Military Friendly® School

The Military Friendly® Schools survey is the longest-running most comprehensive review of college and university investments in serving military and veteran students. Our 2020-2021 Military Friendly® Schools list is more exclusive than ever, and covers institutions offering certificate programs to doctoral degrees.

PNGAS Guard-Friendly School

The Pennsylvania National Guard Associations (PNGAS) announced that Central Penn College was one of 30 universities and colleges to receive the inaugural PNGAS Guard-Friendly School designation.

Veteran Eligibility:

In order to be eligible for this program, a veteran must meet each of the following eligibility requirements:

• At least 22 years old, but not older than 66
• Unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Not rated as totally disabled because you can’t work
• Not enrolled in federal or state jobs program
• Not receiving unemployment benefits
• Not using any other VA educational benefit
• For more information on the eligibility requirements go to: https://www.va.gov/education/other-va-education-benefits/veteran-rapid-retraining-assistance/

Benefits:

Students can receive up to 12 months of tuition, fee, and housing allowance payments. The tuition and fee payments are broken sent directly to the institution in the following disbursements:

• 50% when the veteran begins the program
• 25% when they graduate from the program
• 25% when they are employed

The following degree programs and certificates are approved for VRRAP funding:

• Associates Degree in Medical Assisting
• Associates Degree in Paralegal
• Phlebotomy Certification
• Associates Degree in Communications
• Associates Degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
• Associates Degree in Physical Therapy Assistant
• Associates Degree in Computer Information Systems
• Associates Degree in Accounting
• Associates Degree in Entrepreneurship and Small Business
• Associates Degree in Marketing

* This benefit is only available through December 11, 2022.

Eligibility

• Must have an honorable discharge and either a high school diploma or GED.
• Meet the requirements of one of the 4 Montgomery GI Bill ® Active Duty categories.
• $100 reduction in pay for the first 12 months of service.

Benefits

• Eligible service members may receive up to 36 months of education benefits. The monthly benefit paid to you is based on the type of training you take, length of your service, your category, any college fund eligibility, and if you contributed to the $600 buy-up program. You usually have 10 years to use your MGIB benefits, but the time limit can be fewer or more years depending on the situation. View current payment rates.
• Payment will be sent to you at the end of every month enrolled in classes.

Verify Your Enrollment

• Before the VA can release your payment, you will need to verify your enrollment through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) system in one of two ways:
• Online: Through the WAVE portal
• Phone: Call the VA Verification phone line at (877) 823-2378
• For more information on this benefit, go to the Montgomery GI Bill ® Active Duty benefits page on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.

• Comprehensive evaluation to determine abilities, skills, and interests for employment.
• Post-secondary training at a college, vocational, technical or business school.
• Vocational counseling and rehabilitation planning for employment services.

• Employment services such as job-training, job-seeking skills, resume development, and other work readiness assistance.
• Assistance finding and keeping a job, including the use of special employer incentives and job accommodations.

Eligibility

• Cannot have a dishonorable discharge upon separation of active duty.
• Obtain a memorandum rating of at least 20% (Active Duty) or higher from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
• Have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% (Veterans) from the VA.
• Apply for VR&E services

Benefits

• Education benefits usually last up to 48 months but can be extended in certain instances.
• Tuition and fees are sent directly to the school.

Eligibility

At least one of these must be true. You:

• Served at least 90 days on active duty (either all at once or with breaks in service) on or after September 11, 2001, or
• Received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service, or
• Served for at least 30 continuous days (all at once, without a break in service) on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability, or
• Are a dependent child using benefits transferred by a qualifying Veteran or service member

Benefits

You can receive up to 36 months of benefits, including:

• Tuition and fees. If you qualify for the maximum benefit, we’ll cover the full cost of public, in-state tuition and fees. We cap the rates for private and foreign schools, and update those rates each year. View current rates
• Money for housing (if you’re in school more than half time). We’ll base your monthly housing allowance on the cost of living where your school is located.
• Money for books and supplies. You can receive up to $1,000 per school year.
• Money to help you move from a rural area to go to school. You may qualify for this one-time payment of $500 if you live in a county with 6 or fewer people per square mile and you’re either moving at least 500 miles to go to school or have no other option but to fly by plane to get to your school.

Eligibility

Only Veterans entitled to the maximum benefit rate (100%), as determined by service requirements, or their designated transferees may receive this funding. Active duty Service members and their spouses are not eligible for this program. Child transferees of active duty Service members may be eligible, if the Service member is qualified at the 100 percent rate.

For more information on this benefit, go to the Yellow Ribbon Program page on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.

TRANSFER OF ENTITLEMENT

If you are a current member of the Armed Forces (active duty), the Department of Defense (DoD) allows you to transfer all or some of your Post 9/11 GI Bill ® benefits to your spouse or dependent children. This request must be completed while serving as an active member of the Armed Forces. It is up to the DoD to determine eligibility for transfer of entitlement.

For more information, go to the Transfer of Entitlement page on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. 

Eligibility

Must be the dependent son, daughter, or spouse of:

• A veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability after September 10, 2001. The disability must arise out of active service in the armed forces.
• A veteran who died from any cause while such permanent and total service-connected disability was in existence.
• A service member missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force.
• A servicemember forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.
• A service member who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service-connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability. This change is effective Dec. 23, 2006. 

Benefits

• Up to 45 months of education benefits.
• Payment will be sent to you at the end of every month enrolled in classes.

For more information, go to the Dependents Education Assistance Program page on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.

Eligibility

• To qualify, you have to meet the following requirements:
• Sign a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve (must have been signed after June 30, 1985).
• Complete your initial active duty training (IADT).
• Meet the requirement to receive a high school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• Remain in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit.

Benefits

• Payment will be sent to you at the end of every month enrolled in classes.

Verify Your Enrollment

Before the VA can release your payment, you will need to verify your enrollment through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) system in one of two ways:

• Online: Through the WAVE portal
• Phone: Call the VA Verification phone line at (877) 823-2378

How Do I Apply?

• Ensure that you are approved for TA.
• Once approved, you can apply through the Go Army ED website.
• TA is requested on a course-by-course basis.
• When applying, you will need to know the following:
• Number of credits per course
• Cost of the course (tuition only)
• Dates of the course
• Subject code and number (ENGL 101)

Tuition Assistance Rates

• $250 per credit hour (16 credit hour cap per fiscal year)
• $4,500 Annual cap per fiscal year
• You can use Tuition Assistance in conjunction with EAP and the Post 9/11 GI Bill ® only

For more information on TA, please go to the Tuition Assistance Policies page on the Go Army ED website.