UCLA Extension proudly participates in several government assistance programs, including:
See below for eligible certificate programs and how to enroll and apply for benefits.
Registration Deadlines for Receiving Benefits
UCLA Extension programs run quarterly. We recommend that you submit enrollment paperwork to our office at least two weeks prior to the start of the quarter to ensure that your selected course(s) are still open and that paperwork can be processed in time. Please see the priority deadlines for corresponding semester quarters below. Although you may still apply to receive military and veteran benefits after these deadlines, doing so could delay your reimbursement or other benefits. In some cases, you may have to defer course registration until the following quarter.
Veterans who enroll in specific UCLA Extension Certificate programs (listed below) may be eligible for Veterans Administration education benefits.
If you are a veteran, contact the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs at (888) GI-Bill-1 or (888) 442-4551 to determine your eligibility. You may also contact them for all questions concerning your eligibility, amount you will receive, or payment dates. Dependents of 100% service-connected disabled or deceased veterans may be eligible to be considered for some benefits.
Note: UCLA Extension programs and courses do not qualify for the CalVet College Fee Waiver or V-RAP Program. For further information visit the CalVet website.
Explore certificate programs eligible for veterans education benefits. Click on the individual program titles for certificate requirements:
Enrollment instructions for students utilizing the following programs are outlined below.
Please note: Prospective students who are utilizing the Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) will need to reach out to our enrollment department for further instructions. Contact: enroll@uclaextension.edu or (800) 825-9971 Option 1 or 2
How to Enroll:
Step 1: Complete the appropriate Veterans Affairs (VA) Forms
Step 2: Collect the following:
Step 3: Apply for the VA Benefit-Approved Certificate Program and pay the candidacy fee (if applicable). Enroll in the first quarter of courses and pay applicable course fees.
Step 4: Submit your items from steps 1 and 2 to the UCLA Extension Financial Aid/Veterans Affairs Office. Due to the evolving situation with COVID-19, we are accepting documents via email at finaid@uclaextension.edu. Only complete packets will be accepted.
Once all forms have been submitted and quarterly course fees are paid in full, your benefits will be processed. Please note: Only courses that are a part of your certificate program can be certified for Veterans Educational Benefits.
Each Quarter:
Following your first quarter, you are not required to submit the items from step 1 and 2 again. However, you will need to notify the UCLA Extension Financial Aid/Veterans Affairs Office each quarter that you are enrolled in classes and have paid fees, and/or report incidents or extenuating circumstances that may affect your enrollment status. As a reminder, it is your responsibility as the student to notify our office in these situations. Failure to inform our office can result in the termination of your benefits, resulting in academic and financial holds to be placed on your account with UCLA Extension and the Veterans Administration.
**Chapter 33 Post 9-11/ GI Bill Students
Students utilizing Chapter 33 Post 9-11/GI Bill benefits have two options for paying quarterly enrollment.
Method 1 - Standard Payments
Method 2 - Deferred Payments
Please Note: Students with less than 100% eligibility rating will be required to pay the difference of the cost of the course(s) at the time of enrollment in order to complete the enrollment. Your deferment will only reflect up to your eligibility rating listed on your Certificate of Eligibility or Statement of Benefits. For example, if your eligibility rating listed on your Certificate of Eligibility or Statement of Benefits is stated at 50%, you will be required to pay the remaining 50% for each of your courses for each quarter of enrollment.
Enrollment Status Requirements for Veterans Education Benefits: For Chapters 30, 31, 35, 1606 and 1607 , A veteran must be enrolled in at least 6 unit-equivalents, as determined by the UCLA Extension Registrar, each quarter in order to receive Veterans Educational Benefits.
For Ch. 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill recipients, a Veteran enrolled at more than half time can qualify for a monthly housing allowance based on DoD's Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an E-5 with dependents. VA determines eligibility for housing allowance by calculating the rate of pursuit.
Rate of pursuit is expressed in a percentage calculated by dividing the number of credits in which the student is enrolled by the number of credits considered to be full time. A student with a rate of pursuit greater than 50% can qualify for the housing allowance.
12 semester or quarter hours are generally required for full-time training. The school submits the term dates and credit hours of the enrollment to VA and the VA will calculate the rate of pursuit.
For example, if 12 credits is considered full-time, a course load of 6 credits yields a rate of pursuit of 50% (6 ÷ 12 = .50), whereas a course load of 7 credits yields a rate of pursuit of 58% (7 ÷ 12 = .58). In this scenario, a Veteran would need to enroll for at least 7 credits (such as two 3-credit classes and a 1-credit lab) in order to receive the housing allowance benefits.
Distance or Online only Enrollments
If you are enrolled full time, but taking classes entirely online or through distance learning, the housing allowance payable is equal to half the national average MHA payment for an E-5 with dependents.
