Serving Our Military and Veteran Students

Northland provides service members, veterans, and military families with the flexibility and convenience needed to achieve their educational goals.

The Veterans Certifying Official or the Higher Education Veterans Programs Regional Coordinator are available to guide you as you apply for your military education benefits. You may also be eligible for disability services, counseling, tutorial assistance, financial aid or VA funded work-study. We want to make sure you get all the benefits for which you are entitled. The Veterans Resource Center provides a place for study and to socialize with fellow veterans. Northland complies with Minnesota Statute 197.775 which exceeds all criteria of Title 38 United States Code Section 3679(e).

The application process to Northland involves two main steps:

• 1. Apply to Northland
• 2. Apply for your military education benefits

Apply to Northland

Here are the steps a Veteran needs to accomplish to apply to Northland. Schedule an appointment to meet with the Higher Education Veterans Programs Regional Coordinator, or staff at the on campus veteran’s center to discuss specific veterans/higher education questions.

• 1Apply for admission through the College Admissions Office or online.
• 2Request OFFICIAL high school or GED transcripts be sent directly to the campus.
• 3Request all OFFICIAL college/military transcripts be sent to the college to be evaluated for transfer credit.
• 4If you took the ACT test or have college credits in reading, English , or math, you MAY be waived from the assessment test. If so, please call to make an appointment to attend one of the scheduled Registration Days.
• 5All students NOT waived, will need to schedule an assessment test. You will register for classes following your assessment test.
• 6Apply for Financial Aid
• 7If applicable, apply for Federal Tuition Assistance or State Tuition Reimbursement
• 8Complete the Northland online orientation.
• 9Meet with the Veterans Certifying Official and share a copy of your class schedule, DD-214, and VONAPP if you applied for benefits on line.

Apply for Military Education Benefits

Transfer Credit Information

Recent legislation in Minnesota requires Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to review military academic transcripts and give appropriate credit based on the American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations. To get your official military transcripts go to:

• Army and National Guard
• Navy and Marine Corps
• Air Force
• Coast Guard

Chapter 33 GI Bill Program

Chapter 33 - The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.

Below are descriptions of each of the military education benefits:

Federal Tuition Assistance

The Federal Tuition Assistance (TA) program pays the cost of tuition and some additional fees. Nearly all Active Duty, Reserve or Guard members are eligible for FTA. However, each service branch determines eligibility criteria that often reduce access. FTA covers up to 100 percent tuition and fees, not to exceed $250 per semester credit hour or $4,000 per fiscal year, with a maximum of 16 credits.

All active duty service members (including Guard and Reserve) must contact their education service officer or education counselor within your branch of service prior to enrolling in any college or university.

Federal Tuition Assistance application procedures for military services:

• Air Force
• Army
• Coast Guard
• Marines
• Navy

Minnesotans’ Military Appreciation Fund

The Minnesota Military Appreciation Fund is a fund established by private residents of Minnesota to thank Minnesota service members for their service. The MMAF will provide $250 -- $500 to all Minnesota military personnel who have served in a combat zone since September 11, 2001. They will increase the amount of the award to Purple Heart recipients and to the families of those killed in action. See eligibility criteria below.

• Minnesota taxpaying residents on active military duty
• Minnesota taxpaying residents assigned to Reserve or Guard units located outside of Minnesota
• Non-Minnesota taxpayers assigned to a Minnesota Reserve or Guard Unit Member of one of the above mentioned groups who served after September 11, 2001, and was honorably discharged

Minnesota Educational Assistance for War Orphans

Qualified war orphans may receive up to $750 a year from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to be used for tuition, books, supplies, board and room.

To be eligible for this program, you must have lost your veteran parent through death because of a service caused condition and have been a resident of Minnesota for two years prior to your application for educational benefits.

Children of deceased veterans also may qualify for free tuition at the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, until they earn a bachelor's degree. This does not apply to private institutions.

For more information, students should contact the financial aid office at the school they attend or plan to attend, their county Veterans Service Officer at the County Courthouse, or:

Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Service Building, 2nd Floor
20 West 12th Street
St. Paul, MN 55155
Tel: (651) 296-2562
Web: www.mdva.state.mn.us

Minnesota GI Bill

The Minnesota GI Bill program provides assistance to eligible Minnesota Veterans, currently serving military, National Guard and Reserve members who served after September 11, 2001 and eligible spouse and children. The Program provides a maximum benefit of $10,000, up to age 62. Eligible participants can use the benefit in Higher Education, On-the-job training (OJT)/Apprenticeship or License and Certification. For eligibility requirements and further information, please visit Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits & Resources.