VetHERO
Veteran Higher Education Resource and Opportunity Center
Mission: The UCO VetHERO Center is committed to providing exceptional services and support for veterans and military-connected students via educational benefits certification, enrollment services, mentoring, and campus/community engagement.
Vision: Our vision is to create better educational opportunities by facilitating finances, academic assistance, and veteran support for military members and their families at UCO and the surrounding community.
Values: Efficient, Quality, United, Accountable, Leadership.
Prospective Students Current Students FAQ Enrollment Form
VetHERO Programs
The VetHERO Center is made up of three programs that support veterans and military-connected students on campus.
Office of VA Education Benefits
School Certifying Officials for Veteran Affairs
The Office of VA Education Benefits will certify enrollment for payment of VA Education Benefits for all students who meet eligibility criteria, as set forth by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Enrollment certification also is done for students eligible for CHAMPVA (VA Civilian Health and Medical Program). Degree plans offered by UCO have been approved by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs State Approving Agency for payment of VA Education benefits. To complete UCO enrollment certification process, complete the enrollment form below.
- UCO VA Enrollment Form
- Military Active-Duty Tuition Assistance
Military tuition assistance is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process and restrictions. This money paid directly to the institution by the individual services. TA is not a loan; it should be viewed as money you have earned just like your base pay. The Services are authorized to establish service-specific eligibility criteria to manage TA funds. For service specific TA policies and procedures, visit their voluntary education websites below: - Air Force Tuition Assistance (MilTA)
- Army Tuition Assistance
- Navy Tuition Assistance
- Marine Corps Tuition Assistance
- Coast Guard Tuition Assistance
- National Guard Tuition Assistance
- Reserve Tuition Assistance
VetHERO Center
The University of Central Oklahoma will require Service members to provide verification of approved tuition assistance agreement from the education services officer prior to enrollment. Tuition assistance funds are a unique, distinct source of financial aid available to eligible service members, and the University of Central Oklahoma recognizes tuition assistance as a first payer of financial assistance. The Department of Defense (DoD) tuition assistance (TA) program provides financial assistance to service members for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of professional and personal self-development goals. TA is available for courses that are offered in the classroom or by distance learning and are part of an approved academic degree or certificate program. For more information, view the link below and the UCO Unearned Military Tuition Assistance Policy.
The VetHERO Center SCO process GI Bill® Benefits and does not process paperwork relating to tuition assistance for active-duty military personnel. This program is initiated by the educational unit and processed through the UCO Scholarship Office. For more information, view the UCO Unearned Military Tuition Assistance Policy. Eligible service members must receive approval from an educational services officer (ESO) or counselor within the military service prior to enrolling as required by the DoD and indicated in the UCO Course Catalog.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Venterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website.
VUB STRIPES
Student Transition Readiness Integration Program for Educational Support
- VUB - STRIPES is a federally funded TRIO Veterans Upward Bound program for veterans interested in pursuing post-secondary education who are first-generation college students or those qualifying based on federal income levels.
SSS SALUTE
Serving America's Leaders Using Transformative Education
- SSS - SALUTE is a federally funded UCO TRIO Student Support Services program for UCO student veterans who are first-generation college students or those qualifying based on federal income levels.
For more specific information, use the following links: