Transforming Military Experience to College Success

California State University, Fresno has a veteran service office dedicated to helping veterans and active-duty personnel take advantage of the university’s incredible opportunities, and to make full use of their benefits.

• All active-duty military personnel stationed in California and their dependents are eligible for waiver of non-resident fees while attending as an undergraduate, and for one year while attending graduate studies at California State University, Fresno.
• Servicemembers who remain in California after discharge from active duty may also be eligible for a waiver of non-resident fees.
• Servicemembers who have a California “home of record” are eligible to pay California resident fees regardless of current duty station or assignment.
• Dependents of service-connected disabled veterans may be eligible for waiver of systemwide fees while attending California State University, Fresno.
• Veterans and active-duty students may use their Montgomery GI Bill benefits while attending California State University, Fresno.
• Active-duty servicemembers may use DOD tuition assistance and other educational benefits at California State University, Fresno.

Students planning to attend Fresno State should contact the Veterans Services Office a couple months prior to the beginning of their first semester to learn how to file for benefits. Students that miss the application deadline due to circumstances beyond their control (i.e. serving in the military active duty) should contact the Veterans Services Office or Office of Admissions for information regarding petition appeal process.

At Fresno State we offer:
Educational benefits to veterans and dependents under:

• Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty)
• Chapter 31: Service connected disabled veteran with a disability status of 20% or more. (Vocational Rehabilitation)
• Chapter 1606: National Guard or Reserve (Montgomery GI Bill – Reservists)
• Chapter 1607: For certain reservists who were activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001.(Reserve Educational Assistance Program)
• Chapter 35: Dependents, widows, and widowers. (Dependents Educational Assistance)
• California Veterans Fee Waiver Program (Dependents of Veterans with a Service-Connected Disability)

The California Veterans Fee Waiver Program is offered through California Veterans Certification Offices, located in counties throughout California. Information on this program (eligibility information, application form, instructions on how to apply, locations for County Veterans Certification Office) can be found at: http://www.cacvso.org.

The link to the College Tuition Fee Waiver Application can be found at: http://www.cdva.ca.gov/VetService/DocsAndImages/dvs40.pdf.

To identify the eligibility requirements and benefits, go to : http://www.csufresno.edu/are/registrar/veterans/benefits.shtml

Please note that in order for a student to use their benefits while attending California State University, Fresno the student must be a regularly matriculated student and all classes taken must be required for the educational objective selected.

Priority Registration
In recognition of the men and women that serve us and our country, SB 272 (Runner) was signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on October 9, 2007. The bill grants priority college registration to veterans attending public colleges and universities. Veterans may use priority registration beginning Summer 2008. This means you will have the opportunity to register for classes before all other students.

Veterans Receiving Educational Benefits
If you are eligible for VA Educational Benefits (Chapters 30, 31, 32, 1606, 1607), please call (559) 278-7030 and make an appointment to see Robyn Gutierrez to register. Robyn Gutierrez is the Veterans Benefits Coordination for California State University, Fresno.

Veterans must:

• Submit a copy of their DD Form 214 (Member-4 copy) to the Admissions & Records Office.
• Make a registration appointment with a counselor at (559) 278-7030 one week after submitting DD Form 214 to the Admissions & Records Office.

Veterans NOT Receiving Educational Benefits
Veterans who are not eligible for VA Educational Benefits are also entitled to priority registration.

California State University, Fresno values its veterans, active duty military and dependent students. We will do everything in our ability to aid you in your transition from servicemember to student.

Credit for Military Experience
California State University, Fresno is guided by the recommendations of the American Council on Education in granting undergraduate credit toward the bachelor's degree for military service. Post-graduate credit is not granted.

To obtain credit for military service, you must be fully matriculated, be enrolled at the university, and submit a SMARTS or AARTS transcript, Form DD-214 or DD-295 to:

California State University, Fresno
Admissions & Records Office
5150 N. Maple M/S JA57
Fresno, CA 93740

Contact information:
Fresno State Veterans Services: (559) 278-7030.