Military Benefits

Getting started

Each year, more veterans are utilizing their military education benefits and choosing to attend the University of North Texas to pursue their undergraduate or graduate degrees. At UNT, you will be part of an understanding and supportive community that offers many financial and academic resources to help you.

On-campus resources

Student Veterans Association

This organization advocates on your behalf at the local, state and national levels and uses peer-to-peer networks. With more than 100 members, UNT's chapter holds monthly meetings to build camaraderie, offer support and discuss issues affecting you. The organization is open to your dependents and spouse, too. More information can be obtained by e-mailing svaofunt@yahoo.com.

Veterans Center

The center, located on the third floor of the University Union in Room 320P, is operated by personnel who can walk you through the enrollment process. They also can help you find on- and off-campus resources to address particular concerns or issues. For more information, visit veteranscenter.unt.edu or call 940-565-3807 or e-mail svaofunt@yahoo.com.

Disability accommodation

The Office of Disability Accommodation can assist with adaptive strategies and academic accommodations if you qualify for disability accommodations as defined by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The office will maintain all your disability-related medical and psychological documentation and corresponding accommodation request records. For more information, visit our office in the University Union, Room 321 or our web site at www.unt.edu/oda.

Financial assistance

Chapter 30 - Montgomery GI Bill

You may be eligible if you entered active duty on or after July 1, 1985, for two or more years; had your service pay reduced by $100 per month for 12 months; and have an honorable discharge. Other possible qualifications are available at www.gibill.va.gov. Monthly payment is based on enrollment in courses leading to your degree. You have 10 years from your date of separation from active duty to use 36 months of education benefits.

If you are on active duty, you may use these benefits upon completion of two years of active service. See the education services officer in your branch of service for more information.

Vocational Rehabilitation a Employment Program

Your eligibility is based on having served honorably in the armed services, suffered a service-connected disability and been determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs to need vocational rehabilitation. You may receive paid tuition and other expenses for as long as 48 months of full-time educational training. In addition, you can receive a monthly educational subsistence allowance. The basic period of eligibility for benefits is 12 years. For billing information, contact the sponsored billing clerk at 940-565-3225.

Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill

This new initiative is available if you have at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after Sept. 11, 2001, or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must also have received an honorable discharge.

This program pays:

tuition and fees not to exceed the maximum in-state costs at a public institution
a monthly housing allowance
a $1,000 annual books and supplies stipend paid proportionately based on enrollment
a one-time rural benefit payment for eligible individuals

This benefit is payable only for on-location training at an institution of higher learning. Please note that you will not receive the housing allowance if you are enrolled exclusively in online training. Also, if you are on active duty, you will not receive the housing allowance or books and supplies stipend. This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits. Generally, benefits are payable for 15 years following your release from active duty.

Chapter 35 - Survivors and dependents education

An education allowance is available if you are a survivor of a deceased veteran or a spouse or child of a totally disabled veteran if the death or permanent disability resulted from active-duty service. Benefits are payable to the spouse for 10 years after death or disability and to children between the ages of 18 and 26. Monthly payment is based on enrollment in courses leading toward a degree.

Chapter 1606 - Selected Reserve GI Bill

As a reservist who incurs a six-year obligation in the Selected Reserve, you may be eligible for 36 months of full-time educational training. You must have completed the requirements for a high school diploma or the equivalent by the time you complete initial active duty for training. Monthly payment is based on enrollment in courses leading to a degree.

Chapter 1607 - Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

Eligibility will be determined by the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security as appropriate. Generally, you’re eligible if you are a member of a reserve component who served on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, under title 10, U.S.C., for at least 90 consecutive days under a contingency operation.

National Guard members are eligible if your active service extends for 90 consecutive days or more and your service is:

authorized under section 502(f), title 21, U.S.C.
authorized by the President or Secretary of Defense for a national emergency
supported by federal funds

You will need to remain in the Selected Reserve to maintain eligibility for REAP. Other possible qualifications are available at www.gibill.va.gov.

Financial aid

UNT can offer you grants, college work study and loans that are funded and regulated by state and federal governments. You just complete the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov. For more information on financial aid and scholarships at UNT, visit www.unt.edu/finaid.

Hazlewood Act (Texas veterans)

This act provides tuition and some fee exemptions for your undergraduate and graduate course work. For questions regarding the act, contact the UNT waiver clerk at 940-565-3225. General eligibility information and answers to frequently asked questions are at www.collegeforalltexans.com.

Military residency waiver

This waiver offers Texas resident tuition rates if you have been assigned to duty in Texas. It also applies to your spouse and children. To qualify, you will need to:

be employed with the Army, Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard or Coast Guard Reserve
be assigned to duty in Texas, not just training with Texas units
provide the appropriate documentation to UNT's Registrar's Office for a permit to register as a Texas resident

Texas National Guard Tuition Assistance Program (TXNG TAP)

To obtain an application, contact your unit or the TXNG Education Office at 512-782-5515, e-mail education.office@tx.ngb.army.mil or download it at www.agd.state.tx.us.

Enrolling at UNT

An important early step during the undergraduate application process to UNT is submitting your military transcript and DD 214 to the office of undergraduate admissions for initial evaluation. Soon after, a departmental academic advisor will review the transcripts to determine if any courses taken during military training might apply toward any of UNT's 97 undergraduate degree programs.

You should have received a DD 214 when you were discharged. The DD 214 is used to waive the wellness requirement in the academic core curriculum. To obtain the DD 214 and other in-service training records, visit www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records and click on the "Request Copies of Service Records" link.

Listed below are the procedures for obtaining your military transcripts for each section of the armed services.

There is no special admission process for UNT's Toulouse School of Graduate School. Admission requirements for the graduate school are at www.gradschool.unt.edu.

Army

You can order an Army/American Council on Educational Registry Transcript System transcript by visiting aarts.army.mil.

Air Force

A Community College of the Air Force transcript may be requested at www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/transcripts.asp.

A certificate of training will need to accompany your request. (The DD Form 214 is not acceptable.) Official transcripts will be mailed at no charge to the university.

Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps

You can obtain an official Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART) by visiting https://smart.navy.mil/request.pdf or calling 877-253-7122.

If you have any questions, contact the UNT military evaluator at 940-565-2681. You can also contact the Veterans Center at 940-565-3807.