Veterans Educational Benefits

We are honored that you have chosen to pursue your healthcare career with Mercy College of Health Sciences. As a veteran or active duty military member, you have a wide range of resources available to you. Below you will find a checklist to ensure you are able to take full advantage of your benefits throughout your Mercy College experience. Use the following tabs to navigate for more information, and always reach out if you have any questions!

• Complete your FREE Mercy College application for College admission!
• Submit all official transcripts, including colleges attended and military training completed.
• Apply for your benefits!
• Fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply for scholarships.

At Mercy College, we offer a number of academic programs to prepare you for a fulfilling healthcare career of your choice that fits into your schedule. Step one is determining which degree level interests you most.

Already know which healthcare career you’re destined for? Perfect! Complete your free application online today!

• To be considered for admission to Mercy College of Health Sciences, you will need to submit official transcripts from all previously attended institutions, in addition to your military transcripts. If you were in the Army, Navy, or Marines, please request a Joint Services Transcript (JST).
  If you were in the Air Force, you can request an official transcript from the Community College of the Air Force. Applications will not be considered until all required documentation has been received.
• Some academic programs may require additional information, including professional program applications, testing, or interviews. Depending on your program of interest, you may be asked to complete these additional program standards following your admission to Mercy College. Please see your individual program’s website to review all necessary application components.

For questions regarding your application process or status, please contact our Mercy College Admissions team!

Mercy College Admissions Team
921 6th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 635-1133 | admissions@mchs.edu

You may be eligible for veterans’ education benefits if you have served in the military or are the spouse or dependent of a veteran. Your eligibility for benefits can only be determined by the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Veterans or eligible dependents planning to enroll at Mercy College should apply for VA benefits at the time of admission to the College. Please contact the VA Certifying Official in the Mercy College Registrar’s Office with questions, or to request the necessary forms.

Registrar’s Office
921 6th Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 635-1133 | registrar@mchs.edu

If you have never used your VA Benefits before, you’ll need to apply for benefits. Determine the right type of education benefit at www.gibill.va.gov or through the tuition assistance sites for your military branch(es).

At www.gibill.va.gov click “Apply for Benefits” and submit the electronic application. Print a copy to submit to the Certifying Official in the Mercy College Registrar’s Office (registrar@mchs.edu). For tuition assistance programs, make sure to follow their instructions carefully and notify the Mercy College Certifying Official to look for your information in the system (Army Ignited, Al Portal, etc.).

You will need to submit one of the following to the Mercy College Certifying Official

1. A printout of your VA application, OR
2. A copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), OR
3. A screenshot of your eBenefits account that shows your education entitlement, including delimiting date and eligibility percentage if Post 9/11.
4. Reserve members should submit NOBE and Kicker contract, if applicable.

Please contact the Mercy College Registrar’s Office for any questions or concerns

Registrar’s Office
921 6th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 635-1133 | registrar@mchs.edu

If you have used your benefits at another college, you do not need to reapply for benefits. You’ll just need to complete the Request for Change of Program of Place of Training and provide evidence of its completion to the Mercy College Certifying Official in the Registrar’s Office.

Additionally, please submit one of the following to the Mercy College Certifying Official in the Registrar’s Office:

1. A printout of your VA application, OR
2. A copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), OR
3. A screenshot of your eBenefits account that shows your education entitlement, including delimiting date and eligibility percentage if Post 9/11.
4. Reserve members should submit NOBE and Kicker contract, if applicable.

Please contact the Mercy College Registrar’s Office for any questions or concerns.

Registrar’s Office
921 6th Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 635-1133 | registrar@mchs.edu

• YELLOW RIBBON
  Mercy College is proud to be a Yellow Ribbon Participant. As a participant in the Post-9/11 Yellow Ribbon Program, Mercy College contributes additional funds for your education program without an additional charge to your VA educational benefits entitlement. The VA matches that amount and issues payments directly to the institution. The Yellow Ribbon program is designed to help students who qualify finance up to 100% of their out-of-pocket tuition and fees associated with educational programs that may exceed the Post 9/11 VA educational tuition benefit.You may be eligible for veterans’ education benefits if you have served in the military or are the spouse or dependent of a veteran. Your eligibility for benefits can only be determined by the Department of Veteran Affairs.
• CERTIFIED HIGHER ACADEMIC MILITARY PARTNER (CHAMPS)
  Mercy College of Health Sciences is proud to be recognized by the State of Iowa as a member of the Home Base Iowa Certified Higher Academic Military Partner (CHAMPs) program, dedicated to providing veterans with assistance transitioning to higher education, access to on-campus support resources, and other veterans benefits for student-veterans and their families.

Section 1018 of Public Law 116-315, Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 requires educational institutions to make certain disclosures to students using federal military and/or VA education benefits. We have compiled several quick links below to ensure compliance with this law and to help you make an informed decision regarding your education.

• Estimated Cost
• Amount Covered by VA Benefits
• Types of Financial Aid Available
• Estimated Amount of Student Loan Debt Upon Graduation
• Graduation Rates
• Transfer Credits
• Enrollment Certification
• Absence Due to Active Duty
  Please see the College Catalog for details

Students using veteran education benefits are still encouraged to apply for financial aid online at StudentAid.gov/FAFSA to be considered for federal and state-funded aid, as well as scholarships. Mercy College’s school code is 006273. For questions regarding your financial aid, please contact our Financial Aid department.

Financial Aid Office
921 6th Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 635-1133 | financialaid@mchs.edu

For additional questions or more information, please contact the VA Certifying Official in the Mercy College Registrar’s Office.

Registrar’s Office
Academic Center for Excellence – Student Services
921 6th Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 635-1133 | registrar@mchs.edu