Information for Veterans
Northwestern University School of Professional Studies (SPS) honors the sacrifices that our active-duty service members, veterans, and their families have made for our country. The SPS Student Services department is committed to helping students transition from the military to the classroom, whether entering college for the first time, transferring from another school, or returning from deployment. SPS understands that transitioning from military service into a higher education environment can be challenging, and we are dedicated to providing a positive and encouraging environment that engages our military students in pursuing their academic and professional goals.
Veteran students should speak to an SPS academic adviser so that they can have guidance on how to make the most of their student experience at SPS and best utilize the resources offered by our school and the university.
Using Veteran Benefits at Northwestern University School of Professional Studies
Veteran students may use most of the benefits offered through the Department of Veteran Affairs at Northwestern University, including all Chapters of the GI Bill®, Chapter 35 (DEA), and Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation).
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefits applicable to SPS programs do not include the Illinois Veteran Grant or Tuition Assistance through the Department of Defense for active-duty personnel. Students with questions about whether or not a VA benefit can be used at Northwestern should reach out to the Northwestern Chicago Office of Financial Aid and visit their Veteran Resources page.
Which VA Educational Benefit is best for you?
To determine which VA educational benefit is best for you and to determine your eligibility for educational programs through the Illinois State Approving Agency, Veterans and active duty military members should visit VA Education and Training Benefits site.
Once a student has submitted the appropriate application through VA and has received his/her certificate of eligibility (COE), he/she should submit a copy of the COE to the SPS Office of the Registrar and the Northwestern Chicago Office of Financial Aid.
SPS students utilizing VA benefits are responsible for completing any necessary steps as directed by VA and SPS Registrar to ensure that the benefits are applied to their tuition.
Details for Certifying Enrollment at SPS for VA Benefits
The SPS Registrar's Office automatically certifies the enrollment of SPS students utilizing VA benefits with VA for each term while they pursue their degree. In order to certify enrollment with the VA, veteran students will need to submit a copy of their certificate of eligibility letter to the VA Certifying Official in the SPS Office of the Registrar.
If a Veteran student does not wish to be certified for a specific term or if they receive a notice from VA that their benefits have been exhausted or will be exhausted during an upcoming term, that student is required to provide written notification to the SPS Office of the Registrar from the student's Northwestern email account.
Veteran students must list Northwestern as their place of study when applying for benefits through VA and complete Form 22-1995 via the VA's VONAPP application database to list their place of study as Northwestern University. Unless Northwestern is listed as the veteran student's place of student, the VA will not complete any veteran benefits payments toward a veteran student's tuition at Northwestern.
Financial Aid as a Veteran Student
Veterans may apply for federal (Title IV) financial aid in addition to their VA benefits. Receipt of federal aid will not reduce a Veteran's eligibility for VA educational benefits.
Veteran students' eligibility for specific benefit programs through the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is determined by VA directly. Students may visit the Veteran Resources page of the Northwestern Chicago Office of Financial Aid or contact that office for more information on using their VA benefits at Northwestern University.
If veterans need assistance in determining the amount of loan funding they should accept or decline, they may contact the Northwestern Chicago Office of Financial Aid (financial-aid-chicago@northwestern.edu, 312-503-8722).
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 www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.