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SDSU Veterans Center Military and Veterans Program

Cal Vet

Students are responsible for campus fees as the Cal Vet fee waiver covers BASIC TUITION ONLY. Per the CSU website under California Veteran which is short for Cal Vet stipulates that campus fees are not covered.

The Cal Vet fee waiver can NOT be used at SDSU Global, extended studies, and open universities as these are self-supporting institutions according to Cal Vet.

Cal Vet Dependent Fee Waiver application:

First-time applicants:

1. Birth Certificate or marriage certificate for spouses.

2. Veteran's Service Connected Disability Letter issued by the VA

3. Tax Information from the previous tax year (1040 or 1040EZ). If the student was not required to file or does not have tax records, you must supply a verification of non-filing from the State Franchise Tax Board.

4. Cal Vet Fee Waiver Application

5. Submit these documents to your County Veterans Service office.

Last step: Turn in the award letter to the Barron Veterans Center to defer basic main campus tuition ONLY. The student must pay for campus fees and Equitable Access.

Non-California student residents are not eligible for the Cal Vet Fee Waiver or other state education benefits such as the State University Grant. To qualify for the Cal Vet Fee Waiver, a student must be a California resident, as determined by the institution. This residency requirement is outlined in California Education Code Section 66025.3(e).

Cal Vet Website

Cal Vet Eligibility Calculator

Cal Vet Application

CVSO Locations

Mandatory Fee Waivers

Please Note:

When receiving your Cal Vet award letter through email, check your spam folder.
- The title should say "College Fee Waiver Redemption Letter"
- The email may come from Noreply@vetpro.us
Your Cal Vet award letter should have a 16-digit redemption code.

Submit 2025-2026 Cal Vet Award Letter

Example of a Cal Vet award letter

Checklist:

Returning applicants will have to submit:

Students Tax Information - i.e. 1040 or 1040EZ or Non Filing Letter
A new application has to be filled out every year from www.calvet.ca.gov
Submit the following documents to your local county office

New applicants will have to submit:

Birth Certificate - Must show student and veterans name. If last names are different additional documents are needed.
Students Tax Information - i.e. 1040 or 1040EZ or Non Filing Letter
Veteran's Service-Connected Disability Letter Issued by the VA
A new application has to be filled out every year from www.calvet.ca.gov
Submit the following documents to your local county office

How to apply for a Cal Vet fee waiver

Step 1: Verify Eligibility

The Cal Vet College Fee Waiver Program provides a basic tuition waiver for eligible dependents of veterans who attend SDSU Main Campus and Imperial Campus, you can not use your Cal Vet at SDSU Global Campus. With this tuition waiver, you will need to pay for campus fees and books. You must meet at least one of the following criteria to be eligible:

Be the child or spouse of a service-connected disabled or deceased veteran.
Be the child of a veteran whose death was officially deemed service-connected.

Additionally:

The veteran must have served in the U.S. military, and California residency is required. To be eligible for the Cal Vet Fee Waiver, a student must be a California resident as determined by the institution. This requirement is established in California Education Code
Income limits apply for Plan B dependents. Check the Cal Vet website for the current income limit.

Step 2: Gather Required Documentation

Before starting your application, make sure you have all the required documents:

Veteran’s VA Disability Rating Letter or other official documentation proving service-related disability or death.
Proof of Dependency: A birth certificate, adoption papers, or marriage certificate to show the relationship to the veteran.
Proof of Identification: A valid driver’s license ID, or other forms of proof such as a passport.
Your Income Information (Plan B applicants only): Income information is required if you are applying under Plan B (child of a living veteran).
- If you filed taxes obtain your 1040 tax form.
- If you did not file taxes obtain a non-filing letter from your local franchise tax board.

Step 3: Download the Cal Vet College Fee Waiver Application Form

Visit the official California Department of Veterans Affairs (Cal Vet) website and download the current Cal Vet College Fee Waiver Application Form (DVS 40).

You can search "Cal Vet College Fee Waiver" on the official Cal Vet website to find the correct form.

