By Charlene Lattea, WVU Online | Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Whether you are a veteran, a reservist, a National Guardsman, or still serving on active duty, WVU Online is a great place to further your education.
Not only is WVU Online military friendly, but all of the resources provided through WVU's Center for Veterans, Military and Family Programs and Mountaineer Bunker are also available to online veteran and military students.
WVU currently serves more than 1,000 veterans, military personnel and/or their dependents who are furthering their education. In 2022 the University was named among the top 20 best colleges for veterans across the country in the Military Times "2022 Best for Vets" college rankings.
In 2023, in recognition of the resources and support provided to veterans to be successful in their careers, WVU earned the 2023 Military Friendly® Employer designation. Military Times is a trusted, independent source for news and information for the military and veteran community.
In addition to the Military Times magazine ranking, WVU has earned G.I. Jobs Magazine’s Military Friendly School rating for several consecutive years. Military Advanced Education magazine also called WVU a Top Military-Friendly University.
"I am incredibly proud of the WVU Center for Veteran, Military and Family Programs office staff and the entire WVU family for their hard work to support our veteran and military community of students," said Jerry Wood, Center director. "These rankings demonstrate that our institution is committed to providing our veterans with the best overall college experience. We will continue our climb to become the very best university in the nation for our veterans."
What is the Mountaineer Bunker?
On campus, WVU has provided a space for veteran and military-connected students offering free tutoring services, study areas, and direct contact with school certifying officials, all while certifying their benefits efficiently, and treating them with the utmost dignity and respect.
Known as the "Mountaineer Bunker," it is located in the Mountainlair on the downtown campus and is a gathering space and support center for student military service members, student veterans, armed forces personnel and dependents of current and former military service members.
The Bunker helps support military students during their transition from military life into college life, offering a variety of programs and services related to academic success, career development, overall well-being, personal success, tutoring and veteran certification services.
Of course, WVU Online students are welcome to call, email, or visit The Bunker, and are welcome to take part in any of the virtual activities or meetings. They should call to make an appointment to meet with the staff of the Bunker and meetings may be conducted virtually, by phone, or email.
The WVU Center for Veteran, Military, and Family Programs (CVMF)
WVU Mountainlair, Room 214
Email:
veterans@mail.wvu.edu
Phone: (304) 293-8825
Website:
https://veterans.wvu.edu
Facebook: WVUVeteransHQ
Twitter: @WVUVeterans
Is WVU Online affordable for military students?
The active military rate for online undergraduate programs is currently $250 per credit hour, including tuition and fees, which represents the amount the Department of Defense will cover per credit hour. This rate applies only to undergraduate programs and it does not apply to spouses at this time.
As of the fall of 2021, non-resident students who attend on-campus or online, and who use Chapter 33 or 33T (Post 9/11), Chapter 31 (Veteran Readiness & Employment), Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill), and any National Guard or Reservists drilling in a West Virginia unit will receive in-state tuition rates.
For non-resident National Guard or Reservists, the WVU Center for Veteran, Military, and Family Programs will need a memo from the student’s unit on letterhead stating they are an active member of the unit before in-state rates are applied.
What if I am Receiving VA Benefits?
All students receiving VA benefits for the first time need to apply through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs ( va.gov). Once approved, you will be sent a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) in the mail. After that, you should visit WVU’s Center for Veteran, Military and Family Programs or email the CoE to veterans@mail.wvu.edu.
In addition, you will also need to complete an Intake/Agreement form found on CVMF’s website at veterans.wvu.edu for benefit certification.
Equally important, both undergraduate and graduate students should speak with their academic adviser to confirm that their credits are degree pursuant and that they meet the requirements for full-time status.
For VA purposes, students receiving benefits will be certified as on-campus students, hybrid (low-modality) students, or online students.
Hybrid programs are those in which you are required to be in attendance on campus at least one time per term for academic activities.
VA benefits:
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
WV Educational Encouragement Program
VA Education Hotline: (888) 442-4451
Veterans Affairs benefits:
va.gov/education/eligibility
Find a VA location near you:
va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp
GI Bill:
benefits.va.gov/gibill/
Can I Earn Credits for Military Experience?
WVU Online offers more than 75 degrees and certificates where a Joint Service Transcripts (JST) can be used to fulfill electives or used for equivalent courses.
Also, there is one unique WVU Online bachelor’s degree program that allows eligible students to acquire a plethora of college credit for military experience.
The online Regents Bachelor of Arts (RBA) degree, offered through the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, allows students to tailor their academic careers to meet their individual needs. You can complete the program online, at your own pace.
To enter the RBA program, you need to have been out of high school for at least four years. In this program, you package together previously earned credits, online classes, and a portfolio of real-world experience to create a unique degree.
The RBA degree is designed to provide adult learners with either a Liberal Arts or a more comprehensive education when combined with Areas of Emphases and minors.
Furthermore, there is considerable flexibility in how, when, and where degree requirements are achieved. Specifically, students may earn credits through on-campus and online courses (at WVU or transfer), credit by exam, standardized awards, and/or writing portfolios to petition for eligible courses based on work experience, or a combination of each.
The RBA degree is a perfect fit for service men and women and veterans who may be able to earn college credits based on their service training.
WVU RBA Program:
If you have any questions, check out our Frequently Asked Questions page, attend one of our info sessions or webinars, or speak to an advisor by phone at (304) 293-4722 or by email at RBA@mail.wvu.edu.
What are the Business Program discounts?
One area in which veterans can excel after their military career is business. WVU’s John Chambers College of Business and Economics offers a $100 discount per credit hour to all current and former service personnel pursuing certain WVU Online graduate business-related programs, in addition to the other discounts available. These programs include:
- Master of Science in Business Cybersecurity Management
- Master of Science in Business Data Analytics
- Master of Science in Economics
- Master of Science in Forensics and Fraud Examination
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Science in Human Resource Leadership
- Business Administration in Accounting Doctorate
Certificate programs:
- Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination (FAFE)
- Business Data Technology Management Graduate Certificate
- Business Cybersecurity Data Analytics Graduate Certificate
- Business Cybersecurity Foundations Certificate
- Business Cybersecurity Management Certificate
- Business Data Analysis Graduate Certificate
- Business Data Science Graduate Certificate
- Business Operations Research Graduate Certificate
How Do I Speak to Admissions Coaches?
If you are interested in any of our WVU Online programs, the admissions coaches and academic advisers in our Learning Engagement Center would be happy to speak with you. Or, you can check out the links below for more information.
Call us, write us, or fill out the request information form. Whichever communication style you prefer, there will be someone from WVU Online on the other end waiting to help.
Meet Our Coaches
Call Us: 800-253-2762
Email Us:
WVUOnlineInquiry@mail.wvu.edu
Submit a
Contact Request Form
Additional WVU Resources:
- Veterans Advocacy Clinic at WVU
- WVU Veterans Club
- WVU Libraries designated space for student veterans
- Designated advisors for veterans
- Student Veterans of America
Career Resources for Veterans: