College of Western Idaho (CWI) proudly welcomes our nation's veterans, service members, and their dependents. As a new or continuing veteran student or qualifying family member, our Veterans and Military Services team is here to assist you and help make your college experience as seamless as possible.
Contact us any time with questions or for assistance!
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Admission to CWI
To be admitted as a student at CWI, please follow the steps outlined below.
- Apply for GI Bill or other education benefits.
- If you are a veteran seeking higher education and plan to utilize financial means outside of GI Bill funding, please contact Veterans and Military Family Services to discuss attending CWI.
- Apply to CWI.
- Veterans, dependents, reservists, or active-duty members using educational benefits are guaranteed submission of enrollment verification before the start of the upcoming semester if they have submitted the required documentation by the Veterans Priority Deadline listed on the Academic Calendar.
- Request official transcripts.
- Submit VA documentation to CWI including:
- Certificate of Eligibility
- DD 214 (service members only)
- Military Transcripts (service members only)
- Chapter 35 Dependents Education Assistance (DEA)
- Full Name of Sponsor
- Sponsor's Social Security Number
- Verify academic skill level.
- Complete next steps, including registering for classes.
- Apply for GI Bill or other education benefits.
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Education Benefits
Application Process
Applying for the GI Bill* and other education benefits is one of the first steps you can take in preparing to attend CWI. You will do this through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Eligibility
- To establish your eligibility for education benefits, visit GI Bill and other education benefit eligibility.
- As benefit eligibility may take up to 30 days to process, plan accordingly as this will impact your disbursement of funds.
- Those eligible will receive a Certificate of Eligibility.
- A copy of this will be submitted to Veterans and Military Family Services as part of the admissions process.
Apply for Educational Benefits
Note, your application for educational benefits is successfully submitted once you see the confirmation page. Be sure to save or print the confirmation page for your records as it has your confirmation number on it.Benefit Types
If you are unsure of which benefit to choose, review the information below to review information and eligibility. Current payment rates are available on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.
Chapter 30
The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD), Chapter 30, provides funding for education and training programs to those who have served at least two years on active duty.
Chapter 31
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), Chapter 31, services can help with job training, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills coaching. Other services may be provided to assist Veterans and Service members in starting their own businesses or independent living services for those who are severely disabled and unable to work in traditional employment.
Chapter 33
The Post-9/11 GI Bill, Chapter 33, can help fund school or job training for those who served on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001.
In order to receive a full federal housing allowance, students utilizing Chapter 33 will be required to register for at least one in-person or hybrid class each semester. Students who choose to only take classes online or remotely (distance learning) will only receive 50% of the federal housing allowance.
Chapter 35
The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA), Chapter 35, program offers funding to help pay for school or job training for children or spouses of a veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or has disabilities.
Chapter 1606
The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR), Chapter 1606, offers up to 36 months of education and training benefits to members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard.
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Chapter 35
The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA), Chapter 35, provides education and training opportunities to spouses and dependents of certain Veterans who have permanent and total service-connected disabilities or who died
* 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 at benefits.va.gov/gibill. The absence of the registration symbol ® does not constitute a waiver of VA's trademark rights in that phrase. -
Request for Certification
A Request for Certification is required every semester to certify your benefits.
- This form should be completed after registering for classes for the upcoming semester.
- If you make changes to your schedule after submitting your Request for Certification, you will need to submit it again.
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Monthly Enrollment Verification
Chapter 30 & Chapter 1606
Students using Chapter 30 and Chapter 1606 must verify college attendance to the VA on the last day of each month in order for payment to be released. Your enrollment can be verified online or by phone at 1.877.823.2378.
Chapter 33
Students using Chapter 33 must verify attendance to VA using either opt-in text messaging or by calling GI Bill® hotline at 1.888.442.4551.
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Tuition
In-State Tuition
In support of veteran students and their qualified dependents, CWI is pleased to grant in-state tuition to those eligible as defined in Section 702 of the Veteran’s Choice Act.
In-State Tuition Eligibility Requirements
Tuition Assistance
Tuition Assistance is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard, to include National Guard and Reserves. This benefit may pay up to 100% for the tuition expenses of its members*. Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application processes, and restrictions. The money is typically paid directly to the college or institution by the individual services. For additional information, contact your Base/Post Education Center or follow the links below for your particular service/component.
- Air Force Tuition Assistance
- Army Tuition Assistance
- Navy Tuition Assistance
- Marine Corps Tuition Assistance
- Coast Guard Tuition Assistance
- National Guard Tuition Assistance
- Reserve Tuition Assistance
*In accordance with the Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CWI and Department of Defense, a portion of tuition assistance funds may be returned to the service if a student stops attending before the end of an enrollment period. In instances when a service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, the educational institution will work with the affected service member to identify solutions that will not result in a student debt for the returned portion.
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Payments
Payment Plans
Students who are Chapter 30, 35, and 1606 and receive direct payment of their VA Benefits are advised to set up a payment plan prior to the start of the semester.
Payment resources
- VA Education Benefits Hotline (payment issues)
888.442.4551 - Direct Deposit Enrollment
877.838.2778 - VA Debt Management Center
800.827.0648
Payment Exclusions
Veteran Affairs may not pay for a class you are taking at CWI for several reasons including:
- The class is not part of your degree or certificate plan.
- You have already taken and passed the class at CWI, another institution, or from transferable military credit.
- The class is an online/remote, remedial class (prevents the certification of online MATH 097, MATH 098, and MATH 099).
- The class is non-credit bearing, such as MATH 085.
- The degree or certificate program is not approved by Veteran Affairs or on Form 22-1998. This typically applies to new programs.
- The class is part of an apprenticeship program. View a list of approved employers for apprenticeship programs.
- VA Education Benefits Hotline (payment issues)
Mission43 Partnership
CWI is proud to partner with Mission43 to provide veteran students and military spouses opportunities to succeed in Idaho following their military service through education. Mission43 members may be eligible for scholarships!
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Contact Us
- Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Pregnancy/Parenting