We are proud to continue to serve the hard working men & women veterans who want to acheive their higher education goals at our Palo Alto campus.
Sofia University is approved to accept VA education benefits
Whether you use veterans’ benefits, tuition reimbursement, cash, third-party billing or financial aid, you’ll have help every step of the way during your education. All of our degrees are approved to use Federal and State benefits, and our Admissions counselors are here to serve military students with certification of Federal GI Bill® benefits, as well as connections with campus and local resources.
Honoring Heroes Scholarship
As a Veteran using a VA GI Education benefit, you may be eligible to apply for Sofia University’s Honoring Heroes Scholarship and be awarded up to $3,000 to assist with out-of-pocket tuition costs.
Types of military veteran benefits:
1.
Post-9/11 GI Bill - Chapter 33
2.
Transfer of Education Benefits (TOE) - Chapter 33 Dependents
3.
Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
4.
Montgomery GI Bill – Chapter 30
5.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Vet Success Program Chapter 31
6.
Survivors and Dependents Assistance - Chapter 35
What kinds of financial aid can I use?
There are many kinds of financial aid opportunities available to students who need it. Some options are scholarships and military veteran financial aid.
Federal Student Loans:
Sofia students may be eligible to receive subsidized and unsubsidized loans based on their financial needs. Here are some commonly asked questions about federal student loans:
- What is the difference between Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans?
- Am I eligible for a Direct Subsidized Loan or a Direct Unsubsidized Loan?
- What are the current interest rates?
- Other than interest, is there a charge for this loan?
- What additional steps must I take to receive my loan?
The Post 9/11 GI Bill® Yellow Ribbon Program:
The Yellow Ribbon Program can help you pay for higher out-of-state, private school, or graduate school tuition that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t cover. Find out if you’re eligible, and if your school takes part in this program.
Are you qualified for the Yellow Ribbon program?
You may qualify for this program if you and your school meet the requirements listed below. You must qualify for the maximum benefit rate under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
To qualify, at least one of these must be true. You:
- Served at least 36 months on active duty (either all at once or with breaks in service), or
- Received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service, or
- Received a Fry Scholarship on or after August 1, 2018, or
- Served for at least 30 continuous days (all at once, without a break) on or after September 11, 2001, and were discharged after 60 days with a service-connected disability, or
- Are a dependent child using benefits transferred by a Veteran or a service member who has served for at least 36 months on active duty and qualifies at the 100% level, or
- Find out about transferring Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits
- Are receiving the Fry Scholarship (beginning August 1, 2018)
Learn more about the Fry Scholarship
Note: At this time, you’re not eligible for the maximum benefit rate under the Post-9/11 GI Bill if you’re an active-duty service member or the spouse of an active-duty service member. But, as of August 1, 2022, you may become eligible if you’re an active-duty service member who qualifies at the 100% level, or the spouse using the transferred benefits of an active-duty service member who qualifies at the 100% level.
I tried other universities, however, I felt disconnected and I didn’t feel like part of the university. With Sofia, I feel like I am a part of a family. I decided to pursue a doctorate degree in Philosophy and Transpersonal Psychology because I know that, despite my injuries, I can still help protect people in need from a mental standpoint. My advice to current and future VA students would be to know that any dream is achievable. No matter how lost you may feel or how unattainable your dream must seem, keep going. It’s only when you stop that your dream cannot be achieved.
Larry D. Weeden, Jr.
Student, PhD in Transpersonal Psychology
Class of 2021
