Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, MD, Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, adds new requirements for educational institutions participating in the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These new provisions became effective June 15, 2021, and will apply to Institutions of Higher Learning and Non-College Degree institutions beginning August 1, 2021. Many of the requirements are consistent with the requirements of the Principles of Excellence, currently in Executive Order 13607; however, there are requirements in addition to those embodied in the Principles of Excellence which schools must also satisfy to maintain approval for GI Bill® participation.
Shopping Sheet Disclosures
Schools must provide a covered individual (a student using benefits under chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, or 35 of title 38, U.S.C., or chapter 1606 of title 10, U.S.C.) with a personalized shopping sheet that contains:
- Estimated total cost of the attendance that includes tuition, fees, books, supplies and any other additional costs and the online cost planner. View UMass Lowell's cost of attendance.
- Additional fees for full-time and part-time Undergraduate students
- Additional fees for Graduate students
- Other types of Federal financial aid, not administered by VA that is offered by the institution, that the individual may be qualified to receive. Learn about types of aid offered at UMass Lowell and how to apply.
- Estimated amount of student loan debt the individual would have upon graduation. View UMass Lowell’s institutional data.
- Information regarding the acceptance of transfer credits and military credits.
- There may be additional requirements including training, experience, or examinations that are required to obtain a license, certification or approval for which the course of education prepares the individual.
Important Information: These estimates shall not be binding on the Secretary of Education, the Institution of Higher Education, or the State. These estimates do not represent a final determination, actual award of financial assistance, or a final net price. Costs, including, but not limited to, the cost of attendance and availability of financial assistance, may change year to year. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be eligible for, and receive, an actual financial aid award that includes Federal grant, loan, or work-study assistance. Learn more about applying for Federal student aid.
Estimated veterans benefits are listed on the College Financing Plan (CFP) based on data provided by the student (i.e., Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or Benefits Intake Form (BIF).
Final award of veterans benefits is dependent upon applying directly with the VA.
Applying for Veterans Benefits
- Find out what benefits are available.
- Apply by going to the GI Bill and Related Veterans Benefits web page.
- Obtain a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility and provide that to the Office of Military and Veteran Services.
Fill out the UML Veterans Services Certification Request (which must be completed every semester).
The Financial Aid College Financing Plan (CFP)
- The College Financing Plan is a consumer tool designed to notify prospective students about costs and financial aid so they can easily compare institutions and make informed decisions about where to attend school. The CFP can be accessed through the student’s individual record within the Financial Aid Portal.
- For Military or Veteran student estimated costs to be calculated, you must first compete the FAFSA and Benefits Intake Form.
Veterans Benefits
VA Education Benefits may be used at all campuses within the UMass Lowell system. Information about how to use benefits may be obtained from this site, and by connecting with veterans@uml.edu for questions.
Cost Covered by VA Education Benefit
- Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill
- Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment
- Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill
- Chapter 35 Survivors & Dependents Education Assistance Program
- Chapter 1606 Select Reserve GI Bill
Resources and Comparison Tools
Academic Advising
Learn about Academic Advising offered at UMass Lowell.
Financial Advising
Information for financial counseling may be found by contacting The Solution Center.
Disability Advising
Information for disability counseling may be found by contacting the Disability Services Office.
Other Advising Information
Other information regarding completing a course of education at the University may be found by contacting the office of the Academic Dean for a specific program.
Consumer Finance Protection Bureau
For incoming students, this resource provides detailed financial information on higher education institutions and students can enter actual information to better calculate their circumstances. This tool can be found at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Paying for College.
The College Scorecard
The College Scorecard is another resource for students to evaluate schools.
The College Navigator
The National Center for Education Statistics offers the College Navigator to help students with various information when comparing schools.
GI Bill Comparison Tool
The US Department of Veterans Affairs has its own GI Bill Comparison Tool to compare academic programs and benefits by school.