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UCLA Registrar's Office

Quick answers to veteran and military benefits questions.

Contacts

Who is the UCLA veterans benefits coordinator?

The UCLA Veterans Benefits Coordinator and school certifying official (CSO) is located in the Registrar’s Office, 1113 Murphy Hall. They handle all areas of veterans education benefits. The best way to contact the Veterans Benefits Coordinator is by e-mail. Documents should be submitted only through the benefit certification request. Include the 9-digit UCLA student ID number on all correspondence.

Who is the UCLA Veteran Resource Center director?

Emily Ives is the UCLA Veteran Resource Center director. She works with student veterans in all areas other than education benefits—resources, events, outreach, counseling, and special issues. Her office is located in 132 Kerckhoff Hall.

Who is the contact for general questions about VA education benefit eligibility or a submitted enrollment certification?

Contact a live representative at the VA education benefits telephone number 888-442-4551. Also see the VA Education and Training (GI Bill) website Ask a Question tab.

For Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) (chapter 31) benefits, call 510-637-6128. Students already enrolled in VR&E should contact a program counselor.

Benefit Coverage

Can more than one VA education benefit be used at the same time?

No. Only one VA education program (chapter) benefit can be used at the same time. A CalVet fee waiver can be used with chapter 33 or 35 benefits.

Does the VA reimburse national test (LSAT, GMAT, etc.) fees?

Yes. Contact the UCLA certifying official, or see VA form 22-0810 (Application for Reimbursement of National Exam Fee).

Do VA education benefits cover nonresident supplemental tuition?

No. However, nonresident supplemental tuition (NRST) can be waived under the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (VACAA) Section 702 for eligible students using Post-9/11 GI Bill or Montgomery GI Bill benefits.

Do VA education benefits cover the UCSHIP (health insurance) fee?

Montgomery Bill (chapters 30 and 1606), Survivors’ and Dependents Assistance (chapter 35), Veteran Readiness and Employment (chapter 31), and CalVet benefits do not cover the UCSHIP fee.

Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33) benefits cover the portion of the UCSHIP fee that corresponds to the GI Bill eligibility percentage on the student VA Certificate of Eligibility.

  • Example 1 If eligibility is 100 percent, the UCSHIP fee would be fully covered by VA benefits. There is no need to waive UCSHIP.
  • Example 2 If eligibility is 40 percent, 40 percent of the UCSHIP fee would be covered. Sixty percent of the fee would not be covered by VA benefits, and would be the student’s responsibility.

All VA education benefit recipients who have existing health care coverage should see the UCSHIP web page for information about waiving UCSHIP.

Some financial aid packages may include a grant for the UCSHIP fee. Aid recipients should check their eFAN for details.

Can VA education benefits be used toward a study abroad program?

Yes, with a few exceptions. Contact the Veterans Benefits Coordinator to discuss details of the specific program to verify that it qualifies.

Does the VA reimburse students for payments made to a tutor?

Yes. The VA will pay up to $100 per month for tutorial assistance. Inquire with the Veterans Benefits Coordinator, or see VA form 22-1990t (Application for Individualized Tutorial Assistance).

Financial Aid

How do VA education benefits affect a financial aid package?

Failure to report VA funding may result in the student receiving an over-award. This would be revealed by term-end reports. Any excess funding the student has received, whether it has already been spent or not, must be returned.

Students must inform UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships about upcoming VA funding as early as possible so their financial aid offer can be properly adjusted. VA funding can be easily reported on the student eFAN.

What financial aid can be used in addition to VA education benefits?

Students using any VA benefit can use any financial aid award that is considered general in nature (such as a Pell grant, student loan, or outside scholarship).

The UC systemwide rule of thumb is that financial awards specifically designated as being tuition- and fee-specific (Cal grant, University grant, UCSHIP grant, or UCSHIP waiver) cannot be used in addition to chapter 33, 31, or CalVet waiver funding.

Enrollment and Funding

Is a veteran or service member eligible for priority enrollment?

