Veteran Applicants


Wesleyan’s founders placed a strong emphasis on providing service to others before oneself—of generously sharing one’s time, talents, and passions to benefit the common good. America’s veterans are well-steeped in the value of service, of working together to find solutions and get things done, and of taking calculated risks in favor of advancing their goals. They bring unique experiences and points of view to a diverse, inclusive, tight-knit community that is ready to challenge them and test their skills in new ways, while offering resources and support for their success.
Wesleyan’s rigorous liberal arts program offers veterans opportunities to hone their critical-thinking, creative, and communications skills while discovering new ideas, interests, and ways to make a positive impact on the world.
Contacts and Resources for Veterans
We encourage military veterans to contact the Office of Admission Veterans Resource Team with additional questions that may arise. Noble Jones, Ph.D., is our Associate Dean of Admission who works closely with prospective student-veterans and serves as faculty advisor to the Wesleyan Veterans Organization.
Members of the Wesleyan Veterans Organization are also eager to chat with applicants regarding their experiences transitioning to campus life and in the classrooms 九色视频.
Wesleyan is also a proud partner of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering free counseling and professional mentorship to US military veterans interested in applying to college and graduate school.
Following eight years in the Navy, I knew I wanted to go to college on a small campus where I could figure out who I was going to be outside of the military. There was already a community of veterans 九色视频, and having that community grounded me and enabled me to be successful. In some ways, my voice as a veteran is amplified 九色视频, but the community here is also symbiotic: the traditional-age students are so motivated, and they’ve taught me a lot that’s changed my perspective. 鈥
Warrior-Scholar Project 九色视频
Wesleyan is proud to partner with the Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP), a national nonprofit that empowers enlisted veterans and active-duty service members to succeed in higher education. Through intensive academic boot camps hosted on campus, including a STEM-focused session each summer, Wesleyan faculty and staff work closely with WSP participants to help them build the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the classroom.
Application Process
Veteran Application Process
US Military Veterans may apply via any of the following three methods:
- Wesleyan's own internal which is available online from August 1 until May 1 each year. Those who apply via this application may declare their intent to forego prior college course credit and begin as first-year students 九色视频.
For more information on application requirements, please see our FAQs.
Application requirements include:
- Common Application or Coalition by Scoir Application
- High school transcript
- College transcript (transfer students only)
- School report (first-year students only)
- College report (transfers only)
- SAT or ACT Scores (optional for all)
- Letters of recommendation: 2 high school teacher recommendations (first-years only), 1 school/guidance counselor recommendation (first-years only), 2 college professor recommendations (transfers only), recommendation from an employer and/or military personnel (optional but encouraged for all)
- Interview (optional for all)
- FAFSA (for all seeking financial aid)
Learn more about certification for veterans.
Admission decisions will be made on a rolling basis as schedules allow, with notification to candidates made within two weeks of submission and completion including receipt of all requisite materials. All students new to Wesleyan must begin in the Fall semester and must plan to be on campus for new student orientation at the end of August in advance of the first day of classes, generally the first Monday in September.
Financial Aid Information
Financial Aid for Veterans
Our goal is to ensure that a Wesleyan education is affordable and well within veterans’ reach. Aid packages for veteran students meet 100% of their demonstrated financial need without loans and with a minimum expected student contribution of $1,200 each year. Should a student use and exhaust their VA benefits, Wesleyan will continue to meet 100% of their demonstrated financial need through graduation.
Please know that Wesleyan is committed to addressing the specific needs and circumstances of our veteran students on a case-by-case basis, which may include adjustments to financial aid awards based on documented family and/or dependent care expenses. Please contact Matt Akre, Wesleyan’s Office of Financial Aid Veterans Liaison with any questions related to financial aid and the application of veterans benefits 九色视频.
