Penn State Abington, a military-friendly college
We are a Pennsylvania National Guard Friendly School!
Important Information
Incoming students must first apply through Veteran Affairs for Education Benefits.
The United States Department of Veteran Affairs requires certification each term (semester) for which you wish to receive VA Education Benefits.
GI Bill® Comparison Tool for THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY-PENN STATE ABINGTON.
Learn how to submit your Enrollment Certification before each semester you intend on utilizing VA Educational Benefits.
Additional information you need to know
Ensure your contact information is up-to-date before beginning the request. To confirm or update your contact information, please visit accounts.sanmingzhi.net.
For students utilizing Post-9/11 GI Bill® students who receive Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) and/or kicker payments are required to verify their enrollment to continue receiving their payments. Click here to learn more about the enrollment verification requirement and verification methods.
Be advised Penn State is required to deduct tuition-specific financial aid (not including FAFSA) from the total tuition cost reported to the VA. Title IV aid awarded from completion of the FAFSA (Pell Grant, SEOG, Direct Loans) is not deducted from your VA Education Benefits. We encourage all students to complete the FAFSA to be considered for federal and institutional aid sources.
For additional aid questions please refer to the Office of Student Aid.
Applying for Tuition Assistance
The following are the current windows for applying for DoD Tuition Assistance (TA) as set by the military services. The TA request window opens at the No Earlier Time (NET) date and closes at the No Later Than (NLT) date based on the semester Class Start Date (CSD). Some Services require the TA to be submitted by the student and approved by the Service before the NLT date. These windows are subject to change, and it is the servicemember’s responsibility to check each semester with their service to verify if the application window has changed. If the servicemember requests TA outside of these application windows, the military service will deny their TA request.
submit your Tuition Assistance
Service |
No Earlier Than (NET) |
No Later Than (NLT) |
Air Force |
45 days prior to CSD |
7 days prior to CSD |
Army |
60 days prior to CSD |
7 days prior to CSD |
Marine Corps |
120 days prior to CSD |
14 days prior to CSD |
Navy |
120 days prior to CSD |
14 days prior to CSD |
Space Force |
45 days prior to CSD |
7 days prior to CSD |
In-State Tuition Rates for Veterans & Others Eligible for VA Education Benefits
Individuals or veterans eligible to receive any VA educational benefit will receive the in-state tuition rate, regardless of service time.
Books
If you are entitled to a stipend for books, please establish a bookstore charge account with the VA for the Abington campus bookstore using the email: [email protected] This will ensure you are listed as active with the Abington Bookstore and not another location.
Transferring Credits from Military Experience to Penn State
A veteran or member of the active armed services or the selected reserves may be eligible for credit from educational experiences in the armed forces. Learn more.
Priority Course Registration
Newly admitted students schedule their courses for their first semester at Penn State during New Student Orientation. After that, enrolled veterans are eligible for priority (early) course registration.
Priority registration allows veterans to schedule classes ahead of the general student population.
Veteran Honors Cord
Penn State recognizes those who have honorably served or are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces by awarding a red, white, and blue honor cord at graduation in recognition of their duty and sacrifice.
Student Veterans Organization on Campus
Penn State Abington Student Veterans Organization is a club on campus that typically meets the first Wednesday of the month in the Rydal 2nd Floor lounge during Common Break. Check out our Facebook page.
Mentoring Program for New Student Veterans
Mentors are current student veterans or faculty/staff members who help new student veterans acclimate to academic life, network, and get connected to campus resources. We encourage all new student veterans to get linked with a mentor.
Study Lounge
There is Study Lounge in Rm 210 Rydal Building on campus available for ROTC/Veteran/Active Duty students Mon - Fri, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00p.m.
To use the Study Lounge, please enter the key code on the door to enter.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.