOT need a copy of that letter.

Continuing and transfer for students DO NOT need to reapply for benefits, to use them at TU.

All VA benefits users must fill out a Declaration of Intent to Use VA Benefits Form each and every semester that they wish to use benefits (more info directly below).

Declaration of Intent to Use VA Benefits 

IMPORTANT NOTE BEFORE COMPLETING: Read the top of this page for an important, timely notice BEFORE COMPLETING THIS FORM.

Each semester, all new and continuing veteran and dependent students intending to use educational benefits must fill out our online Declaration of Intent to Use VA Benefits form after they've enrolled for classes.

A Declaration of Intent to Use VA Benefits Form is required to be submitted for each semester that a student wants to use their educational benefits. If necessary, you can also use benefits retroactively, provided that the VA has determined you are eligible to do so.

The Military & Veterans Center is responsible for re-certifying veterans and their dependents each term to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

• Phone: 410-704-2992
  Email: veteransbenefits AT_TOWSON

Veterans Educational Benefits, Programs, and Yellow Ribbon

Veterans may be eligible to receive VA Educational Benefits through these programs:

• Chapter 31 (Veteran Readiness & Employment) — Eligible students (generally, if you have a disability rating of 20% or higher, you can qualify) coordinate through their VA counselor and the Military & Veterans Center to have tuition, fees, supplies and books paid for by the VA.

NOTE: In addition to being used for undergraduate programs, this benefit can also typically be used for continuing education and graduate programs here at Towson University. A veteran student can be eligible for this benefit and Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 G.I. Bill®).

• Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 G.I. Bill®) — Eligible students are allocated a certain percentage of their tuition and fees paid for by the VA. A book stipend and a Monthly Housing Allowance is available when student is enrolled for the term.
• Yellow Ribbon — Beginning in Fall 2025, any eligible student using the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® that does not qualify for the in-state tuition rate may utilize, as available, the Yellow Ribbon program to cover up to 100% of the undergraduate out-of-state tuition differential. Currently, the maximum amount of coverage that may be provided is $9,611 per semester. Email veteransbenefits AT_TOWSON for more information.

NOTE: For Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®) students, to learn more about your exact benefits based on your eligibility and enrollment at Towson University, please visit the VA's G.I. Bill® Comparison Tool here.

Family Member and Dependent Benefits

• Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®) — Same as above with one additional offering:
  Fry Scholarship — Provides benefit eligibility for children of active duty members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001.
• Chapter 35 (Dependents Educational Assistance) — Educational assistance is paid monthly during the academic term directly to dependents of veterans with a service-connected permanent and total disability or died as a result of service.

Current Military Personnel Benefits

Active Duty, National Guard, and Reservists may use VA education benefits and/or tuition assistance, or other programs to pay for or get reimbursement for tuition and fees.  

• Chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill®) — Active Duty students may be eligible to receive a monthly payment from the VA to supplement their educational costs
• Chapter 1606 (Montgomery G.I. Bill®: Selected Reserves) — Reservists, Coast Guard, and National Guard members may be eligible to receive a monthly payment from the VA to supplement their educational costs.

• State Tuition Assistance Reimbursement (STAR) Program & State Tuition Waiver (STW) – Maryland National Guard Service Members can be reimbursed for tuition and related fees through these programs. You can find more information here.

• Air Force Tuition Assistance – To use Air Force tuition assistance, upload courses through the Air Force Virtual Education Center. The Student & University Billing Office will bill the AI Portal for approved tuition costs. 

• Army Tuition Assistance -- To use Army tuition assistance, follow the steps below.

1. Create an account in the ArmyIgnitED. TA requests for courses MUST BE MADE no earlier than 60 days and no later than 7 days prior to the start date of the course.
2. Choose an Education Goal and Degree Program in ArmyIgnitED to be reviewed by your Army Education Counselor. Email veteransbenefits AT_TOWSON if you do not see your desired degree programs in the ArmyIgnitED Portal, or if you have any questions about your Degree Plan.
3. Once your Education Goal and Degree Program path are approved by your Army Education Counselor, enter the courses you wish to use TA for within the ArmyIgnitED Portal.

• MD National Guard Tuition Waiver – Guard members may also qualify for a tuition waiver, which is handled by the Student & University Billing Office.