Enlisted Service Members Benefits

Welcome, enlisted service members! Thank you for your sacrifices in protecting and defending our country. We are honored to help you in completing your educational goals. Our Veterans Coordinator is available to help you navigate the process.

Eligibility for Benefits

• Contact your military branch’s education office to find out what benefits are available to you (contact information is listed below).
• Work with your education officer to set up your paperwork in preparation for Tuition Assistance authorization and any other potential benefits, like the GI Bill®.
• If you qualify for VA education benefits as an enlisted service member, complete an application for benefits.
• Retain a screenshot of the confirmation page once your application is complete.

Please note: If you have previously used your VA education benefits at another college or university, you will need to complete a Request for Change of Program or Place of Training to update your current education benefits.

Education Benefits Information by Branch

Air Force

• Contact your military branch’s Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within their Military Service before enrolling in the institution to find out what benefits are available to you.
• Notify your branch’s education office that you’ve been accepted to Rivier University and request Tuition Assistance authorization and/or any other education benefits paperwork.
• The Air Force Portal allows you to quickly find relevant data and information, applications, and collaboration tools to help you.
• Send your Tuition Assistance authorization directly to the Rivier VA School Certifying Official.
• Once the Rivier VA School Certifying Official has reviewed your Tuition Assistance authorization, your academic advisor can enroll you in courses.

Army

• Contact your military branch’s Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within their Military Service before enrolling in the institution to find out what benefits are available to you.
• Request Tuition Assistance.
• Army or Army Reserves — Visit the FAQ page on the Tuition Assistance Program For Service Members | The Official Army Benefits Website portal for steps on how to start using your tuition assistance.
• Army National Guard — You may qualify for additional money from your state. Contact your education center for more information on this benefit.
• Obtain a copy of your Rivier Degree Program plan/evaluation and a Promissory note/Statement of Fees. These can be obtained from the Rivier VA School Certifying Official. The promissory note/statement of fees details the term dates, course information, and tuition fees.
• Then, log in to your Tuition Assistance Program For Service Members | The Official Army Benefits Website account and register yourself for the classes you just signed up for.
• After completing your course registration, notify the VA School Certifying Official to finalize the enrollment process.
• Note: You must enroll in both Rivier University and the Tuition Assistance Program for Service Members | The Official Army Benefits Website. The two systems are managed separately, so you are a critical link in ensuring both systems contain the correct information.

Coast Guard

• Contact your military branch’s Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within their Military Service before enrolling in the institution to find out what benefits are available to you.
• Notify your branch’s education office that you’ve been accepted to Rivier University and request Tuition Assistance authorization and/or any other education benefits paperwork.
• Visit the Coast Guard website for information and forms on tuition assistance applications.
• Send your Tuition Assistance authorization directly to the VA School Certifying Official.
• Once the Rivier VA School Certifying Official has reviewed your Tuition Assistance authorization, your academic advisor can enroll you in courses.

Marines

• Contact your military branch’s Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within their Military Service prior to enrolling in the institution to find out what benefits are available to you.
• Contact your Marine Corps Voluntary Education Center to receive educational counseling either in person or by phone. With your academic advisor, determine which courses will be requested for TA funding.
• Notify both your education officer and the VA School Certifying Official via email that all items have been uploaded and that appropriate entries have been made.
• To apply for Tuition Assistance electronically from any computer, complete a TA Application listing the course(s). Check with your institution to make sure the tuition amounts you listed are correct.
• Log in and open your existing application to view your approved class.
• Print and sign your TA voucher, then submit it to the Rivier University VA School Certifying Official.
• Once the Rivier VA School Certifying Official has reviewed your Tuition Assistance authorization, your academic advisor can assist you with enrolling in courses.

Navy

• Contact your military branch’s Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within their Military Service prior to enrolling in the institution to find out what benefits are available to you.
• Request Tuition Assistance.
• Navy — Find Navy tuition assistance instructions and forms.
• Get a copy of your Rivier Degree Program plan/evaluation and a Promissory note/Statement of Fees. These can be obtained from the Rivier VA School Certifying Official. Your promissory note or fee statement will detail the term dates, course information, and tuition and fees.
• Complete “My Education Plan,” then “Upload File.” (This is your Rivier University Degree Audit/ program evaluation.)
• WebTA will automatically send an approval notice to your commanding officer.
• Notify both your education officer and the Rivier VA School Certifying Official via email that all items have been uploaded and that appropriate entries have been made.
• Your education office will verify all facts and documents for final approval authority. Then your educational services officer (ESO) will send you an email authorizing your TA and directing you to log back into myeducation.netc.navy.mil.
• Print, sign, and submit your TA voucher to the Rivier University VA School Certifying Official.
• Once the Rivier VA School Certifying Official has reviewed your Tuition Assistance authorization, your academic advisor can assist you with enrolling in courses.

Military Spouses

• Contact your military branch’s Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within their Military Service prior to enrolling in the institution to find out what benefits are available to you.
• Upon acceptance to Rivier University, your academic advisor will work with you to register for classes.
• Let the VA School Certifying Official know and refer to the GI Bill® website regarding GI Bill® Transfers.

Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 Compliance

Under Title 38 US Code 3679 (e), with respect to any students using VA Education Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®) or Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA, Rivier University will not:

• Prevent the student’s enrollment.
• Assess a late penalty fee to the student.
• Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding.
• Deny the student’s access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee payments to the institution.

To qualify for this provision, such students may be required by the school to:

• Produce the VA’s Certificate of Eligibility or eBenefits entitlement summary by the first day of class.
• Provide a written request to be certified.
• Provide any additional information needed to certify the enrollment as described in Rivier’s policies properly.

However, Rivier University reserves the right to require additional payment or impose a late fee for the amount of tuition or fees due, which is the difference between the amount of the covered individual’s financial obligation and the amount of the VA education benefit disbursement.

• Once our VA School Certifying Official has reviewed your VA documentation, your academic advisor can assist in your course enrollment.
• Yellow Ribbon Program: Veterans who are receiving 100% tuition benefits may be eligible for funding under the Yellow Ribbon Program if they have met the maximum allowance set annually by the VA.
• Visit Financial Aid for information on tuition and fees, refund policy, and other financial information.
• Principles of Excellence (Shopping Sheet template): Students will receive a personalized Shopping Sheet upon admission or after applying for financial aid.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about VA education benefits is available on the official US government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.