Financial Aid

Veterans Services Office

The Veterans Services Office is here to help you obtain veteran benefits for your education at Missouri Southern. We are located on the bottom floor of Hearnes Hall in the Fin/Aid office. Please call 417.625.3159 to schedule your appointment.
Office hours are between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm by appointment.

Veteran Responsibilities
It is imperative that you complete a Veterans Registration form every semester to continue receiving G.I. Bill money. The form is available in the MSSU Veterans Services Office, located in Financial Aid.

Veteran Affairs Regional Office 1-(888)-442-4551
American Council of Education
Department of Veteran Affairs Web Page

Public Service Deferment Request
Online VA Registration

Chapter 30 - Montgomery GI Bill
Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB)  Information

Persons who entered active duty after July 1, 1985, and had their military pay reduced by $100 per month for 12 months, may qualify for this program. These persons also must have served a minimum of two years, earned a high school diploma or its equivalent either prior to, or during the qualifying enlistment, and must have an honorable discharge. Other requirements may apply.

Chapter 1606 - Selected Reserve
Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)  Information

This program provides benefits for members of the Reserve/National Guard who enlisted, re-enlisted or extended their enlistment for a period of six years after July 1, 1985.

Chapter 35 - Surviving Spouses/Dependents
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA)  Information

This program provides benefits for dependents and spouses of veterans who died or are 100 percent disabled due to service-connected causes.

Chapter 31 - Vocational Rehabilitation Programs
Vocational Rehabilitation Programs (VRP)  Information

Eligibility for this program is determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This program provides payment of required fees and a monthly allotment.

Chapter 32 - Veterans Educational Assistance Program
Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)  Information

This program provides benefits to persons who initially entered the service after December 31, 1976, and before July 1, 1985. These persons volunteered to contribute money to the Post-Vietnam Era Veteran Educational Assistance Program. Participants receive monthly payments for the number of months they contributed or for 36 months, whichever is less.

Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill: Eligibility and Payments

Who is eligible for benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill?

Eligible individuals include those who serve on active duty at least 90 aggregate days beginning on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days of continuous service. (Discharged individuals must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible, or have a discharge or release for a medical condition Existing Prior to Service (EPTS), Hardship (HDSP), or Condition Interfering with Duty (CIWD).

What does the program pay for eligible individuals?

Tuition & fees – paid directly to the school – not to exceed the maximum in-state undergraduate tuition & fees at a public Institution of Higher Learning. (A chart listing 2008 - 2009 maximum rates can be found at http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/Tuition_and_fees.htm)

Monthly housing allowance - paid to the student – equal to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents and the zip code for the location of the school. (A chart of BAH rates by ZIP code can be found at http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/bah.html). NOTE: Individuals on active duty or who are enrolled exclusively in online training will not receive the housing allowance.

An annual books & supplies stipend – paid to the student - up to $1,000, paid proportionately based on enrollment.

NOTE: Individuals on active duty will not receive a books & supplies stipend.

A one-time rural benefit payment of $500 to individuals who reside in a county with six persons or fewer per square mile (as determined by the most recent decennial census), and who either:

- physically relocate at least 500 miles to attend an educational institution or

- relocate by air to attend an educational institution (if no other land-based transportation exists.)

Post-9/11 GI Bill: Transferability

The Post-9/11 GI Bill allows service members (officer or enlisted, active duty or Selected Reserve), on or after August 1, 2009, to transfer unused education benefits to immediate family members (spouse and children). The service member must have at least six years of service, and commit to an additional four years of service in order to transfer benefits to a spouse or child.

Post-9/11 GI Bill: Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship

Public Law 111-32, the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship, amends the Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33) to include the children of service members who die in the line of duty after Sept. 10, 2001.  The benefit is effective August 1, 2009; the same day the Post-9/11 GI Bill takes effect.  Eligible children attending school may receive up to the highest public, in-state undergraduate tuition and fees, plus a monthly living stipend and book allowance under this program.  A child may be married or over 23 and still be eligible.

VA will begin accepting applications for this benefit May 1, 2010, and will begin issuing payments to eligible children by 8/1/10.  Children enrolled from 8/1/09 through 7/31/10 may receive retroactive payments for that time.

For the latest information on policy and rules for transferability of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, visit the DoD website at http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/2009/0409_gibill/   

 For more information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, call toll-free 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551), or visit the VA GI Bill Website at http://www.gibill.va.gov.

My Career Advancement Account
Who Is Eligible?
Spouses of military active duty members and activated members of the National Guard and Reserve Components are eligible.
MyCAA Financial Assistance (FA) pays for education and training programs, tuition, and licensing/ credentialing fees. This includes degree programs (e.g. associates, bachelors, masters, doctoral and post doctoral), continuing education classes, Bar, CPA and other similar exams, and state certifications for teachers, medical professionals and other licensed occupations. MyCAA also pays for High School Completion courses, GED tests and English As a Second Language (ESL) classes.
How to Get Started
Eligible spouses can establish a MyCAA Account by visiting the MyCAA website ~ https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa.
 

Application Process for GI Bill Benefits

1. Apply for admission to the University.

Army Nurse Candidate Program

Earn $1000.00 Monthly Stipend while attending school.  $10,000 Bonus. Guaranteed specialty training in OB/GYN, Operating Room, Critical Care, Community Mental Health.

For more information about this program, contact Major Heather Anderson at 1-877-576-4434 or heather.anderson@usarec.army.mil and check out the web site at www.goarmy.com/ameed and search under Army Nurse Candidate Program.

Army's Health Professions Scholarship Program

The Army offers one of the most generous and comprehensive scholarships in the health care field.  It's called the F. Edward Herbert Armed Forces scholarship, plus a monthly allowance through the Army's HPSP.

Scholarship Eligibility: Must be a citizen of the United States; Meet eligibiligy criteria for appointment as a commissioned officer in the US Army Reserve; Maintain full-time student status during the entire length of the program. 

Tuition: You select the school, obtain acceptance, and apply for the scholarship.  If selected, 100% tuition is paid to any accredited professional school in the United States.

Books/Fees/ Reimbursable:  The Army will pay for required books, rental of non-expendable equipment and most academic fees. 

Monthly Stipend: A generous monthly stipend of $1,319.00 will be provided to ten and one-half months of each school year.

Army Officer Pay: For the remaining six weeks of the school year, you will receive the full pay and allowances offered a Second Lieutenant in the Army Reserve.  After graduation and entrance on active duty, you'll be promoted to Captain, which means more pay.  Your salary will increase through the years with promotions, time in service, and annual cost of living increases.  You'll also receive a monthly non-taxable allowance for your food and housing.

Scholarships available for Medical, Dental, Veterinarian, Optometry, and Clinical Psychology schools.  For more information, please contact SFC Scott W. Sheridan at 1-877-269-1482 or scott.sheridan@usarec.army.mil and check out the web site at www.goarmy.com/amedd.

The information stated here is based on existing rules and regulations of the Department of Veterans Affairs and should not be construed as being absolute.  New rules and regulations are being released by the DVA continually and may supersede the information stated here.