Yellow Ribbon
St. Ambrose is a military friendly university. In support of our military, we help our students access tuition benefits for active duty service members and veterans.
We provide assistance with federal and state benefits and can connect you to campus and community resources. We'll also be your advocate and coordinate outreach to local schools, employers, and veteran service organizations.
Veterans fact sheet
MAVO group support, career, health, counseling services, & accessibility resources are available.
Prior military experience reviewed for credits based on ACE guidelines.
Veterans on Post 9/11 GI Bill® can access free or low-cost liberal arts education
Explore additional resources if military benefits fall short like scholarships and financial aid.
St. Ambrose University is proud to offer the Yellow Ribbon Program in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. With a matching grant from the VA, St. Ambrose will match 50 percent of tuition and fee expenses that exceed the VA annual cap of $28,937.09 – up to $6,000 for undergraduate students, and up to $3,000 for graduate students.
Certain members currently serving in the Armed Forces are eligible for the Post - 9/11 GI Bill® can transfer unused educational benefits to their spouses or children.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days on or after September 10, 2001.
If you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) can help. This program—also known as Chapter 31 or VR&E—helps you explore employment options and address education or training needs.
If you’re the child or spouse of a Veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or has a 100% disability rating from the VA, you may be able to get help paying for school or job training through the DEA program—also called Chapter 35.
The Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty (MGIB-AD) pays qualifying students a monthly stipend. If you’ve served at least 2 years on active duty, find out if you qualify for the MGIB-AD program.
The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program offers up to 36 months of education and training benefits. If you’re a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard, you may be eligible for this benefit. Find out if you qualify.
The U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, National Guard, Navy, and Army Reserves provide federal tuition assistance programs. Iowa also provides State Tuition Assistance for the Army and Air National Guard. Program details, eligibility and requirements vary. Any service member planning to utilize Federal Tuition Assistance should speak with your Education Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within your military service prior to enrollment.
The Air Force offers several Education Programs to support their voluntary education goals including Tuition Assistance for college courses taken during off-duty hours.
Learn more
The Tuition Assistance (TA) program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of a Soldier's professional and personal self-development goals.
Explore this benefit
The Coast Guard currently provides Tuition Assistance to all uniformed personnel (regular and drilling reservists), civilian employees, and commissioned Public Health Service officers who are serving with the Coast Guard to fund off-duty
Learn more
The Marine Corps offers several programs to support your education goals including Tuition Assistance for college courses taken during off-duty hours.
Explore this benefit
Available to Naval Officer and Enlisted active duty personnel, Naval Reservists on continuous active duty, enlisted Naval Reservists ordered to active duty 120 days, and Naval Reservist Officers ordered to active duty for 2 years or more.
Learn more
The Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship provides annual awards to Iowa National Guard members who attend eligible Iowa colleges and universities.
Explore this benefit
Space Force offers educational benefits to help service members pursue their educational goals while serving.
Learn more
St. Ambrose is dedicated to helping veterans, service members accomplish their higher education goals. Whether you’re just starting or ready to finish your degree. We’re here to help you with quality programs, cost savings, and support at every step.
Yes. You may be eligible for federal and state aid in addition to your Veteran/Dependent Educational Benefits.
A: First things first: Please visit the VA education website, choose your benefit type, and complete the online application through VA.gov.
Once the VA has processed your application, they will send you a Certificate of Eligibility. Send a copy of this, along with a copy of the Military Connected Student Worksheet, to the SAU Veterans and Recruitment Office.
The office also needs proof of service. This can be a DD-214 member 4 copy, JST, or a Proof of Service document from eBenefits.
Yes! Changes in enrollment can affect your VA education benefits, including the risk of overpayment and personal debt to the VA. Always let the SAU Veterans Coordinator know ASAP if you make any change to your schedule.
It's best to discuss any enrollment changes with the Veterans Coordinator before making them to avoid unnecessary complication or loss of benefits. This includes adding or dropping a class and withdrawal from the University.
It can't always be assumed that the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® is the best option for everybody. You can contact the VA at 888-442-4551 to discuss pros and cons. Use this comparison tool on the VA website.
No. This can only be determined by the VA after you apply for the benefit. You are encouraged to complete the application for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® benefit, and let the VA determine your eligibility. The Coordinator can assist you with the application process and inform you about the different types of education benefits.
Yes. For part-time students, payments for tuition/fees and book stipend are prorated based on the number of credit hours in which you are enrolled.
Students with a "Rate of Pursuit" greater than 50% are eligible for a monthly housing stipend. "Rate of Pursuit" is calculated by the VA. For questions, contact the VA at 888-GIBILL1
Full-time = 12 or more credit hours (undergraduate); 9 or more credit hours (graduate)
The VA determines part-time/full-time status based on how many credits a student is enrolled at a given time, not the total number of hours registered for in the term. Please contact the Coordinator of Veterans Services or the VA with questions about maintaining full time status.
To receive the maximum housing allowance you would need to be full time and attending at least one in-person class. The housing rate for completely online students is ½ the national average.
Find more rate information at VA Education benefits rates.
No. The monthly housing stipend, or other eligible financial assistance, can be used for this expense. The Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® will only pay for tuition and fees at St. Ambrose University.
Not necessarily. In order to qualify for Chapter 35 Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance, a parent needs to have died or have a 100% VA disability rating due to active military service. If your parent is a Post-9/11 service member, there is a Transfer of Entitlement Program for children and spouses. The transfer requires a 10-year commitment and must be completed while the Service member is on Active Duty.
Yes. If you used all 36 months of the Montgomery G.I. Bill® and have at least 90 days of cumulative active duty service after 9/10/2001, you may qualify for an additional 12 months of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®. Individuals cannot receive more than a maximum of 48 months of benefits under any combination of VA education programs.
You are encouraged to complete the application for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® benefit, and let the VA determine your eligibility.
No. Housing allowance payments are prorated by the VA based on the number of days in the month you are actually enrolled. For example: If classes start on the 15th, then you only will receive housing allowance for the 15th through the end of the month.
Students who are called to active duty have the following options:
The above options also apply to the spouse of a deployed service member with a dependent child, in the case when the spouse is the student.
If you have questions concerning your Financial Aid package, please contact Student Financial Services at SFS@soongshinkid.com.
St. Ambrose University will promptly readmit a service member with the same academic status as they had when last attended this university or were accepted for admission at this institution. This requirement applies to any student who cannot attend school due to military service.
For questions or concerns about using Veterans Education Benefits at St. Ambrose University, please email Natalie Woodhurst, Coordinator of Veterans Services, or call 563-333-5721.
Disclaimer: "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 website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Applying to SAU is your first step toward joining the SAU beehive, a place you can become who you were meant to be and be the good you want to see.
