American flagBall State University Veterans Affairs provides comprehensive resources to veterans, reservists, guardsmen, and family members using Veterans Affairs benefits to aid in their overall success as students.

In addition to providing certification each semester for student-veterans and family members who receive education entitlements, we also provide advice, guidance, advocacy, and outreach services  for our veterans and military affiliated population.

Ball State is honored to have been named a "Military Friendly" institution.  U.S. News & World Report ranked Ball State in the top 20 nationwide for "Best Online Programs for Veterans".  We are privileged to work with more than 400 veterans and family members who have selected Ball State as their university of choice.

If you have questions, please contact our Veterans Affairs staff.  We are dedicated to helping veterans achieve their educational goals.

Getting Started

There are numerous federal and state programs and grants available to qualifying veterans and their family members. Ball State Veterans Affairs is available to assist in determining what you may be entitled to and in completing the application procedures. We encourage you to begin completing this process as soon as possible; depending upon the program, confirmation of eligibility can sometimes be lengthy.

Ball State determines residency status consistent with the full adoption of Indiana and federal legislation. Public Law 113-146, Section 702, as a condition of continued US Department of Veterans Affairs program approval; 20 USC 1015d; Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 434; and I.C. 21-14-12.2 and 21-14-9 require certain active duty personnel and their dependents; certain veterans; members of the Indiana National Guard; and certain Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill beneficiaries pay no more than the in-state tuition rate, regardless of residency classification. Specific questions about residency should be addressed to the Office of the Registrar.

Veterans should also contact Jennifer Lawson in Academic Advising for information or to ask questions about the transfer of military credit.

If you require assistance, our office is located within the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships on the second floor of Lucina Hall, room 245.

Benefit Programs

Our office works with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and State of Indiana to process education benefits under the following programs:

GI Bill logoIf you have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001, and are still on active duty, or if you are an honorably discharged veteran or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days, you may be eligible for this VA-administered program. 

The transfer ability option under the Post-9/11 GI Bill allows service members to transfer all or some unused benefits to their spouse or dependent children. The Department of Defense (DoD) determines whether or not you can transfer benefits to your family. Once the DoD approves benefits for transfer, the new beneficiaries apply for them at the VA.

The quickest and most efficient way to apply for Chapter 33 educational benefits is to visit the vets.gov website.  After receiving your Certificate of Eligibility letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, you must submit a copy in person or by e-mail to the Ball State Veterans Affairs and Support Office.

Each semester, Ball State School Certifying Officials will automatically verify your enrollment and schedule, then complete electronic certification to the Department of Veteran Affairs. Students should notify Ball State Veterans Affairs if they do not want to use available benefits. Tuition and fee payments will be remitted directly to the university. All other payments will be sent to the student via the address or direct deposit account on file with the VA.

Learn more about the program.

Yellow Ribbon

Yellow Ribbon ProgramIf you are attending Ball State as a non-resident, tuition and fee costs will exceed allowable Chapter 33 benefits. The Department of Veteran Affairs, in conjunction with Ball State, makes additional funds available to those eligible under the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Only veterans entitled to the maximum benefit rate or their designated transferees may receive this funding. Active duty service members and their spouses are not eligible for this program. Ball State has limited numbers of slots available under the Yellow Ribbon Program, and they are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Learn more about the program.

Submit an application for the Ball State Post 9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program.

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is available to those who enlist in the U.S. armed forces.

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30)

GI Bill logoThis benefit is for active duty members who enrolled and paid $100 per month for 12 months and are entitled to receive a monthly education benefit after completing a minimum service obligation.

The quickest and most efficient way to apply for Chapter 30 educational benefits is at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website . After receiving your Certificate of Eligibility letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, you must submit a copy in person or via fax to Ball State Veterans Affairs.

Each semester, Ball State’s School Certifying Officials will automatically verify your enrollment and schedule, then complete electronic certification to the Department of Veteran Affairs. Students should notify Ball State Veterans Affairs if they do not want to use available benefits. Payments will be remitted directly to the student via the address or direct deposit account on file with the VA.

Chapter 30 recipients must verify their enrollment each month with the VA via WAVE or by calling 1-877-VA-E-CERT (1-877-823-2378).

Learn more about the program.

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)

GI Bill logoThis benefit provides education and training benefits to eligible members of the Selected Reserve with a six-year obligation who are actively drilling, to include the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Eligibility is determined by the Selected Reserve components, with the VA responsible for making payments.

