The USC Veterans Certification Office certifies enrollment for USC students who apply and are eligible for educational assistance administered by the Veterans Administration. The office forwards enrollment certifications to regional offices of the Veterans Administration, provides assistance to students with problems related to the Veterans Administration educational (or covered) programs and maintains a reference file on all VA students for up to three years.
1. I am a veteran and/or dependent interested in attending the University of Southern California. What do I need to know?
The first step to take is to apply to USC. Please visit USC Admission to look up information on the admission process, or call (213) 740-1111 for guidance. For transfer students, the USC Transfer Planning Guide is also available for further assistance.
Tuition is unit based, typically up to $41,776.00 each semester. It is to your advantage to visit the GI Bill website to find information on the Montgomery GI Bill, Chapter 30, and Post-9/11 GI Bill, Chapter 33, or any other Chapter you may be interested in. The GI Bill Comparison Tool is available to help you assess VA payment estimates, including rates at private institutions such as USC.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill, Chapter 33, is capped each academic year because USC is a private institution. At 100% Post 9/11 eligibility, the 2024-2025 annual cap is $28,937.09, August 1 – July 31. If you are less than 100% eligible for the Post 9/11, please click here to review related payment estimate details. If you are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon award, the VA and USC may each pay up to $5,000 to $10,000 annually for graduate students and 100 percent of tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate students. Not all graduate students may be eligible. VA tuition and award funds are subject to change once other tuition and mandatory fee scholarships are applied.
Familiarize yourself with the information concerning the GI Bills so that you can make an informed decision on which GI bill best fits your career goal. Review the VA Guide to Choosing Your Education Pathway and Guide to Understanding your Benefits. If you don’t understand something and/or you have eligibility questions, please call the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551). It is highly suggested that you write your questions down prior to calling the VA hotline.
After class registration at USC, students may file for GI Bill or Vocational Rehabilitation benefits by following the outlined procedures.
For students in the Marshall School of Business or Viterbi School of Engineering , obtain details about the Schoen scholarship by emailing mba@marshall.usc.edu or viterbi.admission@usc.edu, respectively.
Social Work students may contact the School of Social Work Scholarship Programs to explore additional scholarship options.
Other graduate students may contact their program of study to explore any available scholarship options. Additional details are available through the USC Military & Veterans Initiatives Office.
Determine potential out-of-pocket costs once you share your VA payment estimates with the Financial Aid Office. An information session covering VA education benefits (including Yellow Ribbon) is also viewable on the USC Financial Aid website.
All students may reach out to USC Financial Aid to explore additional funding options.
Additional military aid options are available through VA Financial Aid Resources and/or the GoGrad website.
2. I am eligible for Chapter 35 benefits. What will the VA pay for?
Chapter 35 pays in the form of a monthly stipend. Payment rates are available on the VA website.
Unfortunately, the Cal Vet Fee Waiver is only available for public institutions (USC is a private institution).
3. If I need to determine my potential out-of-pocket costs after my VA education benefits are considered, how do I access my financial aid summary?
The VA GI Bill Comparison Tool provides estimates of your VA payments, including rates at private institutions such as USC.
Share your VA payment estimates with the Financial Aid Office and access your financial aid summary on the Financial Aid website. Your Financial Aid Summary and Tasks page also provides a Planning Worksheet. Please contact the USC Financial Aid Office at (213) 740-4444 if you have any questions.
A video covering VA education benefits (including Yellow Ribbon) is also viewable on the USC Financial Aid website.
4. Can the admission application fee be waived?
You may request a fee waiver if paying the application fee would cause a financial hardship. Contact the Office of Admission at (213) 740-1111 for additional information.
5. Do veterans get “preferred” admission to USC?
When reviewing applicants for admission to USC, students are evaluated holistically, meaning all aspects of the student are considered.
You may want to include a personal story about your military service as an essay, personal statement or addendum to your application. This will allow the admission team to learn more about you, your background, and your experiences.
6. I am interested in attending graduate school at USC. What is the admission process?
To apply for admission to a graduate or professional program at USC, please visit USC Graduate Admission.
7. How much is tuition at USC and what would my VA benefits pay?
For an estimation of tuition and fees, please visit the USC Catalogue. USC is a private institution, and tuition and fees are subject to change without notice.
VA benefit rates vary. VA benefit rate tables and the GI Bill Comparison Tool are available to help you assess VA payments, including rates at private institutions such as USC. We encourage students to utilize the GI Bill comparison tool, the tool will provide you with an estimated VA coverage and projected out-of-pocket expenses, if any. The tool can be filtered based on VA benefit chapter eligibility, tuition and fees, resident vs. online units, etc. Note, all projections are estimates.
