Pillars
This pillar provides grant assistance for unexpected or uncovered costs associated with academic coursework, in the following categories.
- Prior Learning: For partial or full credit charges awarded through a prior learning assessment, you can apply for up to $1,000.
- Lab-Related Fees: For costs associated with required labs for UMGC academic programs (when book/supplies stipends are insufficient or unavailable), you can apply for up to $500.
VA benefits do not cover the costs associated with transferring experiential learning credits awarded after a portfolio assessment or remedial classes taken in an online format. UMGC will recoup award funds for any dropped classes or 'FN' grades.
This pillar provides grant assistance for unexpected or uncovered costs associated with completing your UMGC degree, in the following categories.
- Out-of-State Chapter 30: To cover the cost difference relative to in-state tuition if you are a student veteran who is enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, pays out-of-state tuition, and receives Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill® benefits, you can apply for up to $3,000.
- Out of State Chapter 33: To cover the cost difference relative to in-state tuition if you are a student veteran who pays out-of-state tuition, receives Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, and is not eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, you can apply for up to $3,000.
- Final Semester: For costs associated with your last semester if you have exhausted your Federal financial aid and VA entitlement and are enrolled in the final courses you need to complete your program, you can apply for up to $3,000.
- Accessibility: For fees and tuition recoupment and/or housing allowance benefit recoupment by the VA if you are a student veteran withdrawing from a course due to reasons of mental health or other issues associated with accessibility, you can apply for up to $3,000. This is a one-time only award.
- VA Top-Up: For costs associated with tuition and fees when Tuition Assistance and VA Top-Up are insufficient, you can apply for up to $1,000.
- Persistence: For costs associated with tuition and fees if you have exhausted your VA entitlement and other available FAFSA grant-based aid funds, you can apply for up to $1,500.
- Relocation: For costs associated with increased tuition and fees due to relocation from a UMGC overseas division to stateside, you can apply for up to $1,000. This is a one-time only award.
UMGC will recoup award funds for any dropped classes or FN grades, with possible exceptions for those applying under the Accessibility category.
GI Bill is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available on the U.S. government GI Bill website.
This pillar provides grant assistance for unexpected or uncovered costs associated with transitioning to a new career, in the following category.
- Internship: For supplementary income if you are actively participating in an internship program, you can apply for up to $3,000.
Award Details
Veterans Assistance Fund grants are awarded on an annual basis unless noted otherwise, and you must reapply each year if you want to continue receiving assistance.
Once you complete and send in your application and supplemental documentation, it will be reviewed by the Veterans Assistance Fund selection committee within 10 business days and you will be informed of your application's acceptance, acceptance with modified award amount, or denial. There is no appeal process once you receive your decision, but you may apply again if your circumstances have changed or in the next academic year.
If you are chosen to receive an award, you will be informed when the funds are disbursed to your student account.
Contributing to the Veterans Assistance Fund
If you are a student, graduate, staff member, or faculty member or are otherwise interested in contributing to the educational experience of our student veterans, you can make a donation to the Veterans Assistance Fund by visiting the UMGC Veterans Donation Campaign webpage. All proceeds will go toward our goal of ensuring the academic and professional success of student veterans at UMGC.
The number of students who can be served by the Veterans Assistance Fund is subject to the availability of funds. The fund is sustained by continual contributions from students, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of UMGC. Those who benefit from the fund are encouraged to contribute to the fund once they complete their education, assisting those who may face similar struggles.