Chapter 35 - Dependents Educational Assistance
| WHEN | TASK | LINK |
|---|---|---|
| Now | Student - review this page. Interested parents/supporters are also invited to review the information, but it is important that the student is completing these steps to understand their responsibilities in using military education benefits. |
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| Now |
Student - review our cost of attending information. |
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| Now | Student - apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) benefits through the VA. Provide the VA with student's email address and phone number for future text verification from the VA. Also provide the VA with students bank account information for future direct deposits. Once approved, the VA will send a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in the mail in 4-6 weeks. Safeguard this document. | CLICK HERE |
| After May 1st | Many students using CH 35 Dependents Educational Assistance are also eligible to use a benefit provided by the state. Cal Vet College Fee Waivers (Plan B) can often be used in conjunction with CH 35 if the student has been deemed a resident of California and meets the CA poverty-level threshold. Applications are submitted to the student's local county Veterans Service Office. | CLICK HERE |
| Early July | Student - watch the video guide: "Using the Veterans Benefit Module". | CLICK HERE |
| After conditional admit status is removed | Student - navigate to the Veterans Benefit Module (under Student Records) in your CP student portal to upload your COE. When you are matriculated into the Cal Poly system, your CP email will be activated and your portal will have more options/information.At this time, you will have access to the module. | |
| Once you have been assigned a dorm or has a California address | OUT OF STATE STUDENTS ONLY: Update one address in your student portal. Then, apply for a VACAA Waiver to waive out-of-state tuition fees. REQUIRED: COE and updated California address in student’s portal | CLICK HERE |
| Once you are registered in classes | Request certification of term classes in the Veterans Benefit Module as soon as registered (Delays will cause delays in payments). Only request certification of classes that are degree applicable . These are any classes that are required for graduation. They can be from your declared major or minor or classes that are required for you to change your major or to declare a minor. The VA will not pay towards classes that do not move you towards graduation or classes that are for undeclared minors (unless it is a prerequisite). To begin this request, students will need to provide their veteran sponsor's VA File number. | |
| After you make any changes to your class schedule | Make changes to certification request in the Veterans Benefit Module as soon as classes are added or dropped. | |
| After certification request is submitted | We will notify the VA electronically that you want to use your CH 35 Dependents Educational Assistance benefits for the term. | |
| After certification request is submitted | A grace-period of 90 days will also be added to your account for tuition and campus-based fees only (not housing or dining costs). | |
| After the deferral credit is posted to your student account | Review your account activity under the Money Matters tab and pay any amounts due. | |
| After certification request is processed | The VA will begin to process any payments due to student at this time (see chart below). | |
| At the end of every month | The VA will text or email you to verify that you have stayed enrolled in classes. Answer yes (unless you completely drop out of school). The VA will release payments to you 5-7 days after you respond. | CLICK HERE |
| After the term add/drop date passes | We will do a degree audit to ensure that classes are degree applicable. If we have questions about any of your classes, we will email you to ask for substantiation. Always check your school email and respond to these emails quickly. | |
| After registering for classes EVERY TERM |
Steps repeat. Student must request certification of classes in their student portal each term as soon as they register for any classes. Changes in the request must be made within 7 days of add or dropping classes. |
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2026-27 Academic Year |
CH 35 DEPENDENTS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE |
|---|---|
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Semester - State Tuition |
The VA does not pay state tuition for CH 35 recipients. |
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Semester - Campus-Based Registration Fees |
The VA does not pay campus-based fees for CH 35 recipients. |
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Monthly Stipend |
Full-time enrollment: $1,574.00 for each full month 3/4-time enrollment: $1,244.00 for each full month 1/2-time enrollment: $912.00 for each full month
Paid directly to the student after attendance each month (other factors can reduce MHA payments) |
| Licensing & Testing Fees |
For test fees: Will pay up to $2,000 for qualifying licensing and certification test fees. |
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Books & Supplies |
The VA does not pay books & supplies stipend for CH 35 recipients. |
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Housing/Dorm |
No payments are made to Cal Poly for housing/dorm costs from any military education benefit. Payment of housing balances are the student's responsibility. |
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Dining |
No payments are made to Cal Poly for dining plan costs from any military education benefit. Payment of housing balances are the student's responsibility. |
| Parking | No payments are made to Cal Poly for parking costs. |
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ALLOWANCE |
HOW IS IT PAID? |
WHEN IS IT PAID? |
|---|---|---|
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Monthly Stipend |
Direct Deposit from the VA to the student's bank account |
Monthly, after the student completes the prior month of attendance. (Ex: October attendance is paid on November 1st) |
To help you make the most of your monthly stipend payments, please keep the following in mind:
- Stipend is not paid during breaks (such as breaks between terms).
- Stipend payments are prorated if the course(s) do not span an entire month.
- Stipend payments are paid in arrears, meaning that they are paid after the student attends. No advance payments are made from the VA.
- Payments are not tied to your dorm/dining plans or living arrangements. It is the student's responsibility to make timely payments for these plans.
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Eligibility for VA Education benefits do not affect your eligibility to receive Federal Financial aid.
VA payments are tax free, but they will affect tax credits.
Classes that are successfully completed may not be certified again for VA purposes if they are repeated. There are exceptions, however. If a course is required for graduation and meets the requirements for one of the 3 exceptions below, a student may repeat the course and be certified for it until it is successfully completed. There is no limit on the number of attempts. No further information needs to be provided to VA regarding those courses. A student may be certified for a repeated course if:
- The student failed the class.
- If a program requires a higher grade than the one achieved in a particular class for successful completion. Example: if a Nursing program requires a “B” or better in Biology, then that class may be repeated if a “B” or better was not earned. That requirement must be in the school catalog. Note: If a student chooses to repeat a course that was successfully completed, just to improve their GPA, that course cannot be certified to VA.
If a student successfully completed a course so long ago, the school requires it be repeated. Example: If student took computer programming 10 years ago and got a 'B', it may be too outdated to be accepted for credit now. Note: If the school does not require the student to retake the outdated course, but the student chooses to repeat it, that course cannot be certified to VA.
After consideration of those discussions and deliberations with OGC, VA determined that eligible CH 35 students can continue to round out in their last term. To ensure that you understand the rules governing this policy, before registering for your final quarter, check in with our VA School Certifying Officials.
VA calculates rate of pursuit. Rate of pursuit is enrolled units divided by 12, rounded to the nearest tenth. Example: 9 units / 12 = .75, then rounded to the nearest tenth, for an 80% rate of pursuit.
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Term |
Full-Time |
|---|---|
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10-13 Weeks |
12+ units |
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8-Weeks |
8+ units |
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7.5 Weeks |
7+ units |
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5-Weeks |
5+ units |
If you’re enrolled less than 1/2 time, the VA will pay you up to the amount listed here for every month you’re enrolled—but no more than the cost of your tuition and fees:
- Less than 1/2-time and more than 1/4-time enrollment: $912.00 for each full month (or the cost of your tuition and fees, whichever is less)
- 1/4-time enrollment or less: $393.50 for each full month (or the cost of your tuition and fees, whichever is less)
If your tuition and fees are less than the monthly rate, the VA will send you a lump sum (1 payment) at the start of each term.
US Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration
888-442-4551/888-GIBILL1
Do you have a question or concern about your benefits? Contact them safely and securely with Ask VA!
