Military Family Members

Note about Ch. 33 Benefits

Servicemembers who are eligible to receive Ch. 33 educational benefits can opt to transfer some or all of their earned benefits to a family member with a Transfer of Entitlement (TOE).

Please note: A servicemember can only apply for Transfer of Entitlement while still serving. You cannot apply for TOE once you have separated!

Getting Started with Ch. 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill® Transfer of Entitlement (TOE)

1. Apply to CSM.

Apply to CSM

During the application, you’ll be asked to choose a program. If you’re not sure, you can mark it down as “undecided” and change your selection later.

Take CSM’s Career Coach career assessment tool to help you decide what pathway and program of study is the best fit for your goals and interests.

2. Submit Transcripts for Evaluation.

Have any previous college-level coursework evaluated. If you do not have any college credits for evaluation, you can skip Step 2 and continue to Step 3.

Request your official transcripts from all prior colleges/universities to be sent directly to the CSM Registrar’s Office by email to transcripts@csmd.edu or mailed to PO Box 910, La Plata, MD 20646.

Complete the Transcript Evaluation Request Form

This step is very important to ensure you get credit for any previous college-level coursework, including Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment classes you may have taken in high school. Coming into CSM with college credits under your belt can help you finish your program of study sooner and avoid retaking classes you’ve already completed.

Provide VA Benefits Documentation:

3.Transfer Eligible Benefits to Family Member.

The eligible servicemember must apply to the Department of Defense to transfer some or all of their Ch. 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to a member of their immediate family. The Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) must be requested through milConnect while on active duty. Be sure to save a copy or screenshot of the TEB confirmation, listing the family member’s name and the approved request.

4. Apply to the VA to Use Your VA Benefits.

Submit VA Form 22-1990e (Application for Family Member to Use Transferred Benefits) online. 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 22-1990e and send your Educational Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

Note that you need to submit Form 22-1990e if you have never used VA education benefits. 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.

5. Create Your CSM VA File.

Complete the electronic CSM VA Intake Form
You will need to provide CSM with the submission confirmation for your Form 22-1990e; your COE once you receive it from the VA; and the copy of the TEB approval. 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.

6. Complete the CSM Veterans Education Benefits Orientation.

Complete the CSM Veterans Education Benefits Orientation

7. Submit the CSM Chapter 33 Promissory Note.

Submit the CSM Chapter 33 Promissory Note

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

8. Meet with CSM Veterans Affairs for Advising.

Schedule an advising 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.

9. Check College Readiness.

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.

10. Register for Classes.

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 military and VA benefits enjoy priority registration, regardless of the number of credits completed.

11. Complete the CSM Benefits Request Form. 

Complete the CSM Benefits Request Form (BRF)

Once you’ve registered for classes, fill out and submit the CSM VA Education Benefits Request Form. 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.

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.
• Apply Financial Aid: There is a tremendous amount of financial assistance available to veterans 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).

If you paid for your classes in advance, you will be reimbursed by Student Account Services after the add/drop period.

Getting Started with Ch. 35 Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)

1. Apply to CSM.

Apply to CSM

During the application, you’ll be asked to choose a program. If you’re not sure, you can mark it down as “undecided” and change your selection later.

Take CSM’s Career Coach career assessment tool to help you decide what pathway and program of study is the best fit for your goals and interests.

2. Submit Transcripts for Evaluation.

Have any previous college-level coursework evaluated. If you do not have any college credits for evaluation, you can skip Step 2 and continue to Step 3.

Request your official transcripts from all prior colleges/universities to be sent directly to the CSM Registrar’s Office by email to transcripts@csmd.edu or mailed to PO Box 910, La Plata, MD 20646.

Complete the Transcript Evaluation Form

This step is very important to ensure you get credit for any previous college-level coursework, including Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment classes you may have taken in high school. Coming into CSM with college credits under your belt can help you finish your program of study sooner and avoid retaking classes you’ve already completed.

Provide VA Benefits Documentation:

3. Apply to the VA to Use Your VA Benefits.

Submit VA Form 22-5490 (Dependents’ Application for VA Education Benefits) online. 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 22-5490 and send your Educational Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

Note that you need to submit Form 22-5490 if you have never used VA education benefits. 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.

4. Create Your CSM VA File.

Complete the electronic CSM VA Intake Form
You will need to provide CSM with the submission confirmation for your Form 22-5490; your COE once you receive it from the VA; anda copy of the servicemember's DD214 (member version 2 or 4). 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.

5. Complete the CSM Veterans Education Benefits Orientation.

Complete the CSM Veterans Education Benefits Orientation

You can view your submitted documentation—and what you may still need to submit—in your my.CSMD account. 

Enrolling and Registering

6. Meet with CSM Veterans Affairs for Advising.

Schedule an advising 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.

7. Check College Readiness.

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.

8. Register for Classes.

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 military and VA benefits enjoy priority registration, regardless of the number of credits completed.

9. Complete the CSM Benefits Request Form. 

Complete the CSM Benefits Request Form (BRF)

Once you’ve registered for classes, fill out and submit the CSM VA Education Benefits Request Form. 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.

Paying for College

After registering for classes, you’ll need to make arrangements to pay your semester bill by the payment due date. Once the VA processes your enrollment certification, the VA will reimburse you on a monthly basis, based on how many credits you are taking: 

• 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.
• Apply for Financial Aid: There is a tremendous amount of financial assistance available to veterans 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).