A variety of educational benefits are available to military-connected students at the federal and state levels. Guidelines for accessing your benefits are listed below. Please feel to contact our office with questions at vets@calstatela.edu.
To access your VA benefits at Cal State LA, please follow these general steps:
- Determine which programs you are eligible for and apply by visiting the VA website: https://www.vets.gov/.
- After you apply, the VA will provide you with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or other documentation detailing the benefits you are eligible for.
- Provide a copy of the documentation to the Veterans Resource Center at Cal State LA.
- Register for classes.
- Complete the Request for Certification. Please note you will need to resubmit a Request for Certification any time changes are made to your semester enrollment.
Types of Benefits
Below is a list of VA education benefits and the specific documentation required by the Veterans Resource Center.
Benefit |
Procedure |
| Montgomery GI Bill ® - Active Duty (Chapter 30) |
Turn in COE to Veterans Resource Center with Branch and CIN (only need to turn in during first semester) |
| Vocational Rehab (Chapter 31) |
Turn in VA 1905 to Veterans Resource Center (only need to turn in during first semester) Include Branch and CIN |
|
Post 9/11 GI Bill ® (Chapter 33)
|
Turn in COE to Veterans Resource Center (only need to turn in during first semester) Include Branch and CIN |
| Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA/Chapter 35) |
Turn in COE to Veterans Resource Center (only need to turn in during first semester) Include Branch and CIN |
| Montgomery GI Bill ® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR/Chapter 1606) |
Turn in 1606 to Veterans Resource Center (only need to turn in during first semester) Include Branch and CIN |
| Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP/Chapter 1607) |
Turn in COE to Veterans Resource Center (only need to turn in during first semester). Include Branch and CIN |
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 website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
The College Fee Waiver for dependents waives mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at any California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus. This program does not cover the expense of books, parking or room and board. There are four plans under which dependents of veterans may be eligible. You can find more information by reviewing the CalVet College Fee Waiver website.
To apply for the CalVet College Fee Waiver, please follow the steps below.
- Find your local County Veterans Service Office (CVSO) to get the approval letter.
- When you receive the award letter, bring a copy to the Veterans Resource Center.
The fee waiver runs from fall semester thru the summer term of the following year. The VRC will code those who qualify to exempt payment of mandatory state tuition fees. You must reapply for the fee waiver each year. CalVet will only waive state supported courses (i.e., most summer classes are not state supported).