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Veterans and Reservists Affairs

Paying For Your Education

Paying for your education is always a challenge but, as a veteran, in addition to traditional sources of financial aid, grants, and scholarships, you may be entitled to educational benefits from the Federal and state governments. This section provides information on the types of benefits and eligibility requirements, and how to go about applying or getting more information.

All students

All students, regardless of what benefits they think they may be eligible for, should complete two forms: the Federal form Free Application for Federal Student Aid (F.A.F.S.A.) available online and an application for New York State Tuition Assistance Program or T.A.P. When filling out the FAFSA online, be sure to click on the New York State residents link to complete the TAP application online as well as the CUNY supplement.

New students

New students at Lehman College who have not used any V.A. educational assistance programs should begin the process by applying for Education benefits online using the V.A. VON-APP system.

Reservists

Reservists who have not used any of their Montgomery G.I. Bill-Selected Reserve Educational Assistance (Chapter 1606) benefits will need the original DD Form 2384-1: Notice of Basic Eligibility from their Reserve Unit.

Dependents

Dependants who have not received Dependents' Educational Assistance Benefits Chapter 35, will need to apply using V.A. Form 22-5490, or provide a previously issued Certificate of Eligibility.

Transfer students who have received V.A. educational assistance benefits at other institutions of higher education only need to complete a V.A. 22-1995 Change in Place of Training Form

Continuing students can be certified for benefits each semester as soon as they have registered and have notified the Certifying Official.

Disabled veterans are eligible for considerable financial help when they apply for Vocational Rehabilitation at the Department of Veterans Affairs website. You must have a V.A. certified disability rating of at least 20 percent. You will receive authorization directly from the V.A. You need to bring this authorization to Lehman’s certifying official (Shuster Hall, Room 114), and she or he will notify the V.A. that you are enrolled and in attendance at the College.

Paper Forms

Veteran's Educational application forms are available at all V.A. offices, active duty stations, American embassies and Lehman’s Office of Veterans and Reservists Affairs (Shuster Hall, Room 238). In New York City, the Department of Veteran Affairs is located at 245 W. Houston Street, New York, NY 10001. Completed forms are to be submitted to Lehman’s Certifying Official.

Tuition Deferment

A tuition-only deferral will be processed for veterans who are certified for veteran's benefits by the Certifying Official. Application must be made prior to the start of each semester in lieu of bill payment. All non-tuition fees must be paid at the time payment is due. Fees cannot be deferred. Veterans are responsible for the payment of tuition whether they have received U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits or not. Students who have received a veteran's deferment and have not cleared their debt will be prevented from registering for the following semester and will have a hold placed on their records. The deferral must be presented to the bursar, along with the payment of fees.

  • Give the Certifying Official a copy of your DD-214 and your Education Benefits Award Letter when you receive it.
  • Register for classes.
  • Each semester, contact the CertifyingOofficial to let him or her know you would like your enrollment certified, the number of credits you are taking, and if you would like a Tuition Deferral submitted for that semester. The Certifying Officers at Lehman are Suilan Berges and Roger Ramdhan, who work in the Office of the Registrar, located in Shuster Hall, Room 114, 718-960-8724/1125.
  • Each month you are in classes, verify your enrollment with the V.A. using the W.A.V.E. system, or by calling the phone verification system at 1-877-823-2378.
  • Notify the Certifying Official immediately if there are any changes in the number of credits you are taking (Add/Drop, Withdrawal, etc.), or if you are being activated, called for training, or deployed.

Tuition Assistance

This process does not apply to Tuition Assistance, which comes directly from your unit. Armed Forces Tuition Assistance (T.A.), which is separate from the G.I. Bill benefits, is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process, and restrictions. In most cases, you cannot receive G.I. Bill benefits and Tuition Assistance for the same classes—you must use one or the other. You must contact your unit directly and follow their application process. The Certifying Official at Lehman can verify your enrollment with your unit once you have initiated the process.