Apply For VA Benefits

In order to apply for enrollment and receive education benefits at St. John’s, you must notify the Veterans Benefit Coordinator at our Queens or Staten Island campus and complete the Veterans Benefits Certification Request Form.

This form must be turned in to the Veterans Benefit Coordinator at the University before you can become certified and eligible for Veteran Education Benefits.

VA Payment Information

It is important to have all necessary forms, such as the Veteran Affairs Benefits Educational Form and the Federal Financial Aid Application (FAFSA), completed and approved before the tuition bill due date.

Once we receive approval of your veteran education benefits, we provide you with a temporary credit on your student account, pending receipt of actual benefits. Please note that St. John’s will not issue any refund of excess financial aid until all financial aid awards have been received by the University.

Changes in Enrollment Status

If you do not wish to be certified for veteran benefits in a given semester, you must notify the University Veterans Coordinator in writing, prior to the beginning of the semester.

It is your responsibility to inform St. John’s University and Veteran Affairs of any changes in your enrollment status, such as dropping or withdrawing from a course.

Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®

More information about the educational opportunities for veterans are available through va.gov.

Post -9/11 G.I. Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Yellow Ribbon Program

St. John’s is a Yellow Ribbon School for eligible veterans approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Additional Information

Benefits FAQs

Whom should I speak to regarding education benefits for veterans at St. John's University?
St. John’s University VA Certifying Officials (SCO):

Amy Park
718-990-3938
[email protected]

Karen Morizio
718-990-1910
[email protected]

Thomas Marlow
718-390-4352
[email protected]

How do I get my Veteran Education Benefits started?
Apply for your educational benefits through the VA online. For eligibility or payment history questions and/or to obtain your Certificate of Eligibility, please visit va.gov or call the VA GI General Hotline 888-442-4551.

I am transferring to St. John’s. Do I have to re-apply for my benefits?
No, you do not need to reapply for VA benefits if you have already been certified at another institution. To transfer your GI Bill benefits to a new school, you only need to complete VA Form 22-1995 (Request for Change of Program or Place of Training) to update the VA, which can be done online. You must also notify your new institution’s Certifying Official so they can certify your enrollment.

Will the education benefits be sent directly to St. John’s?
Please submit your recent Certificate of Eligibility (COE) letter and DD214 form to your institution’s Certifying Official with your St. John’s student ID#. Please remember to REDACT your SSN number for security purposes before you submit the information. Upon receipt and review of your COE letter, we will provide you with a temporary credit on your account, pending the actual receipt of benefits.

How long does it take to receive my benefits?
The School Certifying Officer (SCO) certifies and reports the student’s enrollment to the VA after the student completes the steps to enroll each semester. The VA normally processes payments approximately 2-3 weeks after submission. The first military housing allowance (MHA) stipend is sent approximately one month after classes begin and thereafter, the first of each month.

What happens if I drop a course during the semester?
If you drop a course, this changes the amount of time it will take for you to complete your degree. Therefore, you must notify the Veterans Coordinator at St. John's so he/she may contact Veterans Affairs and change the date of program completion. The VA may prorate your tuition and fees payment as well as the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) if you drop, withdraw, or enroll less than full time.

Can I use my veterans benefits to study abroad?

Please be advised that, under VA regulations, study abroad courses can only be certified for VA benefits if they are a required component of your degree program and are approved by the institution as part of your curriculum.

Even if the course is required for your degree, approval by the VA is not guaranteed. The VA makes the final determination on whether tuition and/or fees associated with the study abroad program are eligible for coverage. In some cases, certain expenses (such as travel, housing, or third-party program fees) may not be payable. We strongly recommend that you:

Confirm with your academic advisor that the course is required for your degree, and
Understand that VA will review the course and associated costs before determining eligibility.