National Guard and Reserve

National guard members deploy from a helicopter to render aidThe citizen-soldiers of the Reserves and the National Guard are vital to our national security and military readiness.

Reservists and members of the Guard are entitled to a variety of educational benefits in recognition of their service.

 

What type of benefits are you using?





Get Started with State Education Benefits

National Guard members may be eligible for education benefits from their home state, in addition to federal benefits administered by the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Maryland National Guard servicemembers enjoy state education benefits including State Tuition Waivers (STW) and the State Tuition Assistance Reimbursement (STAR) program.

GET STARTED WITH FEDERAL TUITION ASSISTANCE

 

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 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.

Complete the Transcript Evaluation Request Form

This step is critical for utilizing your 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.



Provide Tuition Assistance Documentation:

3. Apply for Tuition Assistance.

To use Federal 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.

Military Tuition Assistance Portals by Branch

Air Force Tuition Assistance
Army Tuition Assistance  
Coast Guard Tuition Assistance
Marines Tuition Assistance  
National Guard Tuition Assistance
Navy Tuition Assistance

 

 

Enrolling and Registering

6. Meet with Academic Advising.

Schedule an advising appointment with a member of 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.

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. Submit a Tuition Assistance Letter.

Email tap@csmd.edu with your tuition assistance letter. You can also send any TA-related questions and concerns to that email address.

Once we receive your tuition assistance letter, a protection will be placed on your account to ensure 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.

Paying for College

Apply for Financial Aid

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).

Get Started with Ch. 30 Montgomery GI Bill®

 

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 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.

Complete the Transcript Evaluation Form

This step is critical for utilizing your 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.



Provide VA Benefits Documentation:

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

Submit VA Form 22-1990 (Application for VA Education Benefits)

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 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 22-1990 and your COE once you receive it from the VA. You will also need to submit a copy of your Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE), which you can request from your command. 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

Get Started with Ch. 1606 Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)

 

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 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.

Complete the Transcript Evaluation Request Form

This step is critical for utilizing your 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.



Provide VA Benefits Documentation:

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

Submit VA Form 22-1990 (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 22-1990 and send your Educational Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

Note that you need to submit Form 22-1990 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 22-1990 and your COE once you receive it from the VA. You will also need to submit a copy of your Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE), which you can request from your command. 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

Get Started with Ch. 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill®

 

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 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.

Complete the Transcript Evaluation Form

This step is critical for utilizing your 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.



Provide VA Benefits Documentation:

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

Submit VA Form 22-1990 (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 22-1990 and send your Educational Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

Note that you need to submit Form 22-1990 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 22-1990 and your COE once you receive it from the VA. You will also need to submit a copy of your Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE), which you can request from your command. 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.

 

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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: 

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

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.

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