To apply for Chapter 1606 educational benefits, students should contact their supporting military unit. After receiving a completed Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE), DD Form 2384, you must submit a copy in person or via fax to the Ball State Veterans Affairs and Support Office.

Each semester, Ball State’s School Certifying Officials will automatically verify your enrollment and schedule, then complete electronic certification to the Department of Veteran Affairs. Students should notify Ball State Veterans Affairs if they do not want to use available benefits. Payments will be remitted directly to the student via the address or direct deposit account on file with the VA.

Students cannot use Chapter 1606 educational benefits and Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) for the same courses simultaneously in the same term. Students who plan to use Federal Tuition Assistance must notify Ball State’s School Certifying Officials before each term begins in order to ensure proper processing of benefits.

Chapter 1606 recipients must verify their enrollment each month with the VA via WAVE or by calling 1-877-VA-E-CERT (1-877-823-2378).

Learn more about the program.

For members who entered service between January 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985, and elected to make contributions from their military pay to participate in the program.

The quickest and most efficient way to apply for VEAP educational benefits is to complete them online at vets.gov. After receiving your Certificate of Eligibility letter from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, you must submit a copy in person or via fax to the Ball State Veterans Affairs and Support Office.

Each semester, Ball State School Certifying Officials will automatically verify your enrollment and schedule, then complete electronic certification to the Department of Veteran Affairs. Students should notify Ball State Veterans Affairs if they do not want to use available benefits. Payments will be remitted directly to the student via the address or direct deposit account on file with the VA.

VEAP recipients must verify their enrollment each month with the VA via WAVE or by calling 1-877-VA-E-CERT (1-877-823-2378).

Learn more about the program.

This program offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or of Veterans who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.

The quickest and most efficient way to apply for Chapter 35 educational benefits is to complete them online at vets.gov. After receiving your Certificate of Eligibility letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, you must submit a copy in person or via fax to the Ball State Veterans Affairs.

Each semester, Ball State’s School Certifying Officials will automatically verify your enrollment and schedule, then complete electronic certification to the Department of Veteran Affairs. Students should notify Ball State Veterans Affairs if they do not want to use available benefits. Payments will be remitted directly to the student via the address or direct deposit account on file with the VA.

Learn more about the program.

Eligible veterans may qualify for Chapter 31 benefits if they have received a discharge that is other than dishonorable and have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10 percent from the VA. After meeting with a VR&E Counselor, veterans may receive services to help with job training, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills coaching.

To apply, log into your eBenefits account. Select Apply" followed by Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits. Next apply for "Educational and Career Counseling". If it is determined that you are eligible, you will be invited to attend an orientation session at the nearest VA regional office.

If approved for classes, you should bring or fax your VA Form 28-1905, Authorization and Certification of Entrance into Rehabilitation and Certification of Status to Ball State Veterans Affairs.

Each semester, Ball State's School Certifying Officials will automatically verify your enrollment and schedule, then complete electronic certification to the Department of Veteran Affairs. Tuition and fee payments will be remitted directly to the university.

Learn more about the program.

The biological or legally adopted children of eligible disabled Indiana veterans may be eligible for a Tuition and Fee Exemption at any state-supported postsecondary school or university in Indiana.  Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as determined by the institution to remain eligible for this program.

The veteran must have served on active duty in the U.S. armed forces during a period of wartime, or performed duty equally hazardous that was recognized by the award of a service, campaign or expeditionary medal of the United States. Residency, adoption, and usage rules may apply. Additional information and applications can be downloaded from the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs.

Learn more about the program.

Active duty personnel, those in AGR (Active Guard Reserve) status pursuant to Title 10 and Title 32, and Reserve Component personnel in an active drilling status may be authorized to receive Federal Tuition Assistance. Those eligible should contact their host unit or education office for application procedures. Once students receive approval through their respective Service, they should bring or fax their Tuition Assistance Authorization to Ball State Veterans Affairs. Payments will be remitted directly to the university.

National Guard Supplemental Grant

The Indiana Army National Guard Supplemental Grant (NGSG) guarantees up to 100 percent of certain tuition and fees will be funded by the State of Indiana for eligible members of the Indiana Army National Guard (INARNG). The NGSG only covers certain tuition charges and regularly assessed fees, not room and board or textbooks. It is subject to available funds.

Students using NGSG must be in active drilling status. In addition, students must apply for federal tuition assistance (FTA) in GoArmyEd and use FTA funds prior to applying for the NGSG, if eligible to receive FTA benefits.

Learn more about the program.