Enrollment and Tuition

Military-affiliated students can receive priority enrollment and a nonresident tuition waiver.

Priority Registration

Pursuant to section 66025.8 of the California Education Code, active members of the U.S. Armed Forces and former members who have left service (with any discharge except dishonorable or bad conduct) within the last 15 years, and who are residents of California, may enroll during the undergraduate priority enrollment.

Veteran and active military students who currently receive GI Bill benefits are automatically assigned a priority enrollment appointment. Veteran and active military students who do not currently receive GI Bill benefits must present proof of veteran or active military status (DD form 214 or military ID) to the UC Irvine Veteran Benefits Office to receive priority enrollment.

See Enrollment Windows for more information.

Tuition

Per-Unit Tuition

The U.S. Department of Defense Tuition Assistance (TA) program requires that participating institutions charge tuition to TA recipients (active and reserve military) on a per-unit or per-course basis, rather than as a flat amount per term.

California Residence for Tuition Purposes

A student who is not a California resident for tuition purposes must pay nonresident supplemental tuition (NRST) in addition to all other university-wide and campus-based tuition and fees. The VA does not pay nonresident supplemental tuition. There are, however, options for qualifying as a resident or for exemption from nonresident tuition.

Statement of Legal Residence or Petition for Residence Classification

California residence is determined through review of the Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) by the UC Irvine Residency Officers. The UC Irvine Registrar’s Office website contains detailed information about residence classification for tuition purposes. Continuing nonresident students may petition for resident status. Please contact a UC Irvine Residency Officer at regres@uci.edu to determine if you are eligible for any military non-resident tuition exemptions.

Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act

The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACAA) of 2014 allows military-connected students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits to qualify for nonresident tuition exemptions.

Effective academic year 2022-2023, students using VA education benefits (i.e., Chapters 30, 31, 33, or 35) may qualify for non-resident tuition exemptions if they are living in the state of the institution, regardless of formal state of residence.

For other exemptions from nonresident tuition that may apply to you, visit the UC Irvine University Registrar’s website at: https://reg.uci.edu/residency/classification.html. The Statement for Legal Residence is found here: https://www.reg.uci.edu/residency/downloads/slr.pdf. All questions related to determining your residency and eligibility for a VACAA waiver should be directed to the UC Irvine Residence Officer in the University Registrar. They may be contacted at regres@uci.edu or (949) 824-6124.

Financial Aid

Students may receive a combination of aid up to the cost of attendance. Financial Aid and Scholarships coordinates all aid and benefits so that a student is not awarded more than their eligibility. Notifying the office of expected VA and CalVet benefits avoids over awards and having to repay any portion of aid received. Students apply for financial aid through the annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). See financial aid Veterans Benefits for more information.

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.