Eligible veterans and their dependents seeking educational training may qualify to use Title 38, Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35 and 1606/1607. Refer to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for eligibility criteria. FPU also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. For more information regarding these benefits, please visit VA Benefits Education and Training. Contact the School Certifying Official in the Registrar’s Office for more information.
Note: If you are a spouse or dependent of a veteran and you qualify for the Cal Vet Waiver, please be aware that the Cal Vet Waiver is not applicable at private institutions such as Fresno Pacific. The Cal Vet Waiver may be used at state colleges and universities only.
Attendance & Load
If you plan to continuing using your VA Benefits as an FPU student, you will need to be aware of the following information concerning class attendance, enrollment and student status.
Class Attendance
Students who receive VA benefits must attend all class sessions to maintain benefit eligibility. Failure to attend class may lead to the loss of your VA benefits and incur an obligation to repay the VA benefits that were received while the student was in attendance at FPU.
Enrollment and Student Status
Fresno Pacific University certifies enrollment status, programs and academic progress.
VA guidelines indicate that it is the student's responsibility to report any changes in their enrollment status as soon as possible. NOTE: VA will only pay for classes that have been satisfactorily completed. If "mitigating circumstances" prevent the completion of a class, the VA requires that a letter of explanation addressing the class withdrawal be provided immediately. Please submit this documentation to the FPU VA certifying official in the Registrar's Office.
The most up to date Academic Policies and Standards for Fresno Pacific University can be found in the current Academic Catalog.
Veterans Information Links
Veterans Administration Services
Community Resources
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
- How do I contact the VA?
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Veterans can call the VA Education hotline at 1-888-442-4551 or visit the www.benefits.va.gov and submit an inquiry using their Ask a Question feature.
- How do I apply for my veterans educational benefits?
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Apply for benefits through www.vets.gov or manage your benefits through www.ebenefits.va.gov. If you have used your educational benefits before but are new to FPU, then complete VA Form 22-1995, "Request for Change of Program or Place of Training," for veterans or the VA Form 22-5495 for dependents.
- Where do I go to determine the amount of benefits I have remaining?
- Veterans can view real-time remaining benefits through www.vets.gov. Dependents can obtain their remaining entitlement by calling the VA Educational Hotline 1-888-442-4551 or by email request using the VA’s Ask a Question.
Attending FPU
- What do I need to turn in to the School Certifying Official?
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Once the veteran or dependent has applied for educational benefits, the student will need to submit a copy of their DD214 (if applicable) and Certificate/Letter of Eligibility to the School Certifying Official located in the Registrar’s Office.
- Do I have to certify my classes every semester?
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In order for your credits to be certified, you must confirm the total number of units you are enrolled in by notifying the School Certifying Official at the beginning of every semester.
- How do educational benefits affect my student account?
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Once the COE and Student Veteran Responsibility Agreement form has been completed, students utilizing Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 benefits will not be penalized with late fees due to pending educational benefits payments. Students can view payments on their account by going to my.fpu.edu.
- Will the VA pay for a repeated course?
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Benefits will not be paid for a course in which you already earned a passing grade.
- What if I change my major?
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Please complete the appropriate form: either VA Form 22-1995, "Request for Change of Program/Place of Training," or Form 22-5495 online at on www.vets.gov and notify the School Certifying Official with your updated major.
- What about adding a major or minor?
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The VA allows a dual objective. Make sure you notify the academic advisor within the college of both majors/minor.
- Is there any way I can lose my benefits?
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Yes! To avoid that happening, remember to notify a Veterans Services advisor of the changes listed here:
- Non-attendance in class (last date attended)
- Non-attendance of the first day of class (beginning of term)
- Dropping any classes (date you dropped)
- Increase in credit hours (number and date)
- Non-payment of fees Classes not pertaining to your degree
- Deployment (provide a copy of your orders)
- Where is Veterans Services located?
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In the Registrar's Office in McDonald Hall on the main campus at 1717 S. Chestnut Avenue, Fresno, CA.
Visit the VA's Education and Training FAQ page for commonly asked questions and answers