How To Receive Veteran Education Benefits at Southern Oregon University

1) Apply for your Veteran Educational Benefits. Once your application is processed you will receive a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA.

2) Submit the SOU Veteran Benefit Claim Form. On this document you will submit information needed to set up your file with SOU and the VA and agree to the Rights and Responsibilities to receive Benefits. This form is only needed once unless you are returning after a break of more than a term.

3) Submit your COE to our office using our secure link. If you are planning to utilize Chapter 35 benefits, be sure to submit the social security number of the Veteran to our secure box as well. This is your file number with the VA and very important for processing your certification each term. The VA will not allow SOU to submit your certification without this.

4) Register for classes each term and remain eligible for your benefits by continuing to follow the Rights and Responsibilities. We recommend referring back to them each term.

5) That’s it! We will continue to certify your courses each term unless you email us to inform us not to. You also need to make sure to always let us know of any changes to your schedule (even if it doesn’t result in a change of credit) and/or if you change your program of study, add a certificate, add a minor, etc. You are responsible for notifying our office of any changes. Changes can lead to a change in your benefits and must be reported to the VA. You can email us at vabenefits@sou.edu to report any changes.

The amount of benefits you receive is directly proportional to the number of credits you take.

VA benefits are paid based on the following course load status:

Undergraduate

Full Time: 12 credits
3/4 Time: 9-11 credits
1/2 Time: 6-8 credits
Less than 1/2 Time: 4-5 credits
Less than 1/4 Time: 1-3 credits

Graduate

Full Time: 9 credits
3/4 Time: 7-8 credits
1/2 Time: 5-6 credits
Less than 1/2 Time: 3-4 credits
Less than 1/4 Time: 1-2 credits

*These rates apply to Fall, Winter, and Spring terms. Summer term rate of pursuit for VA benefits vary, please contact our certifying team for more information.

For information regarding certification of Veterans Educational Benefits, please contact our certifying team at vabenefits@sou.edu.

SOU Financial Aid Tuition Waivers

Voyager is an SOU benefit program that is available to Oregon veterans who served as members of the National Guard or Reserves in an active duty capacity in a combat zone on or after September 11, 2001. Under this program, eligible student veterans will be awarded funding for the difference between campus tuition/mandatory fees and expected military tuition benefits (i.e., federal military tuition assistance [TA] and VA Education Benefits). This program is meant to work in conjunction with other educational aid programs; thus, the student is responsible for obtaining TA benefits and VA education benefits. If they are not eligible for these, they must demonstrate proof of ineligibility for those programs as well as a copy of their DD-214 in addition to the application linked below. Completed forms and documentation of ineligibility for other programs can be emailed to finaid@sou.edu.

Voyager Tuition Assistance Request (PDF)

If you are interested in reviewing and applying for the Veterans Dependent Support Waiver (PDF) please review the application carefully before submitting the application and appropriate documents to our secure link above. Completed forms can be returned to finaid@sou.edu.

PLEASE NOTE: These waivers are an SOU tuition waiver managed by the Office of Financial Aid. It is not a state fund. For more information on the waiver, please contact our office.