Step 4: Complete the Application

Fill out the DVS 40 Application Form carefully:

Veteran Information: Fill out the veteran’s full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and information related to military service.
Applicant Information: Provide your (the applicant’s) full name, relationship to the veteran, Social Security number, and current contact information.
College/University Information: List the institution you plan to attend, along with the expected academic year.

Make sure to double-check all fields to avoid mistakes that could delay your application.

Step 5: Submit the Application to the County Veterans Service Office (CVSO)

Once completed, submit the application form along with all required documents to your local County Veterans Service Office (CVSO).

To find the nearest CVSO, visit the Cal Vet website and use their CVSO Locator Tool.

Step 6: Await Notification of Approval

After submitting your application, the CVSO will review your documents. If approved, they will issue you a Cal Vet College Fee Waiver Award Letter. You will need this letter to show your college or university.

You’ll get an email from 'noreply@vetpro.us' to the address you provided on your application. We won’t see your award letter, so make sure to check that email for updates.

Step 7: Provide the Award Letter to Your School’s Veterans Office

Once you receive the Cal Vet College Fee Waiver Award Letter, submit it to your school’s Veterans Office. They will adjust your basic tuition accordingly based on the waiver program.

Step 8: Reapply Annually

The Cal Vet College Fee Waiver is not automatically renewed each year. You must reapply annually using the same steps to continue receiving benefits. Make sure to start the process early each academic year.

Additional Tips:

Apply early to avoid delays in processing your waiver.
Keep copies of all forms and documents you submit for your records.

By following these steps, you can successfully apply for the Cal Vet College Fee Waiver.

San Diego Points of Contact

San Diego County Veterans Service Office

National City MVRC

Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Office: 401 Mile of Cars Way, #300, National City, CA, 91950

Office: (619) 731-3345

San Diego County Office of Military & Veterans Affairs

Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Office: 5055 Ruffin Rd., San Diego, CA, 92123

Main: (858) 694-3222

Franchise Tax Board

7575 Metropolitan Dr., Suite 201

San Diego, CA 92108

Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Phone: (800) 852 - 2753

** Bring Social Security Card and Government-Issued ID**

Cal Vet FAQ

Can I use Cal Vet as an out-of-state student?

Out-of-state students are not eligible for the CalVet fee waiver. To qualify, you must be a California resident as determined by the institution. This is outlined in California Education Code Section 66025.3(e), which states that the fee waiver applies only to California residents.

Non-resident students also cannot access other state benefits like the State University Grant.

If you qualify for federal benefits (e.g., Chapter 33 or Chapter 35), you may be eligible for a military exemption. This exemption can defer out-of-state tuition, but it does not change your residency status. You will still be classified as an out-of-state student, only exempt from paying out-of-state fees.

Can I use the Cal Vet fee waiver while attending SDSU Global Campus or Extended Studies?

The Cal Vet fee waiver is not valid for SDSU Global Campus or Extended Studies, as they are self-supporting institutions. The Cal Vet fee waiver is only valid on the SDSU Main Campus.

Can I use Cal Vet and a Chapter benefit?

You can simultaneously use the Cal Vet fee waiver and Chapter 33 or 35.

Can I use Cal Vet during Winter session?

The Cal Vet fee waiver cannot be used during the winter session. SDSU winter sessions are held through the SDSU global campus, a self-supporting institution.

How long does Cal Vet last?

The Cal Vet office determines the length of this benefit.

Can I use Cal Vet when I study abroad?

This is dependent on your major and other circumstances. If you have further questions, please schedule a meeting with your School Certifying Official by emailing the SDSU Veterans Center.

Why am I being charged campus fees using Cal Vet?

According to the Cal Vet Offices, the Tuition Fee Waiver is designed to cover both Basic Tuition and Mandatory Fees. However, there’s a discrepancy regarding certain CSU schools, including SDSU. These institutions do not categorize “Campus Fees” or “Student Fees” as mandatory.

Hence, the waiver does not cover them and must be paid out-of-pocket. This is further confirmed on the CSU website under the California Veteran section, also known as Cal Vet, where it explicitly states that campus fees are not included in the coverage.

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