Veterans

These programs benefit veterans of the armed forces and their dependents. Details vary by program.

WMU Michigan Army and Air National Guard Grant

See application for details and deadlines.

• application

For further details, contact the Army National Guard Headquarters at (517) 483-5519 or the Air National Guard Headquarters at (517) 483-5512.

Veterans Affairs Benefits

Eligibility

Veterans who have contributed to an education fund while on active duty are eligible for the award.  Veterans are eligible for 10 years after release from active duty. 

Contact

To request an application contact the U.S. Departnent of Veterans Affairs, 477 Michigan Ave., Detroit, MI 48226 or call 1-800-827-1000.

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education

Eligibility

Survivors or dependents of a deceased or permanently and totally disabled veteran whose death or disability was service related.  Time limit: spouses, 10 years from the later of date of death or date of notification that the veteran’s disability was permanent and total; children, up to age 26 (in some cases 31). 

Contact

For additional information contact the U.S. Deparment of Veteran’s Affairs at 1-888-442-4551.

Michigan War Orphan Act

Eligibility

Children of Michigan veterans who died, are totally disabled due to service-incurred causes or listed as missing in action may attend a Michigan tax-supported institution for up to 36 months with full-time benefits or to age 23, whichever comes first. 

Contact

For additional information, contact the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund, Board of Trustees, 611 W. Ottawa St., 3rd floor, Lansing, MI 48913, or call (517) 373-3130.

WMU’s ROTC

Eligibility Criteria

Offers the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) for students who are or want to be members of the Army National Guard or the Army Reserves while pursuing an officer’s commission through ROTC. This program enables the student to continue to serve in the Guard or Reserve and be a ROTC cadet. 

The soldier receives the rank of cadet (E5 for pay) during drills, maintains GI Bill benefits, and given $200 a month ($2,000 per year) allowance while taking military science classes.

Contact

Contact the Military Science Department at army-rotc@wmich.edu, (269) 387-8211, (800) WMU-ROTC (968-7682), or visit their website for further information.

Programs for Reserve Officer Training Corps, National Guard & Selected Reserves

Contact

Information on the various programs available for individuals belonging to one of these military organizations may be obtained by contacting the Department of Military Affairs, Education Office, 2500 S. Washington, Lansing, MI 48913-5101, or call (517) 483-5500.

U. S. Army

Eligibility

The United States Army offers women and men a variety of educational assistance programs:

• The Split Training Option allows eligible high school students to attend basic training the summer after their junior year and to return for advanced individual training the summer after high school graduation. The student may then become a member of the Army Reserve/National Guard and while attending college receive $140 a month in Reserve/Guard drill pay.
• The GI Bill for Army Reservists/National Guardsmen provides approximately $250 per month.
• The Unit Enlistment for Army Reserve Bonus pays up to $2,000 to those who will take certain critical skill jobs upon enlistment.
• The Student Loan Repayment Program for Reservists and National Guardsmen repays a portion of the student’s Federal Direct Stafford Loans.
• The Tuition Assistance Program repays 75 percent for individual classes.
• Members of the Michigan Army and Air National Guard receive an $800 per semester grant form WMU and are eligible for tuition reimbursement of 50 percent of their tuition (up to $2,000 a year).

Contact

Contact an Army recruiter for further information.

 

Updated: 09/20/2012 3:09 PM