Welcome Military and Veteran Families

Apply to UM and Activate Your VA Benefits

• Step 1. Apply to the University of Montana
  • Access the Apply as and Undergraduate webpage to begin your application.
  • Be sure to verify residency status.
  • Veterans Choice Act: Veterans Choice Act eligibility will be reviewed after submitting the Notification of Intent (Step 4).
  • Provide your Social Security Number (SSN) during application; UM's Military and Veteran Services Office must use the student's SSN to process education benefits.
• Step 2. Apply for Military Education Benefits
  • For eligible veterans, servicemembers, and family members, apply for VA education benefits: VA.gov
  • Use the VA's website to review the available education benefit options.
  • Veterans will need to provide start/end dates for military service. 
  • Provide bank account and routing number to setup direct deposit.
  • Complete the selected form (Write down confirmation information for your records).
  • After the application is completed, the VA will notify you of the status within 30 days.
• Step 3. Register for classes
  • Verify your assigned academic advisor: Undergraduate Advising Center.
  • Set up a meeting with your academic advisor to finalize class registration and review your degree plan.
  • The MVSO will review your classes to ensure compliance with education benefits.
  • If a class does not align with the student's degree plan, the MVSO will contact the academic advisor for verification.
  • Activities courses are not generally authorized; exceptions must gain authorization through the MVSO. 

  Important Dates and Deadlines for Registration: Registrar's Calendar

  Priority Registration Time Tickets (after the first term): Time Tickets

  Note: You must register for classes before completing Step 4.

• Step 4. Activate VA Benefit (formerly NOI)

  You must activate your VA benefit every semester through the University.

  • Go to GrizPortal and click on the Activate VA Benefits card.
  • Login with your UM NetID and password and fill out the form.
  • Submit the request 30 days before the term to receive benefits on time. 
  • The MVSO will confirm when the certification is complete and communicate any issues. 
• Step 5. Submit Military Service Transcripts

  Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard

  • Go to the Joint Service Transcript website (Does not apply to Air Force students)
  • Click “Register” under “Register to use this system” at the top of the page and complete registration
  • At the top of the main page, click Transcript
  • Click on Official Transcript Request. (Electronic)
  • Search “Montana”
  • In the search results, find the University of Montana with the address of 32 Campus Drive

  Air Force and Space Force

  • Go to the Office of the Registrar Air University webpage.
  • Click "Order Your Transcripts Online"
  • Ensure “Ordering your own credentials or academic records” is selected (green)
  • Enter your Email Address used for your Parchment account
    • First-time users must create an account
  • Enter your parchment account password
  • Click “Order”
  • Type The University of Montana into the Search Bar
    • Select “The University of Montana – Undergraduate” for undergraduate or “The University of Montana Graduate School” for graduate
  • Select your status from the drop-down menu (i.e., Air Force Active Duty, Air Force National Guard)
  • Select where will you/did you earn your degree from the drop-down menu (i.e. Air University, Community College of the Air Force)
  • Select Yes or No/Unknown from the drop-down list asking if you separated and/or retired prior to 28 Sep 22
  • Select purpose from the drop-down menu (i.e. employment, self, other)
  • Sign in Signature Block
  • Type First Name, Middle Name, and Last Name into the appropriate boxes
  • Click the box next to the consent statement
  • Click continue
  • Review information
  • Click complete order
  • Transcripts will be sent to the University of Montana with the address of 32 Campus Drive

  Transcripts are delivered to the Undergraduate Admissions Evaluations office. An evaluations specialist will provide an initial transfer credit review within 10 business days. After receiving your recommended credit transfers, you will meet with your academic advisor to discuss the best options for applying course credit to your degree plan. 

• Optional: Apply for Federal Financial Aid
  We advise students to apply for FAFSA even if you are not planning to accept loans. You are NOT required to accept federal financial aid if you apply. Keep in mind, if you accept a financial aid student loan package, you will still be required to pay it back later.
  

  • Access the application: studentaid.gov
  • Using VA education benefits does not affect your eligibility for Federal Student Aid. Students should apply for FAFSA every year they plan on attending school.
  • Through Federal Student Aid, you can receive but are not required to accept, federal grants, loans, and work-study awards.
  • When completing your FAFSA, funds from VA education benefits such as your monthly stipend do not count as income. They are considered “resources.” All other VA benefits such as compensation, pension, etc. are considered “non-taxable income” and must be documented as such on the form.
  • Many students that receive Federal Student Aid qualify for the Pell Grant, which is money students can accept to assist with school payments, and it is not paid back. 

  Contact Student Financial Services at UM for more information.