Veteran Benefits
Contact Information
GI Bill benefit eligibility, application, and payment information:
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
1-888-GI BILL1 (1-888-442-4551)
www.gibill.va.gov
Yellow ribbon program eligibility and enrollment certifications:
Donna Dubrawski
Veterans Affairs Certifying Official and Assistant Registrar, Fast Track and Graduate Special Programs
781-239-5438
Getting Started
Students/veterans must first apply for educational benefits through the VA. Upon review of the completed application, the VA will determine the veterans’ eligibility and, if eligible, will issue a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Students using the educational benefits must submit a copy of the COE to the Babson College VA Certifying Official. Students must be matriculated and enrolled in a VA approved program at Babson.
Students do not need to submit a COE each semester. A new COE only needs to be submitted if the students’ eligibility information (chapter, percent eligibility, months of eligibility) changes. Any questions about applying for the GI Bill or eligibility should be directed to the VA.
GI Bills/Education Benefit Programs
Eligible students are entitled to receive benefits under a particular GI Bill or program and chapter. A comprehensive comparison of education programs can be found on the GI Bill website: www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/Benefit_Comparison_Chart.htm.
Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (MGIB-AD; Chapter 30), Vocational Rehabilitation for Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities (Chapter 31), Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP; Chapter 32), Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA)/Survivors and Dependents (Chapter 35), Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR; Chapter 1606), or Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP; Chapter 1607)
Students are paid a fixed rate for each month they are enrolled and make satisfactory progress. The monthly benefit rate varies and is based on chapter eligibility, type of training and enrollment status, length of service, and kickers. Payment is sent directly to the student. Rates can be found at the following link: www.gibill.va.gov/resources/benefits_resources/rate_tables.html.
Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) became effective on August 1, 2009 and was modified in January of 2011 with provisions taking affect over the subsequent months. The veteran’s length of service determines the benefit level (percent eligibility).
Service Requirements
Individuals serving an aggregate period of active duty after September 10, 2001 of: |
Percentage Of Maximum Benefit Payable |
At least 36 months |
100% |
At least 30 continuous days and discharged due to service connected disability |
100% |
At least 30 months, but less than 36 months |
90% |
At least 24 months, but less than 30 months |
80% |
At least 18 months, but less than 24 months |
70% |
At least 12 months, but less than 18 months |
60% |
At least 6 months, but less than 12 months |
50% |
At least 90 days, but less than 6 months |
40% |
Tuition and Fees Payments
Effective October 1, 2011, non-college degree programs benefits are capped at $17,500 for private institutions per academic year (net cost policy applies). Annual caps and actual payments are pro-rated based on percentage of eligibility.
Effective August 1, 2011, caps on tuition and fee benefits paid to eligible veterans and other qualified recipients will no longer be determined on a state-by-state basis. For private colleges, the tuition and fee reimbursement/payment is capped at the lesser of net out-of-pocket costs or $17,500 per academic year (2011-2012 rate). Annual caps and actual payments are prorated based on benefit level (percent eligibility).
Books and Supplies Stipend
Effective October 1, 2011, students on active duty who are enrolled in a degree program are eligible to receive the books and supplies stipend. Benefits are prorated based on percentage of eligibility. Prior to October 1, 2011, active duty students were not eligible for the books and supplies stipend.
Effective October 1, 2011 the books and supplies stipend for the non-college degree programs is capped at $83 per month. Benefits are pro-rated based on percentage of eligibility.
For the 2011-2012 academic years, the VA pays $41.67 per credit for up to 24 credits or $1,000.00 per academic year. The start date of the enrollment period determines the academic year the enrollment belongs to. The VA defines an academic year as August 1 through July 31. The stipend is prorated based on the student’s benefit level (percent eligibility).
Monthly Housing Allowance
Monthly housing allowance payment amounts are based on the Department of Defense’s Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for an “E-5 with dependents” for the zip code of the school. BAH rates can be found at the following website: www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/bah.html.
