Veterans & Military-Connected Students FAQ

Getting started

Where do I start?

At the Veteran Resource Center in Founders Union 110, before your first term. Bring your DD-214 and your Certificate of Eligibility (or the state equivalent). Retroactive fixes are slow; coming in early is the easiest way to get paid on time.

Who does the center serve?

Veterans, active-duty, Guard and Reserve students, and spouses and dependents using education benefits. About 400 Porter students use benefits connected to military service.

Which benefits does Porter handle?

The GI Bill chapters, the Wesconsin GI Bill, Veteran Readiness and Employment, Tuition Assistance and transferred benefits for dependents. The certifying official sorts out which one to use and when (veterans education benefits).

Do I pay resident tuition?

Yes. Active-duty service members and eligible veterans are charged the resident rate regardless of home state, and spouses and dependents of service members stationed in Wesconsin pay the resident rate while the assignment lasts (residency for tuition purposes).

Is there an application fee or a deposit?

There is no application fee for anyone, and the $100 enrollment deposit is waived automatically for veterans and active-duty service members (enrollment deposit).

Do I have to live on campus?

Not if you are a veteran with two or more years of active duty — that is one of the exemptions from the first-year live-on rule (housing FAQ).

Benefits and certification

How do my benefits actually get paid?

The School Certifying Official reports your enrollment to the VA (or the state agency) every term. It is not automatic: submit your schedule as soon as you register, and again after any change (veteran education benefits).

What happens if I change my schedule?

Tell the Veteran Resource Center before you add or drop. A change in credit load changes your tuition payment and housing allowance, and a drop after certification can create a debt you owe back. Only courses that count toward your declared degree can be certified.

The VA has not paid yet and my bill is due. Will I get a late fee?

No. Porter holds veteran accounts without a late penalty while a certified benefit is pending. Do not let a hold sit; tell the center so it can be cleared.

Why is my first housing payment small?

The monthly housing allowance is paid in arrears and prorated for the first and last months of a term, so budget for a thin first few weeks each semester.

Do state and federal benefits need separate paperwork?

Yes. The Wesconsin GI Bill and the federal GI Bill each have their own forms; the certifying official handles both.

What is the Yellow Ribbon Program?

An agreement in which Porter covers part of the tuition and fees the Post-9/11 GI Bill does not, and the VA matches that amount dollar for dollar. Because eligible veterans already pay the resident rate, it matters most for graduate charges and for non-resident dependents (Yellow Ribbon Program).

Who qualifies for Yellow Ribbon, and how do I apply?

Only students entitled to the Post-9/11 GI Bill at the 100 percent level, including dependents using transferred benefits. Porter caps the number of participants and the amount per student each year, first come, first served once fall certification opens, so submit your Certificate of Eligibility and the request form to the center early.

Credit for military training

Can my military training count for credit?

Often. Have your official Joint Services Transcript, or the Air Force equivalent, sent directly to Porter. The Registrar evaluates it against recognized credit recommendations and asks departments to review technical material (military training credit evaluation).

What kind of credit should I expect?

A direct course equivalent, a general-education or major elective, lower- or upper-division elective credit, or no credit. Physical education, leadership, technical training, health and general electives are common, and technical programs sometimes see a semester’s worth.

Does more credit mean I finish sooner?

Not always. Elective credit does not necessarily shorten the remaining requirements. After credit posts, meet your veteran adviser and academic adviser to place it where it helps.

My training matches a required course but posted as an elective. Can I appeal?

Yes. Submit the detailed course exhibit, occupational description, certifications and portfolio evidence for department review. A portfolio or departmental exam can also show learning the transcript missed (prior learning assessment).

I completed more training in the Reserve. Can that be added?

Yes. Send an updated official transcript and the new training is evaluated the same way.

Classes, deployment and campus life

Do veterans get priority registration?

Yes. Benefit-eligible veterans register early within their class tier, so a schedule can be built around work, drill weekends or family before general registration opens (registration FAQ).

I have been activated mid-semester. What are my options?

A full withdrawal with a complete tuition and fee refund and no academic penalty, or incompletes with a set window to finish after you return if enough of the term is done and your instructors agree. Both federal and Wesconsin law require these options, including for state emergency deployments (activation and deployment).

Who do I tell when I get orders?

Bring them to the Veteran Resource Center as soon as you have them. The center coordinates with the Registrar, Financial Aid, Housing and your instructors so you do not have to explain it to every office.

Do I have to reapply when I come back?

Not if you are gone less than five years. You return with priority registration for your first term back.

What is in the Veteran Resource Center?

A lounge and study room with computers and coffee, peer mentoring, benefits help, and county and federal VA representatives on scheduled days.

Is there a student veterans group?

Yes. The Student Veterans Organization meets Thursdays in the resource center and runs a quiet Sunday study table in Halvorsen Library. It also leads the Veterans Day ceremony on November 11 at Memorial Plaza, followed by an open house at the center.

I have a service-connected disability. Who arranges accommodations?

Disability & Accessibility Services, in Halvorsen Library, Level 1. See the accessibility services FAQ. Counseling Services also has a counselor who works with veterans (counseling services).

Scholarships, families and ROTC

Are there scholarships for veterans?

The Ironclad Veterans Scholarship pays $2,000 a year to veterans and active-duty students enrolled at least half-time. Apply through the general scholarship application in MyPorter by March 1; no extra essay. It renews for up to five years total.

What about spouses and children?

Dependents can apply for the Military Family Scholarship, $1,500 a year, by March 1. Spouses and children using transferred or survivor benefits are certified through the same center and are welcome in it.

Does Porter have ROTC?

Army ROTC is on campus, with Air Force and Navy available through cross-town agreements. Non-scholarship cadets can try it for up to two years with no obligation (ROTC & Military Science).

What does an ROTC scholarship cover?

Up to full tuition plus a monthly stipend, awarded competitively, in exchange for active-duty or Reserve service after you commission. Cadets can major in anything.

Can I combine a Porter scholarship with my GI Bill?

Yes. Most Porter scholarships combine with each other and with other aid, as long as total gift aid stays under your cost of attendance; the Veteran Resource Center coordinates scholarship recipients who also use VA benefits (financial aid FAQ).