New to Cal Poly?
Congratulations on your admission to Cal Poly! We are thrilled to welcome you to our community of veterans, service members, and military families. This is a significant milestone, and the Center for Military-Connected Students (CMCS) is here to ensure your transition to campus life is as smooth and successful as possible.
Stay Informed: This page is your primary hub for upcoming orientations, welcome events, and critical deadlines. Information will be updated frequently throughout the Spring and Summer, so we recommend bookmarking this page and checking back often for the latest news and event schedules.
A Note for Parents & Supporters: Empowering Your Student
We know that behind every successful student is a dedicated support system. As your student prepares for life at Cal Poly, we invite you to partner with us in fostering their independence and leadership.
While it is tempting to take the lead on university paperwork and benefit certifications, we strongly encourage students to manage these processes directly. Navigating the requirements for military education benefits is an essential first step in understanding the responsibilities they will hold as independent scholars.
Why Student-Led Success Matters:
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Ownership: Students who manage their own files develop a deeper understanding of their educational entitlements and campus requirements.
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Direct Communication: Most university and VA communications are sent directly to the student; being the primary point of contact ensures they never miss a critical update.
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Readiness: Taking charge of these steps now builds the confidence they need to navigate the university environment once they are here on campus.
We are always here to offer guidance and answer questions for both students and families. Thank you for supporting them as they take the lead on this exciting new chapter!
| WHEN | TASK | LINK | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOW | Fill out this form to be entered into our database. This form only needs to be filled out once, although you will see it on multiple pages of the CMCS website | CLICK HERE | ||
| NOW | Connect with us on Instagram to stay updated on events, workshops and benefits information @calpolyveterans | CLICK HERE | ||
| NOW |
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CLICK HERE | ||
| NOW | Using a VA benefit? Check out all of the information on applying and using that benefit Post 9/11 GI Bill, Fry Scholarship, Edith Norse Rogers STEM Scholarship, VR&E, CH 35 Dependents Educational Assistance, Montgomery GI Bill | CLICK HERE | ||
| NOW | Are you an out-of-state student using a VA benefit? You could qualify for a VACAA Waiver and have your extra fees waived. Review our residency information here | CLICK HERE | ||
| NOW | Using a Cal Vet College Fee Waiver? You'll find all of the info you need to apply and turn it into us here | CLICK HERE | ||
| NOW | Have you served in the military? Request that your JST or College of the Air Force transcripts be sent to Cal Poly with any other transcripts you have |
JST: CLICK HERE
AIR FORCE/SPACE FORCE: CLICK HERE |
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| NOW | Current service members - review our Tuition Assistance and CMD GI Bill policies here | CLICK HERE | ||
| MID JULY | Veterans and service members can request Priority Registration for terms after their initial enrollment | CLICK HERE | ||
| WHEN THE STUDENT HAS A CALIFORNIA ADDRESS | Are you an out-of-state student who could be eligible for a waiver of out-of-state fees? | CLICK HERE |
| benefit | apply when? | apply where? | who is eligible? | MORE INFO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post 9/11 GI Bill | NOW |
Dependents: CLICK HERE |
Veterans, Service members, & Dependents whose sponsor transferred benefits to them while in the military | CLICK HERE | |
| Fry Scholarship | NOW | CLICK HERE | The child or surviving spouse of a service member or member of the Selected Reserve who died on or after September 11, 2001 | CLICK HERE | |
| STEM Scholarship | Enrolled in a STEM program and have 6 months or less of GI Bill benefits left | CLICK HERE | Eligible Veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill or dependents using the Fry Scholarship | CLICK HERE | |
| Montgomery GI Bill (Selected Reserve) | NOW | CLICK HERE | Members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard | CLICK HERE | |
| CH 35 Dependents Educational Assistance | NOW | CLICK HERE | The child or spouse of a Veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability | CLICK HERE | |
| Tuition Assistance | NOW | Through your service portal with permission from your Command | Eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard | CLICK HERE | |
| CMCD GI Bill | NOW |
FAFSA & CSAC websites |
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CLICK HERE | |
| Cal Vet College Fee Waiver | AFTER MAY 1st | Through your local County Veterans Service Office (CVSO) | Dependent of a service-connected disabled veteran. The student must be deemed a California resident | CLICK HERE | |
| VR&E | NOW | CLICK HERE | Disabled veterans and separating service members | CLICK HERE |
*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.
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 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.
Warrior-Scholar: The Veteran’s College Success Kit
This free course teaches veterans to unlock their enormous potential to excel in the college classroom. Through a mix of direct instruction, lively classroom discussion, and tailored readings and activities, the College Success Kit provides a first-of-its-kind course applicable to every veteran pursuing a college education.
The course was designed by leaders at Warrior-Scholar Project, a national nonprofit that has supported thousands of enlisted veterans to and through college over the past fifteen years, in collaboration with Yale University’s digital education team and with generous funding from the Northrop Grumman Foundation. It meets student veterans where they are, speaking to the unique challenges of transitioning from the military into higher education.
There are nine modules in this course, each containing essential information that helps veterans not just survive college, but thrive.
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 |
