Veteran Services Center
We’re here to help you make the transition from the military to university life, from learning how to use your GI Bill® VA educational benefits to finding community amongst other veteran students.
Common Links
If you’ve already been admitted to Boise State or are a returning student, here are a few forms you may need to submit to receive your benefits and aid.
Where Do I Start?
If you’re new to Boise State, follow these steps to receive your GI Bill® benefits.
Step One: Apply for admission to Boise State University
Transferring Credits
- Credits earned at other institutions may apply toward your Boise State degree. The Registrar’s Office will evaluate your transcript to determine if the courses you have taken elsewhere are equivalent to the courses offered at Boise State.
- You may receive credit for selected military training or experience. Military credits count as electives only and are processed by the Registrar’s Office. Currently, only CCAF (Community College of the Air Force) academic courses have the potential of transferring over as equivalent courses.
- Before transferring credits, it is recommended that you review your JSTs with your Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor and use Boise State’s Transfer Equivalency Tool. You may order your JST here: Air Force , Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard.
- Transferred credits may affect your SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) status, which can impact your eligibility for federal financial aid.
Step Two: Apply for GI Bill® benefits once you are admitted
There are many chapters of the GI Bill® and you may qualify for more than one.
Description of GI Bill® benefits
If you are eligible for multiple GI Bills®, contact our office before applying to use your benefits and we can help you understand the benefits of each. If you are using Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, you can check your remaining eligibility through the VA website.
After submitting your application, make sure it has a confirmation number. Once approved, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA in the mail. Please note it is required to upload a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) with your Declaration the first time you utilize VA education benefits at Boise State.
All Veterans with a 20% or higher service-connected disability rating are encouraged to apply for VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) benefits. VR&E benefits can provide benefits beyond what the GI Bill® provides, including tuition, fees, books, parking permit, supplies, computer, medical, dental, job placement, and more. To verify eligibility, contact the Boise Regional office at (208) 429-2228.
Step Three: Fill out the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA)
We encourage you to apply for federal financial aid. Receiving GI Bill® benefits does not affect your ability to be considered for grants, work-study, and student loans.
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Step Four: Apply for scholarships
Yes, student Veterans are eligible for scholarships! See the Scholarship Opportunities listed on the Resources page.
Boise State Scholarship Application
Step Five: Submit Declaration Each Semester
After you enroll in classes for the semester, submit this form so we can certify your enrollment with the VA. To receive your GI Bill® benefits, you must submit a declaration every semester.
Get Involved
At Boise State, you’ll find a lot of support as a veteran. Getting involved on campus can ease your transition from the military to being a student. Explore our opportunities for finding community, social connection, and employment on and off campus as a veteran.
GI Bill®
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The absence of the registration symbol ® does not constitute a waiver of VA’s trademark rights in that phrase. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at Veterans Affairs: Education and Training.