VA Benefits

Welcome CBU Veterans, Military Dependents, and Active Duty Military Members! There are three things that CBU's School Certifying Officials (SCOs) need to determine your eligibility for VA benefits and request those funds:

• Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA uploaded to Student Forms
• Copy of DD-214 uploaded to Student Forms
• Completed Certification Request Form

To obtain your COE, apply for education benefits through the VA website. If eligible, your COE will be available through VA.gov.

Using Military Tuition Assistance at CBU

Speak with your education officer, career counselor, or benefits specialist to confirm eligibility. Gain command approval before enrolling, follow your service branch’s TA instructions, and submit your approved request to vabenefits@calbaptist.edu. The Financial Aid Office will process your request and coordinate payment with Student Accounts.

Certification Request Form

Submit your Certification Request Form through Student Forms to initiate your benefit processing.

Tuition Assistance (TA) is a Department of Defense benefit paid to current service members of all branches of the Armed Forces to assist with the cost of tuition. Those who may be eligible are members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and the Coast Guard. Participation in this program is for our servicemen and women enrolled in CBU online degrees and course offerings. The current TA rate is $250 per unit.

CBU COE NOBE and/or DD214 Upload Form

Steps to Apply for Tuition Assistance

1. Speak with your education officer, career counselor, or benefits incentive specialist to ensure you are eligible for Tuition Assistance.
2. Gain approval from your command to attend classes at CBU prior to enrollment.
3. See your base Education Services Officer (ESO) prior to enrolling for classes at CBU.
4. Follow the military service branch and component-specific instructions on how to request Tuition Assistance for your course(s). Take note of the TA application instructions/deadlines specific to your branch and CBU’s academic calendar.
5. Submit your approved TA request to vabenefits@calbaptist.edu in PDF format.
6. The Financial Aid Office will process your approved TA request and post the credit to your student account. Please ensure you review your student account to confirm your TA is posted online.

Step-by-Step Guide

 Step 1: Apply for Admissions

Complete an online application to get the process started. Please be sure to complete the military information portion of the application.

 Step 2: Submit Your Admissions Documents

Check the Admissions webpage for program-specific requirements. Required documents include:

• Military Transcripts (JST, CCAF, DLI, DAU, CLEP & DSST)
• Civilian Transcripts (official, sealed college transcripts mailed or emailed to CBUOnline@calbaptist.edu)

 Step 3: Explore the Military Benefits Available

CBU proudly supports military students with benefits including:

• Dedicated Veterans Resource Center
• Flexible arrangements
• Free evaluation for military training for college credits

 Step 4: Set Up Your Military and Veteran Benefits Funding

If you plan to use Tuition Assistance, VA benefits, or other military funding, ensure all required documentation is submitted. Contact your Base Education Office or the Veterans Affairs Administration if unsure of eligibility.

 Step 5: Enroll in Courses and Complete Financial Check-In

Once accepted, your Admissions Counselor will provide a degree guide. Follow their instructions to complete enrollment and confirm your financial check-in.

Tuition Assistance (TA) Request Timeframes

Military Tuition Assistance Recipients

Military Tuition Assistance is awarded under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, they may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded. To comply with U.S. Department of Defense policy, CBU will return TA funds on a proportional basis through at least 60% of the course period. If a service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, CBU will work with the student to identify solutions that avoid unnecessary debt.

Withdrawals

A student’s official withdrawal date is used to calculate earned TA funds. The last date of attendance (LDA) is provided by the instructor and determines the earned percentage of TA. TA funds are earned proportionally during the course period; unearned funds are returned based on the withdrawal week.

FAQs