Students may expect VA payments only for courses that are a legitimate part of degree programs listed in the USC Catalogue. Executive Education and Continuing Education programs are not approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs. If a student takes a course that does not fulfill a degree program requirement, it cannot be certified. Excessive free electives, for example, cannot be certified. The student must email the USC Veterans Certification Office immediately upon taking a Leave of Absence or changing their major when claiming GI Bill or Vocational Rehabilitation benefits. It is your responsibility to notify the office if you drop or withdraw from courses after withdrawal deadlines. Failure to do so may result in delayed VA overpayment notifications.
8. What is NOT paid for by the VA?
Recommended courses: The VA will NOT pay for recommended courses—only required ones.
Withdrawals: Course withdrawals may result in your being required to repay the VA (VA debt). Please visit the VA website to review related details.
Repeated courses: The VA will pay for repeated courses if you received any of the following grades: “F,” “NP,” “NC,” “W,” “UW,” or “IX” on your original attempt. University course repetition limits apply. The VA will NOT pay for repeated courses that are Incomplete (IN) or In-Progress (IP).
Repeated courses that were successfully completed will not be re-certified. However, if a program requires a higher grade than the one achieved in a particular course, you may repeat it and have it certified. (The requirement must be listed in the school catalogue.)
Example 1: If a nursing program requires a “B” or better in Biology, you may repeat the course if you did not earn a “B” or better.
Example 2: If a course is required for graduation, you may repeat the course until it is successfully completed so long as your program of study allows it.
Example 3: If you choose to repeat a course that you previously completed simply in order to improve your GPA, that course cannot be re-certified.
Non-mandatory fees: The VA will NOT pay for non-mandatory fees such as commitment deposits (usually refunded by your program of study upon attending USC), meal plans, USC housing, parking permit, tuition refund insurance, fraternity/sorority dues, athletic events, etc. Parking permits are only covered for Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation recipients. Ch. 31 does not cover USC health insurance.
Travel costs: The VA will NOT pay for travel or lodging fees if you choose to register in elective courses or study abroad programs that require travel. The VA will only pay for travel and lodging fees if your degree or certificate program requires it to graduate, e.g., for an MBA, MBA.PM, etc.
Please note: Study abroad is not approved for VA funding. Email us to request VA approval for study abroad. VA approval is not guaranteed. More details are available in FAQ 28.
Rounding out: The VA will pay for a limited number of non-required courses that will elevate your final semester’s standing to full-time—for example, if you only need 4 units to graduate but require 8 units to be considered full-time. This is what the VA calls “rounding out” and can only be done once, during your final semester. You must notify the VA Certifying Official that you plan to round out.
9. How does the VA pay if my Post-9/11 eligibility rating is less than 100%?
It is important to understand how the Post 9/11 GI Bill works at private schools such as USC for students whose eligibility rating is less than 100%. For example: If a student is 80% eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the student will only be entitled to up to 80% of the annual private school tuition/fees cap, 80% of the monthly housing allowance, and 80% of the annual book stipend.
More important to understand is the VA will only pay 80% of tuition/fees each semester, up to the annual cap. Here is an example:
The current annual private school tuition/fees cap is $28,937.09, at 80% you are entitled to $23,149.67; if your first semester tuition/fees is $16,200, the VA is likely to pay $12,960 and you will be responsible for settling the $3,240 balance. You will now have $10,189.67 remaining to use on subsequent semesters until your $23,149.67 annual cap is exhausted, or until the next VA fiscal year begins on August 1.
10. How does BAH/MHA work for Post-9/11 recipients?
If eligible for BAH/MHA, students will receive a monthly allowance for the duration of the VA certified term in accordance with their benefit eligibility percentage and class location so long as the rate of pursuit is more than half-time. Click here to review USC’s full-time enrollment requirements to help maximize your housing allowance.
USC online graduate programs may be eligible for a monthly housing allowance at the residency rate equal to the pay of an E-5 with dependents. In-residence training for graduate students consists of at least one scheduled standard class session per term. The VA considers a graduate course to be resident training if the course:
Is offered through regularly scheduled, conventional classroom or laboratory sessions;
or
Consists of research (on campus) necessary for the preparation of a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation
or
Is an externship, internship or practicum at a designated physical location. Examples: student teaching and field work.
