Veterans Abroad
Many veterans are able to use their benefits to help fund an education abroad experience. If you are a veteran and wish to use your benefits to help fund your education abroad experience, please be sure to work closely with the Education Abroad office as well as the Veterans Services office. The education abroad program must fit into the student’s plan of study as the Veterans Affairs (VA) will only pay for courses that are needed for graduation.
In order to utilize the Washington State Veteran’s Affairs (VA) tuition waiver students can "Direct Enroll" to an approved university on the WEAMS - Veteran's Affairs Institution Search site.
Other funding from the GI Bill (not a waiver) can be used for participation in Global Learning Faculty-led Programs in which all courses are taught by WWU faculty.
If the student selects an "Exchange Program" including WWU Exchange, ISEP Exchange, or ISEP Direct, or a traditional third-party provider program, it will be up to the student to pay the program as is standard for all students. In addition, the US Government will not pay out funds to a third party, and the Washington State Veteran’s Affairs (VA) tuition waiver will not apply. See the new guidance on Post-9/11 Veterans Benefits for Education Abroad for more details.
While abroad, the student continues to receive a monthly living stipend while attending classes or for the length of the quarter or semester. Students are responsible for all living and travel expenses associated with education abroad.
Resources
School Certifying Officials
Meet with WWU's Veteran's Services School Certifying Officials to discuss your study abroad considerations:
Manuel York
- yorkm3@wwu.edu
- (360) 650-2823
- Wilson Library 165
- Schedule Meeting by: https://calendly.com/yorkm3
Tyler Reed
- Reedt6@wwu.edu
- (360)-650-2820
- Wilson Library 165
- Schedule Meeting by: https://calendly.com/reedt6
Scholarships
- Check out various scholarship opportunities, including ones specifically for military personnel, such as University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC)
- Give (GI Veterans Excellence) Award - 5%: ISA provides this generous supplemental scholarship to GI-Bill recipients who are participating in an ISA program. This award will apply to all active and veteran benefit recipients, regardless of whether the GI-Bill funding will transfer to their term abroad.
- A WWU scholarship is available to WWU students participating in a summer Global Learning Program: Liz Partolan-Fray Memorial Scholarship for Education Abroad
- Gilman International Scholarship for Pell Eligible Students
- Gilman-McCain Scholarship for Children of Military Families
Education Abroad Advisors
EdAbroad Advisor for students using GI benefits: Dan Lindeman
For program & scholarship advising, please contact Hannah Nevitt