Additional Information for U.S. Military Service Member and Veteran Applicants

Financial Aid Instructions for U.S. Military Veterans

Williams considers the applications of U.S. military veterans without regard to their ability to pay, and we promise to meet 100 percent of each admitted student’s demonstrated financial need for their entire career at Williams. Veterans who are eligible for VA education benefits will be considered independent students. In many cases, the amount we provide will exceed the aid provided by veterans’ benefit programs. 100 percent of our current veteran students who qualify for the G.I. bill pay nothing to attend Williams. 

The college automatically waives our application fee for all veteran applicants. If you’ll be applying for financial aid, you need to complete the CSS Profile application (use code 3965). You can also request a fee waiver for the CSS Profile as well. Your request for a waiver won’t affect your application and we won’t consider it when making our admission decision. The full requirements and deadlines for applying for financial aid are listed on this page.

Information on our total cost can be accessed on this page. All financial aid from Williams comes in the form of grants from the college, along with federal and state support. These grants do not need to be repaid. Williams packages no loans as a part of our All-Grant Financial Aid program. Our CDR is 0%. 

The following information is provided to help you understand the options available to you as a veteran for financing your Williams education.

Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits®

If you’re a student veteran, you have the option to activate your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits toward the cost of attendance at Williams or to defer your benefits and have your full demonstrated need met through a combination of federal, state, private and institutional funds. If you elect to use your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, you’ll be permitted to keep all of your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), with the expectation that you’ll use it toward additional living and personal expenses incurred because of your unique status as a veteran.

For students who are admitted and plan to use their Yellow Ribbon benefit, you should send your Certificate of Eligibility to Angie Copeland, Records Coordinator and Technology Assistant in the Registrar's Office. You can email her at acopelan​​@williams​​.edu.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at benefits.va.gov/gibill/index.asp

Preparing for Your Application

We understand that military service can lead to gaps in school enrollment. If your service has taken you away from your academic commitments for more than two years, we recommend that you enroll in challenging college-level courses prior to applying to Williams. Military service builds highly desirable capacities for a college applicant. Combining your experience with a successful record of post-secondary coursework will enable you to make your best case as an applicant.

Our standard application options, the Common Application and Coalition Application, may not capture the full range of your individual interests and experiences. In order to make Williams aware of all your qualifications, please be sure to describe your unique circumstances in the “additional information” section. You can also consider submitting an additional letter of recommendation for your military experience. We take a holistic approach to the admission process: the more you can tell us about yourself, the better.

Learn more about the liberal arts, affordability, and our holistic review admission process in this informational video that may help you in preparing your application.

Housing for U.S. Military Veterans

Community is central to the Williams ethos and experience. We guarantee housing for all students for the entirety of their enrollment and are committed to providing students with a type of housing that works best for them. Veteran students have lived in our first-year entry system, upperclass dorms, and in campus-affiliated apartment-style units within close walking distance to campus. Regardless of living location, student veterans are welcomed into campus life and engagement with the Williams community.

You can read more about our housing policy on the Office of Campus Life website.