The University of Chicago strives to be an institution of high integrity and is committed to ensuring that recruitment and enrollment activities conducted at the University promote such an environment. The University has policies to ensure compliance with federal laws and regulation in order to prevent and eliminate fraudulent and aggressive recruitment of students (including but not limited to students using Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) education benefits) to the University.
OMAC is committed to supporting military-affiliated persons receive the best-suited benefit for your educational needs. An in-depth analysis of your military status and benefits can be examined by the Office for Military-Affiliated Communities. The University is a partner of the Veterans Affairs ®Gi Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program, and the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Program.
Below you will find some links to resources for staff, faculty and students.
- Tuition Assistance and Academic Information - Service members must speak with their Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within their Military Service prior to enrolling into the institution.
- Leave of Absence (staff and faculty)
- Leave of Absence (student withdrawal for military duties)
- Veterans Educational Benefits (Please visit the "Veterans Benefits" tab below for more details)
- Yellow Ribbon Participation by Division
- Student Disability Services (for students requiring accommodations while attending University of Chicago)
- Students wishing to speak with someone regarding accommodations can reach Student Disability Services' Director Charnessa Warren, or Deputy Director Katherine Fahey by emailing disabilities@uchicago.edu
- Equal Opportunity Programs (for staff and faculty requiring accommodations)
Financial Aid
Students utilizing VA or DoD benefits can still apply for financial aid through the U.S. Department of Education's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you have questions about eligibility and how to apply, please contact the appropriate financial aid department for your school unit below:
- College Aid
- Graduate Financial Aid
- Cohort Default Rate (A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1st to September 30th, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year. Please refer to the Cohort Default Rate Guide for a more in-depth description of cohort default rates and how the rates are calculated). In the event tthat the institution's CDR rises above the national average, this site will be updated to reflect such a change.
Academic Catalogs and Announcements
Students can find information pertaining to general degree requirements, including but not limited to, number of hours needed and types of degrees earned in the catalogs. Below are the links to the University’s academic programs and announcements.
College Catalog and Graduate Announcements
University Catalog and Departmental Pages
Academic & Career Advising
The University of Chicago also provides potential students with assistance in selecting a major, career opportunities, and navigating college life. To speak with an academic advisor about your education path, please contact the appropriate advising department for your school unit below:
- College Advising (undergraduate students)
- Career Advancement empowers UChicago undergraduates of all interests and backgrounds to apply their world-class education to a fulfilling career.
- UChicagoGRAD (graduate and postdoctoral students)
Transfer Credit Policies
- The College (please see The College Catalog)
- Biological Sciences Division (does not accept transfer credit)
- Chicago Booth (does not accept transfer credit)
- Divinity School (please contact the unit)
- Graham School (please contact the unit)
- Harris School of Public Policy (does accept transfer credit)
- Humanities Division (please contact the unit)
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (does not accept transfer credit)
- Law School (please contact the unit)
- Physical Sciences Division (does not accept transfer credit)
- Pritzker School of Medicine (does not accept transfer credit)
- Crown Family School for Social Work, Policy and Practice (does accept transfer credit)
- Social Sciences Division (please contact the unit)
- Transfer between academic units within the University of Chicago
Units without a link to a transfer credit policy or indication of "no transfer" credit should be contacted, or UChicagoGRAD for further information. You can view the full listing of programs offered by the University (undergraduate and graduate) and course catalogs by clicking here.
Accreditation
Since 1913, the University of Chicago has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, 230 S. LaSalle St., Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604; 800.621.7440. Additional information regarding accreditation, approval, or licensure of the University is available upon request from Ingrid Gould, Associate Provost, 773.702.8846, igould@uchicago.edu
In addition to the University’s accreditation, various academic programs receive specialized accreditations. Information regarding accreditation, approval, or licensure from individual academic programs is available upon request as follows:
You can verify the University's accreditation and specialized accreditation status' by clicking here.
The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed either the annual maximum cap for private institutions or the resident tuition and fees for a public institution. The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and VA will match the same amount as the institution.
The University contributes an "unlimited" number of awards and amounts towards the Yellow Ribbon Program across all academic units.
For a list of FAQ's concerning the Yellow Ribbon, please click here.
Veterans Affairs related documents and questions should be submitted to one of the VA School Certifying Officials by clicking here.
The Chamber of Commerce also provides an updated guide relatiing to VA benefits here.
Tuition Assistance (TA) funds are a source of financial aid for active duty, reserve and guard members.
Steps to Using Military TA
- Please speak with your Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within your military service prior to enrolling into the institution.
- We recommend you start this process at least one quarter weeks prior to your course start date.
- Apply for admission to our university and print your degree plan (degree plan can also be acquired from your academic advisor).
- Register for courses; all branches require registration prior to approval.
- Choose Military TA as your payment method.
- Meet with your Education Services Officer (ESO) for a briefing on TA.
- Request required TA forms through your branch education portal for each course with a unique start date.
