Veteran Student Life

The University of Maryland is proud to offer an undergraduate college application fee waiver for members of the U.S. Armed Forces. This initiative allows veterans and current service members to apply for free through the Coalition’s online application. If you are interested in applying for undergraduate admissions, email ApplyMaryland@umd.edu or call 301-314-8377.

“Tips for Going to College as a Military Veteran ” by Cole Claybourn - A very comprehensive article outlining the general process a veteran should follow when going through the college application process.

Freshman and Transfer Applicants

Applicants with a minimum of 12 semester hours or 18 quarter hours at a regionally accredited college or university are classified as transfer students. Many veteran applicants meet this criteria; however, it is essential that the applicant check which prior courses will receive transfer credit. 

If you are considering applying to the University of Maryland as a transfer student, go here to the University of Maryland's admissions website and carefully read the transfer student policies. 

Credit Transfer

Credit transfer is done by the Transfer Credit Center.  Incoming students with transfer credits are advised to contact the Transfer Credit Center as soon as possible. We also encourage you to take a look at the Transfer Credit FAQs.

Additionally, you may contact transfer advisors at pretransferadvising@umd.edu for assistance in planning your transfer and visit their website at pretransferadvising.umd.edu. The University of Maryland does not automatically accept credit from service-related academic institutions or service-related training.

Limited Enrollment Programs (LEP)

Many veterans are interested in majors like Criminal Justice or Engineering that are Limited Enrollment Programs.  Limited Enrollment Programs are competitive majors at the University of Maryland that control enrollment numbers to maintain program quality. Once a student has earned 45 credits, the student must have successfully completed a specific set of courses called "gateway" requirements.

Transfer students from other institutions apply to LEP's through the general application for admission to the University by indicating the major(s) of interest. With the single application for transfer admission, students are first admitted to the University and then to Limited Enrollment Program majors based on LEP standards.

All prospective students wishing to use Tuition Assistance are directed to receive approval from their Education Service Officer (ESO), military counselor, or service representative.

Army, Army Reserves, and Army National Guard

• Soldiers’ TA enrollment requests must be submitted and approved prior to the course start date; any enrollments requested on or after the class start date will be approved as Soldier funded.
• TA is requested on a course-by-course basis, and each course must be part of an approved degree program.
• Armyignited will notify the Soldier, whether the TA is approved or not. If the TA request is not approved, Armyignited will advise the Soldier of the reason and next steps.
• All drops/withdrawals must take place through Armyignited. Soldiers who do not successfully complete a class will be required to repay the TA. Soldiers who are unable to successfully complete a class due to military reasons must request a Withdrawal for Military Reasons through Armyignited and complete all required steps to ensure that they will not be charged.
• If the Soldier wishes to take a class with a school that does not participate in the electronic Armyignited class schedule, a TA Request Authorization form must be completed in Armyignited. The TA Request Authorization will be routed to an Army Education Counselor to be reviewed and approved. Soldiers should allow extra time for this. If the TA Request Authorization is approved, the Soldier will be notified by email. Soldiers must print the approved TA Request Authorization form in Armyignited, provide it to the school and enroll directly with the school.

Navy and Marine Corps

• Contact your Voluntary Education Center to receive educational counseling either in person or by phone. With your academic advisor, determine which courses will be requested for TA funding.
• Complete a TA Application in WebTA listing course(s). Check with your institution to make sure the amounts for tuition you listed are correct. Fees cannot be paid using TA funds.
• Start your application 60 days in advance of the term start date. You can submit your TA even before finishing your enrollment in the course at your school.
• To apply for Tuition Assistance electronically from any computer:
  • Navigate to the Navy College Program website
  • Select the MyEducation portal
  • Login with CAC or DEERS Information
• Every TA application MUST be Command Approved prior to being forwarded to the Voluntary Education Center for final approval.

Air Force and Air National Guard

• You must apply for TA online using the Air Force Virtual Education Center. This can be done through the Air Force Portal and then logging in.
• All TA Funding Requests must be approved by supervisors, via the Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC), and fall within the TA application window of 45 calendar days prior to, and no later than 7 calendar days before, the term start date.
• Any TA not "supervisor" approved by prescribed start dates will be auto-deleted and a notification sent to the prospective student.

Coast Guard

• Complete Tuition Assistance Counseling Worksheet (ETQC-4147-2)
• Submit electronically using WebTA or ask your ESO  for TA form (ETQC-4147), it is accepted on a case by case basis. WebTA is the Navy's tuition assistance system and is accessed through the My Education Portal. NAVY Shared Authentication Service Website.
  • You fill out the online application at NKO which is then sent to your ESO for review and approval.
    • Your ESO reviews and approves the application which is then sent to ETQC for processing.
    • CG ETQC processes the application and the TA Authorization is sent to you via email (if your email address is correct in DA). If you don't receive the Authorization within 14 days, you can ask your ESO to contact the ETQC-VE division at ETQC-SMB-TAG@uscg.mil or via phone at (757) 366-6578.\
    • How do I fill out the application?
      • The Voluntary Education for Sea Services (WebTA) for the Member SOP has step-by-step procedures for filling out the application.
• Apply with the Application for TA Form (CG-4147)
• Download the Application for Coast Guard Tuition Assistance (ETQC-4147) and save it to your computer.
• Once the form is complete, email it to your ESO for review and approval. All applications, corrections, cancellations must go through your ESO. In addition, member needs to submit supporting documentation to the ESO along with the ETQC-4147 (i.e assessment, verification of enrollment, cost and type of fees claimed, and cost of tuition).
• Keep a copy of the form for your records.
• Your ESO reviews and approves the application which is then sent to CG ETQC for processing.
• CG Institute processes the application and the TA Authorization is sent to your ESO and to you via email (if your email is correct in DA). If you don't receive the Authorization within 14 days, ask your ESO for a copy.
• How do I fill out the application?
  • The form contains detailed instructions for completion. Nearly 40% of TA applications sent to CG ETQC contain errors - these slow down the processing of your request. Be sure you read the instructions, fill out the form completely and proof your application. Ask your ESO if you have questions.
    • Check the DoD MOU website under Participating Institutions to make sure your college is eligible for CG TA.
    • Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements.
    • Take a look at the common errors when completing the application.
    • Allow enough lead time. TA is paid directly to the college, so you want them to receive payment before the class begins. TA can be applied for up to 3 month prior to course start date.
    • Be sure you read the Statement of Agreement/Understanding on page 2 of the form. Understand that by signing the form, you agree to all the terms outlined in the Statement of Agreement.

