In order to utilize your education benefits, you must supply the CFK certifying official with the following items:

1. A Certificate of Eligibility

Apply for you Certificate of Eligibility online. You will receive your Certificate of Eligibility in the mail in about 30 days and it will indicate the details of your benefit.

If you are a dependent using education benefits, your sponsor must first transfer the benefit to you before you can apply for your Certificate of Eligibility. They can do that here: Transfer Education Benefit to Dependent. Once you receive approval of the transfer you may follow the step above to apply for your Certificate of Eligibility.

If you have already used your VA education benefit at another institution and are transferring to CFK, you must update your program of study or place of training. You can do that here, under “How Do I apply?”: Change Place of Training or Program of Study

2. A copy of your most recent DD-214 (not applicable for dependents)

3. A copy of the VA Certification Request Form

Once you have registered for classes (see instructions below), submit the Certification Request Form to our office, found below. This is your way of letting us know you are registered and ready for your classes to be certified with the VA. You can submit this form up to 60 days before the start of the term. Early submissions help to avoid delays in benefit payments.

If you have questions on what you qualify for and differences between benefits, VA has information to help you in determining what benefit is best for you on their website. You can also call VA Education Services for additional assistance at 1-888-442-4551

Submit your application to CFK online here: Apply Now!

Contact your previous college(s), if applicable, and your high school/GED to request official copies of your transcripts be sent to Admissions – admissions@cfk.edu.

Ensure that official copies of your military transcripts are sent to Admissions as well. (Not applicable for dependents).

Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps Transcripts

Air Force Transcripts

Failure to send your transcripts will result in the certifying official’s inability to certify your credits with the VA.

Ensure residency documents are turned in to Admissions. VA education benefits will pay for in-state tuition and fee rates. If you are not a Florida Resident, as a veteran or dependent of a veteran utilizing education benefits, you may qualify for a non-resident

fee waiver. To request a Veteran fee waiver, please contact the Admissions office (admissions@cfk.edu).

To be eligible for an out-of-state fee waiver, veterans must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Submit the appropriate documentation to the Enrollment Services office
   1. Form DD-214 showing honorable discharge
   2. They physically reside in Florida (present FL driver’s license or FL identification card as proof) while enrolled at the institution
2. Student is enrolled full-time or part-time in a program that provides a degree or certificate
3. Student does NOT have 3rd attempt courses waived
4. Student has NOT received more than 110% of their program credit hours waived

To be eligible for an out-of-state fee waiver, spouses and dependents of veterans must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Submit the appropriate documentation to Enrollment Services office
   1. Form DD-214 showing honorable discharge of sponsor
   2. Documentation from the Department of VA that the student is eligible for education benefits (Certificate of Eligibility)
   3. They physically reside in Florida (present FL driver’s license or FL identification card as proof) while enrolled at the institution
2. Student is enrolled full-time or part-time in a program that provides a degree or certificate
3. Student does NOT have 3rd attempt courses waived
4. Student has NOT received more than 110% of their program credit hours waived

Many veteran students are eligible for financial aid including grants and scholarships. Receiving financial aid does not affect your VA benefits in any way. Apply for financial aid online: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Reach out to the Office of Financial Aid if you need assistance: financialaid@cfk.edu

Contact Advising Services to make an appointment with an Academic Advisor. Be sure to let your advisor know that you are using veteran education benefits. Be sure to be degree or certificate seeking. Remember to submit your Certification Request Form once you’re registered.

Each student’s level of benefits are unique and VA may not cover all of the term’s fees. Following certification of your courses, the certifying official will inform you of any tuition and fees that are your responsibility. It is every student’s responsibility to ensure that their student account is current and paid in full by the payment deadline each term. If you qualify for any VA benefits, you can apply for a 60-day deferment of fees for Fall and Spring terms or a 30-day deferment for Summer terms. This can be used at least once per calendar year. If you would like to request a deferment of fees please submit the Deferment Request Form to Business Services.

You can view required materials and/or order from the CFK Bookstore . You should order your books ahead of time so you do not get behind in your classes. For Post 9/11 GI Bill recipients, the VA will reimburse you with a portion of your book and supply stipend each term, which totals up to $1000 per year. If you are also a financial aid recipient you may be eligible for a book voucher.

You must submit a new Certification Request Form before each term you wish to utilize your benefit. You may submit this up to 60 days before the start of each term.

If you are working from a non-resident fee waiver, be sure to renew the waiver with admissions before each term.

Make sure that you understand the responsibilities of your benefit. For example, some benefits require students to verify enrollment (non-degree seekers, Montgomery GI Bill, etc.).