Welcome to the University of South Dakota

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs determines eligibility for veteran and dependent benefits. Your military status will determine the benefit programs for which you may be eligible.

Veterans
(Honorable Discharge from Active Duty Service)

• Apply for GI BILL® and submit the Military Benefits Request Form
• Order JST (Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard) transcript to receive credit for military training
• Order CCAF (Air Force only) transcript to receive credit for military training
• Provide a copy of DD Form 214 to USD Veterans Services
• Benefits for which you may be eligible:
  
  • If you contributed to the MGIB-AD ($1200), and it has been less than 10 years since you left service, you can apply for Chapter 30 GI Bill®
  • If you served after 9/11, you may be eligible for Chapter 33 GI Bill® benefits
  • If you have a VA-rated Service Connected disability (20% or more) you may be eligible for VA Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31)
  • If you have exhausted all of your GI Bill®, or are no longer eligible, you may be eligible for free tuition for undergraduate classes from the State of South Dakota. You must still pay course/school fees. Apply by submitting the SDDVA Form E11

Active Duty
(Currently Serving in the US Armed Forces Active component)

• Benefits may include Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) eligibility.
• Check for GI Bill® eligibility (usually in the form of "Top-Up" to cover costs after FTA is applied)
  Contact your Education Services Office (ESO). GI Bill® can be used without FTA; restrictions apply (Contact ESO)
• When using the GI Bill®, complete and submit the Military Benefits Request Form
  NOTE: There are specific rules for active duty students when using the GI Bill®. Contact your ESO.
• Order JST (Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard) transcript to receive credit for military training
• Order CCAF (Air Force only) transcript to receive credit for military training
• You, and your dependents, may be eligible for instate tuition rates if stationed in, or living in, South Dakota while on Active Duty. If South Dakota is your home of record, you may receive instate tuition rates when you return to SD after service.

National Guard (Current drilling member of National Guard)

• Apply for GI BILL® and submit the Military Benefits Request Form
• Benefits may include Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) eligibility.
• Members of the South Dakota National Guard (Army or Air Force), may be eligible for 50 percent tuition reduction. Contact your unit for authorization.
• Order JST (Army) transcript to receive credit for military training
• Order CCAF (Air Force only) transcript to receive credit for military training
• If you have never been deployed, you may be eligible for Chapter 1606 GI Bill®.

Reserve
(Current drilling member of Reserve component; All services)

• Apply for GI BILL® and submit the Military Benefits Request Form
• May be eligible for Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
• Order JST (Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard) transcript to receive credit for military training
• Order CCAF (Air Force only) transcript to receive credit for military training
• If you have never been deployed, you may be eligible for Chapter 1606 GI Bill®.

Dependent of Veteran or Current Service Member
(Spouse or Child)

• Apply for Chapter 33 GI Bill® if veteran has transferred their entitlements to you
  NOTE: If spouse is currently on active duty, you may not be eligible for the monthly housing allowance.
• Apply for Chapter 35 GI Bill® if veteran had/has permanent and total VA service-connected disability.
• Benefits may include eligibility for in-state residency tuition rates if service member is currently on active duty and stationed/living in South Dakota.
• Benefits may include eligibility for special tuition rates from the State of South Dakota: Military Spouses and Children
• Spouses may be eligible for tuition assistance: Military Spouses and Children

USD Admissions

Visit the USD Military Admissions page for further information on applying and enrolling at the University of South Dakota.

Welcome Back

Please submit the veterans' information form to begin the re-enrollment process.

The form is sent to the university's certifying official in the USD Office of the Registrar. Upon receipt, the certifying official will submit an enrollment certificate to the VA. The certificate is processed by the VA in approximately 6-8 weeks.

Military Benefits Request Form

USD Admissions

Visit the USD Military Admissions page for further information on applying and enrolling at the University of South Dakota.

Related Links

New Student Counseling Form

Welcome Transfers!

Follow these instructions if you have used VA educational benefits at your previous school, and plan on using them at USD. The Veterans' Services Officer will certify your enrollment upon receipt of the following documentation.

GI Bill®

1. Sign and submit the 22-1995 and return it to the Veterans' Services Office at USD.
2. Submit the Military Benefits Request Form

Survivors and Dependents

Sign and submit the 22-5495 to the Veterans' Services Office at USD.
Submit the USD Veteran's Information Form

Vocational Rehabilitation

If you are receiving Chapter 31 benefits, please contact your case manager. Your case manager will submit VA Form 28-1905 to our office.

Sioux Falls Voc Rehab: (605) 333-6845
Rapid City Voc Rehab: (605) 394-5070

USD Admissions

Visit the USD Military Admissions page for further information on applying and enrolling at the University of South Dakota.

Related Links

New Student Counseling Form

Current students wishing to renew their entitlements should complete and submit the Military Benefits Request Form.

Related Links

New Student Counseling Form

The South Dakota Board of Regents sets the policies for students called to military service.

• If you are deployed in the middle of a semester, you may be eligible for a full refund, or – if 75% of the semester is completed – to take the current grade you have in the class (if "C" or better).
• When you return from active duty, you may be able to continue your degree program and same catalog year. You must provide USD with statement of "Intent to Return" before you leave.
• If you have student loans, you can request a military deferment so that you do not have to pay them back while you are on deployment. An absence in school attendance may trigger your loan grace period and start the repayment process. Contact the USD Office of Financial Aid for details.
• Even if you do not have to interrupt a semester for your deployment, you must contact USD Veteran Services to keep your USD email and Web Advisor accounts active while you are gone.
• Depending on your duty station, consider taking online classes to fulfill some of your degree requirements.
• Upon returning from deployment and honorably discharged from Title 10 orders, you will be classified as a "veteran."
  • Possible eligibility for a new GI Bill®
  • Independent status when filling out FAFSA (contact the Office of Financial Aid for details)
  • State Veteran Bonus (if applicable)
  • Veteran license plates
  • "Veteran" indicated on your drivers license
  • VA Healthcare

• When you return from deployment, many offices and agencies may request a copy of your DD Form 214, Member 4 copy (Discharge Papers).