In order to ensure the timely delivery of your eligible benefits, please closely follow the procedures listed below.
Step two may have already been accomplished if you have used your benefits at another educational institution. Please proceed to the next step.
STEP ONE: Complete an admissions application
Freshmen: https://www.csuci.edu/admissions/freshman/index.htm
Transfers: https://www.csuci.edu/admissions/transfer/
Some Veteran specific information is housed in the Veterans Admissions website. Contact information and additional guidance can be found at https://www.csuci.edu/admissions/.
Note: If you are a veteran and you are denied admission, please appeal the decision as a mistake during the filling out of your application could have caused the denial. Additional information regarding new and transfer of veterans and active duty can be found here, along with denial and appeal links.
STEP TWO: Apply for VA benefits
To file for education benefits with the VA, visit https://www.vets.gov/education/apply/.
After you apply (and if you are approved) the VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in the mail. Once you are fully admitted to CI, submit your COE via your myCI portal. If you are a veteran and using Chapter 33 benefits, upload your COE and DD-214. If you are a dependent using Chapter 33, upload only your COE. If you are using Chapter 35, upload your COE and the veteran's DD-214. Please do not email your document to the Veteran’s Advisor/VA School Certifying Official. Feel free to contact the Veteran's Advisor/VA School Certifying Official if you have any questions or concerns. (Robert C. Felix at: robert.felix@csuci.edu).
Note: If you are military or a veteran and are not using or planning to use VA educational benefits but you wish to have priority registration, please email the Veteran's Advisor/VA School Certifying Official. You will need to submit a proof of military or veteran status. A photo or PDF of one of the following is needed, a DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), a Common Access Card (CAC), VA medical card, Joint Service Transcript, a disability letter, or some other type of proof of military or veteran status.
STEP THREE: Apply for financial aid.
https://www.csuci.edu/financialaid/02_01_Application_Process.htm
A common misperception is that Veteran or Veteran dependent students may not receive both financial aid and VA benefits – this is not always true. Students receiving VA education benefits are encouraged to also apply for financial aid and the many scholarships here at CI and/or online.
STEP FOUR: Complete required Admissions steps
Admitted Freshmen: https://www.csuci.edu/admissions/freshman/admitted/index.htm
Admitted Transfers: https://www.csuci.edu/admissions/transfer/admitted-transfer/index.htm
STEP FIVE: Attend CI’s First Year or Transfer Orientation
First Year Student Orientation details: https://www.csuci.edu/orientation/freshman/
Transfer Student Orientation details: https://www.csuci.edu/orientation/transfer/
STEP SIX: Register for Classes and Request Certification
Once you are able to register for classes, please register for your classes as soon as you can, otherwise you risk not being able to take the classes you wish to take and fits your schedule. To view when you can register for classes, check in your Student Center.
Once you have completed registering for classes, your next action is to request the use of your VA educational benefits, which can be accomplished here. Please remember that every semester after registering for classes and you wish to use your VA educational benefits, you will need to submit a new request.
If you have need of Disability Accommodations and Support Services (DASS) assistance please visit the DASS services Web page.