Student veterans

For all those serving or who have served in the U.S. military, the University of Michigan thanks you for your service. We are delighted that your student has chosen Michigan.

If your student is serving, or has served, in the U.S. military, the University of Michigan recognizes that they bring a different world-view, unique life experiences, and heightened cultural connections that enrich our campus community as a whole. Across the University there are people who are cheering for their success and stand-by ready to help them. As we say in the military – “we’ve got your six.”

Veteran & Military Services Program

The Veteran & Military Services Program (VMS) assists military-connected students with support and campus outreach. One of the main points of contact for this community is Philip Larson, the Program Director for Veteran and Military Services. Phil can be reached via e-mail: pnlarson@umich.edu or via phone at 810-875-7743

P.A.V.E.

Peer Advisors for Veteran Education, or P.A.V.E., is a program that pairs incoming military-connected students with trained military-connected current students to help students with their transition to college.

P.A.V.E. helps them find their way around the university, identifying resources both on and off campus. And because military-connected students understand the military experience, they can help identify and assist in challenges they may face and provide ongoing support as they adjust to the university. Military-connected students who have not or are not serving themselves need to apply for the mentoring program.

Financial Aid for Military-Connected Students

Additionally, students are required to visit the Office of Financial Aid (OFA) to turn in their veteran's questionnaire regarding educational benefits.

All military-connected students are encouraged to explore the financial aid options available to them before using VA educational resources.

How to Apply for Financial Aid:

Your student should fill out the FAFSA. This must be filled out every year. Even if your student plans to use VA educational benefits they may still qualify for the Pell grant or other institutional grant funding.
Your student should also fill out the CSS Profile if they are a dependent student (UMich code-1839). This form only needs to be filled out once before your student's entering year.
Your student should fill out the Veteran Benefits Questionnaire (VBQ) and submit it to the Office of Financial Aid, even if they are not planning to use VA educational benefits.
If you or your student has had an employment change or any other special circumstances in the past two years that could impact your family’s financial aid package, please feel free to reach out to Tasha at the Office of Financial Aid You can reach her at finaid.vets@umich.edu, ask for Tasha or call 734-763-6600 and ask for Tasha.
If you have any specific questions or would like to meet with a financial aid advisor, please email finaid.vets@umich.edu.
Remember that if you would like to talk to the Office of Financial Aid about your student's account, you must first be authorized by your student (see Section 8 of this course).

VA Educational Benefits and Certification

If you have transferred VA educational benefits that your student will be using, they will need to register with our certification office by supplying a certificate of eligibility that they receive from the VA and fill out a Veteran Certification Request form. The Veteran Certification Request Form MUST be filled out EACH term the student wishes to use VA educational benefits. For more information please visit the VMS website.

If you have any questions please contact Phil Larson at pnlarson@umich.edu.