Veteran's Application Checklist

ACCESS YOUR BENEFITS

Veterans and active duty service members may be eligible for a wide range of educational benefits to help finance their university education. CSUDH's Veterans Resource Center is ready to assist veteran students and their dependents take advantage of the educational benefits they've earned.

If you are a veteran, active duty, or reserve military personnel interested in attending CSUDH, start here. The following checklists will guide you as you apply to CSUDH and qualify for your educational benefits.

We‘re Here to Help.

If you have questions or need assistance in understanding which benefits you may qualify for and how to access them, please contact the VSP at (310) 243-3643.

STEP 1: APPLY TO CSUDH

• Apply at Cal State Apply
• You can request a fee waiver when applying online. Fee waivers are only available to qualified California residents from low-income families.
• Important: Be sure to submit your military transcripts after applying to the university.
• Consult the full application checklist that applies to you: Freshmen, Transfer, or Graduate student.

STEP 2: DETERMINE YOUR EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS

The below information will help you identify which benefits you may be eligible for.

Montgomery G.I. Bill (Chapter 30)

Eligibility Requirements

Education benefits under this bill are based on:

• Active duty service
• Whether you entered military service on or after July 1, 1985, have had your basic military pay reduced by $100 a month for the first 12 months of your service, and received a discharge specifically listed as “HONORABLE”
• Whether you are eligible for the Old GI Bill (Chapter 34) as of December 31, 1989, and meet certain eligibility requirements
• Persons separated from active duty due to a service-connected disability or hardship may also be eligible
• Your high school diploma or GED
• Whether you are within 10 years of your last discharge or release from active duty

Required Forms

Required forms you‘ll need to complete to qualify for this benefit:

• VA form 22-1990 [PDF] must be submitted to the VA. Turn in corresponding Certificate of Eligibility to the VSP office as soon as you receive it from the VA.
• DD-214
• Personal bank routing and account numbers

Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Chapter 31)

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for veterans who:

• Are veterans of World War II or thereafter who have a service-connected disability which entitles him/her to DVA disability compensation and who is in need of vocational rehabilitation because the disability creates an unemployable handicap.

Required Forms

Required forms you‘ll need to complete to qualify for this benefit:

• Authorization form VA 28-1905, which is issued by your Vocational Rehab counselor. Please be sure to include your telephone number and your Vocational Rehab counselor‘s telephone number.
• DD-214
• Official transcripts

Post-Vietnam Era Veterans‘ Education Program (VEAP)

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for veterans who:

• Entered active duty after December 31, 1976
• Made contributions from $25 to $100 monthly not to exceed $2,700. Contributions by the government are two to one

Required Forms

For required forms to qualify for this benefit, please contact your Vocational Rehabilitation Case Manager.

Post 9-11 G.I. Bill (Chapter 33)

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for veterans who:

• Served 30 continuous days on active duty after September 11, 2001, and to certain qualifying dependents

Required Forms

Required forms you‘ll need to complete to qualify for this benefit:

• VA form 22-1990 [PDF] must be submitted to the VA. Turn in the corresponding Certificate of Eligibility to the VSP office as soon as you receive it from the VA.
• DD-214
• Personal bank routing and account numbers

Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for a child (18-26 years of age) or spouse (as long as not remarried) of a veteran who:

• Dies while on active duty
• Was released from active duty due to a permanent and total disability as a result of active service in the Armed Forces
• Has a permanent and total service-connected disability and who dies from any cause
• Is MIA
• Is a POW
• Is or was missing in action, or is captured in the line of duty and is currently being held by a hostile force
• Is currently being forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power

Required Forms

Required forms you‘ll need to complete to qualify for this benefit:

• VA form 22-5490 [PDF] must be submitted to the VA. Turn in corresponding Certificate of Eligibility to the VSP office as soon as you receive it from the VA.
• If required, you may be asked to provide a document showing 100% disability of veteran or death certificate.
• Marriage certificate (spouse) or birth certificate (child)

