Veterans' and Disability Benefits

Voted Military Friendly for 5 consecutive years — ETSU is the best choice for veterans and dependents pursuing their education due to the focused support network created by the staff, counselors, faculty and local community.

Benefits for Veterans and their Dependents

Find out more about Educational Assistance for Dependents of Veterans.

• This information is covered in chapter 35 of the GI BILL®.  Dependents Educational Assistance DEA (Chapter 35)
• Provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans.
• The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits.
• These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training.

For more information about Veteran’s benefits, please visit our Office of Veterans Affairs website.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a federal and state-funded program providing services to help individuals with disabilities enter or return to employment. It is designed to assist individuals of work age with physical and/or mental disabilities compete successfully with others in earning a livelihood.  Please visit our Disability Services website for more information about opportunities under the Vocational Rehabilitation program.

Disabled Persons and Persons Over 60 Years of Age

In accordance with TCA 49-7-113 and TBR Guideline B-060, disabled persons suffering from a permanent disability which totally incapacitates them from employment and persons over 60 years of age may AUDIT Courses without the payment of course fees.     

Disabled persons suffering from a permanent disability which totally incapacitates them from employment and persons over 65 years of age may enroll for CREDIT Courses for a required $70 service fee   per semester charged to persons with a permanent, total disability, and persons who will become 65 years of age or older during the academic semester in which they begin classes and who are domiciled in Tennessee.

This fee includes maintenance fees, student activity fees, technology access fees, and registration fees; it does not preclude an application fee, late fee, change-of-course fee, parking fee, special course fee, etc.).  This only applies to enrollment on a space available basis, which permits registration no earlier than four (4) weeks   prior to the first day of classes. Acceptable documentation of disability and age is required. Enrollment in classes offered through the James H. Quillen College of Medicine is not included in this provision.

Completed forms must be submitted to the Human Resources Office prior to each term or session.

All discounts must be processed by East Tennessee State University prior to the start of classes. This is in accordance with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) policy.