FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions:

 

I am a new student (transfer or freshman) to CSUCI, how do I go about requesting the use of my VA educational benefits?

If you are using the Cal Vet Tuition Fee waiver, which is a state benefit, you need to forward the email from the county Veterans Service Office that contains an award PDF with a 16-digit validation code to the School Certifying Official (SCO) at robert.felix@csuci.edu. If you are using the federal GI Bill, you will first need to register for classes. Once you have registered for classes, you will then need to request certification here. If you want priority certification,  you will then need to email the SCO at robert.felix@csuci.edu.

NOTE: If you are veteran, a copy of your DD-214 and the first page of your Certificate of Eligibility uploaded to your myCI portal. If you are a dependent using Chapter 35, Dependent Education Assistance, the veteran's DD-214 showing the social security number and the first page of the Certificate of Eligibility will need to be uploaded to your myCI portal. All other chapters except Chapter 31 students, the first page of your Certificate of Eligibility will need to be uploaded. Chapter 31 students, no upload required, just make sure your VR&E counselor has submitted your PO number via the Tungsten Portal system.

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Where can I find Veteran or Dependent residency information?

Military connected students may qualify for a tuition exemption.

General Information: https://www.csuci.edu/admissions/residency/

Military Connected Information: https://www.csuci.edu/admissions/residency/military-tuition-exceptions.htm

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I am using Chapter 35 (DEA) benefits, how much do I get a month? And does this cover my tuition?

The current monthly stipend for Chapter 35 (DEA) is currently $1,488.00 if you are a full-time student (12 units of more). If you are taking 9 units, your stipend will be $1,176.00. If you are taking 6 units, your stipend will be $862.00, and if are taking 3 units, $372.00 per month.

Chapter 35 does not cover tuition, therefore, the VA does not pay the school tuition directly. Your monthly stipend is deposited in the account you set up with the VA when you applied online for Chapter 35. You can use your monthly stipend to pay for your tuition, but keep in mind you will be expected to pay for tuition on or before the tuition deadline, unless you can elect to use the CI payment plan which is around $30.00.

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What is the difference between Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) and (Forever GI Bill®)?

The biggest difference between the two benefits is that the Forever GI Bill® does not expire; however, the Post 9/11 has a use or lose time limit of 15 years from the last date of active duty service, which can typically be found on your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). 

It is important to note that the Forever GI Bill® builds upon and enhances the benefits provided by the original Post 9/11 GI Bill®, making it more beneficial and more flexible for eligible veterans to pursue higher education and training opportunities.

Note: The Forever GI Bill® begins for those who left active duty on or after January 1, 2013, those before this date have the Post 9/11, which has the 15 year "use it or lose it" time limit.

Where do I go to apply for my VA educational benefits?

If you have never applied for Veterans Administration (VA) education benefits, please contact the VA directly. The VA will determine your eligibility.

VA Education website: http://www.gibill.va.gov

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How do I apply for the Cal Vet Tuition Fee waiver?

Students must apply through their county California Veteran's Service Office. For more information go to https://www.calvet.ca.gov/VetServices/Pages/College-Fee-Waiver.aspx. We suggest you contact your local Cal Vet Service office either by phone or email. Most counties will email you the information you will need to provide them and to email them back with all documents. Some counties utilize a portal system where you can upload all your documents. Depending on how busy your Cal Vet Service office is, it can take several weeks to get your documents processed and approved. Once approved, Cal Vet will email you an attached award letter with a 16-digit code. This code will need to be given to the School Certifying Official.

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How will I receive my benefit checks?

You can receive your monies via direct deposit. When you applied for you VA educational benefit online, within the application, there was a section requesting banking information, this is where the VA will deposit your monies. If a bank account is not available, the VA will send a check to your home address or post office box. If you are requesting direct deposit, please contact the VA directly.

If you have questions regarding payment of your monthly stipends, please contact the USDVA Educational Services office at 1-888-442-4551.

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How does the Veterans Administration know what I am doing?

We will notify the Veterans Administration regarding your status. It is imperative that after you register for your classes and you wish to utilize your VA educational benefits, that you self-certify. Self-certifying is you telling the VA School Certifying Official (SCO) that you want to use your benefits for the new semester. Click here to self-certify. It is also important to notify the SCO of any changes in enrollment status, address, major, etc. in a timely manner, otherwise failure to notify in a timely manner may result in you owing the VA money. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact the SCO,  Robert C. Felix, his contact information provided within the link.

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Am I eligible for other financial aid?

A common misperception is that a Veteran or a Veteran dependent students may not receive both financial aid and VA benefits – this is not always true. Students receiving VA education benefits are encouraged to also apply for financial aid and the many scholarships here at CI and/or online. For eligibility information you can call the Financial Aid office at 805-437-8530 or visit the Financial Aid Web page.

