RMU Center for Veterans and Military Families
RMU’s Center for Veterans and Military Families is open 24/7 to all veteran/military students and their families.
Veterans and Service Members
Get Your Degree for Free
With the enhanced RMU Military Service Award, most veterans and service members can earn their bachelors degree from RMU at no out of pocket cost.
To learn more and find out if you qualify, call 412-397-5435
- 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans by College Factual ranks RMU in the top 10% of four-year colleges nationwide.
- Gold ranking in 2021 Military Friendly® Schools
The mission of RMU's Center for Veterans and Military Families (CVMF) is to be a resource center that is big enough to matter, yet small enough to care. This mission is achieved by providing industry-leading support, services, and facilities dedicated to veteran/military students and their families. The CVMF's staff administrates veteran and military educational benefits inside a private 5,000 square foot location that includes a computer lab, quiet study area, lounge space, training/conference room, lockers, and an administrative office area. The office area includes a kitchenette that is stocked with free snacks, drinks, and coffee along with a refrigerator, toaster oven, and microwave. Additionally, the CVMF delivers continual, holistic transition assistance programming for veteran/military students and military family members that will be the cornerstone to their on-going personal, academic, and career success.
Located on the lower level of the Jefferson Center, the Center for Veterans and Military Families is the central hub for its students to access the services they need while fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and family. The CVMF also welcomes all of our ROTC students and is the home of RMU’s Army ROTC Cadre.
Robert Morris University’s degree programs are approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the GI Bill ® and by the Department of Defense for Federal Tuition Assistance (DOD TA). (DOD TA does not cover our cost of attendance, and it cannot be used towards doctoral degrees). Robert Morris University also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program ® without limits allowing students who 100% qualify for Yellow Ribbon ® to attend RMU tuition and fee free during their period of GI Bill ® entitlement. Additionally, RMU also participates PA National Guard Education Assistance Program (EAP) and Military Family Education Program (MFEP), accepting it as partial payment toward tuition.
Do you want to know more? Contact us:
David Ausman
Director, Center for Veterans and Military Families
ausman@rmu.edu
412-397-5424
Christie McFadden
Chapter 31, 33, and VRRAP – Questions and Benefits
Military & Veteran Benefits Specialist and Primary Certifying Official
mcfaddenc@rmu.edu
412-397-5435
Jodi A. Hample
Chapter 30, 35, 1606, and Tuition Assistance – Questions and Benefits
School Certifying Official and Office Assistant
hample@rmu.edu
412-397-5498
VITAL Coordinator
veteransaffairs@rmu.edu
412-397-5426
VA Education Hotline at 1-888-GIBILL-1 or 1-888-442-4551. If outside the U.S., please dial 001-918-781-5678.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
- Resources for Veterans & Military Families
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Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL)
The VITAL initiative is a partnership between the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System and Robert Morris University to aid in the academic retention and success of student veterans.
The RMU VA VITAL Coordinator, Dr. Sabrina Hakim is here to support student veterans’ transition from service-member to student. Her mission is to provide seamless access to VA healthcare services, on-campus mental health services, and outreach to the campus community highlighting the unique strengths and challenges of student veterans. VITAL aims to meet your needs and maximize your potential in the academic setting.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
The office of Federal Student Aid provides grants, loans, and work-study funds for college or career school.
Veteran's Education Benefits
The VA website offers the most up to date information. This is a great resource to help you on your journey through higher education. Below are some great links to help you get started:
- Learn about the benefits offered to you
- Get started by applying for benefits
- Manage your benefits
- Compare thousands of schools
- The VA also offers vocational rehabilitation and employment
For more information please contact the VA for any question at 1-844-698-2311 (MYVA311), or use the special student GI Bill® Hotline at 1-888-GIBILL-1 or 1-888-442-4551.
Certification of VA Benefits
The RMU Center for Veterans and Military Families (CVMF) does require a covered individual complete, sign, and return the “Enrollment Verification Form” to a School Certifying Official (SCO) each semester in order to authorize the SCO to submit the covered individual’s certification. Please submit the form to mcfaddenc@rmu.edu.
View the 2021 fall - 2022 spring Enrollment Verification (EV) Form
View the 2021 summer Enrollment Verification (EV) Form
- A Covered Individual is any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under the VA GI Bill or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits.
Our enrollment checklist is a helpful tool that informs you of what the CVMF needs from you before we process your certification to the VA.
The CVMF also requests all covered individuals submit a current copy of their Certificate of Eligibility (COE), e-Benefits Statement of Benefits, or benefits application confirmation (for first time users) each and every semester.
Please contact the CVMF at 412-397-5426 with any questions.
Robert Morris University will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.
Student Engagement Transcript Waiver Form (SET)
Students wishing to apply for a waiver of Engaged Learning Graduation Requirements must complete the form and submit it along with supporting documentation. For additional guidance, please contact Donna Anderson, Senior Director, Engaged Learning and Community Involvement at anderson@rmu.edu or by phone at 412-397-6492.
Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Pennsylvania has the 4th highest veteran population of any state in the nation, with nearly one millions servicemen and women. The Pennsylvania DMVA helps educate veterans on federal, state and local benefits, as well as programs and services, that they are eligible for.
Military.com
Learn anything you need to know about every branch of the military, including eligible benefits, veterans' news, job openings, and available discounts.
A review of what forms our office needs from you, what rate of pursuit means and how to calculate it, what resources the CVMF offers you, and much more. The Refresher is a scaled down version of the New Student Orientation presentation.
Principles of Excellence Playbook
Robert Morris University is committed to abiding by the Principles of Excellence guidelines set forth by the VA. The Principles of Excellence ensures that you, the student, are given accurate and timely information and that RMU is upholding it’s policies to support veterans, service members and their families. Please review the Principles of Excellence Playbook for more information.
- Special Opportunities for Veterans and Military
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SEAL Future Fund
RMU has partnered with the SEAL Future Fund to provide opportunities for active duty and veteran Navy SEALs to earn a degree and prepare for their next career. The SEAL Future Fund’s mission is to prepare transitioning Navy SEALs for a civilian life of purpose. One of its programs is Educational Assistance, which includes academic counseling, networking, coaching and scholarships to cover the funding gap between military education benefits and the full cost of pursuing education. Another program is Career Building, which includes connecting SEALs with local communities of former SEALs, veterans and civilian leaders across the country to facilitate job seeking and community integration.
Priority Registration for Veteran & Military Students
Priority registration means that identified veterans, service members, and military family members are assigned a registration period before students with the same credit standing. The registration time and day are determined by transferred, completed, and currently enrolled credits.
Eligibility for priority registration will be determined by the CVMF. Please contact the CVMF to discuss the required documentation necessary to receive this benefit.
To view your registration period, students will log into Sentry Secured Services and click on Registration, then Registration Status. The registration period will not display until after the next semester schedule of courses is available. Please note, if students elect not to utilize their priority registration period, additional students will begin to register and courses may fill up. It is of great benefit for veterans, service members, and military family members to schedule courses during their assigned time slot.
Credit for Life
Through the Credit for Life program at RMU, Military service members and Veterans pursuing further education can save significant time and money by applying to receive college credit for military service and experience. For more information, please contact David Ausman, Director of the RMU Center for Veterans and Military Families, at ausman@rmu.edu or 412-397-5424.
Mentoring
The CVMF highly encourages all of our students to participate in mentoring programs. Below are just two companies dedicated to mentoring our veterans, spouses and military families. Please click the links below for more information.
ACP offers FREE customizable Mentoring Programs for post-9/11 veterans, active duty spouses and eligible military spouses. ACP will match you with corporate professionals (Mentors) geared to your needs. Some of their goals include, but are not limited to:
- Résumé review and interview preparation
- Career exploration and understanding job opportunities
- Career advancement once a position is obtained
- Work-life balance
- Networking
- Small business development
- Leadership and professional communication
Veterati is America's mentoring network for the military.
Service Members, Veterans, and Military Spousesare eligible for free 1-hr mentorship phone calls with successful professionals. You can choose your own mentors and as many as you would like. Create a free profile at Veterati to get unlimited access to thousands of volunteer mentors.
Work Study
Veterans, Spouses, and Dependants are eligible for Work Study and MUST meet all of the requirements listed below per VA regulations:
- Must be enrolled in at least three-quarter time in a VA approved educational program, AND
- Have found an open position at a nearby VA facility or a VA-related role at RMU, AND
- Can complete the Work Study contract while still qualifying for educational benefits, AND
- Are currently using approved VA Educational Benefits to pay for your education
Student Veterans Association (SVA)
Robert Morris University - Student Veterans Association is a nationally recognized chapter of the SVA. This is a great way to connect with your fellow veteran & military students, all students on campus, and the local community! Get involved and be part of the team Today! Visit REVOLUTION for more information on RMU’s SVA. To contact the SVA or to become a member of the SVA visit this page.
Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP)
VRRAP offers education and training for high-demand jobs to Veterans who are unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This program is only available to veterans who are not receiving unemployment compensation and who do not qualify for any other GI Bill benefits.
The following certificate programs were approved based on the VA's criteria:
- Logistics
- Project Management
- Sales
- Mobile Forensics & Security
- Advanced Additive Manufacturing
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Leadership Development
- Non-Profit Leadership
- Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I determine my eligibility for VA educational benefits?
Eligibility is determined by the VA Regional Processing Office in Buffalo. You may apply online, have a form sent to you, or pick one up at our office. Please refer to the VA Website for an explanation of benefits.
The VA has also released a helpful three-part guide that will help you navigate through the VA educational benefit options, career pathways, and transition from after service to the job force: https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/78073/new-guide-series-provides-gi-bill-benefits-information/
Contact the VA by phone: 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551)
Our office: Christie McFadden at 412-397-5435
Am I eligible for MHA (monthly housing allowance)?
MHA is available for students using Post 911 (Chapter 33) benefits. Your MHA rate is based on the percentage of Post 911 benefits you qualify for. You cannot receive MHA if you are on active duty or if your spouse is on active duty. Please refer to the VA comparison tool to see the MHA rates for RMU.
VA comparison tool: https://www.va.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool
I have just applied for my VA educational benefits for the first time. When will I receive my first payment?
Whether you are waiting on your monthly stipend, MHA, or a tuition payment, the VA is normally around a 30 day processing time for first time applicants. Stipends and MHA are paid directly to you, the student, on the first of each month. These payments are paid for the previous month of school attendance. Tuition is paid to RMU and we understand the delays with the administration of your benefits may cause you to be late in paying your tuition bill.
Once I am eligible for VA educational benefits, how do I verify my enrollment at RMU?
The CVMF will need you to submit a copy of your COE (certificate of eligibility) to our office to verify your VA educational benefits. We will need your COE for your initial certification and it is recommended but not required to submit your COE for subsequent semesters. After you create your class schedule you will need to submit an EV (enrollment verification) form to our office. Please contact Christie McFadden, mcfaddenc@rmu.edu, or Jodi Hample, hample@rmu.edu, to request the EV form link.
How do I get my COE (certificate of eligibility)?
You can request your COE by submitting a request through “Submit a Question” on va.gov: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/
Contact our office if you are having difficulty requesting your COE.
How many months of entitlement do I have left?
You can find out this information through an updated COE or you can call the VA student hotline- 1-888-442-4551.
How many classes do I have to take to be a full time student?
Undergraduate students are required to take 12 credit hours during the semester to be considered full time.
Graduate and doctoral students are required to take 9 credit hours during the semester to be considered full time.
Per VA policies, the credits you are taking coincide with the dates you are taking them to determine if your rate of pursuit is full time. For example, you are taking 9 credits that are scheduled for 15 week courses and 3 credits that are scheduled for the first 8 week term. You would only be considered as having a full time rate of pursuit for the first 8 week term where you have all 12 credits scheduled for. After the first 8 week term you would only have 9 credits scheduled for the rest of the semester and would have a 75% rate of pursuit.
The VA does weigh courses in non-standard terms (any term less than 15 weeks) more heavily than semester courses. A 3 credit 15 week course equals 3 credits, however, a 3 credit 8 week course equals 6.75 credits.
What should I do if I decide to withdraw from a course?
It is imperative that the CVMF be made aware of any schedule changes you make, these changes may affect your benefits and result in student debts. In order to withdraw from a course you must fill out the RMU withdrawal form and submit it to Christie McFadden, mcfaddenc@rmu.edu. The CVMF staff will review your request and consult with you about your options.
RMU withdrawal form: http://academicaffairs.rmu.edu/academic-forms
If you withdraw because you are called up to active duty, you need to provide a copy of your deployment order to the Center for Veterans and Military Families. At the Center for Veterans and Military Families, we will do whatever is required to help students who have been called up to active military duty transition out of the university as expeditiously as possible. RMU has a deployment policy for you to download and view.