Yes. By law, active or former members of the U.S. armed forces, or former members who have left military service (with any discharge other than dishonorable or bad conduct), are eligible for priority enrollment. GI Bill recipients are automatically assigned a priority enrollment appointment. Those who do not currently receive GI Bill benefits must present proof of their military service (DD214 form or military ID) to the UCLA certifying official. Only students who are veterans or active-duty service members are eligible for priority enrollment; dependents are not eligible.

How are education benefits affected if a student enrolls in fewer units than full-time status?

Generally, UCLA students receiving VA education benefits enroll in a full-time course load. However, certification for a less than full-time course load can be made on request.

Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33)

Tuition and fees: A less than full-time course load does not affect the amount sent by the VA to UCLA toward tuition and fees.

Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33), Montgomery GI Bill (chapter 30 and 1606/1607), Veteran Readiness and Employment (chapter 31), Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (chapter 35)

MHA or stipend amounts are reduced according to the student rate-of-pursuit calculated by the VA.

  • Example An undergraduate student requests certification for 6 units, which is considered half-time enrollment. The student would receive 50 percent of the MHA or stipend.

CalVet benefits are not affected by a less than full-time course load.

How are education benefits affected if classes are dropped?

The Veterans Benefits Coordinator reports quarterly to the VA when a student doesn’t complete the number of units for which they were certified, or drops below full-time status (12 units or more for undergraduates, 8 units or more for most graduate students). The VA determines how or if it will bill the student for a portion of their tuition, MHA, or stipend funding.

  • Example 1 An undergraduate student was originally certified for 16 units, then dropped one class and remained enrolled in 12 units. Nothing is reported to the VA, since that student was still enrolled in a full-time course load.
  • Example 2 An undergraduate student was originally certified for 16 units, then dropped two classes and remained enrolled in 8 units. This is reported to the VA.

CalVet benefits are not affected by dropping a class.

How are education benefits affected if a student receives an NP, U, or F grade?

The Veterans Benefits Coordinator reports quarterly to the VA when a student doesn’t complete the number of units for which they were certified, including not receiving credit due to an NP (no pass), U (unsatisfactory), or F grade. The VA determines how or if it will bill the student for a portion of their tuition, MHA, or stipend funding.

  • Example An undergraduate student was originally certified for 15 units. The student received an NP grade in one class, resulting in the completion of only 11 units. This is reported to the VA.

CalVet benefits are not affected by an NP, U, or F grade.

How does a student know that benefit tuition funding has processed and posted?

Students using Post-9/11 GI Bill chapter 33 benefits see Ch.33 Fee Deferral on the BruinBill account the day enrollment is certified to the VA for that quarter. This ensures the student has paid-in-full status and classes aren’t dropped at the tuition-payment deadline, even as UCLA waits for VA funding to arrive. In addition to the deferral, an advance credit (Ch.33 VA Advanced) is placed on the BruinBill to expedite fund disbursement if entitled. Once UCLA receives payment from the VA the advance credit is removed so an over-award is not applied.

When VA funding arrives and posts, it appears on the BruinBill as

Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33): Chapter 33 VA payment
Veteran Readiness and Employment (chapter 31): Veteran’s Affairs
CalVet waiver: Veteran’s Dependent, with exact amount of charges covered for student services fee, tuition, and graduate professional degree supplemental tuition if applicable

Housing

Is a veteran or service member eligible for priority housing?

Yes. Priority housing is a benefit given to all student veterans and active-duty service members. Contact the Veteran Resource Center for more information.

For what period is the monthly housing allowance (MHA) or stipend issued?

MHA or stipend funds are paid by the VA for periods in which the student is enrolled in classes. There is no VA funding for times when the student is not enrolled, such as during an optional summer term.

Funds are sent directly to to the student on or about the first of the month, by check or direct deposit. Funding amount is based on the previous month’s enrollment.

  • Example If a quarter began on September 29, 2019 and ended on December 19, 2019, the payment schedule would have been
Date Payment
10/01/19 Prorated payment for two days of September
11/01/19 Full payment for October
12/01/19 Full payment for November
01/01/20 Prorated payment for 19 days of December

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website.