Veterans Services

Hello CSULB student veterans and military affiliated students,

As you are all aware many significant announcements have been made this week regarding COVID-19. I want to take a moment to clarify your VA educational benefits.

I know many of you have received an email from the VA regarding benefits. If you are currently attending CSULB and receiving benefits you are already in a state approved program and your benefits will not change this semester.

If the school remains open (virtually, rather than physically), and students are transitioned to solely online classes, then benefit payments will be impacted as follows:

• If the switch from training in-residence to online classes occurs during the term, and the program has been approved by the State Approving Agency for delivery through an online modality, then benefit payments (including the Monthly Housing Allowance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill) will remain unchanged for the remainder of that term.
• However, for any subsequent terms pursued solely online, the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) under the Post-9/11 GI Bill will be reduced to one-half of the national average of DoD's Basic Allowance for Housing rates for an E-5 with dependents. The limitations on MHA rates are codified in statute (38 U.S.C. § 3313(c)(1)(B)(iii).
• Lastly, if the program has not been approved by the State Approving Agency for delivery through an online modality, benefit payments will completely stop (including the Monthly Housing Allowance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill) when students begin online.

In regards to the second bullet, our CSU Veterans Affairs Director, Dr. Marshall Thomas wrote:

Two bills have been introduced in the US House of Representatives that would ensure the continuation of benefits when courses change modalities in response to this public health crisis. This legislative fix would include the continuation of both tuition payments and Monthly Housing Allowances. While it is uncertain when these pieces of legislation might complete their paths through Congress and make it to the President's desk, Congress appears to be working as quickly as possible on bills to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 crisis. This is evidenced by the fact the Senate has cancelled its recess scheduled for next week to address COVID-19 concerns.

Should you have questions or concerns please feel free to call CSULB Veterans Services at (562)-985-5115 or email veterans@csulb.edu. Our office will remain open during normal operating hours, Monday through Friday from 0800 to 1700.

Michael Barraza, PsyD
Director, Veterans Services
California State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Brotman Hall, Suite 270
Long Beach, CA 90840
Ph: (562) 985-5115
www.csulb.edu/veterans