Military Education Benefits at South University
South University proudly offers educational opportunities for military members, veterans and their families who have honorably served*.
Our university is committed to providing a warm, welcoming environment where faculty and staff provide individualized attention and guidance to foster your intellectual, social and professional development during your military service or in your civilian life.
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Proud to Educate Military Service Members
Oluwaseyi Adetunji | Doctor of Pharmacy, 2018 | South University, Savannah
Online and at campuses around the US, South University proudly offers educational opportunities for military members, veterans, and their families who have honorably served. Whether during military service or in your civilian life, our Military Tuition Grant is designed to make your education more affordable. You may also use your military education benefits, such as Tuition Assistance and the GI Bill®, to help you earn your degree at South University. We also participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which helps qualifying military students and dependents with tuition and fees that the Post 9/11 GI Bill® otherwise wouldn’t cover.**
If you are ready to grow your professional or personal opportunities, our team is here to help, from walking you through your military financial aid options and admission requirements to supporting you in the classroom and beyond. To speak with our Military admissions team about your military education benefits and eligibility, click on the Get Started Now button or call us at (855) 884-2408.
**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 Web site at benefits.va.gov.
Helping Warriors and Their Families Thrive
Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard
South University Military Benefits
| Program Level | Grant Amount | Required Documents |
| Undergraduate Programs | $166 per credit hour (potentially zero out-of-pocket tuition when using Military Tuition Assistance) | Leave and Earning Statement (LES) with a pay period covered within 60 days from the start of enrollment |
Graduate Programs: All Programs excluding AA and PA | 10% tuition reduction | Leave and Earning Statement (LES) with a pay period covered within 60 days from the start of enrollment |
For full eligibility and grant details, please see the Memorandum of Understanding.
Additional Military Benefits
Tuition Assistance
The Military Tuition Assistance (TA) programs currently pay tuition and course-specific fees up to $166 per quarter hour for eligible active duty, National Guard and Reserve Component service members. Your service branch pays your tuition directly to the school, and each military branch has its own TA application form and procedures, eligibility requirements and amounts of assistance available.
Before enrolling, you must check with an education counselor or Educational Services Officer (ESO) by visiting your local installation education office, contacting your education counselor or ESO, or going online to a virtual education center. You must apply for the program and receive approval before starting classes, and you may be required to develop an education plan or complete TA orientation. To learn more, contact your ESO, visit your local installation education center, or visit a virtual education center online:
South University also strives to be flexible and responsive to the needs of anyone deployed away from their home or permanent duty station or affected by a natural disaster, including offering the following refund and readmissions policies. Please see policy to ensure accuracy.
Top Up
Top Up allows eligible service members to use Tuition Assistance in conjunction with either the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) ® or the Post 9/11 GI Bill®* if the cost of tuition exceeds the amount covered. You must be eligible to use either Chapter 30 or Chapter 33 of the GI Bill® and meet the eligibility guidelines for tuition assistance. For more information, please visit va.gov.
Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill®
This is an education benefit for eligible service members who have served on active duty for at least 90 days after 9/10/2001, or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 consecutive days. An honorable discharge (character of service) is required for veterans. Individuals who are entitled to 100% of this benefit can have their entire cost of tuition and fees covered when eligible. For more information, visit va.gov.
Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill®
Eligible service members who have paid into this benefit while on active duty may have a significant portion of their tuition and fees covered. This benefit pays to the student, so you will need to arrange a payment plan with your South University financial aid officer. For more information, visit va.gov.
Chapter 1606: Selective Reserve Montgomery GI Bill®
This program is for eligible members of the Selective Reserve and National Guard who have enlisted or re-enlisted in the select reserve with an obligation to serve 6 or more years on or after July 1st 1985. In order to be eligible for this benefit, the member will have had to complete their IDAT (initial date active training). Chapter 1606 expires once a service member has separated. This benefit pays to the student, so you will need to arrange a payment plan with your South University financial aid officer. For more information, visit va.gov.
Kickers & Additional Contributions
A kicker is part of an enlistment contract and is a fixed dollar amount that will be disbursed in even installments over the course of the entitlement period for eligible Chapter 30 and 1606 recipients. The VA should automatically pay this benefit as an addition to the normal entitlement amount paid each month to the veteran. If not, the veteran should contact the VA Regional Office processing his or her claim. No additional paperwork is needed.
Veterans
South University Veteran Benefits
| Program Level | Grant Amount | Required Documents |
| Undergraduate Programs | 20% tuition reduction | DD-214 with character of service or a discharge status letter with character of service |
Graduate Programs: All Programs excluding AA and PA | 10% tuition reduction | DD-214 with character of service or a discharge status letter with character of service |
For full eligibility and grant details, please see the Memorandum of Understanding.
Additional Veteran Benefits
Veterans Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill®
This is an education benefit for eligible service members who have served on active duty for at least 90 days after 9/10/2001, or were discharged with a service connected disability after 30 consecutive days. An honorable discharge (character of service) is required for veterans. Individuals who are entitled to 100% of this benefit can have their entire cost of tuition and fees covered while eligible. For more information, visit va.gov.
Yellow Ribbon Program
South University proudly participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program for all degree programs from the associate to the doctoral programs. The Yellow Ribbon Program provides assistance to eligible veterans with 100% eligibility of Ch 33 Post 9/11GI Bill® whose cost of tuition and fees exceeded the annual cap. Once the annual cap is reached, half of the remaining cost for tuition and fees for the fiscal year will be covered by the school and the VA will match the other half. Some degree programs may be subject to a maximum tuition & fee reimbursement amount per academic year from the Yellow Ribbon Program. Active duty service members or their spouses using transferred benefits may be eligible if they have served at least 36 months on active duty. Child transferees of active duty service members may be eligible if the service member is qualified at the 100 percent rate. Fry Scholars and Purple Heart recipients may also be eligible For more information, visit va.gov.
Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill®
Eligible service members who have paid into this benefit while on active duty may have a significant portion of their tuition and fees covered. This benefit pays to the student, so you will need to arrange a payment plan with your South University financial aid officer. For more information, visit va.gov.
Chapter 31:Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
This employment program provides educational support to eligible veterans who are entering the workforce. Veterans will meet with their Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to develop an education plan. This benefit may cover the entire cost of tuition and fees. To contact a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, visit va.gov.
Spouses and Dependent Children
Spouse or Dependent of an Active Duty Service Member
| Program Level | Grant Amount | Required Documents |
| Undergraduate Programs | 20% tuition reduction | Leave and Earning Statement (LES) of Active Duty member with a pay period covered within 60 days from the start of the enrollment |
Graduate Programs: All Programs excluding AA and PA | 10% tuition reduction | Leave and Earning Statement (LES) of Active Duty member with a pay period covered within 60 days from the start of the enrollment |
Spouse or Dependent of a Veteran
| Program Level | Grant Amount | Required Documents |
| Undergraduate Programs | 20% tuition reduction | DD-214 with character of service or a discharge status letter with character of service |
Graduate Programs: All Programs excluding AA and PA | 10% tuition reduction | DD-214 with character of service or a discharge status letter with character of service |
For full eligibility and grant details, please see the Memorandum of Understanding.
Military Education Benefits FAQ's
Flexibility and Support for Military Students
Q: What flexible learning options are available to military students at South University?
A: South University understands the challenges of frequent relocations and deployments. We offer both campus-based and online programs . Online programs at South University give military students and families the freedom to interact with instructors, classmates, and coursework from anywhere with internet access.
Q: Are there programs specifically designed for veterans and active-duty service members?
A: Veterans and active-duty service members are welcome and supported in all our programs. However, active-duty military members may prefer the increased convenience of our online programs. Based on their past training and experience, veterans and other military students are often drawn to our Business & Technology programs as well as our programs in Healthcare and Nursing. Criminal Justice, Psychology, Counseling, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Public Administration
Q: Does South University provide dedicated support services for military students?
A: South University has a dedicated team of knowledgeable admissions, financial aid, and academic advisors focused on meeting the unique needs of active military personnel, reservists, veterans, and their families.
Military Transfer Credits
Q: Can I get credit for my military training and experience at South University?
A: South University awards transfer credit for eligible and appropriate learning acquired in military service at levels consistent with the American Council on Education (ACE) Guide recommendations. The university utilizes Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Transcript to process prior learning experiences for possible transfer credit. CLEP and DSST exam results are also accepted for course credit evaluation.
Q: What is the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and how can it help military students?
A: The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) helps military students earn credit for what they have learned from the military and life experience. Students can learn more or schedule an exam through the CLEP website.
Q: What are DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) and how do they benefit military students?
A: The DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) are college-level exams through which military students can receive college credit for prior knowledge in particular subject areas. A complete listing of these exams can be found at the testing services office or DSST website.
Q: How can I request a Joint Services Transcript (JST)?
A: Most military training courses have been evaluated for academic credit by the American Council on Education (ACE). South University relies on this information to assess learning acquired during military service. The JST provides a uniform transcript of all military training and experiences for service members of all branches except the Air Force. South University evaluates the JST to determine if college-level credit can be awarded for prior learning. To request your official JST, visit jst.doded.mil/jst/.
Q: How can I request a Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Transcript?
A: Unlike the military branches that use the JST, all education earned while in the Air Force is captured by the Community College of the Air Force. The transcripts available reflect your Air Force training, education, and experience. South University uses the American Council on Education (ACE) Guide recommendations to assess and award applicable transfer credit based on your official CCAF transcript. To request your CCAF transcript, visit the website for the Office of the Registrar at Air University. Please note that CCAF transcript requests may take up to 60 days to process.
Q: Where can I find more information about South University's transfer of credit policy?
A: South University's transfer of credit policy can be reviewed in the university catalog and found on the Student Consumer Information page. To find out more about transferring credits, contact your South University location to speak with the school registrar.
Yellow Ribbon Program at South University
Q: How does the Yellow Ribbon Program work at South University?
A: South University proudly participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program for all degree programs from associates to the doctoral level. For students eligible at the 100% Post 9/11GI Bill® level the program helps cover costs exceeding the VA fiscal annual cap.
Once the annual cap is reached, South University will cover half of the remaining cost for eligible tuition and fees for the fiscal year, and the VA will match the other half. For more details on eligibility and other information, visit va.gov.
Tuition and Fees
A: The financial aid office uses an estimate of direct and indirect costs to determine how much financial aid a student may be eligible for. Direct costs include tuition, fees, some books and supplies.. Indirect costs include estimates of other living expenses, transportation, and personal expenses. Examples of the cost of attendance estimates used can be found on the Student Consumer Information page.
A: Additional information regarding the cost of each program can be found on the Program Cost Sheet located on the Student Consumer Information page.
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Campuses offer flexible learning formats* including: on-campus, virtual instructions, and online courses.
*Clinical, practicum, and externship requirements exist in certain programs and require field experiences. Learning formats may not be flexible.
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