Welcome!

Cal Poly’s military-friendly campus offers an enthusiastic and supportive community for all veterans, service members, and our large group of military-dependent students. The Center for Military-Connected Students is a central hub of information and support. We strive to provide comprehensive assistance to all military-connected students.

The dedicated CMCS team supports students in accessing their VA education and Cal Vet Fee Waiver Benefits. The center can direct students to a multitude of campus and community resources. 

Drop by our virtual center and get to know current students who are dedicated to building a military-friendly community. Our virtual center staff can answer questions or schedule appointments with our staff experts. Join in on any of our upcoming events - alumni, current, and admitted students are always welcome. 

We are available to assist with all VA, TA and Cal Vet Fee waiver questions and paperwork. We also coordinate all in-state tuition requests for out-of-state military-connected students, when eligible. For quarters beginning after August 1, 2021 students who are using Post 9/11 GI Bill or Fry Scholarship benefits are eligible for in-state tuition. 

If you are a newly admitted student, check out our new student information section below to begin the process of accessing and using benefits at Cal Poly. 

CLICK TO ENTER OUR VIRTUAL CENTER

SUMMER QUARTER HOURS: 9am to 8pm, Monday - Friday 

ZOOM - https://calpoly.zoom.us/j/223015036 Meeting ID: 223 015 036

*Hours subject to change on short notice

VA BENEFIT INFORMATION

Review the presentation from the Veteran's Benefit Module Workshop

STATE BENEFIT INFORMATION

Sign up for workshops here

Submit NEW 2021-22 Cal Vet College Fee Waivers here.(Returning students only. Incoming students, please wait until July 8th)

NEW STUDENT INFORMATION

Accepted students - tell us you are attending and start the process HERE

Students, parents and supporters - join our new Facebook group! Cal Poly Military-Connected Students and Supporters

Every student who is newly activating any type of military educational benefit or who is a military-affiliated student coming to Cal Poly for the first time should schedule a virtual Zoom appointment with the CMCS Coordinator, Kari Leslie for a benefits overview/new student orientation.

Schedule an appointment here. 

If the student is a dependent, parents and students are invited to join in the Zoom conference. It is our goal to support our veterans and their families by answering their questions, addressing their concerns, advocating, and providing resources.

NEW STUDENT CHECKLIST

□ Notify us that you’ll be attending Cal Poly here

□ Schedule Zoom Appointment with CMCS Coordinator here

□ Subscribe to CMCS Newsletter here

□ Follow the CMCS on social media

□ Join us in the virtual center to meet other new, military-affiliated students! We are hosting brown bag lunches on July 7th and July 28th from 12-1 PST. Grab your lunch and log in for a super informal get-together. 

□ Apply for benefits through the appropriate agency. VA benefits recipients will apply for a Certificate of Eligibility through VA.gov. Cal Vet College Fee Waiver recipients apply through their local county veterans service office. 

□ VA Benefits recipients - learn how to certify your classes and turn in documents through your student portal. Review the presentation from the Veteran's Benefit Module Workshop. Turn in VA benefits Certificate of Eligibility documents to the CMCS through your Cal Poly student portal beginning July 8th. You will be able to turn in your COE, but you will not be able to certify your classes until you are scheduled for classes. First-time freshmen will be block scheduled by their advising team and our transfer students will schedule themselves after they attend SLO Days and meet with their advisors. When you have a class schedule, immediately go into your Cal Poly portal and certify. This is the only way that Student Accounts will know that you intend to use military benefits for the quarter. 

□ Cal Vet College Fee Waiver recipients - learn how to turn in your documents through our website and how to troubleshoot any issues applying for the waiver. Sign up for workshops here. Turn in your Cal Vet College Fee Waiver documents to the CMCS here, on this website beginning July 8th. 

□ Veterans/active duty/reservists turn in your DD 214 or a copy of your military ID for Priority Registration here. Also, Veterans/active duty/reservists must submit all military transcripts to Cal Poly's Office of the Registrar.

□ Out of state students who are using GI Bill benefits or are eligible for VACA or other exemptions, email a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility/supplementary documentation to Kari Leslie once you have your California address and have changed it in your Cal Poly portal.