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.

Start Here: Explore Our Resources

Our website offers a wealth of resources, including detailed videos and guides for navigating various benefits:

• VA Educational Benefits (GI Bill, VR&E, Fry Scholarship, Chapter 35 DEA): Visit the VA Benefits Page to watch “Using VA Benefits at Cal Poly” and “Using the Veterans Benefit Module”.
• Cal Vet College Fee Waiver: Watch “Using the Cal Vet College Fee Waiver” and review our Cal Vet Fee Waiver Page.
• Branch Tuition Assistance or CMD GI Bill: Learn more on our Military Tuition Assistance Page.

Attend a New Military Mustang Workshop

All newly admitted military-connected students using education benefits are required to attend a New Military Mustang Virtual Session. These 1.5-hour workshops cover the basics of military benefits and resources at Cal Poly and include time for individual questions. Dates will be available soon after admission offers are sent out. Students are expected to participate actively, although parents and supporters are welcome to join.

 

Accept your admission offer and complete the required student information form here.

Key steps after accepting your offer of admission:

1. 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.  
2. 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. 
3. Take advantage of priority registration (veterans and active-duty members) by uploading your DD214 or CAC.
4. Submit military transcripts (e.g., Joint Service Transcripts) for review of credit.
5. Out-of-state students using VA benefits: Submit your VACAA in-state tuition request here.

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.

Need Assistance?

During student breaks, our team works remotely. For help, email us, schedule a virtual appointment, or join us via Zoom during our virtual office hours.

We look forward to supporting you in your academic journey and helping you achieve your goals. Welcome to Cal Poly—your next adventure starts here!

Warm regards,
Kari Leslie
Program Lead, Center for Military-Connected Students

 

NOTE: Cal Poly email accounts and the Veterans Benefit Module are not accessible to new students until July. 

  

Applying to Cal Poly?

Find information on applying to Cal Poly as a military-affiliated student here!

**In addition to connecting with the Center for Military-Connected Students, service members are required to obtain approval from their respective Education Services Officer (ESO), military counselor, or Service before enrollment. This step is vital to ensure that your educational pursuits align with your military service commitments and responsibilities. Your ESO or military counselor will provide valuable insights and guidance to help you make informed decisions about your education and will provide you with the necessary documentation required to use any military education benefits that are available to you. 

New Military-Connected Mustang To-Do List

 

(A student who has served in the US Military or the child/spouse of someone who has served in the US Military)

1. Accept your offer of admission
2. Fill out this form
3. RSVP and attend a New Military Mustang Workshop (Note: Our last presentation of this workshop was 8/15/2024. To watch the recorded presentation, click here)
4. Students using VA educational benefits (GI Bill, VR&E, Fry Scholarship, Ch 35 DEA) - visit the VA Benefits Page and watch "Using VA benefits at Cal Poly" and "Using the Veterans Benefit Module". 
5. Students using a Cal Vet College Fee Waiver - watch "Using the Cal Vet College Fee Waiver" and review the information on our Cal Vet College Fee Waiver Page 
6. Current military members using their branch Tuition Assistance or the CMD GI Bill - visit this page for more information on these benefits
7. Veterans and current military members - upload a copy of your DD214 or CAC to get Priority Registration in the future. This is not a benefit available to the dependents of veterans or military members. 
8. Schedule a one-on-one appointment with our team or email us if you have any questions about your benefits or the services that the the CMCS offers
9. Connect with us on social media @calpolyveterans to stay updated on important announcements and events. Don't forget! Our club and the center have lots of activities they want you to join in on during the academic year
10. Students who have been deemed to be out-of-state students who are using VA educational benefits are eligible for in-state tuition under VACAA.  Submit your request here

Proof of eligibility for benefits that pay for state tuition or campus-based fee costs should be submitted to Cal Poly in the correct venue between July 1 and August 15. Submissions after that date could require students to pay their balance and request a refund after the benefit is applied. 

