BENEFITS AND SERVICES FOR VETERANS

Mercyhurst University appreciates the sacrifices you’ve made serving our country. Let’s put your benefits to work for you with our veterans career transition program!

We know that identifying and accessing your veterans education benefits can be a challenge. Our dedicated staff knows first-hand the issues you face in transitioning from service. Going beyond veteran friendly, we provide the resources and support you need to pursue your educational goals.

Mercyhurst’s Office of Veteran Services demonstrates our commitment to you. Our full-time Veterans Services coordinator can help you with everything from applying for admission to education grants for veterans to serving as your liaison to other university offices.

The Support You Need

We know that identifying and accessing your veterans education benefits can be a challenge. Our dedicated staff knows first-hand the issues you face in transitioning from service. Going beyond veteran friendly, we provide the resources and support you need to pursue your educational goals.

Mercyhurst’s Office of Veteran Services demonstrates our commitment to you. Our full-time Veterans Services Coordinator can help you with everything from applying for admission to education grants for veterans to serving as your liaison to other university offices. The Veterans Services Coordinator works with a single point of contact at Student Financial Services (SFS) on all matters regarding military members or veterans. 

You can rest assured that we have the best interest of our veterans and military members at heart: Mercyhurst University does not pay commissions, bonuses, or other incentive payment programs to employees or contractors for the purpose of securing enrollments of Military Service Members. Mercyhurst University’s Enrollment Coordinators are paid bi-weekly or monthly as part of a set annual salary. They are not incentivized in any way, specifically no bonus structure, for signing up students. In addition, Mercyhurst University does not employ high-pressure recruitment tactics for military members or veteran students. For the purpose of securing Service-Member enrollments, multiple unsolicited contacts of potential students identified as Service Members will not be accomplished, nor will same-day recruitment and registration of Service Members.

During the recruitment process, our prospective military members and veterans will be assisted by admissions counselors, student financial services counselors, and a Veterans Services Coordinator. Offers of financial aid are created by both the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions in accordance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines. Prior to federal loan disbursement, new students are required to complete both the federal loan entrance counseling and a Master Promissory Note for Mercyhurst University. Highly trained Student Financial Services counselors are readily available to discuss all types of financial aid prior to, during, and after a military member’s or veteran’s enrollment at Mercyhurst University.

We provide military friendly resources to help you feel supported. In fact, we’ve set aside a place just for you — the Veteran Student Resource Center. It’s a quiet place to socialize with other veterans, study, grab a snack, enjoy a complimentary coffee, and relax on the comfiest couches on campus.”

These are a few of the other advantages that veterans enjoy at Mercyhurst University:

Priority Registration

To ensure you are able to get the courses necessary to complete your degree in a timely manner, and as a sign of our commitment to elevate the veteran student experience, we provide priority registration to all eligible veterans.

Military Leave Policy

We know your life as a Service Member can be unpredictable. If you are called to active duty, your academic advisor and Veterans Services Coordinator will assist with all the paperwork involved so you can take a temporary leave from your studies.  In addition, should you have to disenroll from Mercyhurst University due to military service, Mercyhurst University aligns its readmissions policy with Chapter 3 Vol 2 of the Federal Student Aid Handbook.  Mercyhurst University will promptly readmit a service member with the same academic status as he/she had when last attending the school or accepted for admission to the school.

Graduate School Scholarships for Veterans

Mercyhurst is a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program and is honored to be just one of two in Pennsylvania designated a Purple Heart University. Our participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program offers veterans and their dependents help paying tuition that the Post-9/11 GI Bill® doesn’t cover.

In 2018, we were named a Purple Heart University by the Military Order of the Purple Heart for our support of U.S. military men and women wounded or killed while serving in the line of duty. Purple Heart recipients (or their spouse/dependents) receive a $1,000 credit on each graduate course. The up to 40% savings on tuition is in recognition of the veteran’s service to our country.

One of the best graduate schools for veterans hoping to become teachers, Mercyhurst offers a special tuition rate for veterans pursuing teaching certification (grades 7 thru 12) through our secondary education master’s degree program.

See why we’re among the best graduate schools for veterans!

Disabled veterans education benefits by state may vary but don’t struggle through the process alone. Our veterans services staff is here to help you determine the benefits available for you and your spouse and dependents. We are committed to helping you maximize your benefits, learn how to apply for those benefits, and see how Mercyhurst administers those benefits.

Benefits listed in the accordion section below are subject to change based on current and ongoing legislation, as well as federal and state budgetary considerations. Our list is not all-inclusive, so if you have questions, please contact our Office of Veterans Services at 814-824-2617 or the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, 888-442-4551. More information is available on the Veterans Administration website.

Troops to Teachers

Current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces interested in pursuing new careers as educators are encouraged to explore the Troops to Teachers program. Mercyhurst University proudly partners with this organization to assist transitioning service members and veterans with meeting the requirements necessary to become teachers, training motivated, experienced, and dedicated leaders for today’s classrooms. Troops to Teachers provides counseling and referral services for participants to help them meet education and licensing requirements to teach, and subsequently helps them secure teaching positions. Since 1993, more than 21,000 veterans have successfully transitioned to careers in education.

Mercyhurst’s master’s in Secondary Education is an excellent option for transitioning service members and veterans, offering a 100 percent online path to secondary education (grades 7-12) teaching certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Open to those with a bachelor’s in a field related to English, math, science, or social studies, this program can be completed in as little as one year, with student-teaching in a district near you.

Troops to Teachers PA at Mercyhurst University is funded through a grant from DANTES, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. For more information about Troops to Teachers, please contact Dr. Amy L. Burniston, chair of Mercyhurst’s Secondary Education graduate program, at aburniston@mercyhurst.edu or 814-824-2437, or email Troops to Teachers PA at tttpennsylvania@j2tinfo.com.

Graduate Degree Options

We respect the experience you gained in the military. Our veterans education graduate programs allow you to build on your knowledge and successfully transition from service. Master’s programs grew from successful undergraduate programs so you can confidently integrate your expertise with what you’re learning. Popular graduate degrees among veterans are applied intelligence, criminal justice administration and organizational leadership:

Undergraduate Degree Options

Our military friendly university also provides educational opportunities for undergraduates. Veterans career transition programs cover a range of interests:

  • Certificates including our municipal police training academy
  • Associate degrees including hospitality management
  • Bachelor’s degrees including health-related careers

Meet Veteran Services Coordinator Chris Constantine

Chris Constantine is a full-time employee dedicated to delivering veterans educational benefits and services at Mercyhurst. His role was critical in Mercyhurst earning Purple Heart University status. Originally from Erie, Chris attended McDowell High School and graduated from Edinboro University with a B.A. in Political Science. He was selected for Air Force Officer Training School and commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on active duty.

Chris has flown the C-130 aircraft as a navigator and instructor navigator. In 2007, he transitioned to the Air Force Reserves. Chris held the position of Operations Support Squadron Commander at the 911th Airlift Wing in Pittsburgh, until he retired from the Reserves in 2020 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Along with his wife and two boys he enjoys camping, hiking, and doing just about anything outdoors. Chris really enjoys working with veterans at Mercyhurst.

Put your benefits to work at Mercyhurst today!

Start your transition from service while you make the most of your education grants for veterans by pursuing your degree at Mercyhurst. Request more information or apply now.

"GI 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.


Office of Veterans Services