California's Veteran Benefits

Veteran Education & Employment Benefits

Education Benefits

California provides support programs and a non-resident college fee waiver to qualifying veterans and servicemembers. It also provides aid to eligible dependents and spouses of servicemembers.

Programs for Veteran Students

Troops to College

The Troops to College program is an important part of the California state college and university system, offering veteran-specific student assistance.

Among the benefits it offers are courses to help veterans, particularly those returning from combat, learn about some of the issues many veterans face when returning to civilian life. It aims to provide these veterans with knowledge and techniques that will help them succeed in different aspects of their lives. Veterans and their families can enroll.

Other support programs and benefits are available within the program, including:

• Priority registration
• Academic and financial services that are specific to veterans
• Credits for military training
• Student leadership opportunities

For more information, visit the Troops to College website.

Non-Resident College Fee Waiver

California offers a non-resident college fee waiver at its California State University, State of California Community College, and University of California campuses. The following students may be eligible:

• Active duty members of the Armed Forces who are stationed in California and are pursuing an undergraduate degree
• Students who are seeking up to two years of graduate-level study and are active duty members of the Armed Forces stationed in California
• Armed Forces veterans who served on active duty in California for at least one year immediately prior to discharge from service

For more information on eligibility and application, contact a California state college or university that falls under the categories listed above and speak to the admissions office.

California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program (CNG EAAP)

If you've been an active member of the California Army or Air National Guard, Naval Militia, or State Military Reserve for at least two years, you may qualify for the California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program (CNG EAAP). This program could cover up to 100% of your fees at qualifying colleges and universities.

Visit the official CNG EEAP website for more information or to apply.

Education Aid for Dependents & Spouses

California provides an exemption from mandatory tuition fees and non-resident tuition fees to eligible spouses and dependents of veterans, among other benefits.

For a tuition fee waiver, an eligible dependent must meet the following criteria:

• Be the child of a parent who is a veteran with disabilities and is officially rated at 0% or more disabled
• Earn below $11,945 per year, unless the veteran parent either has a VA disability rating of 100% because of a service-connected condition or had a service-connected death, which both remove income limit requirements
• Take graduate or undergraduate courses at an eligible college or university (which include campuses of California State University, California Community College, or University of California)
• Meet the school's requirements for in-state residency
• Provide paperwork that confirms their relationship to the veteran (copy of a birth or adoption certificate)

For a tuition fee waiver, an eligible spouse must meet the following criteria:

• Have a spouse who died from a service-connected cause or has a disability rating of 100% due to a service-connected condition
• Take graduate or undergraduate courses at an eligible college or university (which include campuses of California State University, California Community College, or University of California)
• Meet the school's requirements for in-state residency
• Provide paperwork that confirms their relationship to the veteran (copy of marriage certificate)

Additionally, a spouse or dependent (child, adopted child, stepchild) of an active duty servicemember stationed in California may qualify for exemption from non-resident fees if they are pursuing:

• An undergraduate degree, or
• Up to one year of graduate study

Visit the CalVet College Fee Waiver page for more information about the fee waiver. To learn about non-resident fee exemption, contact a California qualifying university.

Additionally, for information about other programs for dependents and survivors, visit the California State University page here.

Employment Benefits

Work-Study

If you're an eligible veteran or a dependent of one, you may want to take advantage of VA work-study opportunities, which allow you to work at multiple VA facilities or other approved California state offices while attending school.

To qualify for the program, you must be both going to school at least three-quarter time and currently receiving VA education benefits. Visit your school's veterans office to get the necessary application form.

For more information on wage, eligibility, and acceptable work, visit California's VA Work-Study Program page.

Employment Programs

California offers the following programs to assist veterans in finding employment:

• Employment Development Department (EDD) – EDD helps California's veterans and eligible spouses find employment by working with local employment and training agencies that help match veterans and their skill sets to work opportunities. Visit EDD's Services for Veterans page for further information and support.
• Veterans' Preference Program – For state positions requiring a minimum college education and less than two years of work-related experience, eligible veterans and spouses of veterans who have either deceased or been rated 100% disabled can receive additional points to a passing entrance examination score. Visit the CalCareers website for more information
• Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Program – Disabled veterans who own at least 51% of a business and have a service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher may be eligible to participate in the DVBE Program. Under this program, your business contracts with the state of California, which aims to use a 3% minimum of its contract money on DVBEs. For more information, visit the DVBE Eligibility page.
• Unemployment Benefits – Veterans who recently separated or retired from the military and are unemployed may be eligible for unemployment benefits, which allow for a maximum of 26 weeks of payments. You should apply for benefits immediately after separation from active duty service. Visit the Unemployment Benefits page for more information.

Other Veteran Benefits

Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Discounts

Registration Waiver & Free License Plates

You may be entitled to both free license plates and the waiver of registration fees for one passenger vehicle, commercial motor vehicle under 8001 pounds, or motorcycle. The following individuals are eligible:

• Medal of Honor recipients
• Former American prisoners of war (POWs)
• Eligible veterans with disabilities
• Eligible surviving spouses of Medal of Honor recipients and former POWs

Your application process depends on your status. The following is a basic guide, but make sure to contact your local DMV office for details before you apply:

• Medal of Honor Recipients – Provide proof that you received the award and complete DMV form REG 17A
• Former POWs – Complete DMV form REG 17 and provide proof that you were a POW
• Veterans with Disabilities – Complete DMV form REG 256A and have a medical provider complete the section verifying your disability status; you'll also need to obtain a letter from the VA or military service that discharged you stating that you are eligible
• Surviving Spouses – Elect to keep the plates of your POW or Medal of Honor veteran spouse

You can apply at your local DMV office or by sending required materials to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Special Processing Unit, MS D238
P.O. Box 932345
Sacramento, CA 94232-0001

Visit the California Department of Veterans Affairs website or contact your local DMV office or for more details.

Disabled Veteran License Plates

Eligible veterans with disabilities can qualify for free registration and disabled veteran handicap parking license plates for one passenger motor vehicle, motorcycle, or commercial motor vehicle weighing less than 8,001 pounds. You may be eligible if:

• You have a VA rating of 100% disability from a service-related cause
• You are permanently blind
• You cannot move without an assistant device
• You have lost use of at least one limb

To receive a disabled veteran license plate, you must complete DMV form REG 256A (including the signed medical certification). For more information on eligibility or to apply, go to your local DMV office, contact the California Department of Veterans Affairs, or visit CalVet's License Plates website.

Recreational Benefits

State Parks and Recreation Passes

Veterans who are former prisoners of war, Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, or disabled with a service-connected disability rated at 50% or more may be eligible for a lifetime pass to parks in the California State Parks system. Visit the Distinguished Veterans Pass page for an application and further information.

Hunting and Fishing Licenses

Veterans with disabilities who have a 50% or more service-connected disability rating are eligible for reduced annual fees on sport fishing and hunting licenses. To obtain the fee reduction, you must provide proof of your disability rating and honorable discharge.

If you are a recovering servicemember, you may also be eligible for a reduced license fee. You'll have to provide proof of this status with a letter from a doctor or your commanding officer.

Visit the Fishing and Hunting Licenses page for more information on eligibility and how to apply for reduced-fee licenses.