You've made the important decision to continue your education. Whether you're an undergraduate student or graduate student, attending college for the first time or continuing your studies, there's a lot to understand and organize when it comes to using your VA education benefits.

It's important to know what your benefits are and how to use them, to know what forms are required and to be sure you submit them on time, and to know what the processes are for students at CU Anschutz.

We've outlined all the details here, from an explanation of benefits, to a checklist of the steps to take throughout the process, and an overview of residency requirements. So, start here and become familiar with the procedures and requirements. Then, if you have questions, reach out to our VMSS staff for the answers at VMSS@ucdenver.edu​.

How Your Benefits Work


You’re ready to begin your college career or continue it. You’ll be using VA Education Benefits. So, before you even start going to class, there’s a lot for you to learn about how your benefits work and the policies and procedures you'll follow to successfully access and use your benefits.  

You’ll need to know the requirements for your specific benefit. And, as you’re navigating through forms and procedures, you’ll be hearing some terms that might be new to you. Among other items, you’ll want to understand certification requests, financial aid, sponsor payments, and eligibility percentage. Undergraduate students who are Colorado residents may qualify for the College Opportunity Fund.

Take a look through the details provided, then check in with your VMSS staff with any questions at VMSS@ucdenver.edu​ .

The College Opportunity Fund (​COF)​ is a tuition stipend available to undergraduate students who are residents of Colorado.

Post 9-11 GI Bill®

  • For students 100% eligible, accepting COF reduces the amount of tuition and fees billed to the VA
  • For students 90% eligible and below, accepting COF reduces the amount of tuition and fees billed to the VA and lessens the amount that is the student’s responsibility
    • 60% eligible without COF – If tuition and fees total $1000, the amount billed to the VA is $1000 and the student’s responsibility is $400
    • 60% eligible with COF - If tuition and fees total $1000 and $400 is received for COF, the amount billed to the VA is $600, making the student’s responsibility $240

For students using other types of Military Education Benefits who only receive a monthly stipend, accepting COF reduces your tuition and fees.​

Veteran & Military Residency


Military-Connected In-State Residency

Military-connected students living in the state of Colorado may qualify for in-state residency for tuition purposes. If you think you may qualify, please submit the appropriate document based on your status:

Documentation submission deadline:

Veteran & Military Tuition Assistance


Tuition Assistance (TA) is a benefit to active duty military, reservists, and the National Guard. TA is processed by the Bursar’s Third Party Billing department. To use TA, students should go to the appropriate TA platform and apply. The following information will be required to be approved for TA: 

 

  • Contact your Base’s Education Office or go to the appropriate website listed in the chart below.
  • Upload your Degree Plan (commonly known as your Degree Audit)
    • When you run your Degree Audit, expand all sections of the audit, go to Print the page, then change the Printer to Save as PDF. (Can we make this a question mark that students can click on to get this additional info?)
    • Update copy annually to verify that the class you are attempting to use TA Funding for will progress your degree. 
  • Complete a CU Denver Third Party Student Agreement Form.  

There is more information about the process to utilize TA at Third-Party Billing's Website.  Any questions about CU Denver’s processes for using TA Funding should be directed to thirdpartybilling@ucdenver.edu .


 
ARMY NAVY AIR FORCE SPACE FORCE MARINES COAST GUARD NATIONAL GUARD  
 
Website Army IgnitED MyNavy Education  Air Force Virtual Education Center Air Force Virtual Education Center Marines TA  Coast Guard TA State TA  
Type of Tuition Assistance Federal Tuition Assistance Federal Tuition Assistance Federal Tuition Assistance Federal Tuition Assistance Federal Tuition Assistance Federal Tuition Assistance State Tuition Assistance 
Amount per Credit Hour $250  $250  $250  $250  $250  $250  100% tuition after COF 
Annual TA Cap $4,000  $3,000  $4,500  $4,500  $4,500  $2,250  $5000 per Semester 
GPA Requirements (Undergrad) 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.5 2.0 2.5 
GPA Requirements (Grad) 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.5 
TA Application Window No later than 10 days before class start date 60 to 15 days before class start date 45 days to 7 days in advance 45 days to 7 days in advance 60 days in advance, must be approved prior to start date 90 days to 14 days in advance Apply during Application period on Website below for each Term 
Credit Caps (Undergraduate) 130 120 Lifetime 128 128 *TA will be authorized for your FIRST Bachelor’s Degree   130 132 Lifetime 
Credit Caps (Graduate) 39 120 Lifetime 42 42 *TA will be authorized for your FIRST Master’s Degree   40 132 Lifetime 

 

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 website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.