Registrar
Veterans and Military Dependents
Southwestern welcomes the opportunity to partner with the Veterans Administration to administer the following VA education benefits to support Veterans and military dependents who wish to attend as full-time students.
Using Your VA Education Benefits at SU
New Students: complete the following forms
Refer to the checklist below for information about required documents and helpful links to the VA website. If you have questions, please contact our School Certifying Official Nadia Mahannah.
CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE CHECKLIST
Currently Enrolled Students: submit a request to certify each semester
Financial Aid College Financing Plan
As part of our commitment to the Principles of Excellence, Southwestern University provides a personalized College Financing Plan to all prospective service members, veterans, and their dependents. The College Financing Plan helps you make informed decisions about your education by outlining total cost of attendance, VA education benefits, financial aid package, net cost, education tax benefits and loan amounts. Students may access their individualized plan within their Self Service portal. Students are encouraged to submit the FAFSA for consideration of financial aid.
Types of VA Education Benefits
Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill®
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® is for veterans and eligible dependents who meet one of the following requirements on or after 9/11/2001: Served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty; or, Received a Purple Heart, and honorably discharged; or, Were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability after at least 30 continuous days; or, Dependent child or spouse using benefits transferred by a qualifying Veteran or Service Member. This benefit includes the following:
- Tuition and fees payment: Up to $30,908.34 for 2026-2027
- A Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) based on school location
- Books and supplies stipend: Up to $1,000 per academic year
- Up to 36 months of education benefits
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill .
Chapter 33 - Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship)
The Fry Scholarship provides essential education benefits to the children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty while on active duty after 9/11/2001. Eligible beneficiaries receive up to 36 months of benefits at the 100% level, providing tuition and fees payments up to $30,908.34 for 2026-27, a monthly housing allowance (MHA) payment based on school location, and a books and supplies stipend up to $1000 per academic year.
Yellow Ribbon Program
As a Yellow Ribbon Program school, Southwestern University has partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help cover tuition and fee charges that exceed the standard Post-9/11 GI Bill® limit. For eligible students using CH 33 at the 100% benefit level, Southwestern will contribute a set amount toward your tuition, and the VA will match that amount, significantly reducing or eliminating out-of-pocket costs for private college tuition costs not covered by the Post 9/11 GI Bill®.
Chapter 31 - Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E)
The Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) program is designed to assist service-disabled veterans in transitioning to civilian employment, often funding tuition, books, and supplies for approved degree or training programs. Requires approval by the VR&E Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. Our school certifying official is here to assist with the authorization process.
Chapter 35 - Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program provides a monthly payment towards education and training opportunities to eligible spouse or child dependents of a Veteran who is permanently and totally disabled, or who passed away, due to a service-connected event.
* Please note: Southwestern does not participate in the Texas Hazlewood Act.
Veteran Support Resources
Local Veteran Support Resources is a list of community resources for veterans in Georgetown and Central Texas.
Make the Connection is a mental health resource comprised of hundreds of videos of Veterans sharing their personal stories of mental health recovery. Every branch of service is represented, Veterans from WWII forward bravely sharing what worked for them. Make the Connection was created because VA knows that Veterans like to hear what worked for other Veterans. Whether a Veteran is looking to take the next step — or the first step — on their path to a healthier life, together we can let them know that mental health treatment works, and recovery is possible.
The Veteran Training website offers access to free courses including sleep issues, problem solving, parenting, anger management and more.
External Scholarship Opportunities
External Scholarship Opportunities - The scholarship, grant, and loan information provided in this document is for informational and reference purposes only. While Southwestern University strives to maintain accurate and current listings, the inclusion of any external organization, website link, or program does not constitute an official endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee by the University. Southwestern University is not affiliated with these third-party providers and has no control over their application processes, selection criteria, or award decisions.
If you find a broken link or believe a listed organization is no longer active, please contact the VA SCO Nadia Mahannah so we can update this resource for your fellow students.
External Mentorship & Support Opportunities
Southwestern University is committed to your success beyond the classroom by providing these External Mentorship and Support Opportunities tailored for military-affiliated students and their families. This directory connects you with specialized national programs offering professional career mentorship, holistic workforce development, and intensive academic transition workshops designed to bridge the gap between military service and higher education. By engaging with these external resources, you can access personalized coaching, networking with industry leaders, and skill-building kits that empower you to translate your unique experiences into a distinct advantage in both your studies and your future career. While Southwestern University strives to maintain accurate and current listings, the inclusion of any external organization, website link, or program does not constitute an official endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee by the University. Southwestern University is not affiliated with these third-party providers and has no control over their application processes, or selection criteria for participation.
ROTC Crosstown Opportunity
Southwestern University maintains a Crosstown Participation Agreement with the University of Texas at Austin Air Force ROTC (Detachment 825), allowing our students to pursue a commission as an officer in the U.S. Air Force or Space Force while completing their degree at Southwestern. Through this partnership, students attend their academic classes on our campus while traveling to UT Austin for military leadership courses, laboratories, and physical training. This agreement ensures that Southwestern students have full access to the premier leadership development, scholarship opportunities, and professional training of the Air Force ROTC program. Questions may be directed to Brett Cook, the Outreach Coordinator for Military Programs. Mr. Cook will guide you through your application process and answer any questions you might have.
Southwestern University Contacts
Nadia Mahannah: Associate Registrar & VA School Certifying Official
Jake Harp: Assistant Director of Transfer Admission
Nathan Tong: Financial Aid Counselor