Benefits Certification

Submit your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

Submit your Request for Certification (RFC)

Learn how student status is certified by UC Irvine so that benefits can be applied

Federal VA Education Benefits

Enrollment Certification

UCI enters the following information into the online VA system:

• Term start and end dates
• Number of units in which the student is enrolled
• Amount of tuition and fees charged (if applicable)

The student receives an automated e-mail message from the VA confirming that certification has been made.

Payment and Funding

UC Irvine places a fee deferral on the student ZotBill account, for paid-in-full status until VA funding arrives, so the student is not dropped from classes at the fee-payment deadline. A credit memo is also placed on the ZotBill to offset any tuition and fee balance until VA funding arrives.

Tuition funding is sent directly from the VA to UC Irvine and is posted to the student ZotBill account.

Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)/Stipend funding is sent directly from the VA to the student on or about the first of each month, by check or direct deposit. It is recommended that the student enroll in direct deposit with the VA.

The funding amount is based on the student’s entitlement rate and enrollment status. These can be found on the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or Statement of Benefits statement. For example, if the entitlement rate is 60%, and the student is enrolled with full-time standing, then the student receives 60% of the MHA amount.

Processing and Reporting

UC Irvine processes enrollment certifications for each term to which the student applied.

Amendments are made to enrollment certification during the term if any financial changes (such as a late Cal Grant award, late UCSHIP waiver, etc.) occur.

Incomplete, or NP grade that resulted in the student dropping below full-time enrollment must be reported to the VA. This may result in the student being billed for some or all VA funding.

Academic Standing

Per the VA Standards of Progress, all students receiving VA educational benefits must be in good academic standing. An undergraduate student with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) below 2.0, a graduate student with a cumulative GPA below 3.0, or a School of Law student with a cumulative GPA below 2.5 for two consecutive academic terms (i.e., quarter or semester) will have their VA education benefits terminated. Education benefits will be reinstated when the undergraduate student’s cumulative GPA is 2.0 or above, the graduate student’s cumulative GPA is 3.0 or above, or a School of Law student’s cumulative GPA is 2.5 or above.

Please note this policy is separate and distinct from the UCI Normal Progress Requirement and the UCI Academic Standing Requirement. The VA Standards of Progress requirement is related to the receipt of VA education benefits.

Inquiries

For all inquiries concerning remaining eligibility, VA billing for incompletion of course load, or status of an enrollment certification that has already been submitted, contact the VA directly at (888) 442-4551 or through other methods shown on the VA Education and Training website. If using VR&E benefits, contact a vocational rehabilitation counselor.

California Veterans (CalVet) College Fee Waiver

Please note that the CalVet College Fee Waiver is processed by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at fafiscal@uci.edu.

Upon submission of the CalVet award letter, the UC Irvine Residency Office will confirm that the student qualifies as a California resident. Once resident status is confirmed, the waiver is applied and posted to all regular terms (fall, winter, and spring). The UC Irvine academic year begins in fall term and runs through the end of summer session 2. For example, a CalVet award letter identified as 2023-2024 applies to fall 2023, winter 2024, spring 2024, and summer 2024 terms.

The CalVet waiver specifically waives charges for tuition, student services fee, and graduate student professional degree supplemental tuition only. UC Irvine Tuition and fees are flat amounts based on enrollment status and program, not on enrolled units. So, the CalVet waiver can be used regardless of the number of units in which a student enrolls, completes, drops, or from which they withdraw.

Students must apply for an updated CalVet waiver each year. This is done through a local servicing office (CVSO). A copy of the updated award letter must be submitted to the UC Irvine Veteran Benefits Office before the start of each academic year.

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.