Montgomery G.I. Bill Selected Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1606)

Eligibility Requirements

• Agreed to serve six years in the selected reserve, on or after July 1, 1985
• Re-enlisted or extended an enlistment for a period of at least six years
• Must have completed the initial active duty for training (IADT)
• Meet the requirements to receive a high school diploma or equivalent certificate before you complete the IADT

Required Forms

Required forms you'll need to complete to qualify for this benefit:

• VA form 22-1990 [PDF] must be submitted to the VA. Turn in corresponding Certificate of Eligibility to the VSP office as soon as you receive it from the VA.
• Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE)
• Personal banking routing and account numbers

Montgomery G.I. Bill Activated Reservist (Chapter 1607)

Eligibility Requirements

• A member of a reserve component who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, under Title 10, U.S.C., for a contingency operation and who serves at least 90 consecutive days or more is eligible.
• National Guard members are also eligible if their active service is 90 days or more and their service is
      ⋅ authorized under section 502 (f), title 32 U.S.C.,
      ⋅ authorized by the President or Secretary of Defense for a national emergency, AND
      ⋅ supported by federal funds

Required Forms

Required forms you'll need to complete to qualify for this benefit:

• VA form 22-1990 [PDF] must be submitted to the VA. Turn in the corresponding Certificate of Eligibility to the VSP office as soon as you receive it from the VA.
• Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE)
• Personal banking routing and account numbers

STEP 3: APPLY FOR EDUCATION BENEFITS

• Download and complete the required forms at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Educational Benefits website.

or

• Complete a hard copy of the application, available in the Veterans Resource Center, located in the Leo Cain University Library, 3rd floor, Room 3941.

IMPORTANT: You must complete the registration process and be enrolled in classes at CSUDH before you can claim your Educational Benefits.

STEP 4: COMPLETE THE CSUDH ADMISSION PROCESS

• Check your email and My.CSUDH.edu regularly for information and important notices about your admissions status. Your My.CSUDH.edu login information is included with your acknowledgement letter.
• Submit your official transcripts.  Electronic transcripts are preferred.
• Submit your DD-214. A total of six semester units of lower division elective credit will be granted for one or more years of active military duty with discharge status other than dishonorable.
• The VA will contact you in 6 to 8 weeks via mail about your benefits.

STEP 5: ONCE ADMITTED, ENROLL IN CSUDH CLASSES

• Meet with an Academic Advisor.
• For freshman students: Complete your Academic Advising through the University Advisement Center.
• For transfer students: Meet with an advisor within your respective major.

STEP 6: COMPLETE YOUR VETERANS' CERTIFICATION

• Complete the Action Request Form [PDF] online and submit it electronically. Your information will be sent to CSUDH‘s VSP Office. This form will provide us with the information we need to help you complete your certification process.

or

• Download and print the Action Request Form [PDF], complete it, and bring it into the Veteran Student Programs office, located in the Leo Cain University Library, 3rd floor, Room 3941.
• Go to the CSUDH cashier‘s office and secure a printout of your university financial statement (your bill). The cashier's office is located in Welch Hall B-270. Call (310) 243-3812 for assistance.
• Log in to your my.CSUDH.edu account to download and print out your CSUDH transcripts verifying your enrollment at the university.
• Bring your CSUDH financial statement, transcripts and Action Request Form (if completed by hand) into the VSP office, located in the Leo Cain University Library, 3rd floor, Room 3941. We will then assist you in getting the certification process started.
• The Veterans Administration will review your documentation for eligibility. If you are eligible for educational benefits, your certification will be transmitted to the VA Muskogee Regional Office. Expect to hear about your benefits from the VA 6 to 8 weeks after receipt of your documents.

NOTE ON VETERANS' RESPONSIBILITIES

Students receiving veterans' benefits have several important responsibilities regarding their certification status for receipt of those benefits. These responsibilities are:

• Prompt notification of withdrawal from the university
• Prompt notification of change in units
• Enrollment in proper courses for graduate level students

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