Welcome to UConn!
“The University of Connecticut’s Office of Veterans Affairs and Military Programs would like to welcome you and thank you for your service. Our goal is to provide a supportive environment for all Veterans and members of the military who attend UConn, and for each of them to know that they are an important and integral part of the University.”
- Alyssa Kelleher, Director, UConn's Office of Veterans Affairs & Military Programs
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Where do I start? Applying to UConn? Want to request Information?
If you are applying to the University of Connecticut and are planning on using your benefits, we have put together these handy checklists for you to follow. It will guide you from start to finish and ensure you are squared away -click on the appropriate checklist.
CH30 MGiB and 1606 Select Guard and Reserve checklist
CH33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® Checklist (Veteran and Dependent using Transferred Benefits)
CH35 Dependent Educational Assistance Checklist
Just want more information? Want us to contact you? Fill out the Information Request with some basic information to get us started, and we will contact you.
UConn Veterans Community
The Veteran Community at UConn is an open, welcoming, supportive community of people who have sacrificed in service to our great nation. The Veteran Community encompasses nearly 1,500 students, staff and faculty who are:
• Current Active Duty military and members of any of the uniformed services
• Current members of the Air or Army National Guard
• Current active or inactive Reservists of any of the armed services
• Those who have previously served in any capacity in the uniformed services
• Spouses, children, and any other dependents of any current or prior member of the uniformed services
We offer in-person and online office hours
Web Video Meetings
Jon Ramos
Main POC for National Guard Tuition waivers
Rob Passmore
Main POC for CH31 VRE benefits
UConn students schedule an appointment here
All others schedule a meeting here
Have an Issue or Complaint?
Using Benefits? Submit Your Form D!!
Each semester you are a student at the University of Connecticut and are planning on using your benefits, you need to submit your Form D to UConn's Office of Veterans Affairs & Military Programs. Whether you are using Benefits from the VA, the Connecticut Veterans Tuition Waiver, or the National Guard Tuition Waiver, you need to submit your Form D. We recommend you submit the Form D immediately after registering for classes. The Form D is available online, so you can complete it anywhere.
Important Updates! Tuition Waivers at UConn
Important Updates: National Guard & State Veterans Tuition Waiver and NEW FORM D, AMENDED FORM D, and STATE VETERANS TUITION WAIVER FORMS
Since May Term 2017, both the National Guard tuition waiver and the State Veterans tuition waiver can be used for ALL academic terms (including summer and winter sessions). Also, they can both be used for all approved degree and certificate programs. More information about eligibility requirements and how to apply for these tuition waivers can be found under “Benefits” and the “National Guard & State Veterans Tuition Waiver”
Did you know? UConn waives the application fees for veterans and active military . . . .
The University of Connecticut waives the application fees for veterans and those currently serving in the military, for both the undergraduate application and the graduate school application. Please refer to the website for Undergraduate Admissions or the Graduate School for more information.
QUESTIONS?
Please contact us so we can assist you!
Phone: (860) 486-2442
E-mail: veterans@uconn.edu
On-campus location: Hawley Armory Rm. 100B
Office Hours
| Day(s) | Open | Close |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Closed | Closed |
| Monday | 8:30a.m. | 4:30p.m. |
| Tuesday | 8:30a.m. | 4:30p.m. |
| Wednesday | 8:30a.m. | 4:30p.m. |
| Thursday | 8:30a.m. | 4:30p.m. |
| Friday | 8:30a.m. | 4:30p.m. |
| Saturday | Closed | Closed |
HUSKY VET GAZETTE – January/February 2025
- Free Hockey Tickets!
- VBA, VA, and Vet Center Visits
- Did you know? GI Bill covers testing fees
- Hawley Award (nominations deadline Feb. 4th)
- And much more . . . .
UConn Veteran of the Month – Marcos Rico
UConn Veteran of the Month – Marcos Rico
The Office of Veterans & Military Programs (VAMP) at UConn is pleased to recognize Marcos Rico as UConn’s Veteran of the Month. Marcos is a proud undergrad in the Urban Forestry and Arboriculture degree program, born in Bolivia, he immigrated and grew up in Rhode Island.
Marcos enlisted in the Army Reserves as a Private in the 76th Infantry Division (TRN) in 1985 and rose to the rank of Staff Sergent (E-6). In 1995, Marcos transitioned to active duty, serving as an enlisted Soldier where he made it to the rank of Sergent First Class (E-7) until 2008 where he crossed over to become a Warrant Officer and he retired in 2016 as a Warrant Officer 2 (CW2). Marcos was deployed on three separate occasions to Iraq in 2003, 2005 and 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During Reconstruction in Iraq, he mentored and taught his Iraqi counterparts military intelligence. He also deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He ran part of a detention facility in Afghanistan which was important for finding information about other planned attacks. Marcos served alongside his brother who also served in the Army and Army Reserves. Before he retired he was an instructor at Fort Huachuca and years later, from time to time he would run into some of the personnel he taught there and they would come up to him thanking him because what Marcos shared in that course “kept me alive.”
Marcos resides in Wethersfield and is currently a member of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, a national organization and he volunteers with other Combat Disabled Veterans in teaching fly tying, fly casting, and rod building. He shares that Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, “turned my life around from contemplating suicide to where I am now at UConn.” Marcos shares that he is always surprised at the number of Veterans who don’t use their benefits or apply for opportunities that are available specifically for Veterans. His one piece of advice to his fellow student Veterans is to be sure to get connected with the VA for benefits, including for medical, disability, etc. These are benefits that were earned and exist to help Veterans in their day to day lives.
If you would like to nominate a student, faculty, or staff member for “Veteran of the Month,” please contact Nikki Eberly at Nikki.eberly@uconn.edu with the name of the person and reasons for your nomination.
Best Colleges for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report ranked UConn No. 33 nationwide among the Best Colleges for Veterans - 2024
The 25 Best Colleges for Veterans by College Consensus
College Consensus ranked UConn No. 20 nationwide among The 25 Best Colleges for Veterans in 2024