Veterans Benefits Guide

A guide for veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their dependents

This guide brings together the main veterans’ services office at each of Idaho’s public colleges and universities. For every campus you’ll find the primary contact for veterans’ services, a link to their website, and a plain-language summary of the programs and support they offer — including help with GI Bill® and VA education benefits, disability services, tutoring, ROTC, and campus veteran communities.

Contact information and program details were verified against each institution’s official website. Because staff and program details can change, please confirm current information directly with the institution before making decisions about your benefits.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about VA education benefits is available at va.gov/education.

Boise State University (BSU)

Primary Contact

Brittany Iriart — Program Director

Veteran Services Center

Phone: (208) 426-3744

Email: veteranservices@boisestate.edu

Address: 1607 University Drive (Lincoln Office Suites), Boise, ID 83725

Website: https://www.boisestate.edu/veterans/

Services & Programs

• GI Bill® certification and benefits advising for veterans and eligible family members; non-resident tuition and fees are waived for students using GI Bill® benefits.
• An on-site VetSuccess on Campus counselor from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
• TRIO Veteran Student Support Services (VSSS): free tutoring, one-on-one advising, career and academic planning, and financial literacy education for eligible veteran, Guard, Reserve, and active-duty students. Contact: (208) 426-3744, vsss@boisestate.edu.
• Educational Access Center: accommodations for students with disabilities, (208) 426-1583, EACInfo@boisestate.edu.
• TRIO Academic Coaching & Educational Support (ACES): coaching, tutoring, and advocacy for students with documented disabilities.
• Army ROTC with two-, three-, and four-year scholarship options.
• University Health Services: medical, counseling, and wellness care available to all students regardless of insurance.
• Veterans Upward Bound (TRIO pre-college program): free academic prep, assessments, and career planning for veterans in the Treasure Valley planning to attend college. Contact: (208) 426-3632, vub@boisestate.edu.

Primary Contact

Krysta Madrigal — VA School Certifying Official

Armed Forces Center / Veteran Services

Phone: (208) 535-5447

Email: krysta.madrigal@cei.edu

Address: Building 5, Room 500, 1600 S 25th E, Idaho Falls, ID 83404

Website: https://www.cei.edu/armed-forces-centerveterans-support

Services & Programs

• VA education benefits certification through the Financial Aid Office; help applying for admission, VA benefits, and Tuition Assistance.
• Disability Resource Center: accommodations for students with disabilities, (208) 535-5462, dan.bruderer@cei.edu.
• TRIO Veteran Center: additional financial aid, admissions, academic assessment, tutoring, and career/academic planning support for veterans who demonstrate academic need.

Primary Contact

Calvin Armstead — Military, Veteran, and International Student Coordinator

Military and Veterans Services

Phone: (208) 732-6244

Email: carmstead@csi.edu

Address: College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls, ID

Website: https://www.csi.edu/military-services/

Services & Programs

• A dedicated point of contact for military and veteran students navigating enrollment, benefits, and campus resources.
• A Military and Veterans Student Newsletter published each fall and spring with deadlines, VA news, and community resources.
• Campus-wide services available to all students, including staff at the Advising Center trained to support veterans, the Career Center, free short-term Counseling Services, Student Disability Services, low-cost Student Health Services through Physicians Immediate Care, and free tutoring through the Learning & Tutoring Commons.
• VA Certifying Officials in the Financial Aid Office; eligible veterans and dependents receive a waiver of nonresident tuition and fees under Section 702.

Primary Contact

Dallas Hulsey — Coordinator / School Certifying Official, Veterans & Military Family Services

Veterans and Military Family Services

Phone: (208) 562-3211

Email: DallasHulsey@cwi.edu

Address: College of Western Idaho, Nampa, ID

Website: https://cwi.edu/future-students/veteran-services

Services & Programs

• Guidance on the GI Bill®, Tuition Assistance, and required supporting documents; GI Bill® benefit counseling.
• Information on FAFSA, scholarships, and grants and how they interact with GI Bill® benefits.
• Student Disability Services: individualized, case-by-case accommodations, (208) 562-2447 or (208) 562-2496.
• CWI Veterans Association: a student club for veterans, dependents, and military-connected family members to build community on campus.

