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Join Our Proud Military Community
Concordia University Irvine is proud to support active-duty service members, veterans, and military families as they pursue their educational goals. We recognize the commitment, sacrifice, and leadership developed through military service — and we are honored to walk alongside you in your next chapter.
As a Military Friendly® School, we provide a high-quality, Lutheran education designed to support your academic and professional goals.
Here, you can use your GI Bill® education benefits to earn a degree from a top-rated university that develops wise, honorable, and cultivated citizens. Concordia is also a Yellow Ribbon University and an approved VA Work Study location, so you can plan your education with confidence, knowing you’ll have access to the benefits and support you need to complete your program.
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 benefits.va.gov.
Here’s How to Apply
Step 1: Fill Out Your Application
For undergraduate and nursing programs, you can apply 100% online on our application portal or the Common App. Your progress saves automatically, so you can complete it at your own pace.
To apply to a graduate program, please visit our Graduate Students page.
Step 2: Pay the Application Fee
There is a non-refundable $50 application fee. For applicable military and veterans populations, this application fee is waived.
Step 3: Submit Your Transcripts
To complete your admission process, please submit official transcripts from:
- All prior colleges, universities, and training institutes you’ve attended
- Any military training that may be eligible for college credit
- Your high school, if required for your program level
If you have completed any Prior Learning Assessments (PLA), such as CLEP or DSST, have those transcripts sent directly to Concordia’s records office.
For undergraduate students, we can begin the review process using unofficial high school and college transcripts; however, we must receive all official transcripts before we can fully articulate your transfer credit and create a graduation plan.
You may be eligible for college credit based on your military training and experience (basic training, fielding of equipment, pathfinder, MOS/AIT, etc.). Be sure to submit your military transcripts with your application.
If you are currently active duty, reserve, or national guard, you should request new transcripts to be sent to Concordia after each military school you attend. Click on the following links to access your military transcripts:
- Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy: Active Duty, Reserve, and Veterans
- Air Force
- Watch a video walking you through the Air University Portal.
If you are currently active duty, reserve, or National Guard, request updated military transcripts from each school or training you’ve completed. You can access your transcripts through:
- Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy: Active Duty, Reserve, and Veterans
- Air Force: Air University Portal
Send your official Joint Service Transcript (JST) to:
Concordia University Irvine
Office of the Registrar
1530 Concordia West
Irvine, CA 92612
Step 4: Complete the FAFSA
Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is optional, but ROTC students and U.S. military veterans are encouraged to apply, as you may qualify for additional grants and/or loans. Veteran education benefits do not count as income when determining your eligibility.
If you are a veteran of the Armed Forces, submitting the FAFSA changes your dependency status to Independent. If this is the only factor that makes you Independent (for example, you are under 24, not married, and have no dependents), we are required to confirm your veteran status with a copy of your DD-214.
Step 5: Apply for Education Benefits
To use your VA or military education benefits at Concordia, you’ll need to complete the Request to Use VA and Military Benefits form.
If you are applying for benefits for the first time, please complete the appropriate VA form:
- Veterans: VA Form 22-1990.
- Dependents (Ch 33 Post-9/11): VA Form 22-1990e
- Dependents (Ch 35 and FRY): VA Form 22-5490
If you have previously applied for benefits, you can skip the new application and instead provide the Veterans Service Office with a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
If you are transferring from another institution, complete one of the following:
- GI Bill® (Ch 30, Ch 1606, Ch 33): VA Form 22-1995
- GI Bill® (Ch 35 and FRY): VA Form 22-5495
For questions about your entitlement, options, and the best way to maximize your benefits, contact the Veterans Resource Center Director.
Important: You may be eligible for the GI Bill®, but you must still apply and receive your Certificate of Eligibility (COE). As processing can take 3–5 weeks, we recommend applying as early as possible. For questions, you can contact the VA at 888-442-4551.
Note for dependents using Ch 33 Transfer of Entitlement: The sponsor must transfer benefits through the Department of Defense (DoD) milConnect website while still on active duty. The dependent will receive an award letter in about 3–5 weeks, after which they can apply for Ch 33 benefits through the VA.
Admission Requirements
As an accredited post-secondary institution supporting military and veterans populations, Concordia welcomes both first-time college students and transfer students with prior college credit.
Admission Requirements by Student Type:
Certification Request Form
Each semester you plan to use VA education benefits, you must submit a Certification Request Form after you’ve officially registered for classes. Concordia cannot submit your Certification of Enrollment to the VA until this form is completed.
