Military & Veterans
At Columbia International University, we deeply appreciate the service and sacrifices of military members, veterans, and their families. Our goal is to help you succeed academically and spiritually by offering scholarships, financial aid, and personalized support.
CIU Military Scholarship
We offer a scholarship specifically for active-duty military personnel and veterans, making a Christ-centered education more accessible.
- Available to eligible undergraduate, graduate, and online students.
- Designed to significantly reduce tuition and costs.
More Info
Columbia International University offers active duty service members, veterans, and their eligible spouses educational benefits in the form of a Military Scholarship. This scholarship is available to online undergraduate students, residential and online graduate students, and doctoral students who qualify and are in good academic standing. Residential undergraduate students and students in competency based programs (CBTE) are not eligible. The Scholarship will be awarded by the Financial Aid Office once the student has been deemed eligible and is registered for courses for the semester. Total institutional aid cannot exceed annual tuition. Amounts in excess of total tuition costs will be reduced.
Scholarship Amounts
- Online Undergraduate Students
- Up to $2,500 per semester (3 semesters per year)
- Graduate Students (MA, MDIV, or MED)
- Up to $2,500 per semester (3 semesters per year)
- Non-Standard Graduate Students (MBA or MOL)
- Up to $3,500.00 per semester (2 semesters per year)
- Doctoral Students
- Up to $1,500.00 per semester (3 semesters per year)
Required Military Documentation
- Service Members & Veterans (Submit one of the following):
- Valid DD-214 or NGB-22 showing honorable discharge
- End of the Month LES (within the last 3 months)
- Most recent set of orders (within the last year)
- Discharge or Retirement Certificate showing honorable discharge
- Signed and dated letter on official letterhead from a Commanding Officer containing branch of service, current status, and rank.
- or
- VA Service Letter showing honorable discharge if applicable
- Military Spouses
- One of the required military documents from the above list
- and
- A copy of your Marriage License/Certificate
- One of the required military documents from the above list
Military Identification cards cannot be accepted as proof of military service or for personal identification because Federal law prohibits copying or reproducing military IDs in any way.
Military Tuition Assistance (TA)
Tuition Assistance is available to active-duty service members to help offset education costs. CIU proudly accepts TA from all branches of the U.S. military.
How to Apply for Tuition Assistance Benefits
- Speak with your base Education Office to determine eligibility.
- Submit a TA request through your branch’s education portal.
- Provide your approved TA form to CIU’s Financial Aid Office.
More Info
The Military Tuition Assistance Program (TA) is available to active duty, National Guard and Reserve Component service members. All four branches and the U.S. Coast Guard offer financial assistance. The Tuition Assistance Program can be used to fund your college tuition and certain fees with the following limits:
- Not to exceed $250 per semester credit hour
- Not to exceed $4,500 per fiscal year, Oct. 1 through Sept. 30
Tuition assistance may be used for the following programs:
- Undergraduate programs
- Distance-learning programs
- Independent study
- Graduate programs
For more information or to find out how to apply for this Tuition Assistance visit the Military OneSource page and use their Benefits Finder to find the applicable information, as well as speak with your Educational Service Officer. You can also download the Military Tuition Assistance Info PDF below for more detailed information about applying for and using this benefit at CIU.
Military Tuition Assistance (TA) Resources:
Veterans Benefits
CIU is honored to serve veterans and their families by accepting VA education benefits, including the GI Bill®. We are committed to ensuring you receive the maximum benefits available.
How to Apply for VA Benefits
- Apply for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) through the VA.
- Submit your COE to CIU’s VA Benefits Coordinator.
- Enroll in your chosen degree program at CIU.
Types of VA Educational Benefits
- Post 9/11 GI Bill®
- Montgomery GI Bill®
- Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance (DEA)
- Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E)
More Info
CIU is proud to be consistently ranked among the most military-friendly schools in the country and we are a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program. CIU is approved to offer GI Bill® educational benefits by the South Carolina State Approving Agency. These benefits include the Montgomery GI Bill® (Active Duty/Selected Reserves), the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program, the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, and Veteran Readiness and Employment.
Program-eligible veterans, their spouses, and children can use VA education benefits to help cover the cost of their CIU tuition.
Applying for VA Benefits
If you have never used/received veteran’s benefits but think you may be eligible:
- Find out more about GI Bill® Benefits and/or Eligibility
- Apply for VA Education Benefits
- If you qualify for benefits you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or a Statement of Benefits.
- Bring or send your COE or eBenefits page to Miles Raven (School Certifying Official) in Financial Aid (see contact info below under CIU School Certifying Official).
- If you need help applying for benefits or are unsure of your eligiblity contact the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs at (888)-442-4551.
Transferring VA Benefits to CIU
If you have used veteran’s educational benefits at another school and are transferring to CIU:
Veterans and Service Members:
- Submit VA Form 22-1995 Online
- Bring or send your updated Certificate of Eligiblity (COE) or eBenefits page to Miles Raven (School Certifying Official) in Financial Aid.
Dependents of a Veteran or Service Member:
- Submit VA Form 22-5495 Online
- Bring or send your updated Certificate of Eligiblity (COE) or eBenefits page to Miles Raven (School Certifying Official) in Financial Aid.
