Apply to St. Mary’s University
At St. Mary’s we take pride in our military service members, veterans, spouses and dependents in helping them reach their educational goals. Submit your application to get started. After you’ve applied and been accepted to the University you will be able to determine your eligibility and submit the required documents to qualify for your benefits.
Colleges of Distinction
St. Mary’s University has been recognized as one of the 2026-2027 Colleges of Distinction for Military Support. Learn more about St. Mary’s Honors and Rankings.
Enroll in St. Mary’s University with Military Benefits
Get Started
Enrolling at St. Mary’s and taking advantage of your military and VA benefits is simple. See our helpful checklist to ensure you’re on the right track. If at any point you need assistance, the St. Mary’s Coordinator of Veteran and Military Affairs is here to assist.
Step 1
Apply To St. Mary’s
If you are not already enrolled at St. Mary’s, complete the St. Mary’s Online Application.
If you have any questions about the application, contact the St. Mary’s Office of Admission at 210-436-3126 or uadm@stmarytx.edu.
Step 2
Review Your Benefits and Apply for the GI Bill
Once you have been accepted to St. Mary’s as an active military member or veteran, apply for the GI Bill and related benefits by filling out the GI Bill Application or call 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551).
Before submitting your application, make sure that you review and understand your full list of benefits and visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website to learn more in-depth about how to apply.
VA regulations state that active duty service members may not receive standard VA benefits for the same courses for which they receive Tuition Assistance (TA) from the military.
Some Active Guard Reserve (AGR) members receiving Chapter 1606 or Chapter 1607 benefits are considered to be on active duty. The active duty prohibition would apply to these AGR members.
Students who receive 100 percent VA benefits for tuition and fees are not eligible for academic and need-based scholarships and grants awarded by St. Mary’s University.
VA Regulations
Step 3
Register For Classes and Apply for Aid
(If you have already registered for classes, proceed to Step 4.)
Submit all required documents for your benefits to the Office of Financial Assistance by filling out the Financial Aid Form or sending an email to finaid@stmarytx.edu.
Ensure that you submit any of the following documents to Financial Aid (Option 8 on the form):
- Veteran documents
- DoD Form 214, member or sponsor copy
- Military-related forms
If you have any other documents, please also include:
- Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) letter from the VA.
- Request for Change of Program or Place of Training Form (VA form 22-1995 for Veteran or 22-5495 for Dependent). This is required if the student has previously used VA education benefits at another college or university.
Chapters 1606, 1607 and 30 veterans may verify their monthly enrollment by visiting the WAVE website or by calling the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System: 1-877-823-2378
Additional Documents
All students are encouraged to review their funding options and annually complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Step 4
Request for Certification of Enrollment (CoE)
Once you have registered for class, you will need to submit a request for certification of enrollment. Certification is the process by which the University reports your enrollment information to the Veterans Affairs.
Review the expectations for certification, then fill out the certification of enrollment form. Make sure you are logged in with your student email to gain access to the form.
Note: The CoE request must be completed every time you register for a class or your class schedule changes. If at any time a change occurs to your class schedule, you must complete this form again.
Step 5
Review Timeline
After you have completed the certification of enrollment, the Department of Veterans Affairs will mail you the decision letter. Review the timeline below for important dates and any further action you may need to take.
For any assistance or questions about the process, you can contact the Department of Veterans Affairs using the options below or by calling 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551).
For assistance with accreditation, you can get assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with an accredited representative or VSO.
Military and Veteran Benefits
St. Mary’s is proud to be a Yellow Ribbon School. In addition, the University offers grants, scholarships and vouchers as an added benefit for those who have served our country.
Contact Us
Marivel Ojeda
Director of Financial Assistance
St. Louis Hall, Room 301