Home  ›  Education Benefits

Education Benefits

“GI Bill®” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

CGU is an approved institution for veterans to utilize their educational benefits. As a veteran you are entitled to certain benefits under the various Veterans Administration programs.

Veteran Resident Tuition Policy

Active-duty personnel and military veterans are charged the standard tuition rate applicable to their degree. No CGU student who is not a resident of California is assessed any additional out-of-state tuition or fees.

Program Eligibility Process

  • Request a letter of eligibility from your VA representative and submit this letter to the Registrar’s Office (student.records@cgu.edu)
  • Enroll in a degree- or certificate-seeking program.*
  • Take all courses for credit. If repeating a course or taking a course with no credits, the veteran must notify the CGU Certifying Official.
  • Request certification after registering for courses each semester through our VA Certifying Official (Registrar’s Office at student.records@cgu.edu).

Yellow Ribbon Benefit Information
GI Bill® Comparison Tool

*The following programs are currently not eligible for new students who wish to use Chapter 33, Chapter 30, or Chapter 1606 benefits:

  • MA in Religion and American Politics
  • MA in International Studies
  • MA in Art Business and Fine Art
  • MS in Botany
  • PhD in Botany

VA Forms & Applications

www.va.gov/vaforms/

All VA students must file an application with the Department of Veterans Affairs Western Region Office, Muskogee, OK. Students who have not previously received VA benefits must file an original application (veterans VAF 22-1990; dependents VAF 22-5490). Students who have received VA benefits in the past must file a Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (veterans VAF 22-1995; dependents VAF 22-5495)

If an original application is needed do one of the following:

  • Submit an application online using this link: https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepage
  • Print the signature page and mail to Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Regional Office, P.O. Box 8888, Muskogee, OK 74402-8888.
  • If you choose to apply using a hard copy application, submit it to the CGU Certifying Official who will process it and mail it to the VA Regional Office where it will be certified.

Education Programs

Eligibility criteria and benefits for veterans vary. Listed below are various education programs or chapters that veterans may be eligible for from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA).

Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill®-Active Duty
Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill® – Yellow Ribbon Program
Chapter 35: Dependents Education Assistance (DEA)
Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill®-Selected Reserve
Chapter 1607: Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

General and detailed descriptions of each program are online at https://www.va.gov/education/ or the toll-free education number 1.888.442.4551 (1.888.GI Bill 1)

For questions or information regarding eligibility to receive VA education benefits or for current pay rates, please contact the Dept. of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-442-4551 or visit the VA website at https://www.va.gov/education/.

FAQs

Do my VA benefits cover the standard tuition deposit?
Typically, your VA benefits can waive you out of the standard tuition deposit. Please contact your department’s admissions representative to inquire.
I have 100% benefit coverage with ______ of months and ___days left on my entitlement. Will my benefits cover the entirety of my program?
The School Certifying Official and a Financial Aid Counselor will need to review student’s Certificate of Eligibility (COE) letter to determine whether benefits will cover the entirety of the program.
How do I apply for yellow ribbon funding?
If you are eligible for yellow ribbon funding according to VA regulations, CGU will automatically apply yellow ribbon funding to your account.
Now that I’m enrolled for the semester, when will I receive my benefits from VA? (monthly housing allowance, stipends).
Approximately 14 days after enrollment certification is processed through the Registrar’s Office. Fall semester is the busiest and may sometimes take longer to process.
Can I be eligible for two or more education benefits?
Yes, but you may only receive payments from one program at a time.
I haven’t received my payment basic housing allowance (BAH) what should I do?
After verifying with the School Certifying Official (SCO) that your enrollment was processed, student should contact the VA at 1-(888-442-4551).
Can I use the Post-9/11 GI Bill® while I’m on active duty?
You may use the GI Bill® on active duty provided you have completed at least 90 days of service (this excludes basic entry level & skill training). The tuition payment cannot exceed the amount not paid by military tuition assistance and/or the total amount of tuition & fees. Active duty service members are not eligible for yellow ribbon funding.
How is the Basic Allowance for Housing Allowance determined?
The Department of Defense evaluates specific criteria; geographic duty location, pay grade and dependent status. For more details, please contact the VA directly.
Why do I have a debt with the VA over tuition and fees paid to my school?
VA pays the tuition and fees to the school on your behalf when the School Certifying Official (SCO) certifies that you are enrolled in classes. If your enrollment changes after your initial certification and payment from the VA has already been received by CGU, then the VA may contact you regarding an overpayment of tuition and fees. If you receive a notice, please contact the School Certifying Official at student.records@cgu.edu.
Will my enrollment be certified with the VA at full-time or part-time?
The SCO will certify enrollment based on CGU’s definitions of full-time or part-time enrollment. 8 units or more is considered full-time and less than 8 units is considered part-time. Enrollment in Continuous Registration or Doctoral Study is also considered full-time.

2/20