Educational Benefits for Veterans and Their Families
Wesley Theological Seminary proudly supports U.S. veterans, spouses, and dependents through a variety of VA education benefits—including the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®, Montgomery G.I. Bill®, and the Yellow Ribbon Program. Our Registrar’s Office will help guide you through eligibility, certification, and enrollment so you can focus on your studies.
If you are a:
- Veteran of the United States military
- Spouse or dependent of a veteran
You might be eligible for educational funding through these programs:
Montgomery G.I. Bill (Chapter 30)
Post-9/11 G.I. Bill (Chapter 33)
Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance Bill (Chapter 35)
Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP, Chapter 1607)
Other programs sponsored by Veterans Affairs
If you are eligible for these benefits you must:
- Visit gibill.va.gov.
- Request a VA Certificate of Eligibility.
- Contact the Office of the Registrar at (202) 885-8650 or registrar@wesleyseminary.edu to establish a file and verify your enrollment to the VA.
- Wesley will then certify your semester/term enrollments.
Click on the tabs below for more specific information about VA educational benefits.
Post 9/11 G.I. Bill (Chapter 33)
Below is a summary on the process for the Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits and the general eligibility requirements. To fully determine your eligibility for this benefit, please contact the Department of Veterans Affairs directly at 888-442.4551.
This benefit is available for current service members and veterans (with an honorable discharge) with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 10, 2001 or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.
To qualify for the full benefit a veteran must have served at least 3 years of active duty after September 10, 2001. A percentage of the full benefit will be awarded based on the time served. The school will receive payment for tuition and fees directly from the VA based on your percentage of eligibility. Students are issued a book stipend and a monthly housing stipend while attending courses (if eligible) directly paid to the student from the VA, based on the percentage of eligibility and training time.
Post 9/11 GI Bill Policies:
Book Stipend:
The book stipend will pay up to $1,000 per year (100% eligibility and will be paid out in increments based on the amount of credit hours pursued and the percentage of eligibility. The book stipend is paid in a lump sum to the student directly once the enrollment certification has been processed by the VA.
Fees:
The Post 9/11 GI Bill will only cover fees that are directly associated with tuition and attendance. Fees that are not required are not covered by the Post 9/11 GI Bill such as parking registration fees, library fees, etc.
Housing:
Eligible students attending more than 1/2 time (5 credits for Masters, 3 credits for DMN) may qualify for a living stipend equal to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) amount. Students attending at least one course in a residential setting, with a combined training time of more than 1/2 time (5 credits for Masters, 3 credits for DMN) may qualify for the full housing stipend, to be paid according to the percentage of eligibility. Individuals enrolled in all online courses will be eligible for a monthly housing allowance equal to the 50% of the national average of all Basic Allowances for Housing, to be paid out according to the percentage of eligibility.
Effective August 1, 2018, the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, also known as the Forever GI Bill, goes into effect. This law removes the time-limit for using the Post-9/11 GI Bill for certain Veterans and dependents.
Yellow Ribbon Program (subset of Chapter 33)
If you are a:
- Retired and
- Non-active duty student
- With 100% eligibility as determined by the VA
You may be eligible to receive 100% coverage of all tuition/fees.
Wesley in concert with the VA makes up any remaining balance in tuition or fees that Chapter 33 funds have not already covered.
Presently there are 40 spaces authorized at Wesley, divided evenly between Master’s level and D.Min. students.
Active duty military are not eligible for the Yellow Ribbon subsidy toward tuition and fees.
Montgomery G.I. Bill (Chapter 30) and Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves
Below is a summary of the process for the Montgomery and Selected Reserves GI Bill benefits and their eligibility requirements. To fully determine your eligibility for either of these benefits, please contact the Department of Veteran Affairs directly at 888.442.4551.
- The Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) is available for veterans who began active duty service after June 30, 1985 and paid into the benefit at the beginning of their service.
- The Selected Reserves GI Bill (Chapter 1606) is available to members of the Selected Reserves with a 6 year commitment.
- Students are paid directly by the VA on a monthly basis while attending courses.
- Students must verify their enrollment on WAVE at the end of each month in order to receive their benefit payments.
Anticipated Expenses
Wesley’s cost of attendance depends on:
- Course load
- Living arrangements
Click here to view the estimated cost of attendance for the current academic year.
*Estimate does not include utilities. On campus housing includes utilities.