Veterans Education Benefits

Getting Started

Veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, and eligible family members can use GI Bill education benefits, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits, and military Tuition Assistance to help fund their education at Loyola University Maryland. Learn how to apply for military education benefits, submit your Certificate of Eligibility, and begin using your military education benefits at Loyola.

Apply for GI Bill® and VA Education Benefits

Before Loyola University Maryland can certify your enrollments using GI Bill® education benefits or other U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits, you must first apply for benefits through the VA.

Loyola participates in several VA education benefit programs for veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, and eligible family members. Because there are multiple benefit types, we recommend reviewing the programs available through the VA training and education website to determine which education benefits you may qualify for.

Apply for VA Education Benefits

Veterans, service members, and eligible dependents must apply for GI Bill® or other VA education benefits directly through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The application collects the information needed for the VA to determine your eligibility and the specific benefits you may receive.

Application requirements and forms vary depending on:

• The type of military education benefits
• Your military service status
• Your educational goals

If you need assistance completing the application, you can contact the VA directly:

• Phone: 1-888-442-4551
• Online: Submit a question through the Ask VA (AVA) portal
   

After reviewing your application, the VA will issue a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). This document confirms:

• Your approved VA education benefit program
• The number of months of benefits remaining
• Your benefit expiration date

Providing this document to the School Certifying Official (SCO) promptly helps ensure your military education benefits are processed without delay.

Monitor the Status of Your VA Benefits

You can check the status of your GI Bill® or VA education benefits at any time by logging into your VA eBenefits account. Monitoring your benefits regularly can help you track remaining eligibility and ensure your benefits remain active while enrolled.

Consider Military Tuition Assistance

Loyola University Maryland participates in the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance (TA) program through the DoD Memorandum of Understanding. Tuition Assistance provides financial support for active-duty service members and reservists pursuing voluntary, off-duty education.

Each branch of the military manages Tuition Assistance through its own portal. To apply:

• Speak with your Educational Services Officer (ESO) or military education counselor.
• Apply through your service branch’s Tuition Assistance portal.
• Email the School Certifying Official (SCO) and inform them of your benefits.

Loyola’s participation in the Tuition Assistance program reflects our commitment to supporting military-connected students and expanding access to a Jesuit education for those who serve.

Apply to Loyola University Maryland

Once you have applied for your military education benefits, the next step is to apply for admission to Loyola.

Undergraduate Admission

Prospective undergraduate students can:

• Apply for undergraduate admission
• Apply as a transfer student
• Review transfer admission requirements

The Office of Undergraduate Admission will evaluate all previous college transcripts to determine which credits may transfer to Loyola University Maryland. Academic departments will then determine how those credits apply to:

• Your degree program
• Loyola’s core curriculum
• University graduation requirements

Please note: Students cannot register for a second semester at Loyola until all final official transcripts from previously attended institutions have been submitted to the Office of Admission.

Apply as a First-Year Student Apply as a Transfer Student

Graduate Admission

Students interested in graduate programs should review the graduate admission requirements and application process for their program of interest.

Explore All Graduate Programs Learn more about Graduate Admission Apply for Graduate Admission

Get Credit for Your Military and Academic Experience

Loyola recognizes that many veterans and service members bring valuable prior learning and academic experience. We offer several ways to receive college credit for previous coursework and military training.

Transfer Credits

The Academic Advising and Support Center (AASC) and academic department chairs review undergraduate transfer credit to determine how prior coursework applies toward your degree.

Graduate students may request transfer credit review after they have:

• Been admitted to Loyola
• Accepted their offer of admission 

Graduate transfer credit decisions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, typically during the student’s first semester.

Joint Services Transcript

Loyola University Maryland reviews the Joint Services Transcript (JST) and awards credit for American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations when applicable to undergraduate programs.

To have military training evaluated for college credit:

• Request your official Joint Services Transcript (JST).
• Email your JST to vabenefits@loyola.edu.

Credits awarded from military training are included in Loyola’s advanced placement and examination credit policies, which allow students to earn up to 30 credits through qualifying prior learning.