Student veterans can use VA Education Benefits to participate in Education Abroad programs, but it requires detailed planning and early communication. To ensure a successful experience, students must work closely with both the Education Abroad Office and Veterans Certification Office to align academic goals with funding requirements.
Understanding Your Funding Options
The way VA benefits apply to study abroad depends on your specific benefit chapter and the nature of your program.
Things to Consider
- GI Bill® Benefits: These benefits generally offer the most flexibility, allowing for study abroad as long as the program is applicable to the student's course of study.
- Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E): VR&E approval is more restrictive; the VA will typically only pay for study abroad if it is an absolute requirement for the student's degree, as determined by their VA vocational rehabilitation counselor. Common majors where this may apply include computer science, engineering, business, and criminal justice.
- Dependent Tuition Waiver: This waiver covers resident tuition but does not cover associated fees or study abroad program fees.
- What is Covered: VA benefits generally cover tuition and mandatory course fees.
- What is NOT Covered: The VA does not cover travel expenses (airfare), passport/visa fees, immunizations, or specific study abroad program fees.
Housing and Living Stipends
Housing costs abroad are not billed directly to the VA. Students must use the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) or Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) awarded for enrollment to pay for their housing while abroad. Because you remain enrolled at PSU during your program, you will continue to receive the same BAH/stipend based on PSU’s zip code, provided you maintain the required credit load for full-time status.
Mandatory Financial Breakdown
To receive certification for study abroad, students must provide a detailed financial breakdown of all costs to the Veterans Certification Office early in the planning process. This allows the certification team to distinguish between coverable tuition/fees and non-coverable program or travel costs. You can request a financial aid budget from the Education Abroad Office to fulfill this requirement.