How do my VA Benefits work at Gonzaga?

The Montgomery GI Bill® (a.k.a. Ch. 30) provides benefit payment that is paid monthly directly to the student based on the rate of pursuit within a term.  No funding from the VA is paid to Gonzaga.  For the latest benefit rate information, please refer to the VA.gov webpage.

Students can use Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) benefits at Gonzaga, but must seek approval with a VR&E counselor in order to attend Gonzaga University for a particular program.  If approved, please have your VR&E counselor send a separate P.O. to the Zag Shop for books and supplies at 1296mgr@follett.com.

Students using the Post 9/11 GI Bill® (a.k.a. Ch. 33) receive benefit payments in 3 different formats: tuition/fees, housing, and books.

For the tuition/fees aspect of this benefit, it is paid directly to Gonzaga University.  There is no promise that it will cover all costs at Gonzaga. As a private institution, Congress determines the maximum benefit amount for tuition/fees per academic year for Ch. 33 students.  For example, the 2026-27 Academic Year cap for tuition/fees is $30,908.34 for students at the 100% Ch. 33 benefit level.  For the latest benefit rate information, please refer to the VA.gov webpage.

Following is a breakdown of what the tuition/fees aspect will cover:

*It will only cover the tuition of courses that give you progress toward degree

For the housing aspect of this benefit, it is paid directly to the student from the VA in the form of a Monthly Housing Allowance.  It is received for the actual dates of the courses you are certified for and based on the Defense Department’s BAH rates for E-5 with dependents for Gonzaga’s zip code (99258).  Additional factors that will affect this are your Post 9/11 eligibility tier or percentage, rate of pursuit, and method of instruction (in-person or online).

For the books and supplies aspect of this benefit, it is paid direct to the student from the VA in the form of a Book Stipend.  It is paid at a rate of $41.67 per credit up to a maximum of $1000 per academic year.

Gonzaga University is a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program for students pursing an undergraduate or law degree only.  The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Ch. 33) that allows institutions to voluntarily enter in to an agreement with the VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the annual maximum cap for Ch. 33.  Yellow Ribbon is paid directly Gonzaga up to an agreed maximum (currently $15,000 for undergrad and law) that is matched by Gonzaga University to not exceed total tuition/fees.  Consideration for Yellow Ribbon is accomplished by completing the Gonzaga’s Yellow Ribbon Application.

Please note: Gonzaga University award packages will be adjusted if a Yellow Ribbon Application is approved for a student.

Following is an example of how Ch. 33 and Yellow Ribbon is applied for a student:

Students using Ch. 35 benefits receive benefit payments directly from the VA monthly based with the amount based on rate of pursuit within a term.  No funding from the VA is paid to Gonzaga, and no tuition waiver is applicable at Gonzaga University based on Ch. 35 eligibility.  For the latest benefit rate information, please refer to the VA.gov website. 

The Montgomery GI Bill® Select Reserve (a.k.a. Ch. 1606) provides benefit payment that is paid monthly directly to the student based on the rate of pursuit within a term.  No funding from the VA is paid to Gonzaga.  For the latest benefit rate information, please refer to the VA.gov webpage.