Military Benefits

Office of Military and Veterans Affairs (OMVA) at Columbia University

Many benefits are available to advance the education and skills of veterans and service members. Spouses and dependent children may also be eligible for education and training assistance. In fact, 25 percent of those benefiting from the Veterans Administration's education programs are non-veterans. Some might find they're eligible for more than one benefit or that one program is more suited to certain education and training goals than another.

Scroll below to review Chapter benefits, application requirements, and additional resources.

Seeking Educational Benefits for Veterans, Servicemembers, Spouses, or Dependents?

Military backpack next to laptop and American flag.

Post-9/11 GI Bill®

Servicewoman talking with loved ones over video call in front of an American flag.

Yellow Ribbon Program

Serviceman holding textbooks standing in front of American flag.

Montgomery GI Bill®

Veteran Readiness and Employment Benefits (VR&E)

Image of a line of servicemembers in uniform performing a salute.

ROTC/NROTC

Survivors and Dependents Benefits

Closeup image of a servicemember signing a document with a pen.

Additional Scholarship and Funding Options

Image of Pat Tillman in football uniform

Apply to Be a Pat Tillman Scholar by February 1, 2025

Visit VA Website and Government Account Portals

VA Website

Login.Gov Account

ID.me Account

Student Actions

Students using educational benefits are responsible for completing certain tasks before and during their time at Columbia.

Veterans Request for Certification

Students receiving federal education benefits from the VA need to submit a Veterans Request for Certification for each semester of attendance. Failure to submit this form may delay or prevent the VA from sending funds to you or to Columbia. Click to visit the form.

Submit Your Certificate of Eligibility or Other Service Paperwork

Students receiving federal education benefits from the VA need to submit their Certificate of Eligibility as soon as they enroll at Columbia, or whenever their benefits change. Click to visit the form.

Waive Student Health Insurance Plan If You Receive Equal VA Health Benefits

Students who receive VA health benefits comparable to the student health insurance plan can waive the student health plan, which is automatically charged to your account unless it is waived. Click to learn more.

Defer Tuition Payments

GI Bill recipients can take steps to defer tuition and fees charges while awaiting the arrival of VA benefits that will cover those charges. Click to learn details.

Update Direct Deposit

Use this link to visit the VA website to update your direct deposit information. You will be asked to log in to one of the government accounts. You can also call 1-800-827-1000 to request updates to direct deposit information or the address on your paper checks.

If You're Called Up

Students who are called to active duty while attending Columbia need to take immediate action to preserve their benefits and limit disruptions to their academic progress. Click to learn more.

Additional Resources

Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018

This Congressional act prevents Columbia from taking the following actions as a result of the school waiting for a delayed payment from the Department of Veterans Affairs:

canceling or delaying a student's enrollment;
assessing a late penalty fee to the student;
requiring the student to secure alternative or additional funding; or
denying the student access to campus resources, including but not limited to access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities.

Campus Organizations and Student Groups