First time applying for benefits? Begin the process with the Veterans Affairs (VA).

Transferring your education benefits to Temple University? Update your school, program and other information by following the steps on the Veterans Affairs website. 

Are a veteran using Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31)? Start the process with the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VRE). Your VRE counselor may provide VA Form 1905 directly to the School Certifying Official at Temple. VA Form 1905 will be used in lieu of a Certificate of Eligibility. For submitting the Certificate of Eligibility, please see Step #5 below.

Will you be using Federal Tuition Assistance? Prior to enrolling at Temple, discuss your educational plan with your Educational Services Officer (ESO).

While you wait for the Certificate of Eligibility, or for your VA counselor to submit your VA Form 1905 (Chapter 31–Voc Rehab), you may proceed with your Temple application. Follow the application process steps for either first-year or transfer students.

Temple often develops new programs to meet the changing needs of our students and the greater community. Every new program must be submitted to the State Approving Agency, and then to the VA for approval before we can certify enrollment for VA Education Benefits. This process can be unpredictable, so there may be times when a new program is not yet approved at the time a student enrolls. We recommend that you verify the approval status of your program at the VA's Web Enabled Approval Management System (WEAMS). If your program is not listed, please contact us.

Temple accepts academic, college-level courses beyond the developmental level completed with a grade C or better, from schools with regional accreditation. Exceptions to any of these criteria may be considered on appeal. 

Transfer Credits for Military Service

Temple awards college credit for documented military experience according to the American Council on Education (ACE) guide recommendations. Examples of acceptable documentation for military experience include the following. 

• Army/ACE Registry Transcript System (AARTS) 
• Sailor/Marine/ACE Registry Transcript (SMART) 
• Community College of the Air Force transcript 

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Phone: 215-204-7200 or 888-340-2222 (toll free)
Email: [click-for-email] 

Other Prior Learning Experience

Temple also awards limited academic credit and course placement to students based on previous academic, employment, military and/or other learning experiences not earned in a traditional classroom setting.

Credit for prior learning, including advanced placement, international baccalaureate, GCE A-levels and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credits completed prior to attending Temple are posted on a student's record as transfer credit.

Learn more about transfer and prior learning.

We encourage all students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Temple offers assistance to eligible students typically in one or any combination of the following forms.

• Educational loans
• Grants
• Scholarships
• Work-study

In addition to financial aid awarded by Temple, many outside groups sponsor private scholarships, loans and grants. Learn more about your financial aid options.

If your education benefits apply toward tuition, the VA will pay actual net cost for in-state tuition and fees after the application of any funds provided directly to Temple and specifically designated for the sole purpose of defraying tuition and fees. 

Some students may be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon program, which could offset out-of-state charges.

Once you have been accepted to Temple, visit TUportal to complete the enrollment process.

Service members and veterans are eligible for the following.

• Priority registration
• In-state tuition rate upon meeting the eligibility requirements
• Special scholarship consideration
• Invitations to events and activities designated for service members and veterans

Tuition Deposit Waiver

Some students may be eligible for tuition deposit waiver. To be considered for these benefits and more, complete the following steps.

• After activating your TUportal account, visit GIBenefits.
• Complete the service member/dependent information section.
• Upload your Certificate of Eligibility, eBenefits document or military ID.

Follow these steps to declare use of benefits via GIBenefits in TUportal.

• Obtain the eBenefits summary document or Certificate of Eligibility.
• Access GIBenefits in TUportal.
• Complete service member/dependent information.
• Upload your Certificate of Eligibility or eBenefits information.
• Register for courses (each semester).
• Declare to use your benefits for the registered semester in GIBenefits (for each semester).

Newly admitted students seeking to use their VA education benefits for the first time should begin by contacting the VA at 1-888-442-4551 or visit va.gov for eligibility information.