SSG Matthew Thompson Veterans Resource Center
Named in honor of Concordia alumnus Staff Sergeant Matthew Thompson, who gave his life in the line of duty in 2016, the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) is a dedicated space for military-connected students and their families.
As a Concordia student, you’ll have 24/7 access to the VRC, where you can study, connect with other military-affiliated students, and get support from staff who understand military life and the transition back to school. Whether you’re in an undergraduate, graduate, or certificate program, our faculty and staff are here to support you from your first class to graduation.
Here are just a few of the amenities we offer in the VRC:
- Computers with headsets and free printing
- Commuter lockers
- A workstation stocked with free supplies (pencils, pens, index cards, folders, paper)
- LinkedIn profile photos
- No questions asked food pantry
- Free bluebooks and scantrons
- Gaming consoles
- A comprehensive library for textbooks
- Red, white, and blue honor cords for service members at graduation
Transfer to Concordia
Already have college credits? Transferring to Concordia is designed to be easy for military students. We accept up to 96 semester units from an accredited post-secondary institution and admit on a rolling basis. Once we have your application and official transcripts, we typically make an admission decision within days.
Note: Up to 32 units from your JST may be accepted. If you believe your military training should meet a specific course requirement, contact the Veterans Resource Center Director. They can help you submit a Substitution Form for review by your Program Director.
Military and Veterans Benefits
The Veterans Resource Center at Concordia offers a wide range of tuition assistance programs and benefits for active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. From GI Bill® benefits and Yellow Ribbon Integration Programs to various other state and federal support opportunities, our team will help you understand your options and make the most of the advantages you’ve earned.
Military Tuition Discount
Concordia offers a 10% tuition discount on select programs for qualifying veterans, active duty, reserve, national guard, and their spouses upon request. To qualify you must submit a marriage license and/or DD-214.
Students receiving Concordia Faculty/Staff Waiver, Graduate Assistants, and Scholarship Athletes cannot combine with tuition discounts.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.
This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits. Generally benefits are payable for 15 years following your release from active duty. The Post-9/11 GI Bill® also offers some service members the opportunity to transfer their GI Bill® to dependents. This program is also commonly known as Chapter 33. If you are eligible for 100% of the Post-9/11 GI Bill® you may also be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program to fully cover your cost of attendance at Concordia University Irvine.
More information on the Forever GI Bill® can be found on the VA Fact Sheet.
The Yellow Ribbon Program
Concordia is proud to participate in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program, and we have an unlimited number of scholarships at an unlimited dollar amount for those who qualify.
The Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP) supplements the difference between tuition and fees and the amount given by the Post-9/11 GI Bill® for the yearly private school cap. Any tuition/mandatory fees after the GI Bill® cap is split evenly between the VA and Concordia. Concordia is committed to honoring all students who receive 100% benefit level of the Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill® so qualifying students will not need to pay for any mandatory tuition and fees while certified.
Benefits:
- Tuition and required fees covered 100%
- Books and supplies allowance up to $1,000 per year
- Housing allowance for E-5 with dependents. Check the current rates
- No cap on contribution amount and unlimited number of participants
- All majors/programs are eligible for Yellow Ribbon
Eligibility:
- Eligible for the maximum benefit (100%) rate under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®
- Fully-discharged from the military: not on active duty, not a spouse transferee of an active duty member
- Fully admitted and enrolled in a curriculum program of study
- In good academic standing
Vocational Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program (Chapter 31)
Vocational Readiness and Employment (VR&E) is for Veterans with service-connected disabilities. VR&E offers comprehensive rehabilitation evaluation and counseling to determine abilities, skills and interests for education and employment. Post-secondary education training at a college, vocational, technical or business school is available. Interested applicants need to meet with a VA counselor to apply for Chapter 31 benefits or apply online. Once the VA has determined eligibility, they will send authorization (VA Form 22-1905) to the Veteran Resource Center to certify enrollment.
Survivors’ And Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA/Chapter 35)
Dependents’ Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. It may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship provides Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to the children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty while on active duty after September 10, 2001. Eligible beneficiaries attending school may receive up to 36 months of benefits at the 100% level. Benefits include:
- Up to 100% of mandatory tuition and fees. Fry recipients also qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
- A monthly housing allowance
- A books & supplies stipend
For more information, view the following guides:
More information on the Fry Scholarship
How the Ch 33 Post-9/11 and Fry Scholarship works
How the Yellow Ribbon Program works
Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR/Chapter 1606)
The MGIB-SR program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.
