Military Aid

Military Appreciation Scholarship

Carolina University is grateful to all the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. With profound appreciation, we offer the following Military Appreciation Scholarship levels:

  • For those actively participating in the military’s Tuition Assistance (TA) program, this scholarship covers the complete cost of online tuition beyond the per credit hour amount paid by the military (TA).  All other standard fees apply. 
  • For those not participating in the military’s TA program, this scholarship provides a one-third tuition scholarship to honor those who have served or are currently serving in our U.S. Armed Forces. All other standard fees apply

Effective Spring 2020, the first responder and armed forces scholarships are also awarded to spouses.  This award is not stackable with any other institutional aid. There is no award deadline. Our Spurgeon School of Online Education delivers accredited, interactive, quality education to students anywhere in the world where the internet is available. Our built-in flexibility and seven-week sessions make it convenient for anyone to pursue their university degree. Many of our programs are available online in their entirety.

For more information about this scholarship, email financialaid@carolinau.edu or call 1-800-937-5097.

Federal VA and Military Benefits

We accept military assistance by way of GI Bill® (VA), Military Tuition Assistance (TA), and Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab). To ensure that you receive full benefits promptly, please review the following information. 

Enrollment certification for VA education benefits is not automatic. Students must submit to the School Certifying Office (SCO) their most recent Certificate of Eligibility (COE).  TA benefits are coordinated by Student Accounts.  Only programs approved by the State Approving Agency (SSA) are eligible for VA Education benefits.  We also advise service members to contact their Educational Services Officer or counselor before enrolling at Carolina University.

Course Load and Student Status for VA Benefits

Student status for VA Benefits is based on monthly course load. The information below applies to VA Benefit requirements for full, three quarter, or half-time benefit levels. The Post 9/11 monthly housing stipend is only payable for a rate of pursuit greater than half-time. Rate of Pursuit is calculated by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This calculation is determined by training level, credits taken in a term, and length of term. CU does not calculate the Rate of Pursuit.

Enrollment Criteria

Undergraduate Students

  • Full-time = 12 or more credits
  • Three-quarter-time = 9 to 11 credits 
  • Half-time = 6 to 8 credits 
  • Less-than-half-time = less than 6 credits 

Graduate Students

  • Full-time = 9 or more credits 
  • Three-quarter-time = 6 to 8 credits 
  • Half-time = 5 credits 
  • Less-than-half-time = less than 5 credits 

Doctoral Students

  • Full-time = 6 or more credits 
  • Three-quarter-time = 4 credits 
  • Half-time = 3 credits 
  • Less-than-half-time = less than 3 credits 

Tuition Assistance (TA)

TA recipients should submit TA course approval to the Student Accounts Office at wooterss@carolinau.edu. 

Service members should contact their Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor prior to enrolling at CU. Service members should also visit their respective Military Service’s education portal for additional information about TA benefits.

Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab)

Please submit your enrollment verification worksheet to the Student Accounts Office at wooterss@carolinau.edu. Voc Rehab is invoiced once the recipient’s enrollment is confirmed.

GI Bill® (VA)

VA recipients should check out their branch’s requirements and complete the necessary forms. Submit forms for certification to the School Certifying Official at veterans@carolinau.edu or by fax to 336-714-7820. For additional references, see the GI Bill® website. VA forms can also be obtained here.

Steps to Applying for VA Benefits

  • Inform the school's certifying official (SCO) of the following:
    • The type of benefit(s) you plan to use
    • Your current service status
    • Submit copies of all applicable documentation to the SCO. Such documentation may include but is not limited to the following: DD214; Certificate of Eligibility; VA Application for Enrollment (Form 22-1990 or 22-5490).
    • If you are transferring from another institution in which you have previously used your benefits, please submit a Change in Place of Training form (22-1995) to the VA. Be sure that the SCO receives a copy of this form as well.

You must also submit the VA Certification Request form to veterans@carolinau.edu.

Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic

The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone offers virtual mental health services for post-9/11 veterans, and anyone who has served in the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, regardless of discharge status, role while in uniform, or combat experience. All are welcome. We now also treat active-duty service members with a TRICARE referral.

The Cohen Clinic offers brief, evidenced-based, client-centered therapy for a variety of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, adjustment issues, anger, grief and loss, family issues, transition challenges, relationship problems, and children’s behavioral problems. Services are available regardless of discharge status, role in uniform, combat experience, ability to pay or insurance.

Each of the 19 Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinics across the U.S, is enabled to offer care virtually, via CVN Telehealth. We offer this CVN Telehealth and face-to-face video therapy, to reduce barriers to treatment in our clinics. Our clients can now receive services directly through their smart phone, tablet or computer allowing them to receive care from the comfort of their own home or workplace without having to come into our clinic. Since we are a virtual mental health system, we consider ourselves a clinic without walls, for veterans and military families in the states we serve.

Point of Contact

The designated point of contact for all military-related benefits is our School Certifying Official. The SCO works with all VA educational benefits and serves as the initial contact for TA and Voc Rehab as well. They can connect you with the appropriate University resources to assist you with academic advising, financial counseling, tutoring, disability services, and career services. You can reach the School Certifying Official at veterans@carolinau.edu.

Readmission of Service Members

CU values our nation's military service members and will provide special provisions for those who are unable to attend classes due to their military service. Pursuant to Department of Education regulations (34 C.F.R. 668.8), those seeking readmission due to military service will be reinstated with the same status held prior to deployment or service-related absence. The student (or an appropriate officer) must give oral or written notice of such service to the University as far in advance as is reasonable under the circumstances. No notice is required if precluded by military necessity such as classified operations, etc. The student must give notice when he/she intends to return to classes within three years after the completion of the period of service. Notices should be made to the Point of Contact designated above. [Source: Chapter 3 of Volume 2 of the Federal Student Aid Handbook]