Veteran Benefits
See how your veterans benefits can help fund your Seattle University education.
Using VA Benefits for Your Education
Thank you for you and your family member’s service and your sacrifices. We’re here to help you pursue your passions and make your dreams come true.
Our staff will make sure you get all the VA educational benefits you deserve—and all other financial assistance you’re eligible for as well, from Seattle University, the state of Washington and the federal government.
We will guide you through the process and see that you're receiving all eligible aid, your VA educational benefits are updated quarterly as you register for classes and that your benefits have not exceeded the cost of attendance.
We’re committed to providing support to our active duty, reservists, veterans and dependents.
Explore the Yellow Ribbon Program at SU
Seattle University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. This is a program that allows students who are eligible for 100% Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill®) benefits to gain additional funding for their tuition and fees. No additional application is needed, if you qualify, you will be considered for any open spots.
Seattle University contributes up to $20,000 and is equally matched by the VA, covering billable tuition and fees up to $40,000 in aid above the Ch. 33 yearly tuition and fee cap. (120 spots)
Seattle University contributes up to $5,000, equally matched by the VA, covering billable tuition and fees up to an additional $10,000 in aid above the Ch. 33 yearly tuition and fee cap. (50 spots)
Seattle University contributes up to $10,000, equally matched by the VA, covering billable tuition and fees up to an additional $20,000 in aid above the Ch. 33 yearly tuition and fee cap. (10 spots)
If you are eligible for Yellow Ribbon and are an institutional aid recipient, be aware your aid may be adjusted from one program to another. You will always receive your merit scholarship, but other need-based aid may be adjusted. Yellow Ribbon and institutional aid come from the same institutional funding source. We will always choose the option that is most financially beneficial for the student. Title IV aid from FAFSA is not impacted.
The Yellow Ribbon lists are separately maintained on a first-come, first-served basis for undergraduate, graduate, and MIT/LEMBA/DNP students. Once all of the spots fill up, a waiting list is started and monitored each quarter. If you are on the waiting list and still interested/able to receive Yellow Ribbon benefits when a spot opens, you will be notified (via an updated award letter) with the changes to your financial aid.
In order to get on the list, please provide the following:
- Confirmation that you have been admitted to Seattle U and that you have confirmed acceptance
- A copy of your Certificate of Eligibility
You can send all materials and questions electronically to va@seattleu.edu or in person at the Student Financial Services office.
Sample Charges
To have a better understanding about how your money will be applied, please see the outline of a sample undergraduate bill below:
2023-2024 Academic Year Costs | Fall Quarter | Winter Quarter | Spring Quarter |
---|---|---|---|
Tuition (flat rate for 12-18 credits) | $17,745.00 | $17,745.00 | $17,745.00 |
Technology Fee (full-time) | $192.00 | $192.00 | $192.00 |
Wellness Fee (full-time) | $158.00 | $158.00 | $158.00 |
Matriculation Fee | $175.00 | ||
Total | $18,270.00 | $18,095.00 | $18,095.00 |
**Additional fees may apply**
Sample Award Letter
This table represents a sample undergraduate award letter
2023-2024 Financial Aid | Fall Quarter | Winter Quarter | Spring Quarter |
---|---|---|---|
Post-9/11 GI Bill® Chapter 33 (cap $27,120.05 for 2023-2024) |
$18,270.00 | $8,850.05 | $0.00 |
Federal Yellow Ribbon ($14,750) | $0.00 | $4,622.47 | $9,047.50 |
SU Yellow Ribbon ($14,750) | $0.00 | $4,622.48 | $9,047.50 |
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VA does not pay room and board directly to institution. If you are living on campus you will need to pay your room and board by the tuition due date. If you would like a payment plan, contact va@seattleu.edu to set up by the tuition due date. |
Post-9/11 GI Bill® pays up to the cap before any Yellow Ribbon funds apply.
Post-9/11 GI Bill® Ch. 33 and Yellow Ribbon funds do not cover Room or Meal Plan charges. Please see Housing & Meal plan options.
Dates to Keep in Mind
Fall | August 26, 2024 |
---|---|
Winter | November 18, 2024 |
Spring | March 3, 2025 |
Summer | May 12, 2025 |
Fall | October 14, 2024 |
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Winter | January 21, 2025 |
Spring | April 14, 2025 |
Summer | July 2025 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Veterans Benefits
Find answers to common questions about using your VA educational benefits at SU, from turning in documents to how many credits are needed. If you can't find the answer to the questions you have, please e-mail va@seattleu.edu.
Yes, Seattle University is a deemed approved school by the Veterans Administration.