- Army and Air Force students will utilize an online system for requesting Air Force tuition assistance through the Air Force Virtual Education Center. You will apply for tuition assistance through the portal and it will be sent electronically to the bursar for processing.
- Navy, Marine Corps., and Coast Guard Students will submit an application through the Navy College Office's Virtual WebTA portal.
- Please review these helpful steps to assist with the Navy College Office's Tuition Assistance approvals.
- You may send a copy of your Tuition Assistance Authorization to the bursar and OMAC by clicking here.
- Disclose all sources of aid: Contact the financial aid office if you plan to use multiple sources of aid, such as FSA or other scholarships.
- Please note, your approved Military TA request must be received and processed at least five days prior to the start of your course.
A full list of TA approved programs and tuition costs per credit hour can be found here.
Tuition Assistance can only be used to cover tuition costs. TA covers tuition cost up to $250 per semester hour/$166 per quarter hour. All other costs must be covered by other sources of funding.
Please note that TA may only cover a portion of your cost and you are responsible for any costs not covered under TA. Please consult with your ESO and the Office for Military-Affiliated Communities if you have any questions.
Return of TA Funds
The Institution will return any unearned tuition assistance (TA) funds on a proportional basis through at least the 60 percent portion of the period for which the funds were provided. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending.In instances when a Service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, the educational institution will work with the affected Service member to identify solutions that will not result in student debt for the returned portion.
10-week Course Withdraw submitted, the 60% of course completed at 6 weeks
100% end of the first week of the quarter.
65% end of the second week of the quarter.
65% end of the third week of the quarter.
50% end of the fourth week of the quarter.
30% end of the fifth week of the quarter.
1% end of the sixth week of the quarter.
0% after the sixth week.
Veterans Affairs Pending Payment Compliance
Beginning August 1, 2019, and despite any policy to the contrary, the University of Chicago will not take any of the four following actions toward any student using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33)1 or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while their payment from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs is pending to the educational institution:
Prevent their enrollment;
Assess a late penalty fee to;
Require they secure alternative or additional funding;
Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.
However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:
Produce the VA’s Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class;
Provide written request to be certified;
Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies (see our VA School Certifying Official for all requirements).
1GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website.
IMPORTANT: Reimbursement is available only for the Post 9/11 GI Bill benefit (Chapter 33) or Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) programs. Complete this application to apply for reimbursement of a Prep Course designed to prepare you for a Licensing or Certification Test (one course per form). In order for a Prep Course to be reimbursed, you must apply and establish eligibility separately for either Chapter 33 or Chapter 35 by completing either VA Form 22-1990, Application for VA Education Benefits or VA Form 22-5490, Dependents' Application for VA Education Benefits, if not done so already. If you need to apply first, please visit the VA website at www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply.
*No monthly housing allowance will be provided for those using chapter 33*
You can also view the VA's Prepatory Course Fact Sheet for any questions regarding what is covered under the reimbursement.
Non-Credit Programs and Prep Courses Approved for VA Benefits at University of Chicago:
- Cybersecurity Bootcamp offered by University of Chicago Professional Education
- Apply to the program by clicking here
- Determine which VA benefits are a best fit for you by contacting an OMAC representative by clicking here
- Complete the Veteran Benefit Information and Application form and send back to veterans@uchicago.edu
- Please include a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility or print screen from ebenefits showing your eligibility for VA benefits
VA Chapters 1606, 30, 33, and 35 Users:
If you have never used VA benefits before, please complete the 22-1990 form online at: https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/
Under “how do I apply”
Click “find your education benefits form”
Click “apply for a new benefit”
- A certificate of eligibility (COE) will be mailed to you by the VA – please send the COE along with the Veteran Benefit Information form to us.
- Please download the Veteran Benefit Information and Application form at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1481b5fY_J1wm7KsD_97EZybPYm_MtxHq/view
- Submit the COE and Veteran Benefit Information and Application form here https://uceop.wufoo.com/forms/zzppy700fsxgw5/
If you have used VA education benefits in the past, please complete the 22-1995 form at https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/
Under “how do I apply”
Click “find your education benefits form”
Click “updating my program of study or place of training”
- A certificate of eligibility (COE) will be mailed to you by the VA – please send the COE along with the Veteran Benefit Information form to us,
- Please download the Veteran Benefit Information and Application form at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1481b5fY_J1wm7KsD_97EZybPYm_MtxHq/view
- Submit the COE and Veteran Benefit Information and Application form here https://uceop.wufoo.com/forms/zzppy700fsxgw5/
VA Chapter 31 Users:
Individuals interested in utilizing VR&E must first be deemed eligible for the program by the VA. The following website provides detailed information on applying to the program https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/
Considerations when applying for chapter 31:
You must have a service-connected disability rating/percentage.
Must apply and be approved by the VA for the program.
You must be assigned and speak with your VR&E counselor (from the VA) about the program and provide requested documentation to the VA.
Should your counselor approve the program, they will request documentation from my office about the program directly.
*None of the documentation provided by your VR&E counselor to you should be submitted to UChicago or ThriveDx unless the counselor specifically requests that you do so.