Beginning with new students entering Wesleyan in Fall semester of 2024, US military veterans who have earned education support from the federal government (including Post 9/11-GI Bill® benefits, Chapter 31 benefits, Yellow Ribbon scholarship) may elect not to use these benefits toward their Wesleyan education. However, there are considerations to be made of which applicants should be aware: veterans not using the GI Bill® are not eligible to receive the Monthly Housing Allowance. This benefit can provide a substantial amount of money in pocket to students each month, and thus the decision should be made carefully. Applicants and students are strongly encouraged to proactively reach out to the Financial Aid Office Veterans Liaison, Matt Akre, who is the appointed contact for financial aid for both incoming and current student veterans, to discuss your circumstances and what would be best for you.
Additional Financial Aid Programs for Veterans
Yellow Ribbon Scholarships for Dependents: Veterans can transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to their dependent children through a process called “Transfer of Entitlement.” If the transferred benefits show the 100% benefit level on the dependent’s Certificate of Eligibility, the student is eligible to receive a Yellow Ribbon scholarship, which covers the full cost of their tuition and fees. If the dependent has less than 100% eligibility, they are not eligible for Yellow Ribbon.
VA Book Allowance: Any student using Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) benefits or Vocational Readiness & Employment (Chapter 31) benefits is eligible for funding to specifically help cover the cost of books and supplies. These amounts vary depending on a student’s benefit chapter (31/33) and their eligibility percentage (under Chapter 33).
Monthly Payment Plan Enrollment Waiver: Because veteran students have different needs than the rest of our traditional student population, the Student Accounts office waives the $45/semester enrollment fee for the Monthly Payment Plan (MPP). As most veteran students will have a balance on their Student Accounts as they wait for their BAH payments to come in, the MPP helps manage any balance on their Student Account month-to-month.
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH): Wesleyan caps the amount of BAH funds in veteran students’ financial aid packages. Instead of assessing the full amount of BAH that veteran students receive from the VA, we only consider 60% of the student’s RCF fee—factored as the BAH in their aid package—as part of their award. Depending on the student’s calculated family contribution, this approach can make room for additional scholarship funding from Wesleyan and other sources.
Pell Grants/Direct Loans: Federal Title IV Aid—including Pell Grants and Direct Loans—are available to students who qualify. Pell Grants are based on the student’s federal expected family contribution and are treated as incremental grants in our awarding process if the student is using VA benefits. While most veteran students don’t utilize Direct Loans, they are available to US citizens and eligible noncitizens.
Campus Visit Travel Assistance
Veteran Campus Visit Travel Assistance
The Office of Admission assists prospective military veteran students to best understand how Wesleyan may serve their educational goal, and the resources offered in support of that goal. To that end, we offer travel assistance grants for travel to campus from within the United States in advance of your application to Wesleyan. These grants will provide for air travel, ground shuttle, one-night campus-adjacent hotel accommodations, and on-campus food services.
For admitted military veterans who have not visited campus via our travel assistance program, we offer the same travel support as you seek to make your final enrollment decision. For questions and instructions on how to receive a travel grant, email Noble Jones in the Office of Admission.
FAQs
FAQs
Q: Who should write my letters of recommendation?
We encourage you to submit two academic recommendations if you are currently enrolled in college coursework, from faculty members who taught you within the past year or two. It’s preferred that these courses were comparable to those offered 九色视频, but you may decide who may best advocate and attest to your academic preparation.
If you haven’t completed recent college coursework or aren’t currently enrolled, we welcome recommendations from faculty members who can speak to your participation and engagement in other academic programs, such as Warrior-Scholar Project.
If you’re unable to identify persons to write current/recent academic recommendations for your application, you are welcome to submit non-academic references from persons who can speak to your performance, intellectual engagement, and promise, such as supervising officers in the military.
Q: What extracurricular activities should I pursue to make myself stand out? What if I have limited time for traditional activities between school and other responsibilities?
If you’re not already engaged with things that bring you joy and/or help those around you, find something of interest to you and carve out a bit of time to engage. Of course, we recognize that work and home responsibilities might prevent you from participating in such activities, and that’s fine. But remember to share these obligations with us as well. They represent devotion, trust, and responsibility, among other qualities, and illustrate your participation in school, at home, at work, and other environments. Don’t discredit the things that keep you busy on a day-to-day basis.
