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 at
Founder's Hall
827 W. Franklin Street, Room 103
PO Box 842520
Richmond, VA 23284-2520
Telephone: (804) 828-6166
Fax: (804) 828-8121
Email: jmchambl@vcu.edu
For Americorps Benefits, visit www.americorps.org 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 |
The deadline to submit a request for a FALL ONLY Federal Direct Loan is November 20, 2009 with the following exceptions.
| Group | Last Date |
| D1, D2, D3, D4, P4, PAC/MS | December 3, 2009 |
| DEH Jr, DEH Sr, D.5 | December 3, 2009 |
| M3, M4 | December 3, 2009 |
| D5, D6, D7 | December 10, 2009 |
| M1, M2 | December 10, 2009 |
The request must be received in the Loan Area by the dates specified. Please contact your counselor if you have any questions.
