Veterans Educational Benefits
Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) most programs are approved by the Veterans Administration (VA) to offer education benefits for eligible students.
- Chapter 30 - Montgomery GI Bill®
- Chapter 31 - Vocational Rehabilitation (VR&E
- Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill®
- Chapter 35 - Survivors & Dependents
- Chapter 1606 - Selected Reserve
How to Get Started
- VA New Student Checklist – step-by-step guide to begin using benefits.
- Attendance Verification – all students must verify monthly with the VA.
- GI Bill® Comparison Tool – see how benefits apply to different programs.
Support & Contacts
- VA Eligibility Questions: 1-888-442-4551 or VA.gov
- Monthly Verification: 1-877-823-2378 Local Help at CPTC:
School Certifying Official (SCO)
📞 253-589-5581 | ✉ vaoffice@cptc.edu
VA New Student Checklist
For complete new student process, download the
Document
VA Attendance Verification
For instructions and information on VA attendance verification, download the
Document
GI Bill Comparison Tool
Approved programs of study
- Degrees
- Certificates
- Licenses, certifications, and prep courses - Search for licenses, certifications, and prep courses. You can submit a form to get reimbursed.
- National Exams - Search for licenses, certifications, and prep courses. You can submit a form to get reimbursed.
Priority (Registration) Enrollment for Veterans
Bonus Benefit
🎓 Veterans receive priority registration – register early to secure your classes!
Clover Park Technical College is pleased to allow priority registration as defined by RCW 28B.15.621 section 7b to eligible veterans and National Guard members who are continuing, returning or newly admitted students. RCW 28B.15.621 section 7b (HB 1109) defines an eligible veteran as follows:
"Eligible veteran or national guard member" means a Washington domiciliary who was an active or reserve member of the United States military or naval forces, or a national guard member called to active duty, who served in active federal service, under either Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States Code, in a war or conflict fought on foreign soil or in international waters or in another location in support of those serving on foreign soil or in international waters, and if discharged from service, has received a qualifying discharge as defined in 2HSB2014 section 4.
Priority enrollment (registration) per this law is offered to:
Students who are eligible veterans, national guard members, active-duty military members, and their spouses, domestic partners, and dependents as follows:
- New students who meet the above and who have completed all their admission processes.
- Continuing students who meet the above and who has active enrollment in the current quarter. Withdrawals do not count as active enrollment.
- Returning (former) students who meet the above and who have completed all re-admission requirements.
Procedure for Assigning Priority Enrollment to New or Returning* students:
Students must submit the following to the Enrollment Services Office for eligibility review four (4) weeks prior to quarter’s priority enrollment date. View the Enrollment & Quarter Dates for exact priority dates.
- For eligible veterans and national guard members:
- Copy of your DD214 form (member 2 copy)
- For active-duty members:
- Proof of active-duty, i.e., leave & earnings statement (LES), enlistment contract, etc.
- For spouses, domestic partners, and dependents of eligible veterans and national guard members:
- Copy of the member’s DD214 form (member 2 copy)
- Proof of relationship to the member, i.e., marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.
- For spouses, domestic partners, and dependents of active-duty members:
- Proof of active-duty, i.e., leave & earnings statement (LES), enlistment contract, etc.
- Proof of relationship to the member, i.e., marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.
*Returning (former) are students who were never previously assigned a priority enrollment.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may find out how much money you will receive and/or your eligibility by contacting the VA Education Customer Service Office at 888-442-4551.
The VA requires you to be admitted with a scheduled start date for a program. For steps on getting started at CPTC, visit https://www.cptc.edu/apply.
Depending on your situation, applicable documents are listed below:
- Copy of your DD-214
- Marriage License
- Divorce Papers
- Birth Certificates
Because your DD-214 is the most important separation document you receive, we advise that as a safeguard you take a copy to the following agency to have it certified: Pierce County Annex, Room 200, 2401 South 35th Street, Tacoma, WA 98409.
The following forms listed below are available at: https://www.gibill.va.gov
- 22 - 1990 Application for Educational Benefits
- 21 - 686 Declaration of Dependents
- 572 Change of Address
Document
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If your paperwork is complete at least 30 days prior to your start date, you are eligible to sign up for advance pay. That check will have your eligible pay for up to the first two calendar months of college attendance, depending on when you enroll.
The check will be available at the college on or about the first day of attendance.
If you are unable to sign up for advance pay, the VA sends your first check to your home address, and it usually arrives 2-15 weeks after you start college.
Some students are required to verify their attendance the last day of each month. The method may vary depending on which chapter your VA benefits fall under. Verification will done by phone, mail, or online.
- Phone: 888-442-4551
- Website: www.gibill.va.gov. Click Information for Veterans, then Verify your attendance.
- Mail: If you are required to submit your attendance by mail, the VA will mail you the required form each month
If you do not receive your check within 15 days after you submit your verification of attendance, contact the VA Regional Office's toll-free number at 888-442-4551. You will be able to make an inquiry.
Immediately contact CPTC's VA certifying official, at 253-589-5581
Immediately contact CPTC's VA certifying official, at 253-589-5581
The VA requires that you maintain satisfactory progress in your program and submit your verification of attendance.
Effective Winter 2026, dependents of 100% disabled veterans may apply for the Washington State Tuition Waiver through the Veterans Services Office, Building 17, Room 103.
Washington Tuition Waiver Form
Upon receipt of your DD-295, our CPTC credentials evaluator and CPTC program faculty will determine transfer of appropriate military coursework.
If you have coursework from other accredited colleges or universities, please have an official transcript sent to: Attn: Credentials Evaluator, Clover Park Technical College, 4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98499.
If you have undocumented experience for which you would like credit, please contact your program instructor for a Prior Learning Assessment. This assessment process has a minimal charge payable at the Cashier's Office prior to the evaluation.
In all cases, you will be notified of the outcome in writing.
Veteran Work-Study Employment
To be eligible for work-study as a veteran, you must:
- Be a veteran who is currently utilizing your benefits.
- Be enrolled 9-11 credits (part-time) or at least 12 credits (full-time).
- Be enrolled in a program approved by Veteran's Affairs.
- Must be in your second quarter of attending CPTC.
Once approved for work-study, you must take a job that involves direct service to other veterans. Clover Park Technical College offers a few jobs that meet this requirement. You may contact CPTC's veterans certifying official at 253-589-5581 or email at vaoffice@cptc.edu.