New to Cal Poly?
Welcome to Cal Poly!
We are excited to welcome you to the Cal Poly community and support you on your journey in higher education. Each year, the Center for Military-Connected Students (CMCS) serves 800–900 military-connected students, including veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. We understand that navigating college life and educational benefits can bring many questions, whether you are the student or a supporter. That’s why we’ve developed a comprehensive process to help ensure your transition to Cal Poly is smooth and successful.
Taking Charge of Your Journey
It’s vital that students take the lead in managing their educational journey, including understanding and utilizing their military benefits. While we encourage parents and supporters to be part of this process, our experience shows that students who actively engage from the beginning make fewer errors, particularly with benefits. This process typically begins after you’ve accepted your offer of admission to Cal Poly, as many benefits are tied to the specific school and program you’ll pursue.
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Key steps after accepting your offer of admission:
- If eligible, apply for VA educational benefits on va.gov and submit your Certificate of Eligibility through the Veterans Benefit Module in the Student Portal. This portal is not fully functional for newly admitted students. It becomes functional in mid-July.
- If eligible, apply for the Cal Vet College Fee Waiver, through your local Veterans Services Office after May 1st. Waiver approval codes are then turned in via the CMCS website.
- Take advantage of priority registration (veterans and active-duty members) by uploading your DD214 or CAC.
- Submit military transcripts (e.g., Joint Service Transcripts) for review of credit.
- Out-of-state students using VA benefits: Submit your VACAA in-state tuition request here.
Important Dates to Keep in Mind:
- Now: Review the CMCS website and watch the videos as they become available
- Now: Review the CMCS Cost of Attending page on our website.
- Now: Apply for any VA educational benefits on va.gov
- Now: Submit military transcripts (e.g., Joint Service Transcripts) for review of credit.
- April: Join us for Open House! We’ll be at both resource fairs (Friday and Saturday) and plan on hosting drop-in events in the center both days.
- April: Drop into my office hours to introduce yourself and ask any questions you might have.
- May 1st: Start applying for Cal Vet College Fee Waivers (CVCFW) and requesting any supporting tax documents you’ll need to apply. Contact your county Veterans Service Office (VSO) to ask how their office prefers to have CVCFW applications submitted. Links are on our website.
- July – August: SLO Days - you’ll be on campus, but the CMCS staff won’t. That’s ok, we’ll be available via email and in the virtual center for drop-in questions and appointments
- July 15: Conditional admission status is usually dropped by now! You can now access your Cal Poly email, turn in any VA proof of eligibility (Certificate of Eligibility - COE) documents through the Veterans Benefit Module in your student portal. Cal Vet College Fee Waiver (CVCFW) and Tuition Assistance (TA) students do not use the Veterans Benefit Module for their state or DoD benefits. Turn in the 16-digit Cal Vet College Fee Waiver approval code for 2025-26 academic year through the form on our website. There is also a form on our website for service members using Tuition Assistance.
- Early Summer: VA beneficiaries joining us early for Quarter Plus or summer classes, request certification of those classes in the Veterans Benefit Module. Student using VA benefits (not the CVCFW or TA) - if you do not certify your classes each quarter as soon as you are registered for classes, the VA will not know to make your payments. Always request certification as soon as you are enrolled in any classes.
- August: Freshman students are block scheduled into their Fall Quarter classes by the awesome team in the Mustang Success Center. Transfer students will register for classes after they meet with an advisor at SLO Days
- August: Once you get your dorm assignment, out-of-state students using VA benefits can submit your VACAA in-state tuition request Make sure one of the addresses in your student portal reflects your new California address, then fill out the VACAA waiver request on our website.
- August: VA students request certification of their Fall Classes in the Veterans Benefit Module. Come back and make changes as often as you need if you add or drop classes. CVCFW students do not have to request certification of their classes each quarter – this step is only for students using VA benefits.
- September: Move-In and Week of Welcome
- September: Classes start
*The Veterans Benefit Module in your Cal Poly student portal is ONLY for VA benefits. Please do not report or upload any Tuition Assistance or Cal Vet College Fee Waiver information there. The Cal Vet College Fee Waiver is NOT a VA benefit.
Connect with Us
We encourage you to stay updated and engaged by:
- Following us on social media: @calpolyveterans
- Scheduling a one-on-one appointment or contacting us via email for additional questions.
- Exploring leadership opportunities through our Advisory Board or Student Veterans & Dependents Club.
Visit CMCS
Our new location in Building 58 (next to the University Police Department) is designed with your needs in mind, offering student workspaces, a free food pantry, and virtual support hours. We also host resource and career workshops, as well as community-building events.
NOTE: Cal Poly email accounts and the Veterans Benefit Module are not accessible to new students until July.
| HELPING THE CMCS: More information | CLICK HERE |
| HELPING THE CMCS: Send snacks via our Amazon Wish List | CLICK HERE |
| HELPING THE CMCS: Check out our Crowd Funding Campaign | CLICK HERE |
| HELPING THE CMCS: Donate through Cal Poly Cares | CLICK HERE |