 

STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR STATE OF CALIFORNIA’S CAL VET COLLEGE FEE WAIVER

(Child/spouse of a service-connected disabled veteran)

Cal Poly CMCS is not the approving agency for this benefit. Apply through your local county Veterans Service Office (VSO) or the San Luis Obispo County VSO. This is NOT a VA benefit, financial aid, grant, or scholarship. It is a waiver in which your state tuition costs each quarter are written off by the university. In most cases, the (students’ taxable earnings) + (parental contribution to the student’s annual support) for the calendar year will be used to qualify. This total amount must be under the state poverty level ($21,561) to qualify. To substantiate the student’s income, they will need to turn in their 2023 filed taxes or a statement from the California Franchise Tax Board stating that they did not file taxes. This is available in June each year. Turn in these documents to the VSO for approval (helpful links provided on our website):

1. Academic Year 2024-25 Application
2. Birth/Adoption paperwork and parents’ marriage certificate if veteran is a step-parent
3. Veterans DD214
4. Current VA Disability Rating paperwork
5. Taxes or statement of non-filing

The VSO will issue an approval code. Return to our website with the information below to have the waiver applied to the student's account. This must be uploaded by 8/15/2024 to have the waiver applied before Fall tuition is due. The waiver is for the value of state tuition each quarter ($2028 - full-time undergraduate) and does not cover the full academic cost of classes at Cal Poly. Students will still be responsible for campus-based fees, housing, dining, and supplies. Visit the Cost of Attending page for actual costs.

1. Approval Code
2. Students Social Security Number
3. Student ID Number - at Cal Poly we call that their EMPLID

 

 

STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) BENEFITS

(As determined by the VA)

Post 9/11 GI Bill  

VR&E

Fry Scholarship

Ch 35 Dependents Educational Assistance

1606 – Select Reserve GI Bill           

Montgomery GI Bill

Our website has full details about each VA program and it’s benefits. Also visit the Cost of Attending page for actual costs.  

1. Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from VA.gov after the student has accepted their offer of admission.
2. Between 7/1 - 8/15, upload your COE to the Veterans Benefit Module in the Cal Poly Student Portal
3. Immediately after registering for classes, request certification of classes each quarter in the Veterans Benefit Module
4. Update the certification request within 7 days of making any changes to the student’s class schedule

The Veterans Benefit Module becomes available to incoming students after conditional status is dropped on or about 7/1. It is only used for VA benefits. Do not enter any Cal Vet College Fee Waiver or Tuition Assistance information in the module.

To access the Veterans Benefit Module through the Cal Poly student portal:

1. Log into the Cal Poly portal and navigate to Student Center
2. Select "Veterans Benefit" from the drop-down menu on the left, under Student Records
3. Select "Certification Request"
4. Complete the form, choosing to "Initiate Request"
5. Attach the student's (this will have the students name, not the sponsors/veterans name) Certificate of Eligibility or NOBE for their benefit. Do not attach any other paperwork to the module.
6. Choose the "Select Classes to Certify" button at the bottom of the page
7. Click the check boxes next to the enrolled, degree-applicable classes
8. Submit request, select "Ok" and "Return"
9. Adjust for any classes that are added, dropped or withdrawn within 7 days of making the change

 

 

MILITARY TUITION ASSISTANCE

(Active Duty and Reserve members)

Military tuition assistance is initially approved through the military members service branch.

1. Get permission from your unit
2. Make an account in your service education portal
3. Notify the CMCS that you will be using your TA for the upcoming quarter at militaryconnected.calpoly.edu

 

 

PRIORITY REGISTRATION

(Veterans, Active Duty, and Reserve members)

Priority registration is available to all students who have been honorably discharged from the US Military or are currently serving. Submit your DD214 or Common Access Card through our website to be placed on the list for upcoming terms.

 

 

CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING

(Veterans, Active Duty, and Reserve members)

Cal Poly strives to ensure that veterans and military members receive credit for service and prior learning accomplished through their service. Upon acceptance of your offer of admission to Cal Poly, you will be directed to submit official transcripts for all colleges you have attended. Your Joint Service Transcript is considered a college transcript and must be included. JST’s can be requested from the National Archives. Send official military education transcripts to: Registrar - Cal Poly, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo, CA 93407

 

 

OUT-OF-STATE STUDENTS

A waiver of out-of-state fees is available to eligible military-connected students. Students who are eligible for federal VA benefits and students who meet military service requirements can apply for a VACAA Waiver with the assistance of the CMCS team.

Students who are eligible for a VACAA Waiver will make this request as soon as they have their dorm address or have moved to California.

1. Change one address in the students Cal Poly portal to reflect their new California address
2. Submit your request here.