Application Process

Getting Started (updated 1 August 2018)

#1: Apply immediately for your Post 9/11 GI Bill® on the eBenefits website. Be sure to apply early as it can take 3–5 weeks to receive your Certificate of Eligibility. If you have any questions, call the VA at (888) 442-4551.

*Though you may be entitled to the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, you must still apply for it and receive your Certificate of Eligibility.

**For dependents using the Chapter 33 Transfer of Entitlement, the sponsor must transfer benefits through the DoD website at archive.defense.gov, while still actively serving. The dependent will receive an award letter in about 3–5 weeks, at which point, they can apply for the Chapter 33 benefits through the VA.gov website.

#2: Submit an inquiry for information on your desired program at CBU. You can also schedule a campus visit for both undergraduate and graduate programs.

#3: Apply to CBU. Once you begin an application, the admissions office will reach out by phone to begin a conversation with you. If you are bringing in military credits, under the college list, please select "United States Military" that is located in Washington, DC.

*Note: if you are the actual veteran, two professional references can be used in place of the academic references (i.e., senior military supervisor, Commanding Officer/NCO, etc.). Dependents must still use academic references.

**For those using VA Benefits, type in "veteran" in the promotion code and your $45 application fee will be waived.

#4: 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:

Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy: Active Duty, Reserve and Veterans

For a video to walk you through the above Joint Service Transcript please click here.

If you have an issue logging in or with your JST you can email them at jst@doded.mil.

Air Force

For a video to walk you through the above Air Force Transcript please click here.

#5: Fill out the FAFSA application. Applying is free and we recommend that you apply as you may be eligible for grants and/or loans. 

For important dates and deadlines, visit Financial Aid Important Dates and Deadlines

If you do not wish to submit a FAFSA application, fill out the Statement of Understanding and send it to CBU's Financial Aid Office at finaid@calbaptist.edu.

*Without a FAFSA your options for financial aid are very limited. 

**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.   

#6: Figure out what educational benefits you will be using. 

#7: Submit necessary documents to CBU's VA certifying official email vabenefits@calbaptist.edu or drop off in person at the Financial Aid Office. Look at the instructions below to see the necessary documents needed to be turned in for each chapter to start your benefits. These documents can be turned in at anytime during the application process.

Are you a member of the CA Army/Air National Guard? You can qualify for the California Military Department GI Bill Award Program (formerly the California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program). Read more about it here.

#8: Register with VA eBenefits 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.

#9: 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. 

#10: 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 mail Certificate of Eligibility letting you know your remaining eligibility after the session that was just certified. If you did not receive either the email or letter mail, you can either update your information on ebenefits.va.gov or submit to the Office of the University Registrar an Information Change Form. 

#11: Submit the VA Certification Request Form. You are required to fill out the Certification Request Form every semester you plan to use your VA educational benefits at CBU. Fill out the form and email it to vabenefits@calbaptist.edu or drop it off in person at the Financial Aid Office.

#12: 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 veterans@calbaptist.edu or at (951) 343-8304. We are here to serve you!

 

  • Chapter 1606: Selective Reserve Montgomery GI Bill® Instructions

    To receive your veteran education benefits at CBU, submit:

    1. CBU's Request to Begin Veterans Benefits

    2. VA application:

    • FIRST TIME USER: Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 22-1990). Submit online through VA.gov and provide a copy to CBU.
    • IF YOU HAVE USED YOUR BENEFITS AT ANOTHER SCHOOL: Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (VA Form 22-1995). Provide original directly to CBU.

    *Banking information is not required on copies provided to CBU.

    3. Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) dated within the last 30 days or since last date of separation from previous institution

    You may scan and email it to veterans@calbaptist.edu, mail or drop the completed forms in our office during regular business hours (Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. or Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.).

    Chapter 1606 Pay-Rate Information

    *You must call in each month to the VA to verify your enrollment at (877) 823-2378.

    *Note: Many of our Chapter 1606 students take part in the Army and Air Force ROTC programs here to help cover the cost of their tuition and fees. CBU has our own Army ROTC Cadre on campus and Air Force ROTC drills out of CSUSB.

    Army ROTC

    Air Force ROTC

    For additional information on educational benefits visit www.benefits.va.gov or you may call toll free at (888) 442-4551.

     
  • Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill® Instructions

    To receive your veteran education benefits at CBU, submit:

    1. CBU's Request to Begin Veterans Benefits

    2. VA application:

    • FIRST TIME USER: Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 22-1990). Submit online through VA.gov and provide CBU a copy.
    • IF YOU HAVE USED YOUR BENEFITS AT ANOTHER SCHOOL: Request for change of program or place of training (VA Form 22-1995). Provide original directly to CBU.

