Veterans

Veterans Affairs Enrollment Certification

In order to receive V.A. education benefits, eligible students must be certified through the Veterans Affairs Office. After enrolling at USC Upstate, please contact Veterans Affairs Coordinator Robin Hollis. In addition to applying to the V.A., students must also complete the online V.A. Enrollment Certification form below. You will need your network ID to access the Enrollment Certification Form.

Veterans Affairs Enrollment Certification Form (for continuing Veterans only)

Who is eligible for V.A. student benefits?

• Veterans
• Dependents of veterans
• Surviving spouse, child or parent of a deceased veteran
• Uniformed service member
• Present/former National Guard member or reservist

How do you apply for V.A. benefits?

• Apply online
• Download the fillable pdf application and instructions

Do I need to contact the Veterans Affairs Coordinator throughout the year?
Students receiving V.A. benefits must notify the V.A. Coordinator if:

• There is an increase or decrease in the number of credit hours he or she is taking.
• They withdrawal from the university. 
• They are selected for reserve status.
• There is a change in their legal name or mailing address.

Students who do not inform the Veterans Affairs Coordinator of their current status, may result in a delay in processing their benefit claim.

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CHAPTER 30 – The Montgomery GI Bill^® (“new” GI Bill^®)

The Montgomery GI Bill^® (“new” GI Bill^®): This program provides educational benefits for individuals entering the military service after June 30, 1985. (Reservists and National Guard members should refer to Chapter 1606 below).

NOTE: Any previous recipient of “old” GI Bill^® benefits should report them as Chapter 30 on this form.

CHAPTER 31 – Vocational Rehabilitation for Service-Disabled Veterans

This program is for individuals who have a compensable service connected disability, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs determines that training and rehabilitation services are needed to overcome an employment handicap. Students reporting this benefit must report monthly subsistence allowance on this form. 

CHAPTER 33 – Post – 9/11 GI Bill^®

This program is for individuals who served on active duty after 09/10/2001. Individuals must have served for an aggregated period of at least 90 days or served at least 30 continuous days and received a disability discharge.

NOTE: Individuals are eligible while on active duty after serving a period of 90 days.

CHAPTER 35 – Dependents Educational Assistance Program 

This program is for dependents (spouse or children) of individuals who die or are permanently and totally disabled from service connected causes. 

CHAPTER 1606 – Montgomery GI Bill^®:  Selected Reserve (old Chapter 1606)

This program is available to members of the Selected Reserve including the National Guard. 

CHAPTER 1607 – Reserve Educational Assistance Program

This benefit is for a Reservist called to active duty to support contingency operations.

CHAPTER 35– Dependents Educational Assistance Program

Who is this for? This program is for dependents (spouse or children) of individuals who die or are permanently and totally disabled from service connected causes.  

USC Upstate offers several on campus resources for veterans. For additional information on resources available to veterans, please contact Robin Hollis, veterans affairs coordinator at 864-503-5273 or Robin Hollis.

On Campus Resources

Green Zones:
Across campus, veterans will find green zones, military friendly locations where student veterans can feel safe. Faculty, staff members and students in these locations attend annual training to understand issues veterans encounter,  to help veterans find appropriate resources and to support veterans as they transition to or form deployment. Green zones are labeled with a green postcard. 

Current green zones

For more information, please contact Lisa Caggiano or 864-503-5886.

Go Army Tuition Assistance Program:

Tuition Assistance (TA) is a benefit offered to service members to assist with the cost of tuition. You may request TA from 60 days up to 10 days prior to your class start date. TA typically covers up to $250 per credit hour with a fiscal year limit of 16 credit hours. Please complete the Verification of Military Service form and the Tuition Assistance Request Form and return it to Student Account Services to begin the process of applying for this assistance. Please make note of important deadlines on forms when applying.

Military Tuition Assistance

Tuition Eligibility table

Student Veterans Association
The purpose of the Student Veterans Association is to connect veterans with resources needed for success and to cultivate a veteran-supportive environment. A strong connection will be constructed within the SVA, the administration, faculty and the community, while providing veterans with all the means necessary for student life and achievement beyond school. Membership within the SVA will be open to all registered students attending USC Upstate who are enrolled in at least one credit hour and who are veterans, active duty, reservists or family members of servicemen or women.

For more information, please contact the following.

Tina Herzberg, Associate Professor
HEC, Room 3039
864-503-5572

Lori Whitmire, Faculty Advisor 
Media 129 
864-503-5797

Student Veterans Association

Student Grievances and Complaints

Additional Resources

Student Success 
Library second floor
Susannah Waldrop, Director
864-503-5414

Veterans Affairs
HEC, Room 2050
Robin Hollis, Veterans Coordinator
864-503-5273

Office of Diability Services
Sansbury CLC, Suite 107
Wendy Woodsby, Director
864-506-5198

Financial Aid
HEC, Room 2076
Bonnie Carson, Director 
864-503-5349

Admissions
HEC, Room 2064
Ira Pace, Counselor
864-503-5808