You may use this education assistance program for degree programs, certificate or correspondence courses, cooperative training, independent study programs, apprenticeship/on-the-job training, and vocational flight training programs. Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components. VA makes the payments for this program. You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits. Your eligibility for the program normally ends on the day you leave the Selected Reserve.
Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP/Chapter 1607)
REAP was established as a part of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. It is a Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or Congress.
This program makes certain reservists who were activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001 either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits.
California Military Department GI Bill Award Program
The CNG EAAP program awards students serving in the California National Guard additional assistance. A participant’s award amount bridges the cost of attendance with any federal educational benefits to minimize the cost for the student. The award can amount up to the maximum allowed by the State’s Annual Budget Act.
VA Work Study
Concordia is an approved VA Work Study location. Students utilizing the GI Bill®, Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA), or Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) are at least ¾ time are allowed to apply and work in the Veterans Resource Center serving the needs of the veteran community. The VA pays you directly, tax free, at the highest rate of the CA or Federal minimum wage.
We aim to give every qualified applicant a position. For any questions regarding VA Work Study or info on applying contact Concordia’s VA Work Study site supervisor, Anna Bidondo at [email protected].
Talk to an Admissions Counselor
Our Admissions team is here to guide you through every step of the application process and help you find the path that fits your goals.
FAQs
Do I have to come to the campus to arrange my Veterans Education Benefits?
No, the entire process can be completed online or over email, but we invite you to come in person and visit our Resource Center.
How long does it take for an application to be processed by the VA?
First-time recipients usually receive their education benefits in 6–8 weeks. Continuing students should receive their benefits in 3–4 weeks. Always provide the Veterans Resource Center with an updated Certificate of Eligibility at the start of each semester.
Who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®?
Veterans who have served on active duty at least 90 aggregate days after Sept. 10, 2001, or served at least 30 continuous days on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, and received a discharge for disability.
Can I use the Post-9/11 GI Bill® while on active duty?
Yes, but you cannot receive a housing allowance or stipends for books and supplies. You must have completed a minimum of 90 days of service (other than basic training).
How much does my book and supplies stipend pay and when?
At 100% eligibility you will receive $41.67 per credit with a max of $500 per semester and a cap of $1,000 per academic year.
The stipend is paid directly to you after the semester starts. You will need to purchase your books and supplies prior to receiving your stipend.
How are benefits paid?
There are three different payments under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®:
- Tuition and fees, paid directly to the school.
- Monthly housing allowance, paid to the individual.
- Books and supplies stipend, paid to the individual.
What is the Yellow Ribbon Program? Do I qualify for it?
The Yellow Ribbon Program is an agreement between Concordia and the VA where, if a student hits the Chapter 33 annual cap for tuition and fee payments, then the school will pay half of the difference and the VA will match Concordia’s contribution. From a student’s perspective, it essentially removes the Chapter 33 annual cap.
Can I receive college credit for my military training?
Yes. Concordia awards college credit for military training using recommendation developed by American Council on Education (ACE).
Can I use tuition discounts from multiple sources?
No. Students can only receive tuition discounts from one source. Students receiving the Concordia Faculty/Staff Waiver, Graduate Assistants, or Scholarship Athletes cannot combine their waiver, GA agreement, or scholarship with the 10% discount.
How do I obtain a copy of my DD-214?
You can request a copy from the National Archives online.
I’m a dependent of a veteran. Can I use the CalVet College Tuition Fee Waiver at Concordia?
No. The College Tuition Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents can only be used at California Community Colleges, California State Universities, and University of California campuses.
I have not received my payment from the VA. What should I do?
Contact the VA Western Regional Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma. They can be reached at 1-888-442-4551.
Can I take classes at another school without losing my VA benefits?
The VA will only cover one program at a time. If you decide to take classes concurrently or during the summer at another school, please submit a Parent Letter so that the VA will cover the courses. Most undergraduate students taking summer courses do this.
Please submit the Parent Letter Request Form before you register for the class at the other school. This form allows our Registrar to sign off on the class to meet your degree requirement. Only once this happens, are we allowed to send off the Parent Letter, so that you can receive your benefits.
Veterans Resource Center
Need guidance on admissions or VA education benefits?
Let us know how we can assist.
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