Tuition Assistance (TA) DECIDE

The Department of Defense announces the launch of an information and comparison tool called Tuition Assistance (TA) DECIDE that will allow Service members interested in using TA benefits to access essential information related to educational institutions and outcomes. This tool is yet another of DoD’s efforts to increase transparency and accountability commensurate with Executive Order 13607 and the Principles of Excellence.

TA DECIDE is intended to empower Service members, who differ from the general population in that the vast majority, are full-time warriors/part-time students. TA DECIDE provides Service members the information needed to make informed educational choices based on the experiences of other students just like them. This tool leverages similar tools and data sets developed by other agencies, incorporating not only lessons learned by those agencies, but also taking data feeds directly from them. Uniquely, this tool also separates out information that is exclusive to the experience of TA participants and reports relevant comparisons to that demographic.

Additionally, for the first time, DoD is publicly releasing information about usage trends related to the use of DoD TA benefits at any particular school. TA DECIDE can be used to search and compare information on our 2,600+ approved schools eligible for TA, including information on average TA costs, course completion, graduation and estimated tuition and fee amounts. The tool is designed to support personal searches by individual Service members, as well as collaborative interactions with DoD’s professional force of education counselors placed in the field to support our TA participants.

You may be eligible for several types of VA education and training benefits, but there are many components to consider before you apply for a *GI Bill® program. The following comparison tool may make it easier to decide which education and training benefits are best for you. View the different educational and training rates from the VA. 

*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits is available on the official VA U.S. government website.

Veterans Certification Officials

The University of Maryland’s Veterans Certification Officials in the Office of the Registrar process all educational benefits before sending the information to the regional VA benefits processing center in Buffalo, New York. Please take the time to read the requirements and procedures on how to file for benefits. To avoid delays in processing claims, it is extremely important to submit all information along with any changes in status. 

If you have any questions concerning Veterans education benefits, please contact the Veteran's Certification Office:

Veterans Certification Office
1113 Mitchell Building 
Phone:(301) 314-8239             
Fax: (301)-314-9568 
Email: vabenefits@umd.edu

You must fill out the UMD VA Enrollment Certification Request and submit to the Veterans Certification Office each semester you are taking courses before you will receive your GI Bill benefits.

NOTE: The University of Maryland College Park is a Yellow Ribbon school. Follow the link to see if you qualify!  

Each Fall and Spring semester, Veteran Student Life hosts an orientation exclusively for incoming student veterans, including freshmen, transfer, and graduate student veterans. This is not the same as your freshmen or transfer school orientation which you are still required to attend.

The orientation covers topics such as health insurance, veteran benefits, scholarships, academic support services, recreational activities, and professional development. Incoming students are also able to meet representatives from a number of departments around campus.

Additionally, attending Veterans and Military-Connected Orientation is a great way to meet other incoming student veterans going through the same transition as you and current student veterans who just made this transition recently. Our orientation is planned and led by veterans for veterans. Breakfast will be provided. For those that are unable to attend the event, a video will be posted below after the event so that you are not missing out on any info.

Please email vetstudentlife@umd.edu if you have questions or would like to sign up for the New Veteran Orientation Session.

Below is an abridged new student veteran checklist for your convenience. If you have any questions at all or require assistance please do not hesitate to contact us at vetstudentlife@umd.edu or by phone during business hours at (301)-314-0073.

It is the intent of the University of Maryland, College Park, to facilitate the withdrawal or change in registration and the re-enrollment of students who are called to active military duty. If called to active duty in the U.S. armed forces, students may withdraw and receive a full refund of tuition and fees for that semester. The student (or a representative) should take a copy of the military orders to the Office of the Registrar to process the withdrawal or change in registration; detailed information about this process may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar. Withdrawal for active military service will have no effect on any subsequent request to withdraw from the University. Students may re-enroll upon completion of their tour of duty.

The University Policy governing military call-ups ( policy V-7.00) allows for a variety of unique solutions not covered by University policy (such as receiving incompletes in some classes while retro-withdrawing from others leading to a partial refund; or receiving a total refund of tuition and fees) which minimizes the effects of time and financial investment put into a semester already in progress when you are called to active military service.

We encourage you to first meet with your College Advising Office. Based on the specific course(s) in which you are enrolled and the point in the semester when the call-up occurs, you may be advised to discuss incomplete contracts with individual instructor or directed immediately to the Office of the Registrar. The Registrar’s Staff will make determinations as to appropriate withdrawal procedures and refunds and explain the process for re-enrollment after completing active duty. They will also assist with quick referrals related to financial aid issues, cancellation of any campus housing contracts, and allowable refunds.