Canisius College encourages all veterans to begin or continue to pursue their educational goals. As a Jesuit institution, we strongly believe in caring for the needs of our students. Through our veteran affairs liaison and various academic, developmental, social and religious services and programs, our veteran students' needs are supported.
To supplement those needs, there are various Federal, State and institutional programs created to assist you in meeting your goals. Below you will find a listing of resources that pertain to your educational needs.
The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program
Canisius College is a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program!
The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and VA will match the same amount as the institution.
Post 9/11 GI Bill (Ch 33)
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Post-9/11 GI Bill will become effective for training on or after August 1, 2009.
Montgomery GI Bill (Ch 30)
The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. This program is also commonly known as Chapter 30. The Montgomery GI Bill may also be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve.
Reserve Educational Assistance Program
REAP (Chapter 1607 of title 10, U.S. Code) is a new benefit providing educational assistance to members of the reserve components - Selected Reserve (Sel Res) and Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) - who are called or ordered to active service in response to a war or national emergency, as declared by the President or Congress.
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
Dependents' Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
Veterans Tuition Award
Veterans Tuition Awards (VTA) are awards for full-time study and part-time study for eligible veterans matriculated at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution or in an approved vocational training program in New York State.
Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
VEAP is available if you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program. Your contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis by the Government. You may use these benefits for degree and certificate programs. In certain circumstances, remedial, deficiency, and refresher training may also be available.
For more information about your educational benefits, please contact:
For Federal benefits:
1-888-GIBILL-1
http://www.gibill.va.gov/
For New York State benefits:
New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs
http://veterans.ny.gov/education.html
Higher Education Services Corp (HESC)
1-888-697-4372
www.hesc.com
For Erie County assistance:
Erie County Veterans Service Agency
95 Franklin Street, Suite 1254
Buffalo, NY 14202
716-858-6363
http://www.erie.gov/veterans/
At Canisius:
David Fischer
Veteran Affairs Liaison
Associate Dean of Academic Records
716-888-2990
fischer@canisius.edu
Mark Bunting
Office of Admissions
716-888-2200
Toll free at 1-800-843-1517
admissions@canisius.edu
For a complete listing of student services, please visit our Student Support Services page.