Veteran Students

Continue Your Education at Chicago State University

Your service has already shaped your path—now it can support your education. Chicago State University is proud to support veterans and service members who are ready to pursue their educational goals. As a veteran applicant, you’ll receive an application fee waiver and dedicated support throughout the admissions and enrollment process.

Apply Now

Who is Considered a Veteran?

For financial aid and admissions purposes, you are considered a veteran if you meet one or more of the following criteria:

You served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces
You are a member of the National Guard or Reserves and were activated for purposes other than training
You were a cadet or midshipman at a U.S. service academy released under conditions other than dishonorable

You are not considered a veteran for financial aid purposes if you:

Have never served on active duty
Are currently an ROTC student, cadet, or midshipman at a service academy
Were activated in the National Guard or Reserves for training only

Admission Requirements

To apply to Chicago State University as a veteran, you’ll need to submit the following:

A completed online application (CSU Application or Common App)
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
Your official high school transcript that shows your graduation date (if you have fewer than 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours of earned college credit)
ACT or SAT scores (Optional)

If your GPA or test scores fall below standard admission criteria, you may be asked to submit a personal statement, essay, or letter of recommendation. These materials are reviewed holistically for conditional admission consideration.

NOTE: Freshman and transfer veteran applicants must meet the same admission criteria established for regular admissions.

Transfer Veteran Students

If you’re transferring to CSU, it is your responsibility to:

Contact the Office of Veterans Affairs to schedule a meeting before the beginning of your first semester. Please bring a copy of your DD214 to the meeting.
Provide copies of academic transcripts from previous schools.
Complete VA Form 22-1995, if required based on the benefits you receive.

Continuing or Returning Veteran Students

Continuing and returning veteran students must meet with the Office of Veterans Affairs before the start of every semester. This meeting is required to ensure continued use of your benefits.

If you do not complete this meeting, your benefits will not be certified for that semester.

For additional information, contact the VA/Scholarship Coordinator in the Office of Student Financial Aid at (773) 995-2304 or visit ADM 2017.

Apply Now