Federal and State Veteran’s Benefits
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Federal Veterans Benefits
Please note that UC Santa Cruz does not determine eligibility for veterans education benefits. Eligibility is determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Students must apply through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The UCSC Veterans Benefits Services Office will assist with the forms required and will submit the electronic enrollment (VA form 22-1999) to the VA each quarter.
Payment rates for these programs are available on the GI Bill® website. The 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.
For payment questions, or to change your address or bank information, you must contact the Department of Veterans Affairs, at (888) 442-4551.
The Different Types of Federal Veterans Benefits:
- Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill®
- Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bil®l, Active Duty (MGIB)
- Chapter 31: Veteran Readiness and Employment
- Chapter 35: Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance Program
- Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill®: Selected Reserves
Please use this video, created by the National Training Team Schools Education Service, to learn more about the VA benefits application process: My Education Benefits-Applicant View.
How to Utilize Your Federal Veterans Benefits
Please review the information on the VA website to learn more about how to utilize your federal veterans benefits.
To ensure a smooth process and receive your appropriate benefits, please follow the guidelines outlined below:
New VA beneficiaries
Submit VA Intake Form: Once you inform us of your intent to use VA Benefits, we will send you a “Welcome email” that will include steps to take in order to utilize your benefits. The first step will be to complete the VA Intake form via MyUCSC.
Submit Certificate of Eligibility: Once you have received your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA after processing your application for benefits, it is essential to submit this document to UCSC. This will help verify your eligibility for veteran education benefits and facilitate the necessary procedures. You may submit your COE as an attachment to the VA Intake form, or via email at vets_benefits@ucsc.edu.
New and continuing beneficiaries
Submit VA Study List: Prior to each term, it is required for students to complete the VA Study List Form and send it to vets_benefits@ucsc.edu. This step ensures that your enrollment status is correctly documented and allows for the appropriate processing of your benefits. If you wish to not use your benefits during one or more terms, you are not required to submit the VA Study List Form for these terms.
Changes to Schedule: Any modifications to your schedule, such as changes to the major or minor, additions, drops, class cancellations, or withdrawals, must be promptly reported to Veteran Certifying Official via email at vets_benefits@ucsc.edu. It is crucial to keep the officials informed about any adjustments to ensure accurate record-keeping and the proper administration of benefits.
About the GI Bill®
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 https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
California Veterans Benefits
California provides a state benefit program called the California College Fee Waiver (CFW) to eligible residents of the state. This program specifically assists the spouses and children of U.S. veterans. If you meet the eligibility criteria, the CFW program waives mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at any California Community College, a California State University, or a University of California campus.Approval for benefits under this program is granted year-to-year and valid for one full academic year. An academic year goes from the fall quarter through the following summer quarter. For example, an authorization letter for the 2023-2024 academic year will automatically cover fall 2023 through summer 2024. Applicants must re-establish eligibility for each subsequent academic year to maintain entitlement, and it is the student’s responsibility to provide evidence of eligibility for benefits each academic year.
New incoming freshmen or new transfer students enrolled in the Summer Edge Program may use the college fee waiver to apply toward the unit cost. Summer is considered a “trailer” to the academic year, the last term in the year. A new student wishing to use the fee waiver during summer 2024 must apply for the waiver and submit an authorization letter for the 2023-2024 academic year and an authorization letter for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year.
Please note that the Cal Vet Tuition/Fee Waivers cannot be used for self-supporting programs. These programs do not receive state funding and are exempt from the state law governing Cal Vet Tuition/Fee Waivers. Additionally, it’s important to know that the Cal Vet Fee Waiver can only be applied to Summer Session course fees if you are a continuing UC student. Campus fees, however, are not waived through the Cal Vet program.
To determine your eligibility for the Cal College Fee Waiver, you must contact your local California County Veterans Services Office. Their website will provide guidance on the application process. Once you have obtained your eligibility letter, it is your responsibility to notify the UCSC Veterans Benefits Services Office by submitting a copy of this letter via email at vets_benefits@ucsc.edu.
Remember that the Cal Vet College Fee Waiver must be renewed annually. To renew the waiver, you must reach out to your local California County Veterans Services Office.
How to apply:
- Download the application.
- Submit the application and all required supporting documents to your local county veterans office.
- If approved, you will receive a letter confirming your eligibility for benefits.
- Send a copy of your eligibility letter directly to UCSC in one of the following ways:
- Email to vets_benefits@ucsc.edu. Please include your Student ID number in the email.
- You may mail your eligibility letter by USPS: UCSC Veterans Benefits Services Office, Office of the Registrar, 190 Hahn Student Services Building, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064.
- Upon receiving your eligibility letter, tuition and the Student Services Fee for the corresponding academic year(s) are waived.