The Veteran Educational Bridge Grant is administered by ODVA to help student veterans achieve their educational goals. This grant is specifically designed to provide some support to student veterans that find themselves unable to complete their academic programs on time, due to the unavailability of a required class. As a result, student veterans may be under financial strain and decide to go to work without completing their educational goals.
The Veteran Educational Bridge Grant alleviates some of the financial stress that may be encountered when attempting to complete a program, by offering grants of up to $5,000 to veterans that meet the eligibility requirements (as outlined in OAR Chapter 274).
Information for Students
If you are a student veteran, an Oregon resident, and unable to complete your academic/degree program due to scheduling issues, please consider applying for the Veteran Educational Bridge Grant Program.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants for the Veteran Educational Bridge Grant must be:
- A veteran as per
ORS 408.225
- Eligible to receive G.I. Bill® Benefits (Chapter 30, 32, 33)
- An Oregon resident as per
OAR 575-030-0005
- Enrolled in an Oregon based, VA approved program
- Unable to complete an academic program due to the unavailability of one or more required courses
How to Apply
- Check the Eligibility Requirements listed above to see if you qualify
- Download and complete your portion of the Veteran Educational Bridge Grant Application in the right sidebar of this webpage
- Have your School Certifying Official review and fill out the questionnaire included in the Veteran Educational Bridge Grant application
- Meet with your Academic Advisor to create an academic plan for the remainder of your academic program
- Have your Academic Advisor complete the questionnaire in the Veteran Educational Bridge Grant application
- Use the "Completion Checklist" on the first page of the application to make sure you've included everything required
- Submit your completed application and required documents using the directions in the sidebar of this webpage
If you have questions, please refer to the FAQs below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long until I find out whether my application has been approved?
ODVA begins the review process as soon as a completed application is received. ODVA will strive to inform applicants of the eligibility decision within 2 weeks.
How long will it take to receive the funds once I have been approved?
Once approved, ODVA intends to distribute the funds within 2 weeks.
What is the turnaround time on a successful application?
The turnaround should be about 2 weeks for the application review and 2 weeks to receive the grant funds once an application has been approved, so in total the turnaround time should be about 4 weeks.
Who is eligible for this grant?
Please refer to the Eligibility Requirements.
Should I apply if I am not sure I meet all the requirements?
If you are uncertain if you qualify, please contact the Coordinator to discuss your eligibility.
How is "veteran" defined?
For the purpose of this grant, "veteran" is defined by ORS 408.225.
What type of program must I be in to qualify for this grant?
The Veteran Educational Bridge Grant is aimed at helping student veterans complete approved academic programs. Approved academic programs include any program that is approved for Chapter 30, 32, or 33 G.I. Bill® benefits.
Please go to WEAMS (Web Enabled Approval Management System) to see if your program is currently approved.
Do I have to be an Oregon resident to be eligible?
Yes. At this time, the Veteran Educational Bridge Grant is only for Oregon residents as defined by OAR 575-030-0005.
Does my academic program have to be in Oregon?
Yes. At this time, the Veteran Educational Bridge Grant is meant for programs that are both located and headquartered in Oregon.
Can I apply for this grant more than once?
Yes; however no individual veteran may be awarded more than $5,000 over their lifetime.
Can I apply for less than the maximum amount of $5,000?
Yes; however no individual veteran may be awarded more than $5,000 over their lifetime.
How much money will I receive if I apply to this grant?
The amount of funds awarded will be based on the demonstrated need in your application and the amount requested.
How will my application be evaluated?
Applications will be reviewed for completeness. ODVA will verify that all required documents have been received and verify an applicant's eligibility as well as demonstrated financial need.
How are applications prioritized?
Once ODVA has received a completed application, either through the secure upload link or via fax, the application will be timestamped. Completed applications will be prioritized by the timestamp on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Am I guaranteed a grant if I meet all the eligibility requirements?
We have a limited amount of funding for this grant and we will distribute the funds until they are exhausted.
How will I receive my funds?
ODVA will mail a check made out to the grantee to the mailing address provided on the approved Veteran Educational Bridge Grant application.
How can I use the funds?
The Veteran Educational Bridge Grant is aimed at helping veterans stay in their academic programs to completion. Therefore, it is up to the grantee to decide how best to spend the funds to help them complete their programs.
How will my information be protected?
ODVA will only keep your information for the minimum time required per records retention laws and destroy it after that period has passed.
Additionally, the methods provided for upload are secure and safeguarded.
How will the information on my application be used?
The information you provide on your application will be used to make grant determinations and send out approved grant awards. Your information will not be used for any other purpose and will be disposed of securely as soon as the records retention period elapses.
What if my application is submitted without being complete?
Incomplete applications will not be considered. However, ODVA will contact you and let you know what information is missing or why the application was not considered.
Can I resubmit a rejected application?
An ODVA representative will contact you regarding your application and let you know why it may have been rejected. You can incorporate the feedback and resubmit your application. However, the new timestamp will apply.
Is the application process difficult?
The Educational Bridge Grant application process was designed for ease of use and to help get veterans funds as quickly as possible. With this in mind, the application asks for basic information, a basic budget, and a few documents to establish eligibility.
What if I do not have computer access?
There are a number of resources that can help you if you have limited computer access. Your academic advisor, School Certifying Official (SCO), and Veteran Resource Center (VRC) are a few that should be able to help you get your materials submitted.
Can I use another method besides fax or the secure upload link to submit my application?
No. ODVA uses these systems to keep your data secure and to establish a timestamp of receiving applications.
Why do I need to complete an academic plan with my advisor?
This requirement is to help minimize the chance of any other scheduling issues that may occur and to put you in touch with the appropriate professional to help you map out the remaining portion of your academic journey.
Why do I need to have my School Certifying Official (SCO) complete a questionnaire?
The questionnaire is aimed at putting you in contact with your SCO and potentially get you connected to other resources that can help you complete your academic journey.
Information for Advisors and School Certifying Officials
As part of the application criteria, student veterans will need to meet with their Academic Advisor and School Certifying Official. The Academic Advisor and School Certifying Official will each need to complete a short questionnaire regarding the circumstances leading to the class unavailability.
Therefore, ODVA encourages all Academic Advisors and School Certifying Officials to become familiar with the questionnaire and to mentally file this grant as another resource aimed at helping retain student veterans and aid them in the completion of their academic programs.