Rates estimates are available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the GI Bill Comparison Tool.
To calculate your housing rate:
- Visit the GI Bill Comparison Tool
- Search for your school
- Refine your search based on attendance, i.e., online classes only, and your benefit
- “View details” for that school. You are able to adjust the refinements to see how changes can impact your MHA rate
Rates are subject to change upon Forever GI Bill implementations. Students must be enrolled and claim VA benefits each semester in order to be considered for BAH/MHA payments. In addition, please be sure to verify your monthly enrollment directly with the VA. Click here for more details.
11. I am interested in using Top-Up. How does this work?
Top-Up requires a collaborative effort amongst various units. Benefit counselors are available by calling 888-GIBILL-1.
12. Are scholarships available for veterans and their families?
For information about GI Bill benefits, contact the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551). Additional military aid options, recommended by the VA, are available online. You may also contact the USC Financial Aid Office and/or your graduate program of study for additional options at USC.
Additional resources may also be available through the USC Military & Veterans Initiatives Office.
13. What forms do I need to submit to the Veterans Certification Office in order to process my VA benefits?
Please visit our How to File section for details or to submit your documents through the links provided in the “Required Forms for First-Time Applicants” section. Continuing students who wish to claim VA education benefits will need to re-submit the online ASE form each term.
14. I may be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation benefits (Ch. 31), how does the process work at USC?
Upon Ch.31 approval, we will need a Ch. 31 authorization from your VA Case Manager submitted via Tungsten. If you need USC Tungsten account information, you and/or your counselor may contact us directly. If you are having issues reaching a VA Case Manager, please call 800-827-1000 or schedule a virtual appointment. Visit the Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Chapter 31) for more details. Subsistence Allowance Rates (housing allowance) are also available online.
If Ch. 31 benefit approval advocacy is needed, please visit the VA website to find Veterans Service Organization advocates.
If Ch. 31 approval is still pending and an education/degree plan or audit is needed, please contact your program of study representatives so that an Academic Advisor or Admission contact can assist you with your form completion. A list of USC advisors by school is available on the USC Schedule of Classes.
VA authorization will be sent to each of the supplies and books teams, and an account for supplies will be established within 3 to 10 business days. After that time, email Gianna Arditto at garditto@usc.edu to confirm that your account has been activated. You may then request supplies by emailing supplies@usc.edu. Please note that you will not be able to obtain supplies prior to receiving account confirmation. Contact the USC Bookstore for assistance with your book orders.
If you need a parking permit, please call (213) 740-3575 or visit USC Transportation. Please have the parking permit charges billed to your USC billing account so that we may bill the VA when we certify your enrollment.
After you attend your orientation at USC and are registered for degree-applicable classes, we will also need one document from you, the online Application for Semester Entitlement (ASE) form. Please remember, each semester you wish to claim VA entitlement, it is required that you continue to submit the online ASE form after you register for classes.
Once we receive the tuition and mandatory fee VA authorization and certify your enrollment to the VA, you will receive an email confirmation from us. It may take the VA at least four weeks in to the term to submit a tuition and mandatory fee payment. Note that optional fees such as Tuition Refund Insurance and Health Insurance are not covered by Ch. 31. You may opt out of such optional fees by respective deadlines. In the meantime, USC will place a temporary deferment in your USC billing account, equivalent to the cost of mandatory tuition and fees, to give the VA time to pay. If any late fees or holds appear on your account due to the VA certification process and/or delayed VA payment, they will be removed once VA payments are released to USC. Students will not be dropped from courses. If you have any questions and/or concerns regarding your student financial account, please contact USC Agency Billing Office.
Support and accessibility services are available through USC Counseling Services at 213-740-9355. Student Accessibility Services and the Office of Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX.
15. Does USC participate in the VetSuccess on Campus program?
Unfortunately, USC is on the waitlist to attain VetSuccess partnerships. The program last expanded in 2013. Nationwide and nearby locations are available in the meantime.
16. If I’m a continuing USC student, how do I re-activate my VA education benefits each semester?
Please remember, each semester you wish to claim VA entitlement for degree-applicable courses, you are required to submit the online Application for Semester Entitlement (ASE) form after you register for classes. To avoid late fees and account holds, please submit your ASE form no later than a week prior to the settlement deadline for each term. Settlement deadlines are available on the Student Financial Services website. If we do not receive an ASE form, we will not certify your semester enrollment to the VA.
