Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families

Are you eligible? Click to learn more!

• Chapter 30 - Montgomery GI Bill
• Chapter 31 - Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
• Chapter 33 - Post 9/11
• Chapter 33 - Transfer of Entitlement (TOE)
• Chapter 33 - Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
• Chapter 35 - Survivors and Dependents Assistance (DEA)
• Chapter 1606 - Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve
• Chapter 1607 - Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

Joint Services Transcript for Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard

All veterans and service members of the Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard who are active duty, National Guard or Reserve can order an official transcript through the Joint Services Transcript online system or fill out the Joint Services Transcript Permission Request Form and we'll request it for you.

Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) for Air Force
 
All veterans and service members of the Air Force who are active duty, National Guard or Reserve can order an official transcript through the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) online system.

Official transcripts should be mailed to:
The University of Southern Mississippi
Office of the University Registrar
118 College Drive #5006
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001

• Fax: 601.266.5816. Verify if fax received @ 601.266.5006.
• In person in Hattiesburg: Kennard-Washington Hall (map), Room 110

Military-Eligible applicants who are engaged in or honorably discharged from active duty in the United States Armed Services including academically eligible current or surviving spouse and dependent children, including stepchildren, would receive an exception of the non-resident surcharge. The student does not have to be using the GI Bill to receive this exception.

Students who qualify for an exception of the non-resident surcharge should:

• Complete the Veteran, Service Member, Dependent, Spouse Non-Resident Tuition Exception form
• Print the form
• If you are the Veteran or Service Member and using one of the GI Bill benefits then all that would be needed is your Certificate of Eligibility along with the exception form.
• If the applicant is a spouse or dependent and using Chapter 33 - Transfer of Entitlement or Chapter 35 - DEA, a Certificate of Eligibility would be all that is needed along with the exception form. 
• If the GI Bill is not being used then be sure to secure the required signatures and documentation
• Submit the completed form and required documentation to the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families either by bringing it in or emailing it to VAFREEMississippi

Armed Forces Tuition Assistance (TA) Programs and Tuition Top-Up Program

The Armed Forces Tuition Assistance (TA) Programs offer eligible Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reservist members a benefit that pays up to 100% of tuition expenses for voluntary higher education courses taken during off-duty hours in support of professional and personal self-development goals.

In addition to the Armed Forces Tuition Assistance benefits, active-duty service members may also be eligible for the Tuition Top-Up Program, which allows those eligible for Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) and Post 9/11 benefits to receive supplemental funding to pay for tuition and fees not covered by their respective TA program. Please access the following link to lean more - Tuition Assistance - Top Up.

In addition, students may also receive federal financial aid while receiving VA educational benefits provided they meet the eligibility requirements. To apply or receive more information, please access the following link - https://fafsa.ed.gov/

The University of Southern Mississippi offers Tutorial Assistance through university resources. For additional information contact the VA Certifying Official at the appropriate campus.

• David Magola, Email: David.MagolaFREEMississippi - Phone: 601-264-4629 - Hattiesburg Campus
• Cory Parker, Email: Cory.W.ParkerFREEMississippi - Phone: 601-264-4629 - Hattiesburg Campus
• Stacy Henley, Email: Stacy.HenleyFREEMississippi - Phone: 228-214-3244 - Gulf Park Campus

The VA also offers Tutorial Assistance. For additional information please click here.

The Hattiesburg Campus offers a limited library of textbooks that can be loaned out to Military Veterans, Service Members and their Families.

Requirements:

• You must present your USM Student ID and Military documentation

• Maintain at least a 2.5 GPA

The proper documentation must be filled out at the time the book is loaned. Email VAFREEMississippi if you have any questions.    

• VA Advisement Form (required every semester)
• VA Parent Letter (only when attending another institution)
• Military Residency Exception Request Form (non-MS resident)
• Certificate of Eligibility (not required, but preferred)
• Authorization and Certification of Entrance or Re-Entrance into Rehabilitation and Certification of Status (28-1905 - Veterans can only obtain this form by contacting their VR&E Counselor.)
• Joint Services Transcript (JST) - USA, USCG, USMC, and USN (required for compliance)
• Community College of the Air Force Transcript (CCAF)-USAF (required for compliance)
• Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE)
• DD-214 (Member 4)

To learn about or compare available educational programs and determine your eligibility, complete the appropriate application or transfer application online at va.gov.

First Time/Never Attended

• Application for VA Education Benefits (22-1990) OR
• Dependent’s Application for VA Education Benefits (22-5490) OR
• Application for Family Member to Use Transferred Benefits (22-1990e - TOE only) Transfer/Continuing
• Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (22-1995) OR
• Dependent’s Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (22-5495) OR
• Dependent’s Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (22-1995 - TOE only)

• Veterans with Service Connected Disabilities can apply online, before making an appointment with their Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Counselor.