Military Alliance

You value service over self. So do we. Mercer’s commitment to our active-duty military, veterans, and their families has earned us a federal designation as a “Principles of Excellence” institution. And it’s why we’ve been named a Military Friendly School, a “Best for Vets” college, and Georgia’s First Purple Heart University.

Georgia’s First Purple Heart University

Ranked Among Best Colleges for Veterans

A Military Friendly School

Education Benefits

Support You Can Count On

Department of Defense Employee Tuition Benefit

Employees of the U.S. Department of Defense, including civilians and contractors, may be eligible for a 30% tuition benefit for selected undergraduate and graduate programs at Mercer University.

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Post-9/11 "Forever" GI Bill® (Chapter 33) Benefits

For military members who served honorably on or after September 10, 2001, this bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits without time limitations. Benefits are generally payable for 15 years following release from active duty. Payments are based on the amount of service completed after September 10, 2001.

See current benefit rates at www.va.gov

Transfer of Post-9/11 GI-Bill® Benefits to Dependents (TEB)

For the first time in history, service members enrolled in the Post-9/11 GI Bill® program can now transfer unused educational benefits to their spouses or children for attendance to Mercer University.

Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)

A monthly housing allowance (MHA) is based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents and the zip code of the campus or training location where students physically attend the majority of their courses. (Rates as of May 2017: Macon location: $1,248; Atlanta location: $1,458).

Annual Books and Supplies Stipend

An annual books and supplies stipend of $1,000 is paid proportionately based on enrollment.

Yellow Ribbon Benefits

Mercer University also participates in the Expanded Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program. This program can partially or fully reimburse the difference between your tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate, depending on your eligibility. The University can contribute a specified dollar amount of those expenses, and VA will match the contribution, not to exceed 50% of the difference. Only veterans entitled to the maximum benefit rate (based on service requirements) or their designated transferees may receive this funding.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)

Veterans and service members may be eligible for opportunities and services offered through Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E).

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Montgomery GI Bill®

The MGIB-AD program - sometimes referred to as Chapter 30 - provides education benefits to veterans and service members who have at least two years of active duty. Benefits are generally payable for 10 years following release from honorable active service. Eligible service members may receive up to 36 months of education benefits. The monthly benefit paid is based on the type of training, length of military service, college fund eligibility, and contributions to the $600 buy-up program. Eligible members have up to 10 years to use MGIB benefits with some limited exceptions.

Fry Scholarship (Chapter 33)

The Fry Scholarship added a new eligibility criterion to Chapter 33. The benefit is available to the children and surviving spouses of service members who die in the line of duty after September 10, 2001. It pays a benefit equal to the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)

The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. If you are a child, you generally must use your benefits between the ages of 18 and 26. If you are the spouse, your benefits end 10 years from the date VA finds you eligible or from the date of death of your spouse.

Troops to Teachers

Pending availability of funds, Troops to Teachers financial assistance may be provided to eligible individuals as stipends up to $5,000 to help pay for teacher certification costs, or as bonuses of $10,000 to teach in schools serving a high percentage of students from low-income families. Participants who accept the stipend or bonus must agree to teach for three years in schools that serve students from low-income families in accordance with the authorizing legislation.

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Mercer ROTC

Students on Mercer's traditional undergraduate campus in Macon can participate in Mercer's Army ROTC program to earn a scholarship or college credit. Through participation in the program, students sharpen their leadership skills; build self-confidence; gain skills in time management, organization, and decision making; develop discipline ; and share in the commitment of service to our nation.

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Military Student Success Team

Contact Us

From superior assistance for seamless admission to meaningful professional connections before and after graduation, we believe in the importance of being there for those who've been there for us.

Diana Hill

Veterans Certification – Atlanta

Contact Diana for assistance with completing the application for VA education benefits and eligibility certification.

678.547.6131 | vaatlanta@mercer.edu

Sheelagh Santoro

Veterans Certification - Douglas County, Henry County, and Macon

Contact Sheelagh for assistance with completing the application for VA education benefits and eligibility certification.

678.547.5980 | santoro_sk@mercer.edu

Get Started with VA Education Benefits at Mercer

Submit an application for admission to your selected Mercer program. Be sure to indicate veteran status on your application.
Complete the Veterans Online Application (VONAPP) (VA Form 22-1990) at benefits.va.gov to apply for education and training benefits. The VA Regional Processing Office will promptly process your application and determine eligibility.
If you are a transfer student, use VA Form 22-1995.
If you are a survivor or dependent of a veteran, use VA Form 22-5490.
For VOC-REHAB eligible veterans at 100% rate, use VA Form 28-1900.

Mercer University will submit enrollment verification and tuition/fees to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Tuition and fees for chapters 31 and 33 are paid directly to Mercer’s Office of the Bursar. VA will send monthly payments for all other chapters (30, 35, 1606, 1607) to the students via direct deposit. If a student is eligible for other benefits (monthly housing allowance, books and supplies stipend, or rural benefit payment), they will be paid directly to the student via direct deposit.

GI Bill^® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

Mercer gave me the intimate family setting that I was used to in the military. This support gave me the confidence to challenge myself. The professors know your name and are incredibly supportive.

Nishée Moore, M.S. in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, '16