Thank you for your interest in Hobart and William Smith Colleges. As a former Marine Corps Officer and a veteran who was able to attend graduate school because of the GI Bill, I would like to strongly encourage you to learn all about the enhanced veteran benefits you have available to you. You have earned these benefits for your dedicated services and it would be unfortunate if you did not take advantage of them because you were not aware of the new additions. Please note the below links which will direct you to all the information you will need. Thank you for your service.
Robert H.Murphy
Vice President for Enrollment
Dean of Admissions
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
On August 1, 2009, the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) was instituted. This is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and VA will match the same amount as the institution. HWS is currently applying to be a Yellow Ribbon institution and will be an active participant for the 2010-11 academic year.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Post-9/11 GI Bill became effective for training on or after August 1, 2009. The tuition payment is made to the institution of higher education and the housing allowance and stipend are paid to the student veteran. The housing allowance amount for the area in which HWS resides is $1197 (E-5 with dependents). In addition, an eligible Service member may transfer up to the total months of unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, or the entire 36 months if the member has used none to an eligible family member.
The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. This program is also commonly known as Chapter 30. The Montgomery GI Bill may also be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve.
DEA provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service related condition. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits.
Veterans Tuition Awards (VTA) are awards for full-time study and part-time study for eligible veterans matriculated at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution or in an approved vocational training program in New York State.
For Federal Benefits:
1-888-GIBILL-1
http://www.gibill.va.gov
For New York State benefits:
New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs
http://veterans.ny.gov/education.html
Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC):
1-888-697-4372
www.hesc.com
Dawn M. Langdon
Assistant Director
Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
300 Pulteney Street
Geneva, NY 14456
P (315)781--3315
F(315)-781-4048
