Military & Veteran Benefits

Military education benefits have additional requirements depending on the VA education benefit program you use.

• Submit your Certificate of Eligibility to your School Certifying Official as soon as you receive it. Students using Chapter 1606 should submit their Notice of Basic Eligibility.
• Students using the Post-9/11 GI Bill® may be required to verify their enrollment each month to continue receiving monthly housing allowance or kicker payments.
• Students using the Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty, Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve or other applicable benefits may also be required to verify their enrollment each month through the VA enrollment-verification system.
• Notify your School Certifying Official immediately if your enrollment or academic program changes.

Active-duty service members using Department of Defense Tuition Assistance (TA) should obtain approval through their military branch before registering for classes.

Visit ArmyIgnitED→

In addition to Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance (TA), eligible active-duty service members may also qualify for federal financial aid, scholarships and grants to help reduce the cost of earning a Cornerstone degree.

• Obtain Tuition Assistance approval through your military branch before classes begin.

• Tuition Assistance is approved on a course-by-course basis. Army students request Tuition Assistance through ArmyIgnitED.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid. Pell Grant funds are applied after Tuition Assistance and may help cover other eligible educational expenses.
• Your School Certifying Official (SCO) can help you understand how military education benefits and financial aid work together.
• If military service interrupts your education, Cornerstone follows applicable federal readmission requirements for eligible service members and reservists.

Eligible students can use military education benefits with SOAR™, Cornerstone University’s 100% mobile degree programs. Designed for working adults and military-connected students, SOAR’s flexible, smartphone-based learning experience makes it possible to continue your education wherever military service or life takes you.

• Students using Chapters 31, 33, 35 or 1606 are initially certified for three credits. Enrollment is updated at the end of the term based on the number of credits completed. The VA will provide any additional eligible housing payment resulting from that update.
• Students using Military Tuition Assistance are encouraged to select two courses, totaling six credits, each term in ArmyIgnitED.
• Contact Rachel Joseph before enrolling if you have questions about using military education benefits with SOAR™.

Explore SOAR™ Tuition & Aid

Contact Rachel Joseph (SOAR™ Mobile Degrees)
Phone: 616.977.5476
Email: soarfinancialservices@cornerstone.edu

Cornerstone University complies with 38 U.S.C. § 3679(e).

Students entitled to educational assistance under Chapter 31 (Veteran Readiness & Employment) or Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®) may attend and participate in their courses while eligible VA payments are pending after providing the Student Financial Services Office with one of the following:

• A Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
• A Statement of Benefits available through VA.gov
• A VA Form 28-1905 (for Chapter 31 authorization)

These protections remain in effect until the earlier of:

• The date the VA payment is received by Cornerstone University.
• 90 days after Cornerstone certifies tuition and fees following receipt of the required eligibility documentation.

During this protected period, Cornerstone University will not:

• Assess late fees because of a delayed VA payment.
• Deny access to classes, libraries or other institutional facilities because of a delayed VA payment.
• Require a covered student to borrow additional funds solely because an eligible VA payment has not yet been received.

For more information about VA education benefits:

• VA Education Benefits (Chapters 31 & 33)
• 38 U.S.C. § 3679(e)

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

• GI Bill® Education Benefits

• Michigan Department of Military & Veterans Affairs

• Veteran Readiness & Employment (Chapter 31)

• VA Enrollment Verification

• Military OneSource Education Resources

Eligible military applicants are guaranteed admission when they meet Cornerstone University’s applicable admission requirements. Some academic programs have additional admission requirements.

Veterans, active-duty service members, members of the National Guard or Reserve, and eligible spouses and dependents may qualify to use military education benefits at Cornerstone University. Eligibility is determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the applicable military branch.

Yes. Cornerstone accepts up to 30 eligible military credits. Submit your official military transcript during the admissions process so your military education, training and experience can be evaluated for transfer credit.

Depending on your eligibility and the military education benefit program you use, you may also qualify for federal financial aid, scholarships and grants. Complete the FAFSA and speak with Student Financial Services to understand how your available funding may work together.

Military education benefits are available to eligible students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, seminary, online and SOAR™ programs. Your School Certifying Official can help you understand which benefits apply to your program and guide you through the certification process.

You may need to update your VA education benefits when changing schools or degree programs. Complete the VA’s Request for Change of Program or Place of Training and provide any updated eligibility documentation requested by your School Certifying Official.

Some VA education benefits are paid directly to you, while others are paid directly to Cornerstone University.

If your benefits are paid directly to you, you are responsible for paying Cornerstone according to the due dates on your billing statement. If your benefits are paid directly to Cornerstone, an estimated VA benefit may appear on your student account while payment is pending. The estimate is adjusted when Cornerstone receives the actual VA payment.

Contact your School Certifying Official immediately. Changes in enrollment may affect your certification, tuition payment, monthly housing allowance or other military education benefits.

Monthly verification requirements depend on the military education benefit program you use. Students receiving Post-9/11 GI Bill®, Montgomery GI Bill® and certain other VA education benefits may be required to verify their enrollment each month. Your School Certifying Official can help you understand the requirements that apply to your benefits.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available through the official U.S. government website.