Financial Aid for Veteran and Military Students

Filling Out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Every student applying for financial aid must first fill out a FAFSA. It is free to apply and it can be filled out online at www.fafsa.ed.gov

Reporting Veterans Benefits on your FAFSA

The way in which you report income and benefits on your FAFSA may differ from the way in which you report income and benefits to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Veterans benefits of any kind are tax-exempt and do not need to be reported to the IRS, but veterans benefits are considered in the need-based financial aid process and must be reported on your FAFSA.

Student’s veterans non-education benefits must be reported on Worksheet B of the FAFSA, which include Disability, Death Pension, or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), and/or VA Educational Work Study allowances.
Student’s other untaxed income must also be reported on Worksheet B. For veteran or military students these include combat pay, housing allowances (BAH), and food allowances (BAS).
Do not include any amounts that were already included in the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).
If the untaxed income is not reflective of income during the award year (i.e., because you are no longer serving on active duty), you should ask the school to use “professional judgment” to exclude the amounts from income.

*Note* Although veterans education benefits (G.I. Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation, etc.) are not reported on Worksheet B, questions 46 & 47 on the FAFSA asks to report the number of months of benefits and the amount. The answers to these questions do not affect the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

Processing the FAFSA

The Office of Financial Aid will use the information provided on your FAFSA to determine your eligibility for federal and state financial aid programs.

**The Office of Financial Aid might ask you for a copy of the letter you received from the Regional Veteran’s Affairs Office, which verifies your education and/or non-education benefits.

Veterans Financial Aid Overpayments

What is an overpayment?
An overpayment occurs when the student is disbursed more financial aid than the student needs.

What causes an overpayment?

Failure to report education benefits (monthly stipend)
Failure to report non-education benefits
Failure to report third party payments such as tuition assistance or scholarships
Failure to report untaxed income (BAH, BAS, etc.)
Failure to report change in credit hours (add/drop) or withdrawal to the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs

**Overpayments must be repaid. The student will not receive any additional financial aid until the overpayment is repaid.

Education Benefits for Veterans and Dependents of Veterans

Tuition Assistance for Active Duty and Reservists

Contact the Bursar’s Office to make arrangements for third party payments.

Scholarships

UCCS offers several scholarships specifically for veteran and military students.

To apply for a scholarship, first you must fill out a Scholarship Application.
Next, go to: http://finaidse.uccs.edu
Choose “Military/ROTC” from the Scholarship Categories drop-down menu.

Loan Deferment for Active Duty and Reservists

Military Service Deferment
According to the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) under the Higher Education Act (HEA), a military student, who is called to active duty during a war or other military operation or national emergency, is eligible for a deferment on their FFEL, Direct Loan, or Federal Perkins Loan.

Active Duty Deferment
The College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) also allows members of the National Guard or Armed Force Reserves eligibility for deferment on their FFEL, Direct Loan, or Federal Perkins Loan. They may receive a deferment for up to 13 months after their active duty military service.

**To find out if your service qualifies you for a deferment, contact the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, and contact your lender to request military deferment.

More information is available here.

Additional Information

For any further information or if you have any questions, please visit the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs located in Cragmor Hall, Room 007. (719)262-2353
The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs — www.gibill.va.gov Colorado Department of Veteran and Military Affairs — http://www.dmva.state.co.us/