Initiation of Veterans Benefits
Students should apply for veterans’ education benefits directly with the VA. Once approved for the GI Bill, the VA sends a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) award letter to the student. A copy of this document must be submitted to the UCLA certifying official for enrollment certification.
Receiving Benefits
First-time recipients should receive their benefits in approximately six to eight weeks. Continuing students should receive their benefits in approximately three weeks.
Enrollment
Certification
Student enrollment must be certified by the UCLA certifying official. Contact the UCLA certifying official, Ryan Redding, in person at the Registrar’s Office, 1113 Murphy Hall, or by e-mail, for assistance with certification.
Once the student has received the COE from the VA, a copy must be submitted to the UCLA certifying official by e-mail, in person, or by fax to 310-206-4520.
New transfer students who used GI Bill benefits at their previous institution and wish to continue using GI Bill benefits at UCLA must submit a VA form 22-1995, Request for Change of Program or Place of Training, with the COE. Dependents of veterans transferring to UCLA must submit a VA form 22-5495, Dependents’ Request for Change of Program or Place of Training. The form is also available at the Registrar’s Office.
Priority Enrollment through MyUCLA
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 pass. 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 UCLA certifying official to receive priority enrollment.
Returning to Active Duty from UCLA
A student receiving VA benefits and called to active duty must provide a copy of the military orders to the Registrar’s veterans benefits coordinator so that the VA can be notified of the student’s new status.
A continuing student who has been called to compulsory military service should notify UCLA as follows:
- A student who has paid registration fees prior to the beginning of instruction must complete a Cancellation of Registration form.
Follow the completion and filing instructions on the form and submit it, with a copy of military orders, in person at 1113 Murphy Hall. The student is eligible for a 100 percent refund less a $10 cancellation of registration fee.
- A student who has paid registration fees and is called to active duty after instruction begins should complete a Withdrawal Notice.
Follow the completion and filing instructions on the form and submit it, with a copy of military orders, in person at 1113 Murphy Hall. The student is eligible for a 100 percent refund less a $10 cancellation of registration fee.
For guidance about how withdrawal will affect academic progress, contact the appropriate school or College academic counseling unit.
- A student who has not paid registration fees may declare nonattendance through MyUCLA.
Returning to UCLA from Active Duty
Undergraduate Student
A student absent for one term need not provide any specific notification. Registration information is automatically generated for the next term. Check the Registrar’s Office website for enrollment appointments and fee deadlines.
A student absent for more than one term must apply for readmission. Complete an Undergraduate Readmission Application by the appropriate deadline.
| Readmission Term |
Application Deadline |
| Fall Term |
August 15 |
| Winter Term |
November 25 |
| Spring Term |
February 25 |
|
For more information about undergraduate admission for veterans, see the undergraduate admission veterans page.
Graduate Student
Anyone who has ever registered as a graduate student at UCLA, whether or not a graduate program was completed, must complete the online graduate admission application and submit the appropriate application fee. Formal application for readmission is not required of a UCLA graduate student returning from an official leave of absence, or of a currently enrolled UCLA graduate student changing from one major to another. For more information on returning to graduate programs and the online graduate admission application, see the graduate admissions website.