How to Apply

Veterans and their dependents are welcome to apply to our undergraduate and graduate programs. There is no application fee. We encourage you to visit campus speak directly with your admissions counselor to get started.

Please note that St. John’s undergraduates explore our Great Books curriculum in a shared four-year experience, so transfer credits from other colleges and universities are not accepted from any applicant. St. John’s adheres to the National Association for College Admission Counseling’s Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission and complies with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 (38 USC 3679(e)).

Once you have been admitted to the college, you will need to send a copy of your VA Certificate of Eligibility or Tuition Assistance Authorization Form to the Financial Aid Office. A notification of your benefit eligibility will be sent to the Office of the Registrar. See more information on VA benefits.

Education Benefits to Cover the Cost of College for the Military

Education benefits are available for veterans, active military personnel, and their eligible dependents. They often will cover all or part of the cost of St. John’s. These programs have different benefits packages and eligibility requirements, and students may only use one at a time.

• Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
• Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30)
• Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)
• Survivors and Dependents Benefits (Chapter 35)
• Vocational Benefits (Chapter 31)
• DoD Tuition Assistance Program—This program provides eligible active duty service members to obtain tuition assistance from their military branch as administered by the Department of Defense

Importantly, St. John’s participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program through which additional financial assistance supplements the base educational benefits provided by Chapter 33.

The Yellow Ribbon Program provides a dollar-for-dollar match of institutional aid given to eligible veterans. Only veterans eligible for Chapter 33 at the 100% tier (or their designated transferees) may receive this funding. Yellow Ribbon is available once the VA CH33 base is exhausted for the year (August 1–July 31).

St. John’s College values military service and provides Yellow Ribbon funding to every qualified applicant who is accepted and matches VA funding to cover the entire cost of tuition and fees at St. John’s. Learn more about Yellow Ribbon benefits.

For more information on applying for these benefits, visit the VA website. Chapter 33 provides up to 36 months (4 regular school years) of education benefits to eligible service members (Active Duty, Guard and Reserve) and Veterans who have served at least 90 days on active duty since 9/10/2001. Benefits include paid tuition and fees, a stipend for books and a monthly housing allowance. Benefits are tiered based on number of days on active duty and can be transferred to spouse or family member in certain circumstances.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Once you have been admitted to the college, you will need to send a copy of your VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or Tuition Assistance Authorization Form to the Financial Aid Office. Students do not need to submit a COE each term, unless students’ eligibility (chapter, percent of eligibility or months of eligibility) changes. Your School Certifying Official is located in the Financial Aid Office and can assist with any questions you may have.

In addition to the COE or Tuition Assistance Authorization Form, students are encouraged to apply for financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA code for Annapolis is 002092 and Santa Fe is 002093.

Before enrolling, you must receive approval from an Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within the Military Service.

After you are enrolled:

• Each term the enrollment and tuition information for students receiving Chapter 33 education benefits are reported to the VA.
• Enrollment certifications can only be submitted for the term in which the student is or was enrolled at St. John’s. The college cannot certify a student or report on the Enrollment Manager database if credits were taken elsewhere.
• Any changes in enrollment such as add/drops, withdrawals or separations, unsatisfactory progress, disciplinary actions, failing grades, incomplete grades, changes to tuition and fees, etc. are required to be reported to the VA.
• Changes in enrollment as indicated above may affect the total amount of benefits a student receives, and may result in the student being liable for an over payment and/or be responsible to return the money to the VA. The VA will not pay for repeated courses or for courses which are audited.
• After Registration attendance certification is reported, the VA will then review and process the claim and disburse the student’s benefits accordingly.
• As of August 1, 2021, Chapter 33 students must verify enrollment status each month to continue receiving their monthly housing allowance. “Opt in” to text messaging or call 1-888-442-4551 to verify: benefits.va.gov/gibill/isaksonroe/verification_of_enrollment.asp.

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679(e), St. John’s College adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 G.I. Bill (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from VA. The college 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 access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:

• Produce the VA COE by the first day of class;
• Provide a written request to be certified;
• Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.

More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Visit St. John’s College

The best way to experience St. John’s is to schedule a visit to our campuses in Annapolis, Maryland, or Santa Fe, New Mexico.

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