No. In Washington State some publicly funded state colleges and universities offer a tuition discount to veterans. While SU, as a private university, does not offer this discount, we are happy to assist you in utilizing any VA Educational Benefits that you may be eligible to receive.
Yes, Seattle University has participated in the Yellow Ribbon program since 2009. Please contact va@seattleu.edu for information about available spots or waiting list options.
Yellow Ribbon is an accompaniment program. You must be eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Ch.33) at 100%, or the spouse using benefits of an active duty member, and have separated from the military with any status other than dishonorable. To be placed on the Yellow Ribbon waitlist you must first be admitted to Seattle University. We then need your Certificate of Eligibility addressed to the individual using benefits.
No. All documents may be submitted to the VA Certifying Official via e-mail at va@seattleu.edu, regular mail or fax using the contact information found by clicking here. Documentation can also be dropped off, in person, at the front desk in the Student Financial Services Office.
The certifying officials do not have this information. Instead, contact the Department of Veterans Affairs directly at 1-888-442-4551 or go to the GI Bill® website.
Most VA benefits are not considered when determining a student’s eligibility for Federal and State funding, but VA funding may affect institutional aid. To receive the most accurate information, veterans should contact Student Financial Services at 1-206-220-8020 to talk with or make an appointment to meet with the VA Certifying Official.
No. Once you have submitted all your paperwork to Student Financial Services and have registered for a quarter, a VA School Certifying Official (SCO) will automatically review your courses for degree applicability. You will be contacted if any of courses are found not apply to your degree. An SCO will then automatically submit your quarterly certification to the Department of VA for processing. Summer terms are not automatically certified, and students are required to submit the VA Summer Certification Request (e-form) if they want to use benefits.
No, Student Financial Services will incorporate the anticipated amount of your VA Educational Benefits into your quarterly bill. You are only responsible for paying the portion of your bill not covered by your benefits or other types of financial aid by the tuition due date. If you are receiving Post 9-11 GI Bill® benefits you will not be assessed any financial penalties while the school waits to receive your anticipated tuition and fee payment from the VA.
For the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters undergraduates need to enroll in at least 7 credits to be eligible to receive the BAH. Graduate students need to be enrolled in at least 4 credits. To receive the maximum amount of BAH you need to be at full-time status (12 credits for undergraduate; 6 credits for graduate). For courses taken during the Summer quarter please consult the Veteran Certification for Nonstandard Length Quarters (2011-01) or contact the VA SCO in the Office of the Registrar for clarification.
As an Institution of Higher Learning (IHL), Seattle University is approved to certify standard term dates as published in the Academic Calendar. Coursework that occurs outside of the dates of the term cannot be certified.
Yes. A CAC reader is located in Seattle University's Office of Military Science which is located in the 13th Avenue Building (behind the Shell station on 12th). Inquire at the front desk for assistance.
A veteran cannot utilize federal Tuition Assistance benefits and certain VA Educational Benefits at the same time so first, find out if the Tuition Assistance you have is funded federally or by the state. If your Tuition Assistance is funded by the state, submit your paperwork to the VA School Certifying Official (SCO) at va@seattleu.edu for processing.
Please complete a Military Service Leave of Absence Request. As a Yellow Ribbon recipient called to active duty, you are no longer eligible to receive those funds.
When returning from active duty, please:
- Notify the Office of the Registrar of the date you plan to return to SU.
- Contact the VA School Certifying Official in Student Financial Services to find out how your VA Educational Benefits may be affected.
Submit your application for Veteran Education Benefits through va.gov; choose “Education and training”. The time it takes to receive this document may vary considerably. Therefore, we highly recommend that you apply well in advance of the beginning of the quarter to ensure SU has all necessary documentation required to process your benefits. Questions: Call VA Education at 1-888-442-4551.
Forms and Resources
Below you will find helpful forms and links. If you need further information about a particular service or procedure, please contact us at va@seattleu.edu.
Forms
To access the following forms, please visit forms.seattleu.edu.
Links
Help Fund Your Seattle University Education
School Certifying Officials (SCOs)
School Certifying Officials (SCOs) are Seattle University staff members. They are the liaisons between Seattle University and the VA. They make sure students are appropriately certified to receive their VA educational benefits. The SCO’s receive regular training and updates from the VA and are advocates for their students.
Who to Contact About VA Benefits & Financial Aid
If you have questions regarding your bill, financial aid, or making payments, please contact the SCOs at VA@seattleu.edu.
School Certifying Officials (SCOs)
Get in Touch
Our VA School Certifying Officials (SCO) are housed in the Student Financial Services office. Please be sure to tell the person helping you that you receive VA educational benefits.
Student Financial Services
Vi Hilbert Hall