Supporting Veterans
Merrimack College was founded in 1947 by the Order of St. Augustine to educate returning World War II veterans for the post-war workforce.
Merrimack College is dedicated to supporting the transition of veterans and military-affiliated students to Merrimack College in pursuit of academic and professional success, including:
- Current active duty military and members of any of the uniformed services.
- Current members of the Air National Guard or Army National Guard.
- Current active or inactive reservists of any of the uniformed services.
- Those who have previously served in any capacity in the uniformed services.
- Dependents of any current or prior member of the uniformed services.
Applying for Benefits
We recommend beginning the process of requesting your Certificate of Eligibility from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs as soon as possible — even before completing your application process.
- Apply for benefits on the VA website at VA.gov/education
- VA will review your application and issue a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
- Apply to the college and be admitted to a program
- If transferring credits, send official transcripts to Merrimack Admissions
- Register for classes
- Submit your COE to the School Certifying Official (SCO)
- The SCO certifies your enrollment
- Verify your attendance with the VA monthly
- Communicate with the SCO any changes to enrollment
VA Benefits
The process for receiving VA Benefits at Merrimack College varies depending on the type of benefits you receive. Please see information below for receiving benefits under Chapter 33, Yellow Ribbon, Chapter 31 and Chapter 35.
Post-9-11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
If you have served on active duty after September 10, 2001, you may qualify for this benefit. Additional eligibility requirements can be found on the VA website.
- Tuition and fees are issued directly to the school at a prorated amount based on students’ benefit level.
- Monthly housing allowance is paid directly to students at a prorated amount.
- Books and supplies stipend is paid directly to students at a prorated amount.
- There is a limit to how much funding you can receive each academic year. The annual private school cap for 2024/2025 is $28,937.09 for Chapter 33 benefits. This dollar amount is reviewed and determined by the VA each year.
The SCO will certify your enrollment with the VA, once after you enroll and once after the add/drop period ends. After certification, the VA will send payment to Merrimack for tuition and fees. The VA will send any housing allowance or stipend for which you qualify directly to you.
Yellow Ribbon Program
Qualified military veterans can receive tuition assistance at Merrimack College as part of our participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program, an educational-access program for military veterans through the U.S. Department of Affairs.
To participate in Yellow Ribbon, you must have 100% eligibility through the post-911 GI Bill. Please see additional eligibility requirements on the VA website.
Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31)
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) is for veterans with a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working. Please see additional eligibility requirements on the VA website.
Students in the VR&E program must contact the SCO to report your VA status and provide your counselor’s information. You do not need to provide a Certificate of Eligibility. The VR&E program typically covers tuition and fees, books, and parking. Your counselor will provide details.
Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance (Chapter 35)
If you’re a dependent or surviving spouse of a Veteran, you may be eligible for Chapter 35 benefits. Please see additional eligibility requirements on the VA website.
Students using Chapter 35 benefits will receive a monthly stipend from the VA paid directly to the student. Please visit the VA website for additional information on payment rates.
Transferring GI Bill benefits
For veterans who would like to transfer their Post-9/11 benefits to their dependent student(s), please visit the Transfer Instructions webpage to determine if the student is eligible and start the transfer process.
Once benefits have been transferred, students can apply to use those Post-9/11 benefits on the VA website.
Campus Contacts
- Certifying Official: Nikki Edwards, 978-837-5943
- Student Accounts: Nicole Gilsenan, 978-837-5778
- Undergraduate Admission Office: Jasmine Garver, 978-837-5753
- Undergraduate Transfer Admission Office: Josh Rizzo, 978-837-5951
- Graduate Admission Office: Liana Caffrey, 978-960-9897
- Financial Aid: [email protected] 978-837-5485
Helpful Links
Additional Resources for Veterans and Families
- North Andover, MA Veterans Services
- Veterans Health Care
- Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation Information and Resources
- Women Veteran Resources
- Veteran Survivor and Dependent Benefits
- CHAMPVA Benefits
- VA Home Loans
- Veteran Life Insurance
- State Benefits for Veterans
- Hidden Battles Foundation
- Healing Heroes Behavioral Health
FAQs
Who makes decisions regarding payments?
The VA makes all decisions regarding payments. Please contact the VA directly if you have not received your checks or have questions regarding your benefits at 888-442-4551.
How long do payments take to be received?
Once a student is certified for a term by the school, it can take four to six weeks to receive a check from the VA.
How do veterans request their transcripts?
Do I have to be a full-time student to receive military benefits?
No.
Can I take summer courses and be eligible for funding through the VA?
Yes. Some students opt not to use the benefit since students only receive 36 months of eligibility.
Am I eligible for additional financial assistance?
You may be. Merrimack College requires the FAFSA and you may qualify for additional assistance depending on your finances.
