College Fee Waiver

What is the Cal VetÌýCollege Fee Waiver?

TheÌýCal Vet CollegeÌýFee Waiver (CVCFW) for Veteran Dependents benefit waives mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at any State of California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus. This programÌýdoes notÌýcover the expense of books, parking, or other 51AVÊÓƵ fees.Ìý Please review the Ìýfor additional information.

How does the process work?

This is a State of California benefit wherein 51AVÊÓƵ writes off the student’s state tuition each semester. This is not a VA program, and 51AVÊÓƵ is not the approving agency. No money is provided to 51AVÊÓƵ on the student’s behalf.ÌýOnce approved, the waiver letter contains a unique 16-digit code which is used by the college to access your information through the state website.

The waiver is good for one academic year, and each waiver can be accessed and used once. If you are taking classes at more than one public education institution, you must submit a separate waiver for each. The CVCFW does not have a minimum course load requirement. The waiver will be applied regardless of the number of units a student is taking. It is not applied to programs that do not charge state tuition.

Benefits Information & Income Threshold

Cal Vet A -Ìý There are no income restrictions under this plan.Ìý However, concurrent receipt of benefits under Plan A and VA Chapter 35 benefits is prohibited.ÌýTo receive benefits under this plan, a dependent must sign a Form VSD-020 "Election To Receive College Fee Waiver Benefits" statement acknowledging this fact. For children to be eligible, the event which caused basic entitlement to benefits must have occurred prior to the child's 21st birthday.

Basic Provisions:

  • 100% total and permanent.
  • Spouse - no age limit restrictions.
  • Unmarried child - must be over 14 and under 27 years.
  • IfÌýthe child is a Veteran the age limit is extended to age 30.

Cal Vet B - The current income threshold for 2025-26 cannot exceed $22,273.Ìý

Basic Provisions:

  • No age limit for student.Ìý Can be full or part time. No in person class needed.
  • Allows for a 0 -Ìý100% ratingÌý(does not have to be total & permanent) in accordance with the income limitation for the current academic year.
  • Allows dependent children of a parent who is 100% disabled to simultaneously utilize Chapter 35 Benefits, assuming they meet other stipulated criteria. Chapter 35 current maximum monthly stipendÌýis $1,536.

Effective January 1, 2024 Plan B applicant income, which includes the student's adjusted gross income for the priorÌý year plus the value of any support received from a parent, will no longer be measured against the federal poverty threshold limitÌýwhen making a fee waiver eligibility determination. Instead, beginning with Academic Year 2024-25, the student's income will not be allowed to exceed the state poverty level as published in the resident requirement filing chart found on the Franchise Tax Board website.Ìý This change was brought aboutÌýby the passage ofÌýÌýin October 2023.

Waiver Submission

StudentsÌýmust submit their completed application to their local County Veterans Service Office (CVSO). They may take their documents in person, mail them, or fax their documents to 805-445-4771. If the student is approved to use the CalVet Fee Waiver program, anÌýaward letter is issued by the CVSO.Ìý Letters are sent via email, and are typically received within 10 business days.

Veterans Services Office
The Palms, 2000 Outlet Center Drive, Suite C-220
Oxnard, CA 93036

Phone: 805-477-5155

Documents to submit (copies are accepted)Ìý

  • Original completed application
  • Government-issued photo ID/driver's license
  • Government-issuedÌýbirth certificate (must show the names of both parents)
  • Adoption records, as applicable, and parent marriage certificates
  • Stepchild Certification form (if applicant is veteran's stepchild)
  • Veterans Disability Rating Letter
  • Student'sÌýsigned/dated 1040 from the Prior tax yearÌýOR
  • Student's Individual Status Letter of Non-Filing (if student is applying under Plan B and did not file taxes) *IfÌýyou require this letter, please review the information below

Note: If a student is submitting for Cal Vet A, they do not need to bring a copy of their 1040, however, they must provide a signed Form VSD-020 "Election To Receive College Fee Waiver Benefits" statement (see 'Income Threshold' above)

Authorization/Award Letter

Upon award letter receipt, it is the student’s responsibility to provide the letter containing their assigned 16-digit identification number to the 51AVÊÓƵ Financial Aid Office. This number is in bold at the top of their letter.

FTB Non-Filing Letter

An Individual Status Letter states that an individual has no California tax obligation and/or filing requirement. They help a requester in the process of either obtaining a student loan or financing from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Individual Status Letters may be obtained by an individual, the parent of a minor child, or by an authorized representative of the requester. This is a quick 3-part process – via the email submission information found in the link above.Ìý

  • The studentÌýis asked to submit their name, address, phone number, and email.
  • The student receives an email back from the FTB typically within 5-7 days, asking them to clarify the tax year for which they require information, and to upload their Photo ID and Social Security card.
  • The student receives their Individual Status Letter back via USPS, typically within 10 business days. Note: time frames can vary.
  • Upon receipt, the student is ready to take all necessary documents to the local Veterans Services Office, ORÌýsubmit theirÌýapplication and supporting documents via email to: HSA-Veterans@ventura.org OR fax them to: 805-477-5418.

CalVet - Women Veterans

California is home to nearly 163,000 women who served in our U.S. military. They are veterans, family members, friends, business owners, professionals, community leaders, and advocates. Women Veterans served in every major U.S. conflict and in peacetime since our Revolutionary War. For this they are owed a great debt of gratitude.

Minority & Underrepresented Veterans

While minority veterans comprise approximately 47% of the total California veteran population, as a group, they are less likely to access their veterans benefits than non-minority veterans. The Minority and Underrepresented Veterans Division will ensure that all veterans have equal access to their earned benefits, regardless of race, ethnic origin, religion, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Driver's Licenses

A new law for 2023 - Veteran Designation on Driver's Licenses (SB 837) eliminates the $5 fee for obtaining a military “VETERAN" designation on a driver's license or identification (ID) card.Ìý

Eligible veterans have the opportunity to add the word "VETERAN" to the front of their driver license or ID card to indicate that they have served in the U.S. Military. ÌýIt can also play a critical role in enabling access to certain privileges, and benefits associated with being a veteran without having to carry and produce a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Interested veterans need to present a valid DD Form 214 to a local CVSO to receive a Veteran Status Verification form. Then, the veteran takes the CVSO verification form to a DMV field office for processing. DMV could charge the standard cost of a new, renewal, or duplicate license fee for this enhancement.