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Do I need to do anything if I will be continuing and attending the next semester at CI?

Yes. Be sure you request a certification each semester you want to use your benefit after you have registered for classes. Self-certification can be accomplished here: https://www.csuci.edu/veterans/education-benefits/veterans-education-benefits-certification.htm. Priority certification occurs after you self-certify, please then email the VA School Certifying Official, Robert C. Felix, at robert.felix@csuci.edu

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Do I need to submit all my transcripts to CI?

Please submit all your transcripts from other educational institutions and your military Joint Service Transcripts (JST), CLEP scores, SMART transcripts, ACE transcripts, to Enrollment Services for transfer credit evaluation.

Request Official Joint Services Transcript (except U.S. Air & Space Force)

Request Community College of the Air Force Transcripts (U.S. Air & Space Force)

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Are all my CI fees covered by the California Veterans Fee Waiver?

No. Although the California Veterans Fee Waiver waives all stateside mandatory tuition fees (currently $2,871.00) for dependents of disabled veterans, students are responsible to pay for campus fees, course fees and all other costs of education.

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What is the housing allowance for those using Chapter 33 (Post 9/11)?

The housing allowance is based on the location of the school and for CI's location, the housing allowance is currently at $3,315.00.

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I am using Chapter 33 (Post 9/11), why did I only receive a small amount of housing for the first and last month of the semester?

The first and last month of the semester are prorated by the VA. The VA will only pay a housing allowance while you are attending classes. The beginning and end of the semester, you are only in classes for a third of the month, therefore, you are prorated by the VA.

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I registered for classes and I am using Chapter 33 (Post 9/11), why does a balance show on my student account still?

The VA has requested schools to submit two certifications for the semester. The first certification is so the VA can disperse the books and supply , and setup the monthly housing allowance to disperse on the 1st or 2nd day of the new month. The second certification is for schools to submit their tuition and fees after the schools add/drop period. Therefore, tuition and fees are not reported to the VA until a month after the semester has started. Once the VA processes the second certification, they electronically pay the school. Once we receive the funds, your student account is credited.

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I am using Chapter 33 (Post 9/11), how much do I receive for books and supplies?

You may be eligible for up to $1,000 each academic year or $500 for each semester. The VA bases this payment on how many courses you're enrolled in for each semester and the percentage of benefits you're eligible for. The books and supplies stipend broken down is $41.67 per certified unit, up to 12 units per semester. So, if you are full-time (12 units or more) and you are eligible for 100% of benefits, the VA will disperse $500 at the beginning of each term, after the SCO has certified you with the VA.

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I am a student using VA educational benefits at another school, but I want to take a class at CI and use my educational benefits, what do I do?

You will need to contact your primary school's Veteran's Resource Center and or VA School Certifying Official. Speak with them that you are planning or have registered for a class at CI and wish to use your VA educational benefits. Your primary school will verify the class or classes you wish to take are required by your major. Once they have verified your class(es), they will then send a primary/guest letter via email to the VA School Certifying Official (SCO) here at CI. Once the SCO receives the email, the SCO here at CI will certify your class(es) with the VA.

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I am using Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) and I am taking 12 units or more, but I noticed that I am not receiving the full amount for my housing allowance, why is that?

There are several factors that may be preventing you from receiving your full amount of housing allowance. First, the VA bases your housing allowance by the Department of Defense's Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents. They start with this amount, then they take into account these additional factors to calculate your housing allowance:

  • The percentage of Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits you're eligible for (your eligibility tier, 60%, 70%, etc.)
  • How much you're attending school. Full-time for undergraduates is 12 units or more, post-graduates is 8 units or more. Those taking less than 12 units (undergrad), 8 units (post-grad), the VA will determine your housing allowance by taking the amount of units you are taking and divide by 12 or 8 units (full-time), then rounded to the nearest tenth. Example: taking 9 units, divide by 12, equals 0.75, round to the nearest tenth equals 0.80. Housing allowance for CI is $3,315.00, times that by 0.80, equals $2,652.00. This is the amount the VA will pay you for housing.
  • If you are taking only online classes (also called distance learning). The VA will pay a housing allowance based on 50% of the national average. The current national average is $1,934.80 and half is $967.40, therefore you will receive $967.40 housing allowance if you are taking all online classes.

Note: It is recommended to receive the full benefits of your housing allowance, you need to take at least one in-person class or hybrid (online/in-person) class.

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I am using VA educational benefits and I submitted my documents and/or self-certified, but I am receiving emails from financial aid regarding being dropped for non-payment, should I be worried about being dropped?

