Veterans
Middlebury partners with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in support of the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program.
Please find the steps for completing your VA Enrollment Certification Requests.
To learn more about using your VA Benefits at the Language Schools, please contact Claire Wilkinson, Associate Registrar & VA Certifying Official.
The Middlebury College Office of Student Financial Services provides more detailed information on our veterans benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I able to use my VA benefits to pay for Language Schools?
Yes, ALL our Language Schools programs are approved by the VA EXCEPT for the following programs:
- 7-week German for Singers
- 3-week Hebrew Immersion Program
- Russian Online Refresher Course
- Russian Advanced Online Course
- STARTALK
If I have been accepted to Language Schools and plan to attend, what do I need to do?
- Fill out our VA Enrollment Certification Request form
- Send a copy of your COE or Statement of Benefits to cwilkinson@middlebury.edu.
- If you are currently enrolled at another institution and plan to transfer your Language Schools courses toward your degree, please have your institution send a primary school letter to cwilkinson@middlebury.edu stating that the courses will transfer at full credit value and will be applied toward your degree. The letter must list the exact courses.
- Students will be certified in late June or early July when the programs begin. We cannot certify you until you submit your VA Enrollment Certification Request form and COE.
What will my Post-9/11 GI Bill ® (Chapter 33) benefits cover?
Depending upon your eligibility, remaining benefits, enrollment, and whether you have already met the VA annual tuition cap for private schools for the current academic year (August 1-July 31), the VA should cover your tuition. Tuition payments are sent directly from the VA to Middlebury.
You are responsible for paying the room and board fee. However, you will receive a monthly housing allowance from the VA that will cover a portion of that cost. The MHA is based upon your eligibility, enrollment, and the campus location. You will also receive a stipend for books. The stipend is based upon your eligibility and enrollment. The MHA and book stipend are sent directly from the VA to the student.
Information about Post-9/11 GI Bill ® (Chapter 33) benefits can be found on the VA webpage.
What if I am eligible for the Yellow Ribbon program?
Yellow Ribbon funds can only be used toward tuition and fees, not room and board, and you must have already met the VA annual tuition cap for private schools for the current academic year (August 1-July 31). To request Yellow Ribbon funding, please see VA Enrollment Certification Requests.
What if I have Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA Chapter 35) benefits?
The VA will pay you a monthly stipend based upon the number of courses you are enrolled in (full-time, 3/4-time, 1/2-time) and the number of days in the month you are enrolled. If you are enrolled for less than a full month, then the amount would be prorated. Information about Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance benefits (DEA Chapter 35) can be found on the VA webpage.
If I am enrolled in a graduate program, can I use my benefits for the study abroad portion of the program?
Currently, you can use your VA benefits to attend our programs at the following Middlebury sites:
- Middlebury, Vermont
- Bennington, Vermont
- Paris, France - Madeleine Center
- Madrid, Spain
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
If you plan to attend a different Middlebury School Abroad for a graduate program, Middlebury can request approval for that site with the VA. Keep in mind that the VA approval process takes several months to complete. Please contact Claire Wilkinson at cwilkinson@middlebury.edu if you are planning to use VA benefits at a site that is not yet approved.
Dan Ferraro
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Program: 7-week Italian Immersion
Current: Student
Is Middlebury a good fit for veterans?
I think many military veterans can definitely appreciate the Language Schools because the immersive and intensive structure of the program is similar to what they may have experienced in their technical or occupational training in the past. Additionally, the camaraderie developed and friendships made while working together towards a common goal is definitely something they can relate to and benefit from.
What surprised you about your experience at the Middlebury Language Schools?
I was surprised by the wide range of backgrounds present at Middlebury. People of all ages and walks of life attended this program. It was both interesting and inspiring to meet them and hear their stories while working together towards the common goal of learning a new language.
Another thing that surprised me was the quality of instruction. The professors are really good at what they do and extremely dedicated to providing a holistic learning experience for their students, both in and outside of the classroom.
Why did you choose to study at the Language Schools?
I chose to study at the Language Schools because I wanted to put myself in an environment that was the most conducive to gaining proficiency in a short amount of time and this seemed to make the most sense. Also, Vermont is beautiful in the summer!
How did your language skills improve?
I became a lot more comfortable and confident speaking and engaging in conversation. I think the Language Pledge really forces you to break past that initial stage of fear and hesitancy when speaking a new language.
What advice would you give someone who wants to attend the Italian School?
If you’re on the fence about it, do it! Have fun with it, don’t be too hard on yourself, and understand that it’s okay to make mistakes.
Anthony Macie
Hometown: Vernon, Vermont
Program: 8-week Chinese Immersion
Current: Non-Profit Founder and Military Veteran
What surprised you about your experience at the Middlebury Language Schools?
How much you can learn in such a short period of time in the correct environment.
Why did you choose to study at the Language Schools?
I was told Middlebury was the best for learning languages and it certainly did not disappoint!
How did your language skills improve?
I’ll be able to continue my learning in Chinese to develop relationships and support for my work in SE Asia.
What advice would you give someone who wants to attend the Chinese School?
It is challenging, but highly rewarding. It opened up a passion for learning languages I didn’t know that I had, so I will now be a lifelong learner of languages not stopping with Chinese.