Student Veterans-California

Legislation
CA Assembly Bill 13, signed in the fall of 2014, requires California public colleges to update their admission policies in order to protect veterans from losing their GI Bill benefits while attending college. AB 13 will request the University of California, California Community Colleges and California State University to come into compliance with the new federal law with the hopes of granting in-state tuition to all persons eligible for Title 38 funding (GI Bill beneficiaries), even if the student is not a current California resident.

Troops to College program
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger created the Troops to College program to attract veterans to California’s public institutions and make campuses more veteran friendly.

Under the program, veterans can — depending on their length of service — be eligible for a full ride on tuition and fees at a public college or university, which is about $3,000 at a California State University campus and $7,700 at UC Berkeley. Also, a veteran can receive up to $1,000 for books and supplies and a living stipend of up to $1,450 a month.

California State University will guarantee admission to a total of 115 military personnel each year, selected by admirals and lieutenants. Other veterans will have their applications evaluated separately from regular applicants.

http://www.troopstocollege.ca.gov/

SDSU lays out welcome mat for veterans
To welcome returning troops, San Diego State University has established a campus veterans center and a plethora of scholarship and funding available to our country’s newest veterans. Military housing might even be available on fraternity row, and the campus center will answer veterans’ financial aid questions and give them a place to relax.

Veterans who lack the course requirements or grades for admission will have their file reviewed by an administrator, a retired Army lieutenant colonel. Once enrolled, veterans get priority in selecting classes.

Last year, SDSU enrolled 805 veterans, 65 reservists, 157 active-duty personnel and 139 military dependents.

http://universe.sdsu.edu/military/

California National Guard Tuition Program:
“NG APLE” National Guard Assumption Program of Loans for Education. (Effective July 2004)

Applications can be made at local county veterans service offices.

Additional information is available from the California Department of Veterans Affairs.

Sources: Student Veterans of America, American Legion