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Veteran & Military Benefits

Education Benefits

Education benefits are available for veterans, active military personnel, and their eligible dependents. More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the Veterans Affairs website.

Harvard Veterans' Organizations

Harvard Veterans Alumni Organization (HVAO) was founded in 2006 to maintain a network of living Harvard Veterans, to promote a sense of community, friendship, and mutual activities. HVAO also researches, organizes, and publishes historical information relating to Harvard Veterans, in coordination with the University Archives.

Yellow Ribbon Program

HGSE is a proud participant of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon Program supplements veterans who are eligible for 100% of the Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33). After VA tuition support is calculated HGSE provides a grant that is matched by the VA to meet the remaining tuition balance for eligible Yellow Ribbon program veterans. Learn more about veterans' education benefits at Harvard and the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Benefits

An overview of the Chapter 33/Yellow Ribbon Benefits at HGSE 2024-2025 (for 100% benefits-eligible, full-time students)

Benefits are determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and awarded based on eligibility.

  • Up to $28,937.09 per academic year for tuition paid directly to the Harvard Graduate School of Education student account.
  • Monthly housing allowance for residential students is based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for eligible veterans (provided by the VA and approximately equivalent to an E-5 with dependents rate). Students in the Online Ed.M. in Education Leadership Program receive a monthly housing allowance equal to half the national average.
  • HGSE will provide a Yellow Ribbon Grant for eligible Yellow Ribbon program veterans and the VA will match this grant. The VA tuition benefit plus VA and HGSE Yellow Ribbon funding will meet the full cost of tuition and fees for the academic year. 
  • Eligible veterans may receive up to $66,116 per year of tuition and fee coverage (a maximum $28,937 VA tuition benefit + $18,589 VA Yellow Ribbon Award + $18,590 HGSE Yellow Ribbon Award). Benefits amounts may vary depending on eligibility percentage and enrollment status (full or part-time). All final eligibility determinations are made by the VA.

Note: Although Chapter 33 VA Benefits are most commonly used at HGSE, other VA benefits — such as Chapter 30, 31, 35, 1606, or 1607 — may also be used here.