Veterans & Military Families

Veteran & Military Families Financial Aid

The American University of Paris proudly supports veterans of the United States Armed Forces and their families. We accept the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) and the VA Survivors and Dependents Education Assistance Program (Chapter 35) from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Students who qualify for Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) may be eligible for financial assistance for tuition, fees, books, and housing. U.S. military service members may also transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to a child or spouse through VA.gov or milConnect.  

 

Yellow Ribbon Program

The American University of Paris has been approved with the passage of Public Law 116-315 to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program as a foreign university from Fall 2022. The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows US institutions of higher learning to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to fund tuition expenses that exceed either the annual maximum cap for private institutions or the resident tuition and fees for a public institution. The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and VA will match the same amount as the institution. If you are unsure of your VA education benefit or eligibility tier, please contact the GI Bill Hotline (888-442-4551) or visit VA.gov.

 

Veterans Scholarship

Those students who can submit an official VA Certificate of Eligibility, but do not qualify for the 100% Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit, will still have access to AUP’s Veterans Scholarship worth €6000 per year.

 

Making AUP Affordable for Veterans

Depending on eligibility, combining the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Yellow Ribbon Program and/or the AUP Veterans Scholarship can make studying at AUP an affordable decision.

 

Monthly Housing Allowance

In addition, you may be eligible for money to help pay for your housing while you are studying. The Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) can significantly decrease the annual costs of living in Paris. If you are eligible, the VA will pay you this allowance at the end of each month.

 

Estimated Living Expenses
  Annual Costs of Living Amount in Euros
  Estimated Living Expenses €22,965
- Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)** €17,748
= Remaining annual costs of living €1,006

*Approximate euro conversion (rates February 2023) of 1776.00 USD, the maximum MHA payment rate for foreign schools for 9 months. Please refer to VA.gov for any updates and current rates of monthly housing benefits.

Graduate students should calculate tuition costs by first determining if the program requires 38, 48, or 62 credits and how many credits they will take per year. Find out more about graduate tuition and fees.

 

Book Stipend

You may also qualify for up to $1,000 each academic year for books and supplies. This GI Bill benefit pays a stipend for books and supplies based on the number of credits you are enrolled in and your eligibility percentage. The stipend is paid directly to you from the VA using whatever payment method you have set up with them.

 

Spring Entry 

If you did not use VA funds in the previous fall, the VA will cover all your tuition. You will also receive your basic housing allowance directly from the VA. If you used VA funds the previous fall, please contact the AUP certifying officer at: sasataup.edu.

 

Building a Community

In 2011, AUP student leaders created the first European chapter of Student Veterans of America (SVA), which organizes meetings and events for student veterans with the goal of helping them make a smooth transition from the military to civilian life, as well as to life in France. The SVA group also receives support from Paris-based veterans' organizations, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (Post 605) and the American Legion (Paris Post 1).