Resources for Veterans, Military Students, and Their Families
Fisher supports the educational goals of our veteran and military students. We offer support and guidance to administer financial benefits from the Veterans Administration or your military branch.
To be considered for additional financial assistance, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at FAFSA.gov each year by January 15. Full-time undergraduate students are required to complete the FAFSA.
Once you have received your acceptance to Fisher and submitted the FAFSA, a financial aid award offer will be generated for you. View the Financial Aid website for a timeline and checklist of the next steps in the financial aid process.
VA Benefits
If you are eligible for financial benefits from the Veterans Administration, contact the Fisher's Office of Veterans Affairs in Kearney 201. A copy of your Certificate of Eligibility is necessary to complete the application process.
Chapter 33
Post-9/11 GI Bill®
Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, Veterans may receive up to full tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance, and a yearly books and supplies stipend. It is anticipated that several hundred thousand veterans are eligible, and some benefits are transferable to spouses and children as well. Fisher requires undergraduate students eligible for Chapter 33 benefits to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually. For detailed information about the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and eligibility, veterans should contact the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Yellow Ribbon Program
Fisher is also a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which is an additional benefit authorized under the new Post-9/11 GI Bill®. This program, in combination with the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and other federal aid, may cover full tuition and fees for eligible veterans. The Yellow Ribbon Program at Fisher was recently expanded to include eligible undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. Please note that the Yellow Ribbon Program benefits cannot be combined with other Fisher tuition discounts. Questions about Fisher's participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program should be directed to the Office of Student Financial Services at (585) 385-8042.
Chapter 31
Vocational Rehabilitation is for disabled veterans. This is the most unique program and each school is assigned a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist to work with these students, and to assist the School Certifying Official. These disabled veterans go through a testing process to determine if they are eligible for the benefit. If eligible, the VA sends an authorization. Full tuition, fees, books, and in many cases, even parking are paid by the VA to the school. In addition, the student gets a monthly check depending on the training status.
Chapter 30
The Montgomery GI Bill is for individuals who have been on active duty since July 1, 1985 and paid into an education fund for one year.
Chapter 1606-1607
The Montgomery GI Bill - Selective Reserves (formerly chapter 106) is for individuals in the Selected Reserves or National Guard (not on active duty). They must be currently and actively drilling and under a 6-year contract. They are only eligible for benefits as long as they remain in the reserves.
Chapter 32
The Veterans Educational Assistance Program is the post-Vietnam era program. It is for individuals who served on active duty from January 1, 1977 to June 30, 1985. This program is sometimes called VEAP.
Chapter 35
The Dependents Educational Assistance Program is the only benefit for individuals without military service. It is for the dependents of a member of the Armed Forces who has died while on active duty or as the result of a service-connected disability, or is 100% permanently and totally disabled for a service-related reason. Dependents receive up to 45 months of full-time benefits. Children generally are eligible for benefits between the ages of 18 and 26, but in certain instances may begin before age 18 and continue beyond age 26.
Fisher recommends students:
- File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at FAFSA.gov.
- Contact Fisher's Department of Veterans Affairs at veteranservices@sjf.edu for information regarding enrollment and to address any questions.
- Submit your Educational Benefit Claim available on the Department of Veteran Affairs website.
- Submit your Certificate of Eligibility provided by the Department of Veteran Affairs detailing entitled educational benefit to Fisher's Department of Veterans Affairs at veteranservices@sjf.edu.
Military Tuition Assistance
The Military Tuition Assistance (TA) program is available to active duty, National Guard, and Reserve Component service members. To be eligible for TA, an enlisted service member must have enough time remaining in service to complete the course for which he or she has applied. After the completion of a course, an officer using TA must fulfill a service obligation that runs parallel with - not in addition to - any existing service obligation. The TA program will fund up to 100 percent of your college tuition and certain fees with the following limits:
- Not to exceed $250 per semester credit hour
- Not to exceed $4,500 per fiscal year, October 1 through September 30
Each military service branch and component has its own criteria for TA eligibility, military service obligation, application process, and restrictions. More information and a link to the application and procedures can be found on the Military OneSource website.
Fisher recommends students:
- First, speak with and gain the approval from your Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within your Military Service before enrolling to ensure you are eligible for TA. For more information, visit the military service branch website:
- Submit documentation of your approved TA to Fisher's Department of Veterans Affairs at veteranservices@sjf.edu.
Additional Veterans and Military Resources
Fisher's Offices of Veterans Affairs and Student Financial Services, both located in Kearney Hall, provide individual educational financial counseling to assist students in meeting their educational goals and financial needs. Students who have filed a FAFSA can access financial aid information on Fish’ R’ Net (login required).
Veterans Affairs
Phone: (585) 385-8015
Fax: (585) 385-7303
Email: veteranservices@sjf.edu
Student Financial Services
Phone: (585) 385-8042
Email: sfs@sjf.edu
Department of Veterans Affairs
Education (GI Bill): 1-888-442-4551
VA Benefits: 1-800-827-1000
Other resources: