Important Resources for Military Connected Students
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, Cory Zedak is here to support student veterans’ transition from service-member to student. His 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.
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
- Compare thousands of schools
- The VA also offers Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
- All Veteran Post 911, Chapter 33 recipients should review VR&E eligibility. VR&E does not take away from Post 911, Chapter 33 entitlement.
For more information please contact the student GI Bill® Hotline at 1-888-GIBILL-1 or 1-888-442-4551.
Important Required Certification of VA Benefits Information
The RMU Center for Veterans and Military Families (CVMF) requires a covered individual complete, sign, and return the electronic “Enrollment Verification Form” (EV Form) to a School Certifying Official (SCO) each semester in order to authorize the SCO to submit the covered individual’s certification.
Enrollment Verification Forms
A Covered Individual is any individual who is entitled to VA educational benefits.
CVMF Enrollment Checklist
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 412-397-5435 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.
Tuition Assistance
If using Military Tuition Assistance, you must first contact your base education office to confirm your eligibility. Once you have been accepted to RMU and have a schedule, you may submit a request for TA.
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 RMU’s tuition rates to calculate your total cost of attendance.
RMU also accepts Education Assistance Program (EAP) and Military Family Education Program (MFEP) benefits. Please visit the links above to learn more.
- EAP Recipients use this link: PHEAA webpage.
- MFEP recipients use this link: PHEAA webpage.
RMU Military Deployment - Call to Active Duty Policy
Note: It is the student’s responsibility to notify their professors before he or she deploys. Official orders can be submitted at a later time, but notification must be received before classes, assignments or exams are missed. Orders, if possible, should be submitted to the CVMF before deployment.
Students Called to Active Duty in the Military during an Academic Semester
The following options exist for a student called to active duty in the military during an academic semester. Students may select one of the first three options and option four if applicable, immediately by contacting their respective academic department head who in turn informs the appropriate academic dean. The student must also file written verification of the activation order as soon as it becomes available. This policy also extends to military spouses or military dependent students that need to withdraw due to the hardships caused by the service member’s activation/deployment.
Submit all military orders to Christie McFadden at mcfaddenc@rmu.edu
RMU Military Deployment Policy
Student Engagement Transcript (SET) Waiver
Students wishing to apply for a waiver of Engaged Learning Graduation Requirements must complete the SET Waiver and submit it along with supporting documentation such as a DD214.
SET Waiver Application for Veterans can be accessed here under “resources.”
Submit your SET Waiver and DD214 to the CVMF.
Principles of Excellence and DoD Policies 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 its policies to support veterans, service members and their families. Please review the Principles of Excellence and DoD Policies Playbook for more information.
CVMF Gym Access
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), 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). Consent to use the CVMF Gym by all other parties will be given only after the CVMF Gym Usage Agreement Form has been submitted. The Director of the Center for Veterans and Military Families (CVMF Director) reserves the right to revoke gym usage of any CVMF student if deemed necessary. 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.