Contact Us

Veterans' Services
Belbas Center Room 122
414 E. Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Veterans' Services Resources

Welcome to the University of South Dakota

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs determines eligibility for veteran and dependent benefits. Your military status will determine the benefit programs for which you may be eligible.

Veterans
(Honorable Discharge from Active Duty Service)

  • Apply for GI BILL® and submit the Military Benefits Request Form
  • Order JST (Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard) transcript to receive credit for military training
  • Order CCAF (Air Force only) transcript to receive credit for military training
  • Provide a copy of DD Form 214 to USD Veterans Services
  • Benefits for which you may be eligible:
    • If you contributed to the MGIB-AD ($1200), and it has been less than 10 years since you left service, you can apply for Chapter 30 GI Bill®
    • If you served after 9/11, you may be eligible for Chapter 33 GI Bill® benefits
    • If you have a VA-rated Service Connected disability (20% or more) you may be eligible for VA Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31)
    • If you have exhausted all of your GI Bill®, or are no longer eligible, you may be eligible for free tuition for undergraduate classes from the State of South Dakota. You must still pay course/school fees. Apply by submitting the SDDVA Form E11

Active Duty
(Currently Serving in the US Armed Forces Active component)

  • Benefits may include Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) eligibility.
  • Check for GI Bill® eligibility (usually in the form of "Top-Up" to cover costs after FTA is applied)
    Contact your Education Services Office (ESO). GI Bill® can be used without FTA; restrictions apply (Contact ESO)
  • When using the GI Bill®, complete and submit the Military Benefits Request Form
    NOTE: There are specific rules for active duty students when using the GI Bill®. Contact your ESO.
  • Order JST (Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard) transcript to receive credit for military training
  • Order CCAF (Air Force only) transcript to receive credit for military training
  • You, and your dependents, may be eligible for instate tuition rates if stationed in, or living in, South Dakota while on Active Duty. If South Dakota is your home of record, you may receive instate tuition rates when you return to SD after service.

National Guard (Current drilling member of National Guard)

Reserve
(Current drilling member of Reserve component; All services)

Dependent of Veteran or Current Service Member
(Spouse or Child)

USD Admissions

Visit the USD Military Admissions page for further information on applying and enrolling at the University of South Dakota.

Welcome Back

Please submit the veterans' information form to begin the re-enrollment process.

The form is sent to the university's certifying official in the USD Office of the Registrar. Upon receipt, the certifying official will submit an enrollment certificate to the VA. The certificate is processed by the VA in approximately 6-8 weeks.

Military Benefits Request Form

USD Admissions

Visit the USD Military Admissions page for further information on applying and enrolling at the University of South Dakota.

Related Links

New Student Counseling Form

Welcome Transfers!

Follow these instructions if you have used VA educational benefits at your previous school, and plan on using them at USD. The Veterans' Services Officer will certify your enrollment upon receipt of the following documentation.

GI Bill®

  1. Sign and submit the 22-1995 and return it to the Veterans' Services Office at USD.
  2. Submit the Military Benefits Request Form

Survivors and Dependents

Sign and submit the 22-5495 to the Veterans' Services Office at USD.
Submit the USD Veteran's Information Form

Vocational Rehabilitation

If you are receiving Chapter 31 benefits, please contact your case manager. Your case manager will submit VA Form 28-1905 to our office.

Sioux Falls Voc Rehab: (605) 333-6845
Rapid City Voc Rehab: (605) 394-5070

USD Admissions

Visit the USD Military Admissions page for further information on applying and enrolling at the University of South Dakota.

Related Links

New Student Counseling Form

Current students wishing to renew their entitlements should complete and submit the Military Benefits Request Form.

Related Links

New Student Counseling Form

The South Dakota Board of Regents sets the policies for students called to military service.

  • If you are deployed in the middle of a semester, you may be eligible for a full refund, or – if 75% of the semester is completed – to take the current grade you have in the class (if "C" or better).
  • When you return from active duty, you may be able to continue your degree program and same catalog year. You must provide USD with statement of "Intent to Return" before you leave.
  • If you have student loans, you can request a military deferment so that you do not have to pay them back while you are on deployment. An absence in school attendance may trigger your loan grace period and start the repayment process. Contact the USD Office of Financial Aid for details.
  • Even if you do not have to interrupt a semester for your deployment, you must contact USD Veteran Services to keep your USD email and Web Advisor accounts active while you are gone.
  • Depending on your duty station, consider taking online classes to fulfill some of your degree requirements.
  • Upon returning from deployment and honorably discharged from Title 10 orders, you will be classified as a "veteran."
    • Possible eligibility for a new GI Bill®
    • Independent status when filling out FAFSA (contact the Office of Financial Aid for details)
    • State Veteran Bonus (if applicable)
    • Veteran license plates
    • "Veteran" indicated on your drivers license
    • VA Healthcare
  • When you return from deployment, many offices and agencies may request a copy of your DD Form 214, Member 4 copy (Discharge Papers).

More Information

DEPARTMENTS & FACILITIES

Group of ROTC Cadets Talking in a Circle.

Military & Veteran Student Services

Honoring military and veteran students and their families with social and academic support as they transition and complete higher education.

Military Science Student Speaking at an Event

Military Science

The USD Department of Military Science will train you to be a leader in the field and on the job. Through our Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), we educate and train students to commission as 2nd lieutenants in the United States Army to serve our state and country.

Students Studying in the Library.

Registrar

The Office of the Registrar serves as the institutional guardian for official academic information and records in supporting the faculty, staff and students of the University of South Dakota.

An outside view of Belbas Center.

Veterans Verification

Veterans and military students receiving benefits and enrolled in a degree program at USD will need to verify their enrollment. Please submit your monthly verification by using either the online automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) or by calling 1-877-823-2378. Enrollment can be verified starting on the last calendar day of the month.

 

  • Phone: 1-877-823-2378

Online: Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE)
Old Main front campus.

Accolades & Rankings

The University of South Dakota continues to earn recognition and rankings as "Military Friendly," "Best for Vets" and "Top Colleges & Universities."

 

  • G.I. Jobs designates USD as a "Military Friendly" school for its commitment to supporting student veterans on campus and in their careers.
  • Military Times ranks USD as a "Best for Vets" college based on university culture, academic quality, student support, academic policies and financial aid.
  • The Military Advanced Education Guide to Colleges and Universities ranks USD among the top colleges for veterans based on military culture, financial aid, flexibility, on-campus support and online support services.
The South Dakota flag.

State of South Dakota Veterans Benefits

Explore additional military, veteran and dependent education programs available through the State of South Dakota Department of Veteran Affairs.


State of South Dakota Veterans Benefits

hear from a usd alum

Christopher Struk smiling.
USD is the most veteran-friendly university in our nation, and I cannot express my gratitude and appreciation enough for the faculty and staff. They have been an absolute privilege and honor to work with, and I highly recommend USD to other veterans who want to continue their education opportunities outside the military. I wanted to earn an education that would inform me on how to help people who suffer from addictions, and USD’s program felt like the perfect fit.

Christopher R. Strunk

Ph.D. Health Sciences '23
M.S. Health Services Administration '19

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