Review the frequently asked questions below to learn more about how your VA Benefits might interact with your regular financial aid awards.
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!
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.
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.
You are also encouraged to apply for additional outside scholarships. Check out our links for additional Veterans scholarship sources.
No. There is no place on the FAFSA to report VA education benefits.
For general questions:
Information about the FAFSA and financial aid, please stop by or contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
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.