The Higher Education Act Technical Corrections Bill (H.R.1777) changed how federal student aid eligibility is determined for Veteran, National Guard, and ROTC students.
Military-Affiliated Students
Among the provisions included in the bill is an updated definition of the term ‘Veterans Education Benefits’.
- Previously, military-affiliated education benefits were counted as part of a student’s overall financial aid package. This legislation exempts these benefits, resulting in the potential for expanded eligibility for various types of federal financial aid programs including but not limited to the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Direct Student and Parent Loans.
- The ISU Office of Student Financial Aid takes this legislation into consideration when awarding financial aid to military-affiliated students who file a FAFSA.
Veteran, National Guard/Reserve, and ROTC education benefits will be considered when awarding institutional need based aid.
Veteran Students may be eligible for Veterans educational benefits. For instructions regarding Veterans benefits eligibility under Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, or 1606, contact the Veterans Certification Officials at vacertofficials@iastate.edu. To be considered for financial aid beyond VA Benefits, the student must complete the FAFSA.
- The FAFSA should be submitted by the annual FAFSA priority deadline for the student to be eligible for ‘need’ based priority financial aid.
- Students who file after the annual FAFSA priority deadline may still be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Student loans, Parent Plus Loans, or Private Loans.
If the student is currently on active military duty and plans to attend Iowa State University after their discharge, they should provide a copy of their DD-214 form to the Office of Student Financial Aid. This will document the student’s veteran status and expedite the processing of the student’s aid application.
In addition to the potential eligibility under Veterans benefit Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, or 1606, a National Guard member may also qualify for the following state grant:
The Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship (INGSS) provides annual awards to Iowa National Guard members who attend eligible Iowa colleges and universities. Maximum individual awards are determined by the Iowa National Guard. The Iowa Adjutant General determines eligibility.
Students interested in becoming officers in the United States Armed Forces (Army, Navy/Marine Corps and Air Force) may qualify for financial assistance as part of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). Benefits vary depending on selected program and class year but may include tuition, book allowance, and monthly stipend. For further information, contact the appropriate ROTC department.