Military Affiliated Benefit Frequently Asked Questions

Currently serving is defined as a member of the United States Armed Forces (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force) that is currently serving whether on Active Duty, Guard, or Reserve status. Members of the Guard and Reserve must be drilling members or on active duty. Service members that are in the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) are not considered as currently serving for purposes of the Military-Affiliated Benefit.

In 1973, Columbia College became one of the first colleges in the country with extended venues on military bases. Today we continue to educate service members, veterans, and military families online and at more than 30 venues across the nation. We are proud of our military-connected history. Since then, we have adopted services to support service members, veterans, and military families. All the things we do to provide these services will now fall under the “military-affiliated benefits.” We use the term “military-affiliated benefits” to promote the services and resources we provide now, as well as future innovative ideas that we adopt.

We are expanding our Military Affiliated-Benefit to include:

• Currently serving military members
• Spouses/dependents of currently serving military members
• Affiliated installation employees
• Spouses/dependents of affiliated installation employees

Currently serving military members

This $250 undergraduate / $325 graduate per credit hour rate is for any member of the United States Armed Forces (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Corps, Space Force) currently serving as Active Duty, Guard, or Reserve status. Members of the Guard and Reserve must be drilling members or on active duty. Service members in the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) are not considered as currently serving for purposes of the Military-Affiliated Benefit.

Spouse and dependents of currently serving military members

This $250 undergraduate / $325 graduate per credit hour rate is for the spouse or dependents of currently serving military members. Dependents must be under the age of 25 prior to the first day of the semester to be eligible to receive the dependent benefit.

Columbia College-affiliated installation employees

This $250 undergraduate / $325 graduate per credit hour rate is for any Installation employee that is employed on one of the Columbia College-Affiliated Military Installations.

Spouse and dependents of Columbia College-affiliated installation employees

This 15% discount off the standard rate is for the spouse or dependent of an installation employee that is employed on one of the Columbia College affiliated military installations. Dependents must be under the age of 25 prior to the first day of the semester to be eligible to receive the dependent benefit.

Veterans

The Ousley Family Veterans Service Center strives to provide a support network to facilitate the transition of veterans, military service members and dependents to Columbia College. The center also strives to understand and address their unique student support needs while attending Columbia College.

We assist all veterans, and help then utilize their individual benefits, such as:

• Post 9/11
• Montgomery
• MGIB-SR 1606
• Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E)
• DEA

To be considered currently serving, the military member must be a member of the United States Armed Forces (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Corps, Space Force) currently serving as Active Duty, Guard, or Reserve status. Members of the Guard and Reserve must be drilling members or on active duty. Service members in the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) are not considered as currently serving for purposes of the Military-Affiliated Benefit.

Military-Affiliated Benefit rates and discounts are calculated per credit hour and vary for undergraduate tuition and graduate tuition.

Recently named by Military Times’ as a “Best for Vets: Colleges 2023”, Columbia College has been serving active and reserve service members, veterans, and military families for nearly 50 years. We’re invested in your success, with a dedicated military and veterans services center offering on-site and virtual services.

Columbia College offers the Military-Affiliated Benefit at more than 25 affiliated military installations nationwide. Our current affiliated military installations include locations where there is already a Columbia College presence and some installations that are near our metropolitan Columbia College locations.

CC-Affiliated Installations Across the Country

Many benefits can be utilized while receiving a Military Affiliated-Benefit including:

• Military Tuition Assistance
• VA benefits
• State benefits
• Outside scholarships
• Employer tuition assistance
• Federal financial aid

If you meet the qualifications for more than one benefit, you will be eligible to utilize the one that is the most beneficial for you.

For example, if you are the spouse of a member currently serving and you are a federal employee, since the spouse rate is a lower tuition rate, it would be the most beneficial for you to use the Military-Affiliated Benefit.

Columbia College tuition rates and discounts cannot be stacked or combined.

All online, virtual, and in-seat nationwide courses and programs are eligible. Traditional day students at our Columbia Missouri campus are not eligible for the Military-Affiliated Benefit.

Yes.

Columbia offers courses that start every eight weeks, six times a year utilizing various classroom instructional methods:

In-Seat: Students enrolled in these courses will meet face-to-face, on a regular schedule at a set location.

Online: Students enrolled are learning content that is taught online using D2L course management software.

Interactive Virtual Classroom: Students enrolled are in a blended learning environment that meets at a specific time connecting a physical classroom with a secondary Virtual Classroom.

Hybrid: Students enrolled will have a mix of in-person meetings and online instructional activities.

