We welcome all veterans, eligible dependents, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and active duty personnel.
The Office of the Registrar provides information about G.I. Bill® and other available educational benefits and is the office where veterans, eligible dependents, members of the National Guard and selected reserves may apply for their benefits. The certifying official, Bonnie Rice, can be reached through email or by phone at 570-372-4628.
To receive VA educational benefits, you must complete the Veterans Educational Benefits Request Form each semester. Submission of the completed form to the VA certifying official in the registrar’s office will be accepted starting two weeks prior to the start of the semester. In addition, all changes in home address, phone number and credit load must be reported to the certifying official.
We are part of the Yellow Ribbon Program and provide free tuition to members of that program. Learn more on our scholarships page.
Except for advance checks, the VA pays on a post payment system. Initial claims are normally paid within 8 weeks of submission. Subsequent claims are paid on a monthly basis consistent with enrollment.
All academic credit programs at Susquehanna are approved for VA education benefits. Courses in which grades of A, B or C are earned will be paid one time by the VA. A course in which a grade of D+ or lower is earned can be repeated only if a C- grade or better is required. The VA will pay one time to repeat a course under this scenario. The VA will pay to repeat courses where a grade of F was earned.
Veterans under Chapter 30, 35 and 1606 in need of academic assistance to successfully complete a course may apply for VA tutorial assistance. The VA will pay up to $100 per month for tutorial assistance. For details, contact the certifying official in the registrar’s office. All Susquehanna students may use the free tutoring services at the Center for Academic Success.
If you are applying for VA educational benefits based on a parent or spouse’s military service:
Step One
Apply for VA Educational Benefits online through the Vets.gov website. Select the link for Application Process.
When asked if your sponsor has transferred benefits to you, select yes if your sponsor has transferred benefits to you through the Department of Defense (DOD) website. Complete the application. Then follow steps #2-3 below.
OR
When asked if your sponsor has transferred benefits to you, select no if your sponsor has not transferred benefits to you through the Department of Defense (DOD) website. Have your sponsor follow the directions in the link to the DoD website. When the transfer of benefits is finished, complete the application. Then follow steps #2-3 below.
OR
If you are applying for VA educational benefits based on your military service:
Step One
Apply for VA Educational Benefits online through the Vets.gov website. Select the link for Application Process and complete the application.
Step Two
The VA will process your application. You should receive a Certificate of Eligibility in your name in approximately four to six weeks.
Step Three
Forward a copy of your certificate of eligibility to Susquehanna’s VA certifying official at rice@c178.net, or fax it to 570-372-2753. In lieu of a certificate of eligibility you may provide a “Post 9/11 GI Bill Statement of Benefits” in your name downloaded from the Vets.gov website.
Approximately one week prior to each semester the student will receive an email from SU’s VA certifying official containing a VA Educational Benefits Request Form. This form needs to be completed and submitted to the certifying official in order for the certifying official to verify enrollment with the VA for that semester. In addition, if benefits change at any time a new certificate of eligibility must be provided to the VA Certifying Official.
Susquehanna University recognizes the exceptional achievement of those who take the Advanced Placement, College Level Examination Program or International Baccalaureate program test.