    *Banking information is not required on copies provided to CBU.

    3. Certificate of Eligibility dated within the last 30 days or since last date of separation from previous institution

    4. A copy of your DD-214

    You may scan and email it to veterans@calbaptist.edu, mail or drop the completed forms in our office during regular business hours (Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. or Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.).

    Chapter 30 Pay-rate Information

    *You must call in each month to the VA to certify your enrollment (877) 823-2378.

    For additional information on educational benefits, visit www.benefits.va.gov or you may call toll free at (888) 442-4551.

  • Chapter 31: Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) Instructions

    To receive your veteran education benefits at CBU, submit:

    1. CBU's Request to Begin Veterans Benefits

    2. Authorization through the Tungsten Network.

    • Authorization must be sent directly to the School Certifying Official via email by the VR&E counselor
    • Include contact information of your case manager (Name, phone, email, mailing address)

    *Banking information is not required on copies provided to CBU.

    You may scan and email it to veterans@calbaptist.edu, mail, or drop the completed forms in our office during regular business hours (Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. or Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.).

    For additional information on educational benefits, visit benefits.va.gov/benefits or you may call them toll free at (888) 442-4551. 

  • Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill® Veterans Instructions

    To receive your veteran education benefits at CBU, submit:

    1. CBU's Request to Begin Veterans Benefits

    2. VA application:

    • FIRST TIME USER: Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 22-1990). Submit online through VA.gov and provide CBU a copy.
    • IF YOU HAVE USED YOUR BENEFITS AT ANOTHER SCHOOL: Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (VA Form 22-1995). Provide original directly to CBU

    *Banking information is not required on copies provided to CBU.

    3. Certificate of Eligibility dated within the last 30 days or since last date of separation from previous institutions

    4. A copy of your DD-214

    5. CBU's Yellow Ribbon application

    You may scan and email it to veterans@calbaptist.edu, mail, or drop the completed forms in our office during regular business hours (Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. or Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.).

    Chapter 33 Pay-Rate Information

    For additional information on educational benefits, visit www.benefits.va.gov or you may call them toll free at (888) 442-4551.

  • Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill® Transfer of Entitlement Dependents Instructions

    Eligible Servicemembers may transfer all 36 months or the portion of unused Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits (unless DoD or the Department of Homeland Security has limited the number of transferable months). If you're eligible, you may transfer benefits to the following individuals: your spouse, one or more of your children, or any combination of spouse and child. For information on how to transfer your entitlement please click here.

    You MUST call the VA at (888) 442-4551 if additional changes have been made to your entitlements.

    PLEASE NOTE: Entitlement MUST be transferred while sponsor is still actively serving.

    To use your veteran education benefits at CBU, submit:

    1. CBU's Request to Begin Veteran Benefits

    2. VA application:

    • FIRST TIME USER: Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 22-1990E). Submit online through VA.gov and provide CBU a copy.
    • IF YOU HAVE USED YOUR BENEFITS AT ANOTHER SCHOOL: Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (VA Form 22-1995). Provide original directly to CBU.

    *Banking information is not required on copies provided to CBU.

    3. Certificate of Eligibility dated within the last 30 days or since last date of separation from previous institution.

    4. A copy of your sponsor's DD-214 (if no longer on active duty).

    5. CBU's Yellow Ribbon Application

    You may scan and email it to veterans@calbaptist.edu, mail, or drop the completed forms in our office during regular business hours (Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. or Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.).

    Chapter 33 Pay-Rate Information

    For additional information on educational benefits, visit www.benefits.va.gov or you may call them toll-free at (888) 442-4551.

  • Chapter 35: Dependents Education Assistance Instructions

    To use your veteran education benefits at CBU, submit:

    1. CBU's Request to Begin Veteran Benefits

    2. VA application:

    • FIRST TIME USER: Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 22-5490). Submit online through VA.gov and provide CBU a copy.
    • IF YOU HAVE USED YOUR BENEFITS AT ANOTHER SCHOOL: Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (VA Form 22-2495). Provide original directly to CBU.
    • Social security number of the veteran sponsor for individual student.

    *Banking information is not required on copies provided to CBU.

    You may scan and email it to veterans@calbaptist.edu, mail, or drop the completed forms in our office during regular business hours (Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. or Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.).

    Chapter 35 Pay-Rate Information

    For additional information on educational benefits, visit benefits.va.gov or you may call them toll free at (888) 442-4551.