Military Veterans

Yale welcomes applications from U.S. military veterans and active duty service members.

Nathan Hale Statue

Yale automatically grants application fee waiver to candidates who are serving or have served in the U.S. military.

Serving those who serve

Yale College’s connections to the military go back more than 300 years. Student veterans and service members enrich the Yale community, and they contribute to campus life inside and outside of the classroom. 

Veterans and service members may apply via any admissions pathway but most find that the Eli Whitney Students Program is the best fit. All undergraduates enroll in Yale College and earn Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees, choosing from over 80 majors.

A Yale education is especially affordable for veterans, who may choose to apply for Yale’s generous need-based financial aid or use veterans benefits.

Join our mailing list

Complete an inquiry form to receive information about undergraduate programs, application options, and updates on the admissions process.

Join the veterans and active duty mailing list

Application options for veterans:

Many veterans find that the Eli Whitney Students Program (EWSP) for nontraditional students is their best application option, but veterans are also welcome to apply as first-year applicants or transfer applicants. The three application processes are similar, but standardized test scores are not required for admission through the Eli Whitney Students Program. Applicants must select one application pathway. 

Eli Whitney students receive the same BA or BS degrees as other Yale undergraduates, attend in-person classes, and have access to the same classes and majors, but they have the flexibility to attend on a part-time or full-time basis. Eli Whitney students are eligible for need-based financial aid to cover the full cost of attendance: tuition, fees, housing, meals, and estimates for books, personal expenses, and travel. 

Contacts for veterans:

  • Patricia Wei, Director of Veterans Outreach and Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions; contact with questions about admissions and the undergraduate experience. 
  • Alyssa Corvi, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Financial Aid; contact with questions about Yale financial aid for veterans.
  • Holly Hermes, University Liaison for Veteran and Military Affairs & USAF veteran; contact with questions about support for Yale veteran population including students, employees and alumni.  

Questions regarding Yale’s graduate programs or admissions should be directed to the admissions offices for the specific graduate or professional schools. 

Yale’s Undergraduate Veterans

Members of Yale’s undergraduate veteran community who share their stories of transitioning from the military to Yale College to pursue bachelor’s degrees.

Yale Admissions Virtual Session for Veterans and Service Members

Recorded August 2025

Resources for veterans and active duty service members

Yale is committed to supporting and inspiring our veteran and military community and to creating an environment in which they can belong and succeed. Learn more about how Yale supports veterans and active duty service members. 

Yale's Office of Veteran and Military Affairs Veteran benefits at Yale College
Flags next to a walkway

Veterans Day at Yale

Get help applying

These free resources assist veterans in the college search and application processes.  

Beinecke Plaza at night

Application checklist for veterans and service members

1. Explore and select your program

  • Join our mailing list to receive admissions updates and invitations to virtual information session.
  • Determine your application pathway and review the application instructions carefully. 
  • Prepare strong recent academic credentials. Many admitted veterans have completed coursework while on active duty or after discharge at a local college. Strong recent performance can compensate for a weaker early academic record.
    • When selecting coursework, choose fields that emphasize analytical reading and writing (e.g. composition, history, literature, political science), subjects that build quantitative reasoning skills (e.g. mathematics, computer science), social sciences (e.g. economics, psychology, sociology); humanities (e.g. philosophy, foreign languages); physical and natural sciences (e.g. biology, physics, chemistry).

2. Prepare and submit your application

  • Take time to prepare a thoughtful application and submit it by the application deadlines. 
    • First-Year: November 1 for Early Action or January 2 for Regular Decision
    • Transfer and Eli Whitney Students Program: March 1
  • Note your military status on the application. Applicants who are actively serving or have previously served in the U.S. military are automatically granted application fee waivers.
  • Use the essays and short answer questions to reflect upon what is important to you; what you are excited about; what you want to learn; and/or how your background or military experience has impacted you.

3. Submit required material for admissions and financial aid

  • Request two letters of recommendation from recent academic instructors. You may also submit an optional reference letter from a military supervisor. For applicants who have not been recently enrolled, employers, colleagues, or other individuals may write.
  • Request official transcripts from your high school and all colleges you have attended.
  • If you have been discharged, include a copy of your DD214 form with your application.
  • Include a résumé with complete educational and professional history to highlight your achievements. Avoid military acronyms.
  • Apply for Yale’s need-based financial aid, even if you plan to use military benefits. Yale’s financial aid meets 100% of a student’s calculated financial need. Veterans are usually considered independent; their parents’ financial information is not used to assess need. Applicants with complete financial aid applications will receive a financial aid letter when an admissions decision is released.