17. Can I claim VA benefits if I enroll in a satellite campus?
Students enrolled in out-of-state satellite campuses (i.e., Hawaii) will not be able to certify enrollment through this office. Such satellite campuses would need to provide resident VA certifying officials that comply with the state’s VA policies.
Individuals enrolled in satellite campuses in California as well as out-of-state online students can be certified through this office.
18. What happens after I submit the forms to the Veterans Certification Office?
Please remember, each semester you wish to claim VA entitlement (for degree-applicable courses only), it is required that you submit the online Application for Semester Entitlement (ASE) form after you register for classes. To avoid late fees and holds, please submit your ASE form no later than a week prior to the settlement deadline each term. Please add the settlement deadlines from our website to your personal calendar. If we do not receive an ASE form, we will not certify your semester enrollment to the VA.
The Veterans Certification Office submits dual enrollment certifications on your behalf to the VA Regional Office in Muskogee, OK each term. Once each certification is submitted, you will receive an email confirmation of your enrollment certification from the VA. The VA will also send a payment confirmation letter directly to you a few weeks after each certification is submitted.
Initial certifications will be processed within 10 business days of your ASE form submission. For eligible students, it ensures the disbursement of your stipend or Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) funds. Per VA guidelines, Ch. 33 tuition and fees will not be reported on initial certifications each term. For those eligible, however, USC Agency Billing may be able to automatically place Ch. 33 deferments in the USC account ahead of VA tuition payments. Deferments are subject to change. They are applied to assist with expected delays in VA payments and are VA payment estimates only. As such, they may not reflect actual VA or Yellow Ribbon payments for those deemed eligible. Actual Ch. 33 and Yellow Ribbon tuition funds will be paid toward the end of the term for those eligible.
The Veterans Certification Office will process a second certification after the USC Drop/Add deadline and will include any schedule changes and Ch. 33 tuition and mandatory fee charges. It also ensures the release of any Post-9/11 and VA Yellow Ribbon funds for tuition and mandatory fees for those who may qualify. This process is completed manually by our office, and it may take up to eight (8) weeks after the Drop/Add deadline to be finalized. This period allows sufficient processing time for our office as well as the VA. Students do not need to submit any further documentation at this point.
Upon each certification email confirmation, you may call 888-GIBILL-1 to follow up on VA payments for you which you may qualify. VR&E students may check on VA payments with their VR&E counselor directly or call 800-827-1000.
Dual certifications are required by the VA and each certification may result in a payment delay of up to eight weeks. Since VA payment delays are expected, you will not be penalized for charges associated with VA tuition and fee payments or dropped from classes during this time. Students receiving other VA education benefits may be able to defer payment of their student fee bill. Contact USC Student Financial Services, Agency Billing, at agbill@usc.edu.
Please review the annual VA benefit rates here or call 888-GIBILL-1 in order to plan ahead.
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Chapter 33, recipients: The monthly housing stipend and annual book grant will be paid to the student directly. Eligible MHA recipients should verify their monthly enrollment directly with the VA going forward. Please visit the VA website for additional details.
Tuition payments and Yellow Ribbon awards are paid directly to the school. USC will match the Yellow Ribbon Award up to 10 business days after award funds are received. These benefits are subject to change when other tuition-and-fee scholarships are applied to your account. Annual VA and graduate Yellow Ribbon payment caps apply. Payment caps are effective fall through summer. You can find payment estimates on the VA website. Any late fees or holds that may appear on your account due to the VA certification process and associated VA tuition and fee payments will be removed. Please keep in mind that all out-of-pocket expenses or amounts not covered by the VA must be paid in full. If VA payment delays create financial hardship and your VA enrollment certification was submitted, please contact 888-GIBILL-1 to notify the VA as this can speed up the VA payment process. To request USC hold removals due to late ASE submission, please email a copy of your VA enrollment certification and Statement of Benefits or VA payment confirmation letter (mailed directly to you by the VA) to collect@usc.edu. If classes are in session, please continue attending your classes during this time. If you have any questions and/or concerns regarding late fees and your student financial account, please email the Agency Billing Office. Check your student billing account via OASIS to ensure payment was received by the school.
If the disbursement of other tuition-and-fee scholarships or schedule changes create a tuition or stipend overpayment, you must send all corresponding VA tuition overpayment letters to USC Agency Billing at agbill@usc.edu so they can issue a refund to the VA; however, overpayments pertaining to housing and book stipends will be your responsibility to settle with the VA directly.
Undergraduate students: If applicable, your University Grant may be reduced once VA tuition funds are applied to your account. Contact Financial Aid if you have any questions about your University Grant. Contact your program of study representatives to explore additional scholarship options and/or the USC Financial Aid Office at 213-740-4444 for additional funding to settle your account if needed.