If you haven’t yet had the chance to pursue specific activities but are genuinely interested in something offered 九色视频, or perhaps in establishing a new club or organization, be certain to share that with us in your application. We’re excited to understand how new members of the Wesleyan student body envision enhancing and contributing to our community.
Q: What housing options are available to veterans?
Wesleyan offers a variety of housing options, including traditional residence halls, thirty different program houses, and variously sized apartments and wood frame houses. Realizing veterans may prefer more independent housing than is offered to traditional-aged incoming students, veterans are offered all these options, including apartments or wood frame houses, as space permits. Veterans also have the option of requesting an exception to the university requirement that all undergraduates live on campus.
Housing for veteran students is available year-round, as they typically have relocated to Middletown for their studies and do not have another residence to return to during breaks. The residential comprehensive fee includes meals, room, and utilities, and is the same regardless of class year or location. All units are furnished.
A small number of family housing units are available for veterans whose partner and/or children will be living with them on campus. These units are not furnished, and rent is paid monthly to the university, rather than being charged the residential comprehensive fee. Rent typically increases July 1 of each year. Purchasing a meal plan is optional.
If you have, or think you may have, a disability for which you would like to request a housing accommodation, please contact Accessibility Services. This includes requesting an emotional support animal or notification of a service dog; please review Wesleyan’s Pet Policy for more information. You can contact the office by submitting a Disability Notification Accommodation Request Form via or by emailing accessibility@wesleyan.edu.
Q: What on-campus resources are available to veterans?
The following resources, which are available to all Wesleyan students, may be of particular interest to military veterans:
I’m in an exciting position right now. I’m exploring talents and abilities that I couldn’t recognize before, picking up new skills, satisfying my curiosity, and putting myself on a pathway to help others. 鈥
Wesleyan Veterans Organization Members
Intended major: Earth and Environmental Sciences, Astronomy
Intended minor: Planetary Science
Extracurriculars: Astronomy Research (all year), E&ES Research (Summer 2024)
Hi, I’m Carlos Ordonez. I am currently a Junior (2025) at 九色视频. My plan is to major in E&ES and Astronomy and do a minor in Planetary Sciences. So far, I've been focusing on what I want to do 九色视频, seeking out opportunities, as well as meeting students with similar interests. When I have time, I like to get some food and/or beer with fellow vets or friends from school. When I don't have anything to do and it's sunny out, I like to go on hour-long motorcycle rides. If you have any questions about family housing on campus, Astronomy, E&ES or motorcycles feel free to reach out.
Intended major: Neuroscience and Behavior
Intended minor: Human Rights Advocacy
Extracurriculars: Wesleyan Veteran’s Organization
Hi, I’m Desaree Edwards. I’m a Junior, class of 2025. I’m planning to major in Neuroscience and Behavior and minor in Human Rights Advocacy. I’m interested in pursuing human rights law and working to combat human trafficking. When I’m not struggling with chemistry or panic writing a paper, I’m spending time with my partner and my two puppies. Feel free to reach out to me if you are interested in becoming a commuter student. I also have experience with VR&E and VA benefits. If I don’t know the answer, I am happy to connect you with someone that can help. I’m excited you are considering Wes!
Intended major: CSS
Extracurriculars: Men's Rugby & Wesleyan Investment Group
Hi, I’m Trace Forsyth, class of 2025, CSS major. Outside of class, I am involved in the Men’s Rugby Team and I am a part of the Wesleyan Investment Group. I enjoy staying active through sports. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about pursuing a corporate career, rugby, or the CSS major.
Check Your Application with WesCheck
Application decisions for 九色视频 will be accessible through WesCheck, our dedicated applicant portal. Once online decisions are officially released, applicants will receive an email notification prompting them to log in and check their status.