Veterans
California State University, Bakersfield is approved by the State of California as a training facility for veterans applying for VA benefits. The Office of Veterans Affairs provides services to veterans and dependents of veterans who are eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill. These services include certification of enrollment for educational benefits; direct liaison between the University and the Veterans Administration Regional Office regarding underpayment, overpayment, or non-payment of benefits; veteran’s work-study; and information concerning University services.
Documents Accepted for Military Credit
The Evaluations Office will assess all military educational training and experience for applicability to your chosen educational program. Credit is awarded based on recommendations provided by the American Council onEducation (ACE). Veterans seeking a military credit evaluation should submit a DD214 (separation papers), DD295 (evaluation of military experience), or a Military Registry Transcript. Joint Services Transcripts and official transcripts from the Community College of the Air Force should also be submitted if applicable.
Review How to get Started for additional details on the application steps and process.
Applying for Benefits
Students expecting to enroll under educational benefits administered by the Veterans Administration may obtain application forms from the Office of Veterans Affairs or they may apply on-line at the eBenefits web site. Students applying for benefits for the first time should file the “Application for Veteran Benefits” (VA form 22-1990).
Transfer students should file the “Request For Change of Program or Place of Training” (VA form 22-1995). Returning CSUB students need only notify the Office of Veterans Affairs of their enrollment intentions. It is desirable that students make applications well in advance of anticipated enrollment to avoid unnecessary delays.
Course Load Levels
The University will certify the following course levels to the Veterans Administration:
- Full Time: 12 or more units
- 3/4 Time: 9 to 11.9 units
- 1/2 Time: 6 to 8.9 units
Less than 1/2 time (1.0 - 5.9 units) will receive payment for tuition and fees only. Graduate students enrolled in graduate level courses (courses numbered 500-699), or courses acceptable by the particular curriculum department as work towards a Master’s degree, will have their course units weighted at a scale of 1.5.
VA Educational Benefits: Policies and Procedures
Students eligible for VA Educational Benefits must have all documents and transcripts pertaining to prior civilian or military training sent directly to the Admissions Office before a certification of eligibility can be sent to the VA. The Code of Federal Regulations requires a transfer evaluation of prior credit be completed and sent to the student and to the VA within two semesters after admission to the University. Failure to adhere to this regulation will result in the termination of educational benefits.
Students receiving VA Educational Benefits who have been placed on probation must raise their cumulative GPA to a 2.0 the following term. Students who remain on probation two consecutive terms will run the risk of having their educational benefits terminated until they are taken off probation.
Students receiving VA Educational Benefits must be enrolled only in courses that lead to their declared educational objective (BA, BS, MA, MS, Credential, etc.). Cooperative Education courses may be taken only if the student is enrolled on a full-time basis.