What happens if I want to change my major while I’m using my VA educational benefits?
The CVMF will need to sign off on your change of major request and discuss your remaining entitlement with you. Fill out the form and send it to Christie McFadden, mcfaddenc@rmu.edu.
Change of major request: http://academicaffairs.rmu.edu/academic-forms
Am I eligible to receive Yellow Ribbon?
You must qualify for the maximum benefit rate, 100%, under Post 911, Chapter 33 to be eligible for YR. Currently, if you are on active duty or your spouse is on active duty you are not eligible for YR. RMU is an unlimited Yellow Ribbon school, that means we do not cap the amount of students we distribute YR funds to nor do we limit the amount of YR funds that are paid out.
How do I verify my attendance if I’m using Chapter 1606, Chapter 1607 or Chapter 30?
If using any of these benefit chapters, you must verify your attendance monthly to the VA. You will not receive your monthly stipend until you verify your attendance on the last day of each month through WAVE: https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do (please make sure to review the user guide). You may also call, 1-877-823-2378, to verify your attendance. If you have any questions please call the VA student hotline at 1-888-442-4551.
What is TA?
TA is tuition assistance. TA is approved and administered by your service base. Once you receive your TA approval form, please submit that to the CVMF. TA pays out $250 per credit towards your tuition, TA will not cover your full tuition cost at RMU and you will be left with an out of pocket cost. Please refer to our tuition rates to calculate your total cost of attendance.
RMU tuition rates/cost of attendance: https://www.rmu.edu/admissions/financial-aid/costs
Can I take courses at RMU towards my CCAF associate’s degree?
Yes. Please review RMU’s GEM program page for more information: https://www.rmu.edu/about/military/gem
How do I know if I qualify for EAP or MFEP?
PA National Guard members and family members may be eligible for EAP or MFEP grants. EAP and MFEP funds will not cover the cost of tuition at RMU. Please speak with your NCO at your unit if you have any questions. Below are the links with each grant’s requirements.
EAP: https://www.pheaa.org/funding-opportunities/aid-for-military-national-guard/national-guard-eap.shtml
What is VITAL?
VITAL stands for Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership. RMU is one of four schools in Pennsylvania and the only school in Allegheny County that has a VITAL Coordinator on campus. VITAL supports Veterans’ successful integration into college and university campus life through on-campus clinical care and coordination, improving understanding of Veterans' unique strengths and challenges through education and training delivered to the campus community and collaborating with the local VA medical center, the Veterans Benefits Administration, campus faculty and staff members, and community resources. Please contact Dr. Sabrina Hakim to find out more, veteransaffairs@rmu.edu
How can I get more involved with the CVMF?
Join the RMU Student Veterans Association! The SVA provides veterans and military family members with the chance to stay connected with one another by providing morale boosting events, panel discussions, community event participation, and fundraisers. Contact rmusva@mail.rmu.edu or veterans@rmu.edu if you are interested, have questions, or want additional information.
Who can access the CVMF Gym?
The CVMF Gym is only to be used by the CVMF Staff, Bravo Company cadets and cadre of the Three Rivers Battalion ROTC program at Robert Morris University (RMU ROTC), the cadets and staff of the IUP Police Academy at Robert Morris University (RMU/IUP Police Academy), and current CVMF students who are either current/retired military members or students using VA Educational Benefits (all of which have turned in the CVMF Gym User Agreement Form). Use of the CVMF Gym by all other parties is forbidden unless prior written consent is received from the Director of the Center for Veterans and Military Families (CVMF Director). The CVMF staff and RMU ROTC will be given priority use of the CVMF Gym. Any violation of gym rules and/or the signed agreement form will result in gym access being revoked.
- Rankings
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- RMU is consistently ranked a Military Friendly® School by G.I. Jobs magazine and is a Gold ranking in 2021 Military Friendly® Schools
- U.S. News World Report recently named RMU its inaugural Best Colleges for Veterans rankings and has ranked the university in three separate categories for Best Online Programs for Veterans
- RMU has been named a Top School by Military Advanced Education in its 2018 MAE Guide to Colleges & Universities.
- Military Times Best for Vets list of best colleges and universities
- RMU adheres to the Principles of Excellence and the 8 Keys to Veterans Success
- RMU has been named a PNGAS Guard-Friendly School