19. I am enrolling/enrolled in non-standard or short-term courses, how could this affect VA payments?
Be aware that enrolling in short-term courses may affect your monthly housing allowance. The VA may only consider the number of concurrent semester units to calculate your BAH/MHA.
Undergraduate students must be enrolled in 12 or more units per semester, also applicable during regular summer sessions, in order to be considered full-time. See FAQ 20
Master’s degree students must be enrolled in 8 or more units per semester in order to be considered full-time. Exceptions are made for thesis courses. See FAQ 21
Doctorate degree students must be enrolled in 6 or more concurrent units, per semester, in order to be considered full-time. Exceptions are made for dissertation courses.
20. What is the full-time equivalent in short-term sessions for undergraduate students?
VA converts undergraduate credit earned during nonstandard quarters or semesters to equivalent credit hours. VA makes the conversion, not schools. Schools must report actual credit. Refer to the credit hour equivalency tables. The formula for converting quarters or semesters to credit equivalents is the same, except for the multiplier. The formulas are:
Semester: Credit × 18 ÷ weeks = credit hour equivalents. 4 semester credits earned in 4 weeks is the equivalent of 18 credits earned during a standard semester (4 × 18 ÷ 4 = 18) and will pay full-time for 4 weeks.
VA pays education benefits for nonstandard enrollment periods based on credit equivalents. Remember, schools report actual number of credits; VA makes the conversion. When enrollment periods overlap, credit hour equivalents for the period of overlap are combined.
Equivalency Tables (Chapter 30, 32, 35, 1606, and 1607)
The training time credit hour equivalency tables for chapters 30, 32, 35, 1606, 1607, and show undergraduate training time for nonstandard length quarters and semesters at schools where 12 credits is full-time. Training time for nonstandard length terms is paid based on credit equivalents.
Calculate number of weeks by counting the number of days in the enrollment period (first day through the last day) and dividing by 7. Disregard a remainder of 3 days or less and consider a remainder of 4 days or more a full week.
Semester Credit Equivalency Table (non – CH33)
Weeks Credit | 15 to 19 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 12 or more | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT |
| 11 | 3/4 | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT |
| 10 | 3/4 | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT |
| 9 | 3/4 | 3/4 | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT |
| 8 | 1/2 | 3/4 | 3/4 | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT |
| 7 | 1/2 | 3/4 | 3/4 | 3/4 | 3/4 | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT |
| 6 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 3/4 | 3/4 | 3/4 | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT |
| 5 | <½ | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 3/4 | 3/4 | 3/4 | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT |
| 4 | <½ | <½ | <½ | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 3/4 | 3/4 | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT | FT |
| 3 | 1/4 | 1/4 | <1/2 | <½ | <½ | <½ | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | ¾ | ¾ | FT | FT | FT | FT |
| 2 | 1/4 | 1/4 | 1/4 | 1/4 | 1/4 | 1/4 | <½ | <½ | <½ | ½ | ½ | 3/4 | FT | FT | FT |
| 1 | 1/4 | 1/4 | 1/4 | 1/4 | 1/4 | 1/4 | 1/4 | 1/4 | 1/4 | ¼ | ¼ | <½ | ½ | ¾ | FT |
For VA payment estimates, including housing stipend, please call 888-GIBILL-1 or see the following link: www.va.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool/.
21. What is the full-time equivalent in short-term sessions for graduate students?
Rates are calculated using the chart below, with 8 units used as the master’s student full-time modifier and 6 units used as the doctoral student full-time modifier.
Example #1, 8 units is the full-time modifier for a master’s student who is enrolled in a 3-week course, 1 unit would be required to be considered full-time during the short-term session.
Example #2, 6 units is the full-time modifier for a doctoral student who is enrolled in a 6-week course, 2 units would be required to be considered full-time during the short-term session.
| SEMESTER HOURS-FT MODIFIER | 3 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 |
| Weeks | ||||||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 6 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| 8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| 9 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 10 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| 11 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 12 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
| 13 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 14 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 |
| 15-19 (STANDARD) | 3 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 |
| 20 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 |
For VA payment estimates, including housing stipend, please call 888-GIBILL-1 or see the following link: www.va.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool/.
22. If I am eligible for Military Tuition Assistance, how do I get that processed?
Be sure to connect with your Education Services Officer on base. The Agency Billing Office can assist with Military TA processing at USC.
