2023-2024 Newly Admitted Students

CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME TO UC BERKELEY

US Military flags in front of the Sather Tower at UC Berkeley

Congratulations on becoming a Golden Bear! 

The Cal Veteran Services Center (CVSC) congratulates you and your family on this amazing accomplishment.  We look forward to connecting and engaging with you in-person and virtually over the next few months as you plan the next steps of your academic career. This page serves to inform and help you navigate your next steps. 

In addition to this webpage, please utilize the following checklist to assist with your decision of choosing UC Berkeley or help with your transition to UC Berkeley: Veteran and Military-Connected Student Checklist

Join us at the following events:

We encourage you to join us for the following upcoming events.  Check back for more events.

CVSC Community BBQ
Friday, July 14, 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Location TBD 

Stair leading into Hearst Memorial Gym

Cal Veteran staff

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US

The CVSC expands access and empowers veteran and military-connected student engagement at UC Berkeley.  Our work engages individuals and the broader community to facilitate a transformational higher education experience for 600+ veterans and military-connected students.

We invite you to explore veteran.berkeley.edu for more information and services offered.

Centers for Educational Equity and Excellence (CE3)

The Cal Veteran Services Center is part of the Centers for Educational Equity and Excellence(CE3). The Centers for Educational Equity and Excellence ensure non-traditional students excel at the top public University in the world. By respecting every undergraduate as a unique individual, CE3 programs empower UC Berkeley students to achieve and lead. CE3 is comprised of several programs and centers. For more information please visit ce3.berkeley.edu.


NEXT STEPS FROM ADMISSIONS

We know many of you have been admitted to other universities in addition to UC Berkeley and are receiving many messages. It may feel overwhelming, but it is important to keep on top of the messages received as they contain very important information.

Admissions Counselor and Academic Update Form
Be sure to read emails and your student portals carefully. You have been assigned an Admissions Counselor that can provide further assistance. If any changes have occurred to your academic situation, please be sure to fill out the Academic Update Form which can be found on your My Application Portal (MAP) or on Cal Central (if you have already accepted your offer of admissions).

Waitlist
If you have been waitlisted, make sure you accept the waitlist offer and accept your offer of admission to another institution you have been accepted to.

Class Enrollment
You will have the opportunity to select classes when you complete online advising in June. Those that serve or have served in the U.S. Armed Forces will receive priority enrollment for Spring 2023 and semesters after that.


VA EDUCATION BENEFITS

Welcome from UC Berkeley’s Veterans Benefits unit in the Office of the Registrar.

Veterans Benefits provides veterans and their dependents with the information and assistance required to seamlessly receive veterans’ educational benefits while pursuing their academic careers at UC Berkeley. Our staff serves as a liaison between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Berkeley students eligible for federal veterans’ educational benefits. We also assist students eligible for the California Department of Veterans Affairs College Fee Waiver (Cal Vet) program. 

registrar.berkeley.edu/veterans-benefits

To initiate Veterans Affairs Benefits at UC Berkeley, please provide the following documents to Veterans Benefits. You may submit documentation by emailing veteransbenefits@berkeley.edu or in-person by checking in at the front desk of Sproul Hall during our operating hours. Please redact your Social Security Number on any documents you submit electronically.

  • Submit the following forms to veteransbenefits@berkeley.eduAll students: Veteran Services Intake Form (not required if you are only using Cal Vet Fee Waiver)
  • Initiate benefits or update your VA Education Benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs at https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/.  (Please note:  The exception is the Cal Vet Fee Waiver, which is handled through your county Veteran Service Office)
  • Chapters 30, 33, 35: Certificate of Eligibility
  • Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E): Ensure your case manager sends a Purchase Order (PO) through the Tungsten Network Portal to Purvis Gills, School Certifying Official
  • Chapter 1606 and 1607: Notice of Basic Eligibility
  • DD-214 for veterans or Military ID for Active Duty (optional, submit if not utilizing benefits but to receive course priority enrollment)

Students who received benefits at another institution: 

  • Change of Place of Training Form VA Form 22-5495 (Chapter 35)*
  • Change of Place of Training Form VA Form 22-1995 (for all other Chapters)*

*VA Form 22-1990, 22-1995, and 22-5495 can be filled out at VA.gov

Graduate Students Only:
Graduate Veterans Education Plan (This form must be submitted before your second term can be certified and needs to be reviewed and signed by an advisor from your college.)