The Veterans Office is located in Tillinghast Hall, as part of the Financial Aid Office. A veterans coordinator is available to assist veterans in determining their eligibility for federal and state educational benefits.
• DD 214 will determine eligibility by dates in military and type of
discharge with final determination by the Veterans Administration
• student must be enrolled in a degree program
• student must apply through the Bridgewater State University Veterans Office
• benefits must be certified by Bridgewater State University Veterans Office
each semester through the “Blue Form” View
Forms
• student must maintain academic progress toward degree
• available programs: Chapter 30 (Montgomery),
Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation), Chapter
32 (VEAP), Chapter 35 (dependents and spouse of deceased
or permanently disabled veterans), Chapter 1606 (formerly
106) (Selected Reserve)
National Guard Tuition Waiver: must have a Certificate of Eligibility obtained through the Guard Unit
Categorical Massachusetts Veterans Tuition Waiver: at least one year permanent legal Massachusetts residency; enrolled in any state-supported course working toward an undergraduate degree or certificate program; neither in default on any federal student loan nor owe a refund on any previously awarded financial aid.
National Guard Tuition and Fee Waiver Guidelines as part of the welcome home bill: The student must submit a TAGMA specifying tuition and fee eligibility. In addition, the active member f the MA Army or Air National Guard who is in good standing must meet the following criteria:
1. Is accepted for admission to, or is enrolled full-or part-time in a MA public institution of higher education as an undergraduate or graduate candidate.
2. Is eligible to receive and has been issued a Certificate of Eligibility (TAGMA) by the Military Division of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts applicable for any portion of the academic year.
3. Has not exceeded the 130 semester credit hours maximum, or the equivalent quarter hours or clock hours, when combined with Certificates of Eligibility issued prior to September 1, 2006.
4. Maintains satisfactory academic progress as defined by the institution.
The Welcome Home Bill also includes a Bonus Payment. The State Treasurer's Office, Veteran's Bonus Division, will administer this new benefit. To find out if you are eligible and how to apply, you can visit the Treasurer's Website. The following information was taken from that website:
You are eligible if you meet the following criteria: six months domicile in Massachusetts immediately prior to entry into the armed forces service, beginning September 11, 2001, and discharge under honorable conditions. Service members who served active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan receive $1000. Service members with six months or more active service, stateside or outside the continental limits of the United States, receive $500. (Note: Active service shall not include active duty for training in the Army or Air National Guard, or active duty for training as a Reservist in the armed forces of the United States.)
Applications are available from the Office of the Treasurer. Direct your questions to the Veterans' Bonus Division at (617) 367-9333, ext. 539, or by e-mail at veteransbonus@tre.state.ma.us.
Veterans receiving financial aid must notify the Financial Aid Office if they are receiving, or are eligible to receive, federal benefits (monthly stipend, indicating the amount per month and the number of months — four months for the fall semester, four months for the spring semester, or eight months for the entire academic year). Likewise, veterans must notify the Financial Aid Office if they are receiving, or are eligible to receive, state benefits (tuition waiver). Notification may be made by separate letter to the Financial Aid Office or on the yellow copy of the financial aid award letter. Receipt of veterans benefits may result in a reduction of financial aid already awarded.
The Financial Aid Office is obligated to verify veterans benefits against federal reports. Because these reports may not be complete until the second month of each semester, there may be a delay in verifying veterans benefits and in making necessary adjustments to veterans’ financial aid awards. Veterans will be notified of any adjustments to their financial aid awards.
See the following section on “Outside/Private Scholarships or Financial Assistance” for the policy at Bridgewater State University on reduction of financial aid due to outside assistance.
Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is an educational and
leadership program designed to provide young men and women the opportunity to
become Air Force officers while completing a bachelor's or master's degree. The
Air Force ROTC program prepares students to assume challenging positions of
responsibility and importance in the Air Force.
Through a cross-enrolled program with Boston University, interested Bridgewater
State University students may participate in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training
Corps Program. Requirements include yearly Aerospace Studies classes, Leadership
Laboratory classes, and physical fitness training. Mandatory weekly time
commitments range from 5 to 7 hours. Once students complete their degree, the
Air Force offers a wide variety of career fields from which to choose including
flying opportunities as a pilot, navigator, or weapons controller. The Air Force
has opportunities for students of ANY MAJOR.
In addition to the tremendous leadership and management training that cadets
receive, they can also benefit from several scholarship programs.
If you are interested in joining the Air Force ROTC program or just want more
information, contact the Department of Aerospace Studies, Boston University, 118
Bay State Road Boston, MA 02215 at 617-353-6316 or 4705. Classes are held at
Boston University. You can also visit the detachment website at:
www.bu.edu/af-rotc.
High school seniors can apply for four- and three-year scholarships plus
fees. The scholarships range includes full-tuition, $15,000/year and
$9,000/year. Scholarship winners also receive a $250-$400 stipend per month, a
$600 book allowance and uniforms. Applications for scholarships are due by 1
December of senior year.
Freshmen and sophomores already in college can compete for 2-, 3-, and 3.5-year
scholarships, some of which cover full tuition, others cover $15,000 per
academic year. All scholarship winners receive a $250-$400 stipend per month, a
$600 book allowance and uniforms.
If you are interested in joining the Air Force ROTC program or just want more
information, contact the Department of Aerospace Studies, Boston University, 118
Bay State Road Boston, MA 02215 at 617-353-6316 or 4705. Classes are held at
Boston University. You can also visit the detachment website at:
www.bu.edu/af-rotc.