Effective October 1, 2011, the monthly housing allowance is now payable to students (other than those on active duty) enrolled in educational programs taught solely through distance learning and enrolled at a rate of pursuit greater than 50% (enrolled more than half-time). This housing allowance is equal to one-half of the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents. This rate is not tied to the location of the student or the school. The housing allowance is also prorated based on rate of pursuit and percent eligibility. The full-time rate for an individual eligible at the 100% eligibility tier would be $673.50 for 2011. This rate is not tied to the location of school.
Effective August 1, 2011, to be eligible for the monthly housing allowance, students must be enrolled more than half-time (rate of training/pursuit must be more than 50%) and enrolled in at least one in-residence/on-campus course. Active duty members and their spouses are not eligible for the housing allowance; however, the children of active duty members are eligible. Students are no longer paid a housing allowance, nor are months of eligibility used, in between semesters unless due to an Executive Order of the President or due to an emergency situation. The VA only pays the monthly housing allowance for the days in which the student actually attends/is certified for the month.
The monthly housing allowance is prorated based on rate of pursuit and is rounded to the nearest tenth. For example, an individual with a rate of pursuit of 75% would receive 80% of the applicable BAH rate; an individual with a rate of pursuit of 54% would receive 50% of the applicable BAH rate. The housing allowance is also prorated based on percent eligibility.
Yellow Ribbon Program
Babson College participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision under the Post-9/11 GI Bill that allows colleges and universities to voluntarily enter into an annual agreement with the VA to fund the tuition and fees cost that exceeds the basic tuition and fees amount payable by the VA. If a school participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, the VA will match each dollar the school contributes up to 50% of the difference between the tuition and fees amount payable by the VA and the tuition and fees amount charged to the student. The combined school and VA contribution cannot exceed the tuition and fees amount charged to the student.Academic Year |
Maximum Number Of Students |
Babson Maximum Contribution |
2011-2012 |
Twenty (20) |
$5,000.00 |
2010-2011 |
Fifteen (15) |
$5,000.00 |
2009-2010 |
Ten (10) |
$5,000.00 |
Students must be 100% eligible under the Post-9/11 GI Bill to qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Veterans and their spouses and children (if transfer of entitlement) who are 100% eligible qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Active duty members and their spouses (if transfer of entitlement) are not eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, but the children of active duty members who are 100% eligible do qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon Program has limited availability and is not guaranteed.
A comprehensive explanation of the Yellow Ribbon Program is available on VA’s website at: www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/Yellow_ribbon.htm.
Yellow Ribbon Program Policies and Procedures
Students are admitted into the Yellow Ribbon Program at Babson on a first-come-first-served basis upon receipt of a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and acceptance into a Babson degree program. Students who are currently enrolled at Babson only need to submit a Certificate of Eligibility. After the maximum number of students eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program at Babson has been reached, additional eligible students are added to a waitlist, which is also on a first-come-first-served basis upon receipt of a Certificate of Eligibility and acceptance into a Babson degree program.
Students who participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program at Babson must follow the procedures and guidelines as established. They must remain in good academic standing, maintain continuous enrollment at Babson, and have remaining entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill in order to continue receiving benefits and retain a space in the program. Students should consult the Undergraduate or Graduate Student Handbook for details regarding academic policies (good academic standing). Students do not need to apply to the Yellow Ribbon Program each year so long as that student meets the aforementioned requirements. Babson reserves the right to discontinue participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program at any point.
The policies and guidelines outlined below require all eligible Yellow Ribbon Program students, regardless of placement, to be enrolled by the end of the add/drop period for each semester in order to take advantage of the program. Policies and procedures are subject to change.
A student who is eligible to receive Yellow Ribbon Program benefits, submits the required Certificate of Eligibility, and is accepted into a Babson degree program but does not elect to enroll at Babson will be removed from the applicable list and his/her COE will be discarded.