Primary Contact

Todd D. Johnson, M.A. — Director

Veteran Student Services Center (VSSC)

Phone: (208) 282-4376

Email: toddjohnson@isu.edu

Address: 921 S. 8th Ave., Stop 8095, Pocatello, ID 83209

Website: https://www.isu.edu/veterans/

Services & Programs

• Specialized academic and technical advising, tutoring, and disability services coordination.
• Help with VA benefits, Tuition Assistance, financial aid, scholarships, and university procedures.
• A study lounge, computer resource center, and Hero, the Center’s trained emotional support facility dog.
• Career Closet: an employment-preparation program for student veterans.
• TRIO Veterans Upward Bound: a free pre-college program serving veterans across a ten-county area in South and Southeastern Idaho, (208) 282-5365, trioveterans@isu.edu.
• Military Education Benefits Office: certification for VA GI Bill® chapters and DOD Tuition Assistance, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and nonresident tuition waivers, (208) 282-2676, VCO@isu.edu.
• Army ROTC with two- and four-year scholarship options.

Primary Contact

Mickey Kelton — Coordinator of Veterans Services

Veterans Services

Phone: (208) 792-2473

Email: veterans@lcsc.edu

Address: Reid Centennial Hall, Room 21, 500 8th Avenue, Lewiston, ID 83501

Website: https://www.lcsc.edu/veterans

Services & Programs

• Help with admission, FAFSA, and applying for and certifying GI Bill® and other VA education benefits each semester.
• A Veterans Resource Center with study and lounge space, computers, free printing, and coffee.
• The LC State Veterans Network: panels, workshops, and events connecting service members, veterans, and military dependents.
• Early registration and the option to wear a Military and Veteran Honor Cord at graduation.
• Counseling-We have our Veterans’ Support Group Wednesdays at 1 led by Ms. Aimee Stohrs.
• We are a Crosstown Detachment of ROTC at WSU and U of I (we don’t have our own ROTC detachment, they answer to one of those two but they can attend their classes and get their degrees here)
• We offer Yellow Ribbon and Section 702 Out Of State tuition Waivers
• We have a veterans’ appreciation event in November of the fall semester.

Primary Contact

Veterans Resource Center

Phone: (208) 929-4028

Email: VetCenter@nic.edu

Address:  

Physical : Edminster Student Union Building, Room 013, 495 N. College Drive, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

Mailing: North Idaho College c/o Veterans Resource Center 1000 W. Garden Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

Website: https://www.nic.edu/veterans/

Services & Programs

• A one-stop Veterans Resource Center for admissions, registration, academic advising, and VA information, with a lounge, computer lab, and free printing.
• Support extended to NIC’s Parker Technical Education Center (Rathdrum), Sandpoint Center, Post Falls Center.
• Liaison support with TRIO and Disability Support Services.
• The NIC Veterans Club, which meets monthly to build community and share resources.
• Priority registration and the resident in-district tuition rate for eligible veterans and dependents under Section 702.

Primary Contact

Jason Nierman — Director, Military and Veteran Services

General James F. Amos Veterans Center (Military and Veteran Services)

Phone: (208) 885-6229

Email: jnierman@uidaho.edu

Address: Living/Learning Center #3, Moscow, ID 83844

Website: https://www.uidaho.edu/current-students/military-and-veteran-services

Services & Programs

• GI Bill® certification for all five VA education benefit chapters, plus referrals to campus and community resources.
• Operation Education: a scholarship and support program for veterans (or their spouses) with a permanent, service-connected disability incurred since September 11, 2001.
• Military Appreciation Scholarship: covers the gap between Federal Tuition Assistance and full cost of attendance for online programs; no application needed.
• Vets UI, a Student Veterans of America chapter offering peer advising, mentoring, and social events.
• Yellow Ribbon Program and Section 702 nonresident tuition waivers.
• Army, Navy/Marine Corps, and Air Force ROTC programs.
• Annual observances including Military Appreciation Day, POW/MIA Recognition Day, and Veterans Day events.