Veteran Benefits

Seattle University contributes $14,750 and is equally matched by the VA, allowing access up to an additional $29,500 in aid above the Ch. 33 yearly tuition and fee cap. (120 spots) 

Seattle University contributes $5,000 and is equally matched by the VA, allowing up to an additional $10,000 in aid above the Ch. 33 yearly tuition and fee cap. (50 spots) 

Seattle University contributes $10,000 and is equally matched by the VA, allowing up to an additional $20,000 in aid above the Ch. 33 yearly tuition and fee cap. (10 spots) 

If you are eligible for Yellow Ribbon and are an institutional aid recipient, be aware you can only receive funding from one program at a time. You are only able to receive either Yellow Ribbon or institutional aid (ex. Merit scholarships, SU Grants) because Yellow Ribbon and institutional aid come from the same institutional source. We will always choose the option that is most financially beneficial for the student.  

For example, if you were to receive more in other institutional aid than Yellow Ribbon would offer, we would award you institutional aid. In this case, you would remain on the Yellow Ribbon ‘waitlist’; in case the other option becomes more beneficial. If VA educational benefits are exhausted, original institutional aid is reinstated. 

The Yellow Ribbon lists are separately maintained on a first-come, first-served basis for undergraduate, graduate, and MIT/LEMBA/DNP students. Once all of the spots fill up, a waiting list is started and monitored each quarter. If you are on the waiting list and still interested/able to receive Yellow Ribbon benefits when a spot opens, you will be notified (via an updated award letter) with the changes to your financial aid.  

In order to get on the list we (the school certifying officials) need two things: 

• Confirmation that you have been admitted to Seattle U and that you have confirmed acceptance; 
• A copy of your Certificate of Eligibility 

You can send all materials and questions about this process to va@seattleu.edu.  

To have a better understanding about how your money will be applied, please see the outline of a sample undergraduate bill below: 

**Additional fees may apply** 

Sample Bill

This table represents a sample undergraduate student bill, outlining fees and total cost. Additional fees may apply.

Post-9/11 GI Bill® pays up to the cap before any Yellow Ribbon funds apply.

Post-9/11 GI Bill® Ch. 33 and Yellow Ribbon funds do not cover Room or Meal Plan charges. Please see Housing & Meal plan options. 

Yes, Seattle University is a deemed approved school by the Veterans Administration. 

No. In Washington State some publicly funded state colleges and universities offer a tuition discount to veterans. While SU, as a private university, does not offer this discount, we are happy to assist you in utilizing any VA Educational Benefits that you may be eligible to receive.   

Yes, Seattle University has participated in the Yellow Ribbon program since 2009. Please contact va@seattleu.edu for information about available spots or waiting list options.

Yellow Ribbon is an accompaniment program. You must be eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Ch.33) at 100%, or the spouse using benefits of an active duty member, and have separated from the military with any status other than dishonorable. To be placed on the Yellow Ribbon waitlist you must first be admitted to Seattle University. We then need your Certificate of Eligibility addressed to the individual using benefits. 

No. All documents may be submitted to the VA Certifying Official via e-mail at va@seattleu.edu, regular mail or fax using the contact information found by clicking here. Documentation can also be dropped off, in person, at the front desk in the Student Financial Services Office.

The certifying officials do not have this information. Instead, contact the Department of Veterans Affairs directly at 1-888-442-4551 or go to the GI Bill^® website.

Most VA benefits are not considered when determining a student’s eligibility for Federal and State funding, but VA funding may affect institutional aid. To receive the most accurate information, veterans should contact Student Financial Services at 1-206-220-8020 to talk with or make an appointment to meet with the VA Certifying Official. 

No. Once you have submitted all your paperwork to Student Financial Services and have registered for a quarter, a VA School Certifying Official (SCO) will automatically review your courses for degree applicability. You will be contacted if any of courses are found not apply to your degree. An SCO will then automatically submit your quarterly certification to the Department of VA for processing.  Summer terms are not automatically certified, and students are required to submit the VA Summer Certification Request (e-form) if they want to use benefits. 

No, Student Financial Services will incorporate the anticipated amount of your VA Educational Benefits into your quarterly bill. You are only responsible for paying the portion of your bill not covered by your benefits or other types of financial aid by the tuition due date. If you are receiving Post 9-11 GI Bill® benefits you will not be assessed any financial penalties while the school waits to receive your anticipated tuition and fee payment from the VA. 

For the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters undergraduates need to enroll in at least 7 credits to be eligible to receive the BAH. Graduate students need to be enrolled in at least 4 credits. To receive the maximum amount of BAH you need to be at full-time status (12 credits for undergraduate; 6 credits for graduate). For courses taken during the Summer quarter please consult the Veteran Certification for Nonstandard Length Quarters (2011-01) or contact the VA SCO in the Office of the Registrar for clarification.

As an Institution of Higher Learning (IHL), Seattle University is approved to certify standard term dates as published in the Academic Calendar. Coursework that occurs outside of the dates of the term cannot be certified.  

Yes. A CAC reader is located in Seattle University's Office of Military Science which is located in the 13th Avenue Building (behind the Shell station on 12th).  Inquire at the front desk for assistance. 

A veteran cannot utilize federal Tuition Assistance benefits and certain VA Educational Benefits at the same time so first, find out if the Tuition Assistance you have is funded federally or by the state. If your Tuition Assistance is funded by the state, submit your paperwork to the VA School Certifying Official (SCO) at va@seattleu.edu for processing.

Please complete a Military Service Leave of Absence Request. As a Yellow Ribbon recipient called to active duty, you are no longer eligible to receive those funds.

When returning from active duty, please:

• Notify the Office of the Registrar of the date you plan to return to SU.
• Contact the VA School Certifying Official in Student Financial Services to find out how your VA Educational Benefits may be affected.

Submit your application for Veteran Education Benefits through va.gov; choose “Education and training”. The time it takes to receive this document may vary considerably. Therefore, we highly recommend that you apply well in advance of the beginning of the quarter to ensure SU has all necessary documentation required to process your benefits. Questions: Call VA Education at 1-888-442-4551.