If you need assistance calculating your enrollment status, benefit eligibility or monthly housing allowance payments, contact the VA at (888) GI-Bill-1 (888-442-4551) or visit their website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill. If you are not a fulltime student, learn how your housing allowance can be paid.
NOTE: Your enrollment status may vary throughout the quarter because UCLA Extension courses have variable beginning and ending dates. We can only submit the published beginning and ending dates of the course(s) to the VA. The VA calculates enrollment status based on the specific dates and number of weeks you are in attendance and the credit hours you earn during that period .
Academic / Admission Policy: These polices are established within the academic department and approved by the Deans Office. Students are required to adhere to information in the UCLA Extension Catalog which is applicable to all students. Public Law requires education assistance benefits to veterans and other eligible persons be discontinued when the student ceases to attend or fail to make satisfactory progress toward completion of their training objective (certificate program). The school is required to have and to enforce standards of progress and conduct for the programs to be approved for Veterans Administration benefits.
Attendance / Make-Up Work: Regular attendance at all class sessions is a primary obligation of the student. The successful completion of college work is dependent on regular attendance. Each UCLA Extension instructor will explain the absence policy for his or her class at the beginning of the quarter; however, failure to attend regularly may result in a reduction of the student's final grade, or in the student being dropped from the class altogether. In the event of a prolonged illness, instructors should be notified by the student. Veterans should contact the Financial Aid/Veterans Affairs office.
Repeating Courses: A student may not repeat a course in which a "C" or higher grade has been received. A grade of "D" may be repeated when school policy requires a "C" grade for transfer or the certificate requirements. Students may not receive VA benefits for repeated courses in which VA benefits were previously received.
Grading System / Minimum Satisfactory Grade Level: A VA benefit recipient must receive and maintain a minimum 2.0 ("C") GPA for all units for which they are certified each quarter. The following is how GPA is determined:
The UCLA Extension Grading Scale:
A - Superior
B - Good
C - Fair
D - Poor
F - Failure
I - Incomplete (work of passing quality but incomplete; may be revised by completing work as required)
DR - Deferred Report (see Students Rights and Responsibilities)
P - Passed (work which would otherwise earn a grade of "C" or better)
NP - Not Passed (less than "C")
All grades except Incomplete ("I") are final when filed by the instructor in the Final Grade Report.
Grade Reports: If you have provided us with an email address, you can view your grades, request official transcripts, change credit status, obtain enrollment verification, and update your personal information when you log in to the student portal. You may also inspect your grades in person at Student Services, 1145 Gayley Ave, 1st Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90024 or by calling (800) 825-9971. Official transcripts requests can be submitted online.
More on Grades: In all courses in which grades are awarded, instructors may grant students up to 1 quarter to make up an Incomplete (I). After 1 quarter-or sooner if required by instructor-an "I" grade will automatically lapse to an "F." Grades "A," "B," "C," and "D" may be modified by the suffixes + or -. The temporary grade of "DR" will be posted if allegations of academic dishonesty are pending.
Special Grading Policy for X 300, X 400, and 900 Courses: UCLA Extension follows a nonpunitive grading system in these courses. For students enrolled in these courses "For Credit, Letter Grade," the grades "A," "B," "C," "D," or "F" may be recorded. However, if a student fails the course, no record of his/her enrollment will appear on the transcript. Similarly, for students enrolled "For Credit, Passed/Not Passed," a grade of "P" is recorded; if the student receives a grade of "NP," no record of enrollment appears on the transcript.
Any grade in which the student receives 0 grade points is considered failing for VA progress standards. The GPA is computed by dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of units attempted for which "A", "B", "C", "D" or Failing grades were given.
Veterans Minimum Progress Guidelines: Federal regulations require UCLA Extension to establish, publish, and apply standards of satisfactory academic progress for financial aid eligibility. If you fail to meet minimum progress standards, you will become ineligible to receive veteran’s education benefits until you are in compliance with the standards. If, during any quarter, you expect you cannot meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements listed, you should contact the UCLA Extension Financial Aid/Veterans Affairs Office immediately.
To ensure that veterans meet these mandated minimums, plan to enroll in classes with start dates at the beginning of the quarter. If those classes cancel, you will then probably have options for enrolling in other courses, thereby meeting your minimum unit requirement. If you enroll in courses with start dates later in the quarter and those courses cancel, you will have few or no options for fulfilling the minimum unit requirements and, as above, you will be responsible for payback. In other words, you will be held financially responsible regardless of the circumstances.
Withdrawal and Cancellation: Withdrawal from a quarter in which you receive veteran’s education benefits may apply as a quarter attended and may work to your disadvantage in reaching the quarter cap of your program. Cancellation of registration (prior to the first day of classes), however, does not apply as a quarter attended. Refund and payback of VA education benefit received is based on the date you officially withdraw or cancel.