If you have uploaded your documents, self-certified, and emailed the VA School Certifying Official (SCO) as a new student to CI using Chapter 31 or Chapter 33, a hold has been placed on your student account so you are not dropped, once the SCO has certified you with the VA. This also applies to continuing students, as long as you have self-certified and emailed the SCO. A balance will show on your student account until after a month into the semester, the SCO reports tuition and fees to the VA. If you are student using Chapter 30, Chapter 35, or Chapter 1606, these VA benefits do not cover tuition and fees, therefore, you should be worried about being dropped and it is your responsibility to pay all fees by the tuition deadline.

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How do I know if my classes have been certified with the VA?

Once you have self-certified via your myCI portal and then emailed the VA School Certifying Official (SCO), the SCO will verify your courses and then certify you with the VA through Enrollment Manager. Enrollment Manager is the VA's online certification portal. Once the certification is complete an email will be sent by the VA to the email address on file with the VA. If you did not receive an email, it could mean the VA does not have your email address on file or commonly, it may have gone to your junk folder. Example of an email from the VA after the SCO certifies you.

VA email notification screenshot

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I am new to CI and I will be using my VA educational benefits, what documents do I need to upload to myCI portal?

If your are a veteran (Except Chapter 31):

  • Your Certificate of Eligibility (first page) and your DD-214. As a reminder we will also need your JST ordered.

If you are a dependent:

  • Your Certificate of Eligibility (first page) and if you are using Chapter 35, we will need the veteran's DD-214 with social security visible.

Note: Click here for how-to-guide on uploading documents and self-certification

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I was told I can use the Cal Vet Fee Waiver and Chapter 35 (Dependents' Educational Assistance) together, is this true?

This is partially true. In order to use both, you have to qualify under Plan B of the Cal Vet Fee Waiver, which is based on the student's income. Otherwise, those who qualify for Plan A cannot use VA Chapter 35 benefits. Therefore, you will need to elect to use one only at CI.

Note: VA Chapter 35 benefit does not cover tuition and fees, but its monthly payout is approximately $1,400, and each semester is about 4 months long. The Cal Vet Fee Waiver only covers tuition, and tuition at CI is currently around $2,871.00.

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What are the differences between Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) and Chapter 31 (VR&E)?

Chapter 33 benefits:

  • Covers all mandatory tuition and fees.
  • Pays up to $500.00 books and supply stipend every semester.
  • Pays a monthly housing allowance while you are taking classes.
  • 36 months of benefits.

Chapter 31 benefits:

  • You are assigned a veteran readiness and employment counselor.
  • Covers all tuition and fees.
  • Books and supplies are fully covered at the discretion of your counselor. Some counselors will allow the purchase of a new computer with printer and supplies. (All books, supplies, computer, printer, and printer supplies must be purchased at the school's bookstore.)
  • Here at CI, if you plan to drive and park on campus, you will need to purchase a parking permit, which currently is $195.00. The VA will cover this amount every semester.
  • There is no 36 month limitation, but the length could be longer or shorter, depending on your agreement with your VR&E counselor.

Note: Once on Chapter 31, there is a possibility that Chapter 31 will continue to cover the cost of your education beyond a bachelor's degree. Consult with your VR&E counselor regarding acquiring a master's degree or higher.

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I'm a veteran, am I eligible for Chapter 31 (VR&E)?

You’re eligible to apply for VR&E benefits and services if you meet both of these requirements: 

All of these must be true:

  • You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge, and
  • You have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from VA

When we receive your VR&E application, we’ll schedule your initial evaluation with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). The VRC will determine if you’re entitled to receive VR&E benefits and services.  

If you were discharged from active duty before January 1, 2013, your basic period of eligibility ends 12 years from one of these dates, whichever comes later:

  • The date you received notice of your date of separation from active duty, or
  • The date you received your first VA service-connected disability rating

The basic period of eligibility may be extended if a VRC finds that you have a serious employment handicap (SEH). Having an SEH means your service-connected disability significantly limits your ability to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment (a job that doesn’t make your disability worse; is stable; and matches your abilities, aptitudes, and interests).

If you were discharged from active duty on or after January 1, 2013, the 12-year basic period of eligibility doesn’t apply to you. There’s no time limit on your eligibility.

(Reference: https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/eligibility/)

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I am active military/reservist attending CI who has been approved for military tuition assistance, do I need to notify anyone?

Yes, once you have been approved by your military branch of service and you have submitted all required requests via your branch of services tuition assistance portal, it is important that you please then contact CI's Veteran's Advisor/VA School Certifying Official, Robert C. Felix

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What happens if I fail a class if I am using VA educational benefits?

We will contact you to determine whether the "F" is due to lack of attendance or the inability to complete the coursework based on University standards. If the "F" was given for attendance reasons, we will have to report to the VA your last date of attendance. Please note that this instance may result in an over-payment to you from the VA. The VA only pays you while attending classes, therefore, a debt to the VA will be generated and the VA will send you a debt letter for the collection of over-payment funds to you.

