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Veterans and Veterans’ Dependents

We are here to guide veterans in their transition to college life and ongoing academic success. CF’s Veterans Success Center aids in receiving education benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. We provide assistance to military service members, veterans, and eligible dependents enrolled at the College of Central Florida.

Assistance includes guidance in VA education benefit programs, the application process for new students, certification process, requests for change of program or place of training, student responsibilities, deferments, and more.

CF’s Veterans Community

CF has a close-knit veterans community, with many opportunities to connect and support each other. The Ocala Campus is home to CF’s Veterans Success Center, which offers resources and a dedicated space for veterans. Veterans can also get involved with CF’s Veterans Association, a student-led organization that holds events and meetings each semester.

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Admissions Application Process for Veterans

Veterans seeking to attend CF follow the standard admissions process. Within the online application, you can elect to identify as a veteran or veteran’s dependent. This self-identification will not influence the admissions process and is purely to help connect veterans with CF’s Veterans Services department for assistance. Once you apply, please email the Veteran’s Success Center.

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VA Benefits Application Process

Applying for Chapter 30, 33, 35, 1606 as a first-time applicant:

  • Go to va.gov/education/how-to-apply/.
  • Scroll down the page to the heading “How Do I Apply”
  • Open the “Apply for Education Benefits” drop down menu and go through the prompts to get to your application
  • To complete it, login using ID.Me or Login.gov
  • Complete the application. (Be sure to save or your data will be lost.)

Allow up to 30 days for processing. You should receive a Certificate of Eligibility within 90 days. If you have not, contact the VA directly at 888-442-4551.

Applying for Chapter 31 as a first-time applicant:

  • Go here for the application.
  • To complete it, login using ID.Me or Login.gov
  • Complete the application. (Be sure to save or your data will be lost.)

Allow up to 90 days for processing. Contact the VA directly at 888-442-4551 if your application is not processed with that timeframe.

Applying for VA Education Benefits if you HAVE Used Your Benefits Before

  • Chapters 30, 33, 35, and 1606 you may download your Certificate of Eligibility here.
  • Chapter 31 students will need to provide their counselor information and approval letter

Financial Aid and Tuition Assistance

Federal Aid

Many CF students who receive veterans benefits are also eligible for federal financial aid. Find out about the process for applying for aid on our Financial Aid page. CF also provides a variety of helpful instructional videos about veteran financial aid through FATV.

Tuition Assistance

Tuition Assistance funds are a unique, distinct source of financial aid available to eligible Service members. TA benefits are applied to a student’s account before any additional financial aid that the student is eligible to receive. All active duty service members are required to speak with their Educational Service Officer or military counselor to receive approval before enrolling at CF.

Army

Request Tuition Assistance at ArmyIgnited. After your request has been approved, you will receive notification from ArmyIgnited. If the TA request is not approved, ArmyIgnited will provide a reason as well as options. Finally, you must send a copy of the approved TA form to the Cashiers Office or the Veteran’s Success Center..

Marine Corps

You must apply for and receive written authorization for TA through the appropriate education office prior to enrollment. Finally, you must send a copy of the approved TA form to the CF Cashiers Office. Visit usmc-mccs.org for more information.

Navy

Contact your Navy College advisor to receive educational counseling and to determine what courses will be requested for Tuition Assistance. Complete the TA Application form and return to your Navy College Office for processing. Finally, you must send a copy of the approved TA form to the CF Cashiers Office. Visit the Navy College website for more information.

Air Force

Apply for Tuition Assistance online at the Air Force Virtual Education Center. You must create a username and password before accessing the online TA request. To apply for TA, follow these steps:

  1. Select Reason for Request.
  2. Select the School Name.
  3. Enter term dates.
  4. Enter the course information.
  5. Enter the registration fees.
  6. Verify TA information and submit request.

After your request is approved, you will receive notification of approved TA form. The approved form will have both the approved signatures. Finally, you must send a copy of the approved TA form to the CF Cashiers Office or the Veteran’s Success Center.

Space Force

Apply for Tuition Assistance online at the Air Force Virtual Education Center. You must create a username and password before accessing the online TA request. To apply for TA, follow these steps:

  1. Select Reason for Request.
  2. Select the School Name.
  3. Enter term dates.
  4. Enter the course information.
  5. Enter the registration fees.
  6. Verify TA information and submit request.

After your request is approved, you will receive notification of approved TA form. The approved form will have both the approved signatures. Finally, you must send a copy of the approved TA form to the CF Cashiers Office or the Veteran’s Success Center.

Coast Guard

The USCG Institute and U.S. Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center manage Tuition Assistance. The Coast Guard Institute approves the TA Application and issues the TA Authorization form. You must send a copy of the approved TA form to the CF Cashiers Office. Visit the Navy College website or the VA Benefits website for more information.

Veterans Benefits

Chapter 30 Benefits

The Montgomery GI Bill® program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the MGIB.

Chapter 31 Benefits

The Veterans Readiness and Employment program offers a number of services to help each eligible disabled veteran reach his or her rehabilitation goal. These services include vocational and personal counseling, education and training, financial aid, job assistance, and, if needed, medical and dental treatment. Services generally last up to 48 months, but they can be extended in certain instances.

Chapter 33 Benefits

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service after Sept. 10, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Chapter 35 Benefits

Dependents’ Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 36 months of education benefits. These benefits 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.

Chapter 1606 Benefits

The MGIB-Selected Reserve 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.

National Guard Educational Dollars for Duty (EDD)

The Florida National Guard (FLNG) Educational Dollars for Duty (EDD) program is a State of Florida, legislatively directed and funded, education tuition assistance resource that is exclusively available to qualified Florida Army and Air National Guard Servicemembers to complete authorized postsecondary education opportunities that include vocational/technical, industry certification, continuing education and academic (i.e., certificate, associate, bachelor, and master) degree programs and support success completion of authorized professional license and industry certification exams. EDD may also reimburse approved book and instructional material costs. The EDD program is a State of Florida privilege, not entitlement that is always dependent on Servicemember qualification, available state appropriation and program law/directive as established by appropriate authority.
View information on the Florida National Guard (FLNG) Educational Dollars for Duty (EDD) program or assistance with Virtual Education Center system access here.

Veterans Spouses/Dependents Assistance

Transfer of Post 9/11 benefits

The service member needs to request a Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) through milConnect first. They must make this request while they’re on active duty or in the Selected Reserve. If the Defense Department approves the request, you can then apply to use the transferred benefits.

CSDDV

The Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CSDDV) provides an award to dependent children or un-remarried spouses of qualified Florida veterans.View more information.

Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)

The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program provides up to $4,000 of Financial Assistance for military spouses who are pursuing degree programs, licenses or credentials leading to employment in portable career fields. Spouses can contact MilitaryOneSource for education counseling and help to find alternative funding sources. Call toll free at: 800.342.9647.

CF Admissions and Financial Aid counselors are available to answer any questions you might have.

For more information, contact the Veterans Success Center at 352-854-2322, ext. 1720, or email veterans@cf.edu.

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 Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.