Disqualification and Reinstatement: The Financial Aid/Veterans Affairs Office monitors satisfactory progress annually. Progress is measured according to the number of quarters you have attended and the number of unit-equivalents you have successfully completed. If you have not met the requirements, you will be disqualified from receiving funds and your VA educational benefits will be discontinued until the deficiencies are satisfied.
Veterans’ education benefits eligibility is reinstated for the quarter following the quarter in which you reestablish compliance with the unit-equivalents-per-quarter agreement. For example, if you successfully complete all deficit units in Fall Quarter and therefore make up the deficiency, you become eligible for VA education benefits in Winter Quarter.
Appeals Process: If you fail to meet the satisfactory academic progress standards and are disqualified, you may appeal your disqualification. To appeal, submit a letter and supporting documentation to the UCLA Extension Financial Aid/Veterans Affairs Appeals Committee. In your letter, be sure to explain the circumstances that led to your disqualification and how they affected your ability to meet the requirements. On written receipt of your appeals packet, the Financial Aid/Veterans Affairs Appeals Committee will review your request and inform you in writing of its decision.
Privacy Act of 1974: The following Privacy Statement is provided for you to read and understand pertaining to information sought of all claimants for VA benefits.
Public Law 93-579 entitled the Privacy Act of 1974 requires that all claimants be informed of the purposes and uses to be made of the information which is solicited. The following is furnished to explain the reason why the information is requested and the general uses to which that information may be put.
Will my Veterans Affairs (VA) Education Benefits be eligible for every course that I want to take?
Only courses that fulfill a requirement for your certificate program can be reported to the VA for processing and for the purpose of determining your rate of pursuit. You may connect with your certificate program advisor to request for a course substitution evaluation. If the course substitution is approved, you must forward the approval to the UCLA Extension Financial Aid/Veteran Affairs Office.
Can I use the CAL VET Fee Waiver at UCLA Extension?
The CAL VET Fee Waiver is not eligible or applicable for use at UCLA Extension. You may use the CAL VET Fee Waiver at a state, public degree awarding institution such as a community college, California State University, and University of California. UCLA Extension is not a degree awarding institution and offers certificates. This non-degree designation disqualifies UCLA Extension from participation.
Why do I have to fill out all this paperwork?
The Veterans Education Benefits paperwork establishes your Veterans’ file at UCLA Extension and your VA file with the Muskogee, OK Regional VA processing center.
Why do I have to submit my official transcripts?
Please submit official transcripts of all higher education schools you have previously attended, whether or not you used VA Educations Benefits towards them. This helps to ensure there are no duplications in your course enrollments at UCLA Extension that you may have taken at a previous school. The VA requires all official transcripts to be part of your student record.
Which VA education benefit(s) I am eligible to receive?
Only the VA can determine if you are eligible for VA benefits and your eligibility. You may call the VA at (888) 442-4551 to determine if you are qualified to use VA benefits. We will assist you in establishing your claim with the VA once you know which benefit(s) you are eligible to use, and then further, upon enrollment.
Does UCLA Extension participate in the California Veteran Fee Waiver Program (Dependents of Veterans with a Service-Connected Disability)?
No, our courses are excluded from the California Veteran Fee Waiver Program, making UCLA Extension ineligible to participate.
How can I find out how many months of education benefits I have remaining?
This information can be found on your eBenefits account. If you do not have an eBenefits account, we encourage you to enroll at www.ebenefits.va.gov. You can also call the VA Education Benefits hotline at (888) 442-4551 to receive an update on the status of your remaining eligibility or request a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility.
How do I know if I am eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation benefits?
Please contact the Los Angeles Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Office at (310) 235-7722 or visit their website for information about documentation and eligibility requirements for Ch. 31 Vocational Rehabilitation.
How long does it take to receive my money?
The first time you complete the application for VA Education Benefits, the Muskogee Regional Processing Office will take approximately 8-10 weeks to process it. During peak periods such as the beginning of the Fall Quarter, processing may exceed 10 weeks. Processing after the initial quarter claim, can take anywhere from 6-8 weeks.
When will my courses be certified with the VA?
Your course(s) will be certified with the VA in the third week of the quarter.
Why are my courses submitted to the VA with different dates? Can they be submitted with the same date?
UCLA Extension’s certificate programs are classified as non-college degree programs. This classification requires us to submit the courses separately with the published start and end date of each course. These dates also reflect different course modalities for online and in-person courses.
How much Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) payments will I receive?
UCLA Extension will not be able to provide you with an estimate for your MHA payments. The VA will tell you the amount of your payments based on its calculations. Visit their website for information and facts regarding Monthly Housing Allowance and an estimated Monthly Housing Allowance Calculator.