VA Benefits Resources
CIU School Certifying Officials (SCOs)
Miles Raven – VA Benefits Coordinator
Office: (803) 807-5132
Email: miles.raven@ciu.edu
7435 Monticello Road, Columbia, SC 29203
Laura McCall – Associate Director for Online Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Office: (803) 807-5049
Email: laura.mccall@ciu.edu
7435 Monticello Road, Columbia, SC 29203
VA Benefits Chapters
For more information on using a specific VA educational benefit, please click on the appropriate chapter below for details
Chapter 30 & 1606: Montgomery GI Bill® (MGIB) and Selected Reserves (MGIB-SR)
Below are the basic eligibility requirements and VA processing info for the Montgomery and Selected Reserves GI Bill®
- The Montgomery GI Bill® is available for veterans who began active-duty service after June 30, 1985 and paid into the benefit at the beginning of their service.
- The Selected Reserves GI Bill® is available to members of the Selected Reserves with a 6-year service commitment.
- Students are paid directly by the VA on a monthly basis while attending courses. See Chapter 30 Pay Rates or Chapter 1606 Pay Rates for more information.
- Students must verify their enrollment on VYE at the end of each month in order to receive their benefit payment.
- NOTE: No tuition/fees payments will be made to the university by the VA under these chapters. Students are responsible to make sure they pay their student account balance. Students can apply for federal aid and/or set up a payment plan with the accounting department.
VA Application forms for Ch. 30 & 1606:
- 22-1990* – Use if you are applying for Montgomery or Selected Reserves GI Bill® for the first time.
- 22-1995 – Use if you have used your benefits at another institution and would like to transfer to CIU as your primary institution. You will also need to use this form if you are changing the degree level you are pursuing.
- For more information visit the Montgomery GI Bill® page on va.gov.
Chapter 31: Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E)
Below are the basic eligibility requirements and VA processing info for the Veteran Readiness and Employment program:
- Veterans with service-connected disabilities may be eligible. A service-connected disability rating of at least 10% or a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs is required.
- Must be used within 12 years of either the date of separation from active military service or the date in which the veteran was first notified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs of a service-connected disability rating.
- Can cover up to 100% of tuition and fees as well as books, paid directly to the school.
- A monthly subsistence allowance may be available as well.
VA Application forms/process for Ch. 31:
Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill®
Below are the basic eligibility requirements and VA processing info for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®:
- Available for current service members and veterans (with an honorable discharge) with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 10, 2001 or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.
- If you served on active duty after September 10, 2001, you may qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. See Eligibility Requirements for more information.
- The school will receive payment for tuition and fees directly from the VA based on your percentage of eligibility.
- Students are issued a book stipend and a monthly housing stipend while attending courses (if eligible) directly by the VA, based on the percentage of eligibility and rate of pursuit. See Post-9/11 Pay Rates for more information.
- Starting in the 2021-2022 school year, Post-9/11 GI Bill® students who receive Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) and/or kicker payments are required to verify their enrollment to continue receiving their payments. Please visit the Enrollment Verification page on the VA website to learn more about the enrollment verification requirement and verification methods.
VA Application forms for Ch. 33:
- 22-1990* – Use if you are applying for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® for the first time.
- 22-1995 – Use if you have used your benefits at another institution and would like to transfer to CIU as your primary institution. You will also need to use this form if you are changing the degree level you are pursuing.
- 22-1990e* –Use if you are a dependent (child, or spouse as defined in 1 U.S.C. § 7) applying to use a service member’s benefits. Please see Transfer of Entitlement for more information.
- For more info visit the Post-9/11 GI Bill® page on va.gov.
Chapter 35: Dependents’ Education Assistance (DEA)
Below are the basic eligibility requirements and VA processing info for the Dependents’ Education Assistance program:
- The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance benefit provides assistance to dependents of military service members with a service-connected, permanent, and total disability or who were MIA, POW, or died in connection with a service-related disability.
- Students are paid directly by the VA on a monthly basis while attending courses. See Pay Rates & Training Times for more information.
- NOTE: No tuition/fees payments will be made to the university by the VA under this chapter. Students are responsible to make sure they pay their student account balance. Students can apply for federal aid and/or set up a payment plan with the accounting department.
VA Application forms for Ch. 35:
- 22-5490 – Use if you are applying for Veterans education benefits for the first time.
- 22-5495 – Use if you have used your benefits at another institution and would like to transfer to CIU as your primary institution. You will also need to use this form if you are changing the degree level you are pursuing.
- For more info visit the Dependents’ Education Assistance page on va.gov.
Military Transfer Program
Make the most of your military experience by transferring credits to CIU. Our Military Transfer Program evaluates your Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) credits to help you complete your degree faster.
More Info
CIU is proud to be consistently ranked among the most military-friendly institutions of higher learning in the nation. Military transfer applicants complete the same application as non-transfer students. Credit is awarded based on the official transcript from the military. ACE recommendation must be submitted for the course. Military credit is designated as upper or lower division by ACE.
Courses Eligible for College Transfer
In order to receive full credit for a course, the course must be completed at a college/university accredited by or having candidate status with a Regional Accrediting Organization, ABHE, TRACS, or other accrediting agency recognized by the American Council on Education (USDE). Courses must be submitted on an official transcript. Courses must be college-level. The student must have an earned grade of C or above. (Note: A grade of S or P may not constitute a C or better.) A two-hour course can meet the requirement of a three-hour course, but the student must make up the additional hour.
Courses Eligible for Graduate-Level Transfer
Courses must be earned at the master’s level. Bachelor’s-level courses may serve to meet prerequisites only. Courses must be earned at an accredited institution with a grade of C or above. The courses must fit into your program choice at CIU.
Complex Transfer Situations
Decisions are made by the associate provost. At the graduate level, decisions are made by the academic dean of each college.
School Certifying Official
Military and VA Benefits
Laura McCall
Associate Director for Online Financial Aid & Military Benefits
Phone: (803) 807-5049
Email: laura.mccall@ciu.edu
