Veteran Services

To receive the MN GI Bill®, you must meet eligibility requirements such as being a Minnesota resident and attending an institution within the state. The Metro State University Financial Aid Office will assess your application and determine the funding amount you can receive each term.

Any amount of aid you receive through other programs, such as the Pell Grant, state grants, and federal military or veterans’ education benefits will be factored in when calculating your MN GI Bill® award. Your award amount is based on whether you are enrolled as a full-time or part-time student.

Each academic year, you can receive up to $5,000, with a lifetime maximum of $15,000.

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs will verify your eligibility and you may be contacted to provide additional documentation such as your DD214 or other discharge documents.

Metro State University Financial Aid Office uses the FAFSA to determine your aid award amounts and will notify you if you qualify.

You must apply for this benefit every year, and retroactive awards are not allowed. If you want to use the MN GI Bill® to pay for courses in a given semester, you have to apply before that semester ends.

You can currently be taking courses and then apply for the MN GI Bill® to pay the costs as long as you do so before the semester ends, however, it’s best to submit your application before classes begin.

If you have questions, you can email VeteranEdBenefit@metrostate.edu for help.

The Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) Program funding is maxed out at $250 per semester credit hour or $4,000 per year to cover up to 16 credits.

Nearly all active duty, Reserve, and Guard members are eligible for FTA. However, each service branch determines eligibility which can limit access to this program.

Learn about the application procedures for military services:

• Air Force
• Army
• Coast Guard
• Marines
• Navy

Students serving in the Minnesota National Guard can receive state tuition reimbursement in addition to federal benefits through the Minnesota State Reimbursement program.

Application processes and maximum funds awarded vary from state to state. For details on other states' benefits, contact your unit for more information.

Please refer to the Veterans Affairs webpage for questions referring to your monthly housing allowance, should you qualify for one. Note: Active-duty service members and their spouses aren't eligible for MHA. Metro State University does not have access to this information. If you have questions, please contact 888.442.4551. Hours of operation: 7 a.m.–6 p.m. CT, Monday–Friday.

Note: If you take at least one class in person or hybrid while taking other online learning classes, you may be eligible for the higher resident MHA. Please refer to the link below for more information.

Whenever you add or drop classes, you have to submit the Schedule Changes Form to notify Veterans Affairs that your credit status has changed. This also applies if you decide to take courses during summer sessions.

If you’re totally and permanently disabled, you may qualify for a discharge of your federal student loans and/or Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant service obligation.

You can also apply for a variety of scholarships. Explore all your options for financial aid and make a plan for how you’ll pay for college.