Benefits Overview

Your State and Educational Benefits 

As a Division of Student Affairs, the Veterans Resource Center assists eligible student Veterans, Active Service persons, Dependents, Reservists, and National Guard Members with state and federal education benefit programs.

San José State University provides enrollment certification to the Department of Veterans Affairs for Veterans and Dependents and accepts the College Fee Waiver for Cal Vet recipients. We also assist students with their required VA Educational Plan and serve as liaison between the Office of the Registrar and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

For questions related to Tuition Assistance program, the Department of Education Title IV funding, Veterans Affairs education benefits, and institution-based services to Service members about academic counseling, financial aid counseling, job search support, or other student support services at the educational institution - please contact our front desk staff at:  408-924-8129  

Using GI BILL®? 

Use the MYSJSU Veterans Benefits module:

You will submit your GI Bill Benefits Request For Certification* straight through your MYSJSU portal!  Use your SJSU username/password to log in to your MYSJSU account, then follow these directions on how to submit your request to be certified: Directions for MySJSU Vet Benefits portal

*please note, this is only for GI Bill benefits, CalVet fee waivers will need to submit those through the Calvet Fee Waiver Google Doc (see below).

CalVet Tuition Fee Waiver Submission Form for the AY 2024/2025:

• CALVET 2024/2025: Submit Fee Waiver here (must submit your County Veterans Service Office approval letter and enter your award code in the google form.  You need to reapply for Calvet tuition fee waiver each Academic year)

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Rate of Pursuit for BAH purposes:

Undergrad Fall/Spring:

12+=full time 

8-12=3/4

6.1-7.5= greater than 1/2

4-6.0=less than half

1-3=1/4 time

Graduate Fall/Spring:

8+=full time

6-7.5=3/4 time

4.5-5.5= greater than 1/2 time

2.5-4=less than 1/2

1-2=1/4 time

Undergrad Summer:

5 week:  3.5+ =full time, 3 units=3/4 time, 2-2.5= half time, 1-1.5=1/4 time

10 week: 7+=full time, 5.5-6 =3/4 time, 4-5= 1/2 time, 1-3.5= 1/4 time 

Graduate Summer:

5 week: 1.5+=full time, 1=3/4 time, .5=1/4 time (there's no half time equivalent)

10 week: 3.5+=full time, 2.5=3/4 time, 2=half time, 1.5=less than 1/2 time, 1=1/4 time

Military-Affiliated Students Awaiting VA Payment

A student using Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits (CH31), Post-9/11 GI Bill® (CH33), or Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance program (Chapter 35) will be allowed to enroll in and attend courses and access campus facilities while the campus awaits payment for tuition and fees from the VA.

While awaiting receipt of funds from the VA, SJSU will not impose any penalty, charge late fees or require an eligible student to borrow additional funds to cover tuition or fees.This waiting period begins the date the student provides appropriate documentation and continues either until funds are received from the VA or until 90 days after the School Certifying Official has certified the student’s enrollment for tuition and fees.

To demonstrate current eligibility and intent to use Chapter 31, 33, or 35 benefits, a student must provide the following documents:

• VA Form 28-1905 (Authorization and Certification of Entrance or Reentrance into Rehabilitation and Certification of Status); or
• Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or Education Enrollment Status form (printed from the VA website)
• A written or CMS Veterans Module request to use VA Veterans Readiness and Employment,  Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, or Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance benefits
• All additional information requested by the School Certifying Official to properly certify enrollment to the VA:
  • Education Plan/Campus Roadmap for major
  • Enrollment Verification Form 
  • DD-214 (for veterans)

For more information regarding this policy, contact your School Certifying Official: Michelle Hayes Ocampo, Isaiah Henderson, or call 408-924-8129.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government GI Bill website.

Tuition Assistance

If you will be using Tuition Assistance to cover your tuition charges with your Branch approval, please send our office your official TA Authorization, or email your intent to use TA, once you have enrolled in courses and applied for your TA.  It is recommended that Service members should speak with their Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within their Military Service prior to enrolling in the institution to better understand your TA process. 

Please email TA  Authorization/Intent email to:  veterans@sjsu.edu

OR Call Maggie Morales, Director of the Veterans Resource Center, with any TA questions @ SJSU:  408-924-8129

• Students who are participating in the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance program may find additional information about tuition rates here:
  https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/6657197/latest/

VA Education and Training Comparison Tool

You may be eligible for various types of VA educational benefits, but there are many things to consider before you apply for the GI Bill program.  For most participants, the Post 9/11 GI Bill is the best option. Other students would benefit more from the Montgomery GI Bill. The GI Bill comparison tool will help you evaluate which education and training option is best for you.

Examples of Summer Enrollment Benefits-Undergrad rate of pursuit