23. What are the criteria for Yellow Ribbon award consideration?
Veterans entitled to the 100 percent Post-9/11 benefit rate (based on service requirements) or their designated transferees may receive this funding.
Starting August 1, 2022, you may become eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program if you’re currently an active-duty service member who qualifies at the 100% level (you already served on active duty for at least 36 months) or if you’re a spouse using the transferred benefits of an active-duty service member who meets these qualifications. Awards are not guaranteed for graduate students as availability and participation varies among graduate schools.
Please visit our Yellow Ribbon Program page for more details.
24. How many veterans are enrolled at USC? How can I connect with my peers?
An estimated 1,000+ veterans and dependents are enrolled at USC. Please contact the USC Veterans Resource Center to find the various ways you can get involved in veteran’s activities.
25. Do I qualify for the Forever GI Bill and how will any changes affect me?
Updates and details are available through the Forever GI Bill webpage.
26. What programs of study are approved for VA Education Benefit use?
Only degree-seeking programs of study that are found in the USC Catalogue are approved by the VA for education benefit usage. Please review the covered VA benefit programs. The VA’s nationwide list of approved programs of study by school is available on the VA website.
27. When will I know if I am eligible for Yellow Ribbon funds?
In programs with limited award availability, new Yellow Ribbon recipients will be notified via email within the first three weeks of the fall and spring semesters.
In programs with unlimited award availability, all eligible undergraduate and graduate Yellow Ribbon recipients will automatically receive the award.
The VA will send an award payment confirmation letter via mail, typically mid-term. Eligible graduate students will typically receive the Yellow Ribbon payment confirmation letter in spring or summer, after their Post 9/11 GI Bill cap has been exhausted. Please visit the Yellow Ribbon website for more details.
In the meantime, graduate students may contact their programs of study to explore any available scholarship options. All students are encouraged to reach out to the USC Financial Aid Office and/or the USC Military & Veterans Initiatives team to explore additional funding options. VA Financial Aid Resources and/or the GoGrad website offer additional options for military aid.
28. Can I use VA education benefits to study abroad?
Study abroad is not currently approved by the VA, but approval may be granted for study-abroad courses taught by USC faculty or by faculty at a VA-approved foreign school. You can find VA-approved institutions and SCO contact information on the VA’s website or by calling 888-GIBILL-1. Please email us to request approval.
Our office can issue a USC primary school letter to the VA-approved foreign institution as necessary. Provide the foreign school’s VA facility code, SCO contact information and course transfer pre-approval from USC.
If eligible, students will need to check with the SCO at the other institution to verify Yellow Ribbon participation. The VA does not allow USC to certify and request the funds on behalf of VA-approved foreign schools. If possible, the other participating school needs to request award funds from the VA directly. Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) may be based on the location abroad.
Note that the California State Approving Agency will assess study-abroad requests and may need 5 to 15 business days to reach a decision. Please do not contact the State Approving Agency directly, as contact is reserved for school officials only.
More details about study abroad are available on the VA website.
29. What happens to VA funding if I withdraw from a class?
Course withdrawals may result in a VA debt, and you may be required to repay the VA or the school any funds you have received. Please visit the VA website to review related details.
30. Does the VA cover Tuition Refund Insurance?
No. Optional fees such as Tuition Refund Insurance are not covered by the VA. You may opt out of these fees by their respective deadlines.
The Web Registration system automatically enrolls students in Tuition Refund Insurance. Students may opt to purchase or decline Tuition Refund Insurance up until the 20 percent point of Session 001, which is the end of week three during fall and spring semesters. For the exact date based on your respective session(s), please visit the Schedule of Classes website, select the term, then click on “Registration Calendar.”
Questions? Please contact USC One Stop at (213) 740-8500.
31. Does the VA cover USC Health Insurance?
The Post 9/11 (Ch. 33) benefit may cover USC health insurance charges if VA annual funds are available. VR&E (Ch. 31) does not cover USC health insurance. If you are a full-time, international, or health professions student, you are automatically enrolled in the SHIP/Aetna Plan. The charges will appear on your semester fee bill.
You may opt out of related fees by their respective deadlines. More Information can be found on the Health Insurance website.
Questions? Please contact USC Student Health at (213) 740-9355 or email studenthealth@usc.edu.
The askUSC portal will help you find answers to our most commonly asked questions – and even some you may not have thought about. If you have any questions, or wish to email us, we invite you to askUSC.
Note: Current USC students must use their official university email address (username@usc.edu) for all official university communications.