Resources

Veterans and Americorps Benefits

Veterans Benefits are for those who have served in the military, reserves or National Guard (some spouses and dependents may be eligible for these benefits as well). Americorps, a program of national and community service, provides funding for education in exchange for service.

How to Apply
For Veterans Benefits, contact the VCU Veterans Affairs Office.

For Americorps Benefits, visit www.americorps.gov to find out more information.

Eligibility Criteria
Veterans and their qualified dependents may be eligible for VA education benefits authorized under specific chapters of Title 38 of the U.S. Code. Each chapter has specific eligibility requirements. Only the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can determine your eligibility for VA education benefits; the VCU Veterans Affairs coordinator cannot determine your eligibility for VA education benefits.

Eligibility for AmeriCorps varies by program. Visit the Americorps Web site to find out more.

Treatment of Awards
For Federal Student Aid purposes, veterans' education benefits and Americorps benefits are treated as estimated financial assistance (resources) when calculating the student's eligibility for other financial aid. These benefits are not reported as income on the FAFSA.

Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill benefits and Americorps benefits are not included in estimated financial assistance when determining eligibility for subsidized federal student loans but they are included for unsubsidized federal student loans.

Noneducational veterans benefits are not counted as estimated financial assistance. Noneducational veterans benefits include Death Pension and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits, and income from the Veterans Affairs Student Work-Study Allowance Program (VASWSAP). The student must report these noneducational benefits as nontaxable income on the FAFSA.

Chapter 30 Example Independent Undergraduate Senior (maximum $10,500 loan eligibility - $5,500 subsidized, $5,000 unsubsidized)
Cost of Attendance	$18,168
Less: Expected Family Contribution	$630
Need Based Eligibility	$17,538
Need-based Aid Awarded
Pell Grant	$3,360
State Grant	$1,500
Subsidized Loan	$5,500
Total	$10,660
Remaining Need	$6,878
Determining Unsubsidized Loan Eligibility
Cost of Attendance	$18,168
Less: Expected Family Contribution	$630
Veterans Education Benefits	$7,550
Total	$9,988
Less Aid Already Awarded
Pell Grant	$3,660
State Grant	$1,500
Subsidized Loan	$5,500
Total	$10,660
Maximum Unsubsidized Loan Eligibility	$0
Total Resources and Aid
Pell Grant	$3,660
State Grant	$1,500
Subsidized Loan	$5,500
Veterans Education Benefits	$7,550
Total Resources and Aid Awarded	$18,210

Chapter 1605 Example Independent Undergraduate Senior (maximum $10,500 loan eligibility - $5,500 subsidized, $5,000 unsubsidized)
Cost of Attendance	$18,168
Less: Veterans Benefits	$7,550
Maximum Financial Aid	$10,618
Cost of Attendance	$18,168
Less: Expected Family Contribution	$630
Less: Veterans Benefits	$7,550
Need Based Eligibility	$9,988
Aid Awarded
Pell Grant	$3,660
State Grant	$1,500
Subsidized Loan	$4,828
Unsubsidized Loan	$630
Total Financial Aid	$10,618
Veterans Education Benefits	$7,550
Total Resources and Aid	$18,168