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What happens if I am academically disqualified from attending CI while I have been using my VA educational benefits?

The Veteran's Advisor/VA School Certifying Official must notify the Department of Veterans Affairs whenever a veteran or dependent is academically disqualified at the end of the semester. Please note that benefits will be suspended by the VA. The student must submit a specific request for resumption of VA benefits following an interruption due to unsatisfactory progress or conduct. Requests may by submitted on VA Form 22-1995 or VA Form 22-5495.

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I am using VA educational benefits, am I able to repeat a class(es)?

Classes that are successfully completed may not be certified again for VA purposes if they are repeated. However, if a student fails a class, or if a program requires a higher grade than the one achieved in a particular class for successful completion, that class may be repeated and certified to the VA again. 

Example 1: if a Nursing program requires a “B” or better in Biology, then that class may be repeated if a “B” or better was not earned. That requirement must be in the school catalog. 

Example 2: If a course is required for graduation, a student may repeat the course and be certified for it until it is successfully completed. No further information needs to be provided to VA regarding those courses. 

Example 3: If a student chooses to repeat a course that was successfully completed, just to improve their GPA, that course cannot be certified to VA.

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How do I get my class(es) certified with the VA if I am taking a class(es) at CI and I am a student at another college/university using my GI Bill® benefits?

If you are using your VA GI Bill® benefits at your main college/university and taking a class(es) here at CI and you wish to use your benefits, you will need to reach out to your Veteran's Resource Center or School Certifying Official at your main school. Tell them you wish to use your VA benefits here at CI and they will verify the class(es) you are taking here at CI are part of your major. Your main (parent) school will then submit a parent letter to the VA School Certifying Official (SCO) here at CI. Once the CI SCO receives the parent letter, the SCO will then certify you as a guest student with the VA through Enrollment Manager. Questions or concerns regarding your benefits and certification should be directed to your SCO at your main campus.

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How do I transfer my Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 / Forever GI Bill®) benefits to my spouse or dependent children?

You may be able to transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to a dependent family member if you’re on active duty or in the Selected Reserve and you meet all of these requirements.

All of these must be true:

  • You’ve completed at least 6 years of service on the date your request is approved, and
  • You agree to add 4 more years of service, and
  • The person getting benefits is enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)

Learn about the eligibility requirements for family members to use transferred benefits

Note: If you received a Purple Heart, you don’t need to meet a service requirement. But you’ll need to request to transfer your benefits while you’re still on active duty. 

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I am a veteran using Chapter 31 (VR&E) and I was wondering what my benefits are and how much the housing allowance is?

Chapter 31 (VR&E) offers a little more benefits than Chapter 33 (Post-9/11). Chapter 31 fully covers all tuition and fees. Books and supplies are typically fully covered by the VA, but approval comes from your VR&E counselor. All books and supplies have to be purchased at the university bookstore to be covered by the VA. You can buy your books and supplies outside of the bookstore, but if you are wanting to be reimbursed, you will need to contact your VR&E counselor and not the VA School Certifying Official. If a computer and printer are needed for school, arrangements will need to be made with your VR&E counselor and if approved, the computer, printers, and supplies will need to be purchased from the university bookstore. You may also qualify for VA dental care if the VA dental care provider concludes is needed to achieve a least one of the following goals:

The dental care must be needed to:

  • Make it possible for you to be in the employment program, or
  • Make it possible for you to reach the goals of your Veteran Readiness and Employment program, or
  • Prevent you from having to stop your employment program, or
  • Help you get back to your employment program faster if you’ve had to stop (and are in “interrupted” or “leave” status), or
  • Help you get back to your employment program faster if you’ve had to stop (and are in “discontinued” status) because of an illness, injury, or dental condition, or
  • Make it possible for you to get and adjust to a job during the period of employment assistance, or
  • Make it possible for you to be fully independent in your daily living

If you no longer qualify for Chapter 33 (Post 9/11), you will still receive a housing allowance, but the housing allowance will NOT be the same as Chapter 33. The housing allowance will be a lot smaller and will also depend on how many dependents you have. Below is the VR&E subsistence allowance rate as of Oct. 1, 2023.

VRE Subsistence Allowance Rate

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I am using Chapter 1606, Montgomery GI Bill®, Selected Reserve, and I was wondering how much I get a month?

In order to receive the full monthly stipend for Chapter 1606, you need to be taking 12 units or more if you are an undergrad or 8 units or more if you are in a graduate program. The current monthly stipend is $466.00; if you are enrolled 3/4 or 75% of full-time the stipend is $349.00; if you are enrolled 1/2 or 50% of full-time the stipend is $233.00, and less then 1/2-half time the stipend is $116.50.

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

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