The benefits under the new Post 9/11 GI Bill® vary greatly state-by-state. The bill covers the entire in-state undergraduate tuition and fees. The GI Bill®, for the 2021-2022 academic year, will cover $26,042.81 tuition for private schools. Southwestern will also aim to cover the cost of tuition through institutional awards and Yellow Ribbon benefits.

Veterans may also transfer all or part of their benefits to a dependent or spouse; although there are different rules for how these benefits can be used by dependents. For more information on the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, visit: http://www.gibill.va.gov/. Veterans must turn in all certification paperwork in order to receive their GI Bill® benefits.

[The Department of Veterans Affairs asks that the following notice appear after use of the term “GI Bill”: 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.]

In addition to tuition and fees, veterans may also receive a book stipend of $1,000/year and a monthly living stipend. The living allowance is based on the military Basic Allowance for Housing ranging from $667-$2,500 per month.

You can sign up for our payment plan which will assist you in monthly payments. The payment plan breaks the bill into a 10-month cycle with the first payment due in June.

Nadia Mahannah, Associate Registrar, is the VA School Certifying Official for Southwestern University.

Southwestern offers academic and outside assistance to all of our students. Our Center for Academic Success, Health and Counseling Services, and Student Life all provide services to help you transition into your role as a full-time student.

Jorge Carrizalez, in our Financial Aid Office, can help you with eligibility of other types of aid. Students receiving merit-based scholarships may find their award reduced as to not exceed the cost of attendance.

Yes, Southwestern is a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon program is a matching scholarship program between private schools and the VA. It exists to make attendance at private schools a possibility for Post 9/11 GI Bill® recipients. Institutions that voluntarily enter into a Yellow Ribbon Agreement with VA choose the amount of tuition and fees that will be contributed. VA will match that amount and issue payment directly to the institution.

Yellow Ribbon Application

We will award veterans with one upper-level FRA (fitness and recreational activity) credit and one lower-level FRA credit.

• Southwestern Veteran Association contact: Scott Sandoval (advisor)
• Hazlewood Act (for public schools only)
• Montgomery Bill and other GI Bill® Benefits
• Local VA resources