Financial Aid and Vet Benefits

• Can I Receive both Financial Aid and Veterans Benefits?

  Yes! You can receive both VA educational benefits and financial aid by filling out the FAFSA. You may be eligible for federal, state and/or institutional loans and scholarships in addition to your VA educational benefits. Veteran students are considered independent students per FAFSA guidelines, and you do not need to report your parent financial data.

  Reminder: The FAFSA is available starting October 1 for the following academic year and the priority deadline to be considered for state and institutional grants is March 2 – so don’t forget to complete the FAFSA early!

• Can my VA Benefits Affect my Financial Aid?

  Yes. In some cases, your financial aid can be affected by your VA educational benefits. The only benefits that may affect your financial aid award is the Chapter 33 tuition and fees paying portion and the CA Veterans College Tuition Waiver. Each award is different, so the VA benefit may affect each person’s award differently. But by filling out the FAFSA, you will maximize your funding for school and in most cases receive substantially more funding.

• Can I Receive both the Cal Grant and the CA Veterans College Tuition Fee Waiver?

  No. The Cal Vet Tuition Waiver and the Cal Grant are both considered fee-paying resources and they both cover the same thing, therefore, students are only eligible to receive one during a period of enrollment. The Cal Grant will take precedence and automatically credit to the BARC account to cover UC registration fees. The Cal Vet Tuition Waiver can be applied to a summer program, as the Cal Grant is not automatically awarded during summer session.

• What Scholarships are Available for Veterans and Military Dependents?

  You are also encouraged to apply for additional outside scholarships. Check out additional scholarships sources and information the Veterans Resource Center website.

• Do I have to Report my Veterans Education Benefits on the FAFSA?

  No. You do not have to report VA education benefits on the FAFSA. However, you do need to report non-education VA benefits on the FAFSA. Non-education benefits include: disability, death pension, dependency indemnity compensation and/or VA Work-Study allowances.

• Who can I Contact About Financial Aid and VA Benefits?

  For general questions and information about the FAFSA and financial aid, please stop by or contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. For questions about VA benefits and/or how your VA benefits will affect your financial aid award, contact the VA Certifying Official located in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.