Military-Affiliated
Students
Our Mission, Your Opportunity
At WSU and the Carson College of Business, supporting our military-affiliated students is part of our identity.
In fact, Scott Carson, whom our college is named for, is himself a veteran. After serving in the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam, he attended WSU on the GI Bill® before embarking on a career that would lead to his role as President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Scott’s experience inspires us to take great care in considering the unique needs of our military-affiliated students, and we incorporate support systems into every aspect of our program.
Our commitment is reflected in the fact that U.S. News & World Report ranks us as one of the “Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans”.
- 100% online programs
- Reduced tuition
- No application fee
- Accommodating deployment policy
- Veteran-focused support
Your Success Is Our Priority
What separates our military-support program from other schools? Here’s some of what you can expect when you choose WSU:
Dedicated staff who will be with you on each step of your journey. Many of us are veterans and we understand the challenges you’re facing because we’ve faced them too.
One-on-one sessions with a career consultant who has expertise in helping military members transition into the civilian workforce.
Virtual networking events for student veterans to meet and discuss shared experiences and goals.
Compassionate faculty members who will work with you to ensure that you can balance your coursework and military commitments.
Additional military benefits including reduced tuition, no application fee, and GMAT waiver consideration.
Your Success Is Our Priority
I’m thrilled to be serving two communities I love: veterans and Washington State Cougs!
Matt Beer is the Director of Master’s Programs for the Office of Graduate and Online Programs at the Carson College of Business. He also serves as an advisor for practices and programs to support military-affiliated students within the Carson College of Business.
Matt is here to help answer any questions you have about earning your MBA online from WSU. A retired lieutenant colonel, Matt served 22 years in the United States Air Force.
He is an alumnus of the WSU Air Force ROTC program as well as a distinguished graduate of the Air Command and General Staff College. Matt also holds a master’s degree in military history from Sam Houston State University, and is a 2019 graduate of the Bush Institute Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program.
A lot of military-affiliated students have difficulty writing about themselves, because in the military everything is team based. I’m here to help you think about what you’ve accomplished and get those bragging points on paper.
Holly Connley is a Career Consultant for the Carson College of Business, serving MBA and Executive MBA students. She has years of experience helping students from all walks of life navigate their career journey, including industry pivots, career changes, military-to-civilian transitions and obtaining executive-level roles.
Holly holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from New Mexico Highlands University and has assisted with the creation of several professional development programs in the higher education space.
She is eager to assist you in developing your story and professional brand.
Ask a Veteran
Email us today at ccb.askavet@wsu.edu to speak to a current military-affiliated student or recent graduate about their experience in the Carson College of Business!
Alumni and Community Partnerships
Support our mission by investing your time, resources, or expertise in Carson College military-affiliated students. Reach out to Matt Beer at matthew.beer@wsu.edu to learn more.
Student Stories
Candice Borek
Online MBA, Class of 2023
Master Sergeant Washington Air National Guard
“I don’t have to be there for the live classes—I’m listening to it on my phone, on my drive into work. I do my homework during my lunch hour so that I still have plenty of free time with my family when I get home.”
Shane Sullivan
Executive MBA Online, Class of 2020
General Manager, Aero-Flite
“The entire Executive MBA program was able to provide me those skills to speak the language of business. The military has its own language, and there are a lot of parallels between the two. But the courses offered by Washington State University provided the Rosetta Stone, the Rolodex, of translation points. When I look at my resume of what it was to what it is today, it’s vastly different.”
Heather Bui
Online MBA, Class of 2020
Officer in Charge, Zumwalt Training Facility
“I’ve gotten a feel for people who’ve been in business all their lives, people who work in different industries, or other transitioning military members. Just exposure to other people, and knowing that if I wanted to reach out to people in the future through the Washington State network, I have that opportunity.”
Kevin Beasley
Online MBA, Class of 2020
International Buyer, Abilene Machine LLC
“The military taught us to go out and utilize concepts, not just memorize things. I think that’s the great thing about Washington State—it’s not about rote memorization. The educational experience is fully based on your ability to use the concepts you’re taught—to integrate and articulate those concepts in your business environment.”
FAQs
The WSU Office of Veteran Affairs processes all veteran tuition benefits and can be reached at (509) 335-1234 or veterans@wsu.edu or via its website at va.wsu.edu. Additionally, you can find the latest VA news and updates at benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Every service has different requirements, so you’ll need to contact your installation education office for details. In general, however, the process works as follows. You’ll want to contact student support for a copy of your degree plan that includes a column for cost.
- Contact your education office.
- Obtain degree plan w/cost from Student Support.
- Submit your application to the DoD.
- Receive your DoD authorization form.
- Email your form to veterans@wsu.edu.
- WSU will report your grades to the DoD.
You should start by visiting va.wsu.edu/pullman/apply for details. In general, however, the process is as follows, and you may use the links below:
- Apply for benefit online or Fm 22-1990 (3-4 weeks)
- Receive Certificate of Eligibility
- Enrollment Certification Request to advisor
- Submit CoE & ECR to veterans@wsu.edu (30 days prior to start)
- Paperwork certified by WSU VA
- Payments: Books, BAH, tuition (2-3 weeks)
Visit this link to see how your benefits are calculated: troops2college.blogspot.com/2014/02/calculating-entitlement-use.html.
Speak to your enrollment coach about your required courses and the tuition rate for active duty students, veterans, and military spouses. If you still have questions, please contact veterans@wsu.edu or matthew.beer@wsu.edu.
The Carson College of Business offers in-state tuition rates for all of our MBA students. Therefore, the 911 GI Bill will pay your tuition according to the rate of benefit that you’ve earned.
The stipend is $1,000 a year, which is around $41 per credit hour for a traditional 24-credit-hour year of school. This benefit is typically paid out by semester based on your proposed enrollment, but it is often paid out by class throughout the term.
You can learn more about your BAH here: Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) Rates | Veterans Affairs. BAH is updated each August and is 50% of the national average for fully online students. Active-duty students do not receive BAH.
No. The Carson College of Business does not assess fees for military-affiliated students utilizing VA benefits. If you see a fee assessed to your account, please contact WSU Veterans Affairs at veterans@wsu.edu.
Students utilizing Civilian DoD tuition assistance will have their paperwork processed through the Third-Party Guarantee system via WSU Accounts Receivable:
Elizabeth Martin
eamartin@wsu.edu
For late fees and hold questions, contact:
Shawn Druffel
509-335-1995
smdruffel@wsu.edu
Yes. Please join our Carson Veterans LinkedIn group to learn more: linkedin.com/groups/13612534.
Yes. Please contact Matt Beer for information on career services and professional development opportunities: matthew.beer@wsu.edu or 509-335-3534.
