How to Apply and Use Your Veterans Education Benefits at CBU
How to Apply and Use Your Veterans Education Benefits at CBU
#1: Apply for Veteran's Education Benefits including the Post 9/11 GI Bill® by visiting the VA's How to Apply page. There are a few questions under the "How do I apply?" section that will help to determine your next steps. Be sure to apply early as it can take several weeks to receive your Certificate of Eligibility.
#2: Apply to CBU. Complete an application for admission to CBU. If you are bringing in military credits, under the college list, please select "United States Military" that is located in Washington, DC.
#3: Submit your military transcripts with your admissions application. You may be eligible for college credit from going to your military schools (basic training, fielding of equipment, pathfinder, MOS/AIT, etc.). If you are currently active duty, reserve or national guard, you should request new transcripts to be sent to CBU after each military school you attend. Click on the following links to access your military transcripts:
Click here for JST for US Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard (Reserves or National Guard). Air Force uses Parchment to provide transcripts. Please visit Parchment and search for Air University to request Air Force transcripts.
#4: Fill out the FAFSA application. We recommend that every student complete a FAFSA to be considered for grants and/or loans.
**If you are a veteran of the Armed Forces it changes your dependency status to independent. If this is the only thing making you an independent (i.e. you are under 24, not married, have no dependents, etc.), we must confirm that you are a veteran by obtaining a copy of your DD-214. You can email a copy of your DD-214 to Financial Aid at finaid@calbaptist.edu.
Are you a member of the CA Army/Air National Guard? You can qualify for the California Military Department GI Bill Award Program! Read more about it here.
#5: Submit your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) to CBU's School Certifying Officials by email to vabenefits@calbaptist.edu or drop it off in person at the Financial Aid Office. These documents can be turned in at anytime during the application process.
#6: Register with VA.gov and make a PREMIUM account to track your educational benefits, such as your deposits from the VA, history of certification status or remaining entitlements. You can also manage direct deposit or update your address.
#7: Attend orientation. Once you are accepted to CBU, your admissions counselor will contact you regarding course registration and an orientation. Virtual orientations are available for students that live more than 4 hours from campus.
#8: Register for classes. You MUST be registered for classes before we can certify you with the VA. Our goal is to have your courses certified with the VA between 30 days prior to the class session start date. Upon certification, you will instantly receive a confirmation email from the VA and in 7–10 days a letter in the mail letting you know your remaining eligibility after the session that was just certified. If you did not receive either the email or letter, you can either update your information on VA.gov or call the VA at 888-442-4551.
#9: Submit the VA Certification Request Form. Once you have registered for classes, please submit a Certification Request Form. This let's CBU's SCO's know you would like your classes certified to the VA for the upcoming semester. We need one of these each semester, but don't worry we will remind you by email when the time comes.
#10: Submit outside scholarship information. If you are bringing in an outside scholarship (i.e., local American Legion post) please email the scholarship acceptance letter to finaid@calbaptist.edu and have them mail the check to:
Attn: Financial Aid
8432 Magnolia Ave
Riverside, CA 92504
If they sent the check to you and it is in your name, please sign the back of the check and mail it to the above address with your student ID written on the check.
At anytime, if you have a question or need assistance, contact us by email at vabenefits@calbaptist.edu or at (951) 343-4236. We are here to serve you!