Veterans and Their Families

Education That Honors Your Questions

Service changes us. It asks us to witness things most people never see, to carry questions that don't have easy answers, and to navigate challenges that test everything we thought we knew about ourselves and the world.

At CIIS, we understand that veterans don't just come to higher education looking for a degree—you come carrying profound questions from your experiences. Questions about leadership, healing, community, and how to create the change you want to see in the world.

This is why CIIS offers something different: transformative education designed not just to help you learn, but to help you transform—yourself, your community, and your approach to the challenges you care about most.
 

Read veteran Fernando Ona's full story

Ready to Begin? 

Your service prepared you to lead, to question, and to work toward something greater than yourself. At CIIS, we're committed to supporting you in that continued journey—with education that takes seriously not just what you've done, but the transformative work of imagining different futures together.

The information below will help you secure your VA funding and start your application. We encourage veterans to begin early and reach out with any questions.

GI Bill® (Chapter 33) & Yellow Ribbon Program

Eligibility varies on an individual basis including which GI Bill® (or chapter) you're covered under and your length of service.

Use the GI Bill® Online Comparison Tool to see what you're eligible for or call the VA Education Benefits Line at 1-888-442-4551.

Once you've exhausted all your GI Bill® funds for the year, the Yellow Ribbon Program covers the remaining tuition for the academic year: 50% by the Veteran Affairs and a 50% match by CIIS.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website.

Title 38 USC 3679(e) Compliance

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), this school adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. This school will not:

• Prevent the student’s enrollment;
• Assess a late penalty fee to;
• Require student secure alternative or additional funding;
• Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:

• Provide Chapter 33 Certificate of Eligibility (or its equivalent) or for Chapter 31, VA VR&E’s contract with the school on VA Form 28-1905 by the first day of class.

Chapter 33 students can register at the VA Regional Office to use E-Benefits to get the equivalent of a Chapter 33 Certificate of Eligibility. Chapter 31 student cannot get a completed VA Form 28-1905 (or any equivalent) before the VA VR&E case-manager issues it to the school.

• Provide written request to be certified;
• Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.

Financial Aid Checklist

Use our checklist (downloadable PDF) designed to help you through the process of determining and securing your educational funding provided by the Department of Veteran Affairs and CIIS: 

1. Secure your Certificate of Eligibility from the VA.
2. Provide a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to the Financial Aid Office, via standard mail or email a scanned copy to finaid@ciis.edu.
3. Work with your admission counselor to ensure you are fully admitted into a program.

Outside Scholarships

1. GI Bill Express.com - Scholarships, veterans employment, GI Bill® information, veteran jobs, veterans benefits, transition assistance and more.
2. Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation - One year, renewable, scholarships for the children of active duty and retired marines.

Contact Us

Your funds typically take a few weeks after the semester is completed to arrive at CIIS. If you are Yellow Ribbon eligible, your CIIS Yellow Ribbon match will be applied to your account after the add/drop date. Please contact our Financial Aid Office with any questions at finaid@ciis.edu.