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:
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Submit the application and all required supporting documents to your local county veterans office.
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If approved, you will receive a letter confirming your eligibility for benefits.
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Send a copy of your eligibility letter directly to UCSC in one of the following ways:
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Email to vets_benefits@ucsc.edu. Please include your Student ID number in the email.
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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.
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Upon receiving your eligibility letter, tuition and the Student Services Fee for the corresponding academic year(s) are waived.
Revised: 09/16/24