A student who permanently separates from Babson for reasons including, but not limited to, graduation and college withdrawal will be removed from the awarded list or the waitlist, depending on placement.
A student who is approved for a temporary separation from Babson for reasons including, but not limited to, leave of absence, deferment, or suspension will be moved to the end of the waitlist regardless of current placement. If the student has not reenrolled at Babson after one year from the date of the approved separation then that student will be removed from the waitlist.
The exception to this policy is if a student participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program at Babson is called to active duty. An eligible student who is called to and then returns from active duty will receive highest priority for the next available Yellow Ribbon Program space, as long as the student reenrolls within six months of the date of release from active duty. A waitlisted student who is called to active duty will regain the last placement that he/she held, as long as the student reenrolls within six months of the date of release from active duty. In either instance, the student must notify us of his/her return by sending a copy of the DD Form 214 – Discharge Papers and Separation Documents to Babson’s VA Certifying Official and follow all other procedures for returning to Babson as outlined in the Undergraduate and Graduate Student Handbooks.
A student who discontinues enrollment at Babson without an approved separation will be moved to the end of the waitlist regardless of current placement. If the student has not reenrolled at Babson prior to the last day of the semester in which the student is not enrolled then that student will be removed from the waitlist. A student who is not enrolled in the summer semester at Babson will not be repositioned unless enrollment in the summer semester is part of the program curriculum.
A space may open up if an awarded student discontinues enrollment at Babson. Examples include, but are not limited to: graduation, college withdrawal, leave of absence, deferment, and suspension. If a space opens up, the first student on the waitlist will secure that space and each student thereafter will move up one space on the waitlist. In the event that a student who is to secure an open space in the program is not enrolled at Babson then that space will go to the next eligible student.
All students admitted into the Yellow Ribbon Program at Babson College must remain in good academic standing, maintain continuous enrollment at Babson, and have months of eligibility remaining under the Post-9/11 GI Bill in order to continue receiving benefits and retain a seat in the program. The student should consult the Undergraduate or Graduate Student Handbook for details about academic policies (good academic standing). Babson reserves the right to discontinue participation in the program at any point. Students do not need to apply to the Yellow Ribbon Program at Babson each year so long as that student meets the aforementioned requirements.
Study Abroad
Students on study abroad who are enrolled in courses that will meet degree/graduation requirements may be eligible to receive educational benefits. The programs at the host school in the foreign country must be approved. For chapter 33 students, the VA will pay, as eligible, the home school’s tuition and fees, books and supplies, and the monthly housing allowance based on the home school’s address. The VA will not pay for costs related to travel or third party charges.
Enrollment Certifications
Each semester, the enrollment for each eligible, enrolled student is reported to the VA after the add/drop deadline. Enrollment certifications can only be submitted for semesters in which the student is/was enrolled at Babson. Enrollment will continue to be reported so long as the student is eligible, enrolled, and has months of eligibility remaining or unless otherwise requested by the student. Babson cannot certify or report enrollment for credit taken elsewhere. Only courses that satisfy degree requirements can be certified. Any changes in enrollment, such as add/drops, withdrawals or separations, unsatisfactory progress, disciplinary actions, and certain grades are reported to the VA. Changes to enrollment may affect the total amount of benefits a student receives and/or result in the student being liable for an overpayment.
Payment Information
After enrollment is reported, the VA will then process the claim and disburse the student’s benefits accordingly. Payments for chapter 33 benefits, excluding the monthly housing allowance and the books/supplies stipend, are sent directly to the Student Financial Services office at Babson electronic funds transfer (EFT). The payment will be posted on the student’s account. Payments received from the VA are applied directly to an account balance; if there is no outstanding balance, students may request a refund or leave a credit on the account. The books and supplies stipend and the monthly housing allowance are sent directly to the student. Payments for all other chapters are sent directly to the student.
A student receiving VA educational benefits may be responsible to pay tuition, fees, and other applicable expenses up front and may be responsible for any remaining balance once benefits are received.