Students can mix and match which style courses fit best throughout their entire degree. Many students choose a mix of in-seat, online, and virtual courses depending on the type of class and time of year. We encourage flexibility in your educational journey.

Current course schedule and offerings may vary for each location or instructional methods.

We are excited to talk to you today! Reach out to an enrollment counselor and ask all your questions. We are available on the phone at (573) 875-7515, through web chat, or via email at Admissions@CCIS.edu.

If you are ready to start now," complete Columbia College’s application online! While filling out the application, questions will be presented to allow you to identify yourself as one of the Military-Affiliated Benefit eligible students.

Step 1: Select the appropriate Military-Affiliated Benefit category when completing your application for admission. If you have already submitted your application, and did not include this information, call the Center for Student Success at 573-875-7252 for assistance submitting the appropriate documentation.

Step 2: Provide required documentation to meet admissions eligibility.

Step 3: Once admitted, an automated email will be sent to your CougarMail student account with a link to a benefit request form.

Step 4: Submit the benefit request form and provide the proof of your eligibility, examples are included on the form.

If you are near one of our locations across the US, you may verify in-person with a Columbia College employee and your proof of eligibility.

Military Spouse

• Copy of your sponsor’s DEERS Form 1172-2

OR

• Copy of your marriage certificate AND your sponsor’s most recent Leave & Earnings Statement (LES
• Copy of your most recent tax return showing married filing jointly status AND your sponsor’s most recent Leave & Earnings Statement (LES)

Military Dependent

• Copy of your sponsor’s DEERS Form 1172-2

OR

• Copy of your birth certificate AND your sponsor’s most recent Leave & Earning Statement (LES)
• Copy of your most recent tax return showing dependent status AND your sponsor’s most recent Leave & Earnings Statement (LES)

NOTE: Students must be under 25 years of age prior to the start of the semester.

When you are ready to submit the benefit request form here are some of the examples of documentation needed:

Military Spouse

• Copy of your sponsor’s DEERS Form 1172-2

OR

• Copy of your marriage certificate AND your sponsor’s most recent Leave & Earnings Statement (LES)
• Copy of your most recent tax return showing married filing jointly status AND your sponsor’s most recent Leave & Earnings Statement (LES)

Military Dependent

• Copy of your sponsor’s DEERS Form 1172-2

OR

• Copy of your birth certificate AND your sponsor’s most recent Leave & Earning Statement (LES)
• Copy of your most recent tax return showing dependent status AND your sponsor’s most recent Leave & Earnings Statement (LES)

NOTE: Students must be under 25 years of age prior to the start of the semester.

To determine if you are eligible to receive the Military Affiliated-Benefit, you will need to provide proof of your eligibility and complete one of the following request forms:

• Complete the Military-Affiliated Benefit Request For Spouse Or Dependent if you are the spouse or dependent of any member of the United States Armed Forces.
• Complete the Military-Affiliated Benefit Installation Employee Request and the CC-Affiliated Installation Employee Verification Form if you are an employee at a CC-affiliated military installation or are the employee's spouse or employee's dependent

If you are near one of our locations across the US, you may verify in-person with a Columbia College employee and your proof of eligibility.

If you are currently registered for classes that have not started:

• If your request is approved, your tuition charges should update overnight after the approval, and you should be able to see the benefit in your Account Activity in the Payment portal.
• If your request is unable to be approved, no change will take place to your tuition charges.
• If you are currently registered for classes that are taking place right now, the benefit may not apply until the following semester.

If you have not yet registered, you have two options:

• You can register for classes and enroll in a Payment Plan through your Payment portal at this time. If your request is approved, you will receive an email notification, and your tuition charges should update overnight.
• You may wait until your request has been reviewed, and if approved, register after receiving an approved notification.

Veterans should verify eligibility by contacting the Financial Aid Office.

• Phone: (573) 875-7504 or (800) 231-2391, ext. 7504
• Fax: (573) 876-4455
• Email: VAcert@CCIS.edu

All students are encouraged to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) to check eligibility. Some scholarships and grants require students to submit a FAFSA to be considered for eligibility.

The financial aid code for Columbia College is 002456.

Visit Columbia College’s Financial Aid page for additional information.

If you need help completing the application for admission, contact our Admissions office.

Call us: (800) 231-2391
Email us: Admissions@CCIS.edu

If you need help submitting your Military Affiliated-Benefit request, contact the Center for Student Success.

Call us: 573-875-7252
Email us: SUCCESS@CCIS.edu

If you need help understanding or pursuing your Veteran Benefits, contact the Financial Aid Office.

Call us: (573) 875-7504 or (800) 231-2391, ext. 7504
Email us: VACert@CCIS.edu