Active duty servicemembers can begin using their educational benefits to pursue their education as soon as they’re eligible and don’t need to wait until they separate.
Current members of the military enjoy tuition assistance through their service branch, as well as benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
What type of benefits are you using?
Steps to Using your Ch. 30 Montgomery GI Bill® Benefits
Steps to Using your Ch. 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill® Benefits
Have your military training and any previous college-level coursework evaluated. Request your official Joint Services Transcript or CCAF Transcript, as well as official transcripts from all prior colleges/universities, to be sent directly to the CSM Registrar’s Office by email to transcripts@csmd.edu. Official transcripts can also be mailed to PO Box 910, La Plata, MD 20646.
This step is critical for your VA benefits! You must have all of your prior military training and prior college credits evaluated at CSM. Official transcripts must be received and evaluated by the end of your first semester of enrollment with CSM; if we don’t receive them, we will not be able to submit any further enrollment certifications to the VA.
Be sure to save a copy of the submission confirmation—you’ll need to provide it to CSM. The VA will review your submitted Form 22-1990 and send your Educational Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
Note that you need to submit Form 22-1990. If you have submitted it previously to use your VA education benefits, whether at CSM or a different institution, you do not need to submit it again, but you do need to submit Form 22-1995 if you are changing programs or schools.
You will need to provide CSM with the submission confirmation for your Form 22-1990 and your COE once you receive it from the VA. You can upload them while completing the CSM VA Intake Form or email them to veteransbenefits@csmd.edu. Be sure to include your student ID number.
You can view your submitted documentation—and what you may still need to submit—in your my.CSMD account.
Apply for Tuition Assistance
To use Military Tuition Assistance (TA), visit your service branch’s portal and create your account. Complete the required in-processing steps, then contact your education counselor/education services officer (ESO) to activate your account.
Be sure to save a copy of the submission confirmation—you’ll need to provide it to CSM. The VA will review your submitted Form 22-1990 and send your Educational Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
Note that you need to submit Form 22-1990. If you have submitted it previously to use your VA education benefits, whether at CSM or a different institution, you do not need to submit it again, but you do need to submit Form 22-1995 if you are changing programs or schools.
You will need to provide CSM with the submission confirmation for your Form 22-1990 and your COE once you receive it from the VA. You can upload them while completing the CSM VA Intake Form or email them to veteransbenefits@csmd.edu. Be sure to include your student ID number.
This will enable the college to place a protection on your account to ensure your classes aren’t dropped for nonpayment.
You can view your submitted documentation—and what you may still need to submit—in your my.CSMD account.
Enrolling and Registering
Schedule an appointment with a member of CSM’s Veterans Affairs team. They’ll help you plan your courses, review your degree plan, get you oriented, and provide you with the support and resources you need to make the most of your education.
A strong start in your first semester builds confidence. You may need to take placement tests to ensure that you’re in the appropriate courses.
Register for the courses that you and your advisor selected for your first semester! CSM hosts regular Military and Veteran Registration Assistance Sessions, and students using VA benefits enjoy priority registration, regardless of the number of credits completed.
You must submit the BRF each semester after registering for classes; CSM cannot submit your enrollment to the VA without a BRF on file! You will also need to submit a BRF if you make any changes to your schedule (such as adding or dropping a class) or your program of study.
Enrolling and Registering
Schedule an appointment with a member of CSM’s Veterans Affairs team. They’ll help you plan your courses, review your degree plan, get you oriented, and provide you with the support and resources you need to make the most of your education.
A strong start in your first semester builds confidence. You may need to take placement tests to ensure that you’re in the appropriate courses.
Register for the courses that you and your advisor selected for your first semester! CSM hosts regular Military and Veteran Registration Assistance Sessions, and students using VA benefits enjoy priority registration, regardless of the number of credits completed.
You must submit the BRF each semester after registering for classes; CSM cannot submit your enrollment to the VA without a BRF on file! You will also need to submit a BRF if you make any changes to your schedule (such as adding or dropping a class) or your program of study.
Enrolling and Registering
Schedule an advising appointment with our Advising team. They’ll help you plan your courses, review your degree plan, get you oriented, and provide you with the support and resources you need to make the most of your education.
A strong start in your first semester builds confidence. You may need to take placement tests to ensure that you’re in the appropriate courses.
Register for the courses that you and your advisor selected for your first semester! CSM hosts regular Military and Veteran Registration Assistance Sessions, and students using VA benefits enjoy priority registration, regardless of the number of credits completed.
Paying for College
After registering for classes, you’ll need to make arrangements to pay your semester bill by the payment due date.
Pay in Full: Pay online with your credit card or by e-check/ACH. You can also pay in person at Student Account Services located at the campus closest to you.
Sign Up for the CSM Payment Plan: Pay your bill in convenient monthly installments, with no credit check or impact on your credit score.
Once the VA processes your enrollment certification, the VA will reimburse you on a monthly basis, based on how many credits you are taking.
Paying for College
The Ch. 33 Promissory Note ensures that you won’t be dropped from your classes for nonpayment if there is still an outstanding balance for your semester bill by the payment due date. If your semester bill is greater than what the VA pays (determined by your Certificate of Eligibility), you are responsible for the difference:
Pay in Full: Pay online with your credit card or by e-check/ACH. You can also pay in person at Student Account Services located at the campus closest to you.
Sign Up for the CSM Payment Plan: Pay your bill in convenient monthly installments, with no credit check or impact on your credit score.
There is a tremendous amount of financial assistance available to servicemembers and their families, and financial aid starts with FAFSA! Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and be sure to use CSM’s federal school code (002064).
CSM awards more than $600,000 per year in scholarship funds. Apply for more than 200 CSM scholarships with just one application with CSM’s Scholarship Finder.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Active duty servicemembers can begin using their educational benefits to pursue their education as soon as they’re eligible and don’t need to wait until they separate.