Pennsylvania GI Bill Tuition and Residency Requirements

Pennsylvania GI Bill Tuition Benefits

Changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill that expand benefits coverage to a wide range of new programs took effect in 2011. The only catch? Under the changes, tuition coverage for veterans attending public colleges and universities is limited to the in-state student rate. In Pennsylvania, as in other states, tuition is often higher for non-residents. Seeking education as a resident at a state-supported college or university can help veterans get the most bang for their GI Bill buck.

Pennsylvania Residency and Military Exemptions

According to The Board of Governors State System of Higher Education, you must have lived in Pennsylvania for at least 12 months prior to enrolling in college to be considered a Pennsylvania resident. The same guidelines apply at Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh.

Pennsylvania makes limited exceptions to these guidelines for military personnel. In compliance with federal law, active-duty military personnel who are stationed in Pennsylvania for military service, as well as their spouses and dependents, are eligible for in-state tuition rates. They retain that status as long as they stay continuously enrolled, even if the servicemember is transferred out of Pennsylvania.

Military personnel and veterans who were Pennsylvania residents prior to entering military service and maintained Pennsylvania as a legal residence, even if they were stationed elsewhere during their service, are still considered state residents.

To support a claim for residency, you may be asked to submit certain documents, which can include evidence you paid state taxes, a Pennsylvania drivers license or motor vehicle registration, or voter registration in the state. Military personnel may also need to submit a copy of their military orders.

Other Pennsylvania Education Benefits

National Guard members in Pennsylvania who meet eligibility requirements may qualify for a full or partial tuition scholarship, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Although the benefits can be used at any school approved by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, benefits are set at the current tuition rate for schools in the Pennsylvania state system. Guardsmen must be Pennsylvania residents to qualify and need to be signed up for a six-year service agreement.

GIBill.com has done its best to ensure that the above information is accurate. However, GIBill.com cannot guarantee its accuracy and encourages you to check with your school for its residency requirements to qualify for in-state tuition.