Military & Veterans Services

As a veteran, service member, or their families, you have all the resources you need from Lander to achieve your educational and career goals. Proudly designated a 2025-2026 Military Friendly Gold School and Military Spouse Friendly School, our mission is to support veterans, service members, and their family members by providing resources as they continue their education and pursue their careers. Our vision is for every veteran, service member, and their families to have all the resources they need to achieve their educational and career goals.

VA Pending Payment Compliance

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), this school adopts the following additional provisions for any students using US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Ch. 33)  or Vocational Rehabilitation (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. This school will not:

• Prevent the student’s enrollment;
• Assess a late fee penalty to;
• Require student 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:

• Provide Chapter 33 Certificate of Eligibility (or its equivalent) or for Chapter 31, VA VR&E’s contract with the school on VA Form 28-1905 by the first day of class.
  #Note: Chapter 33 students can register at the VA Regional Office to use E-Benefits to get the equivalent of a Chapter 33 Certificate of Eligibility. Chapter 31 students cannot get a completed VA Form 28-1905 (or any equivalent) before the VA VR&E case-manager issues it to the school.
• Provide written request to be certified;
• Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.

Lander is a Yellow Ribbon College

Because we cherish those who put their lives on the line for our country, we're proud to provide Yellow Ribbon funding to each qualified accepted applicant. This means that costs associated with pursuing your education may be covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.

FAQs

• I am supposed to get the Military Family Rate, but I don’t see the deduction on my bill, where is it?
  The reduced rate will be directly applied to the student’s tuition; it will not show as a separate deduction.
• I haven’t received my stipend this month. Why is that?
  The VA can be backlogged at the beginning of a semester. If you have submitted your Enrollment Certification Request, and have questions on stipend payments, please call the VA Education Hotline at 1 (888) 442-4551. Stipends are paid by the VA, not Lander. 
• I am/my parent is a veteran, what are our options for veteran benefits?
  Contact us at (864) 388-8331 or email at veterans@lander.edu, and we can discuss what options are available to you, your spouse, or child.
• How do I get my Joint Service Transcript (JST) evaluated for credits?
  After you apply you can have your transcript sent to admissions@lander.edu to be evaluated.

Helpful Links

• South Carolina National Guard CAP Application
• Joint Service Transcript
• College Navigator
• Federal Tuition Assistance Application
• South Carolina National Guard Education Benefits Facebook Page
• Application for Post 9-11 GI Bill® Benefits