ACCESS for Military-Affiliated Students

Military-affiliated students who have either been out of school for a number of years, who need to raise their college GPA for admission into a degree program, or who might need to complete prerequisite coursework for admission to another college can enroll in CU Boulder on-campus daytime courses through the ACCESS program. This option allows students to gain meaningful credit hours and establish a CU Boulder GPA, which can help them become stronger candidates for formal admission to the University.

Although you may use your VA benefit for up to two semesters of ACCESS enrollment, most ACCESS students are not eligible for financial aid, so please plan accordingly.

While most ACCESS students must wait to enroll until the Friday before classes begin, military-affiliated ACCESS students have priority enrollment dates: the Monday before August 1 for fall enrollment and December 1 for spring enrollment.

Getting Started Checklist

  1. If you are new to CU as a non-degree student, complete and submit the Enrollment Application for Continuing Education.

  2. Once your application is processed (two business days), you will receive a welcome email that includes your student ID and instructions to set up your student portal and CU Boulder email.
    Note: If you do not receive your welcome email, please check your spam folder.

  3. If you already applied for admission to CU Boulder and the Office of Admissions referred you to ACCESS, be sure to log onto your Admission’s Status Page and complete the term change form.

  4. Request a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) from the VA and give either this document or a screenshot of your eBenefits account showing your eligibility percentage and benefit entitlement to the Office of Veteran & Military Affairs at veterans@colorado.edu or CASE W322.
    Note: This takes 6-8 weeks for the VA to process.

  5. Schedule an appointment with a Continuing Education advisor to plan your schedule of classes.

  6. Take the Math Readiness Test if you are an engineering, science or math major.

  7. To qualify for in-state tuition rates based on your military status, complete the CE Veterans Tuition Exception Form and send it with documentation to ceregistration@colorado.edu.

  8. Apply for the College Opportunity Fund (COF) stipend online at cof.college-assist.org (undergraduate in-state students only).

  9. Enroll in classes during Veteran Registration.*

  10. You must submit a Request for Enrollment Certification Form each semester you plan to use your benefits. Submit this form by the first day of the semester, even if you have not yet received your CoE from the VA.

  11. Purchase a Buff OneCard to access campus facilities.

  12.  Apply for the Non-Degree Student Scholarship.

*Veteran Registration occurs the Monday before August 1 for fall enrollment and December 1 for spring enrollment.

Resources for ACCESS Veterans

CU Boulder offers additional resources to help veteran students transition to campus:

  • Veteran Bridge Program is designed to assist student veterans starting classes in the fall semester to acclimate to the CU Boulder campus, while enhancing math, writing, and research skills in an intensive and supportive academic environment.

  • Student Veteran Association (Facebook: CU-Boulder SVA; custudentveterans@colorado.edu) works to increase awareness and understanding of Student Veterans issues on campus, in the local community, and nationally. The organization intends to assist veterans in making successful transitions from military to college life by creating a social and professional support network, educating veterans on the benefits they are entitled, and providing a welcoming atmosphere at CU Boulder.

  • Veteran and Military Affairs offers math and writing tutoring services to military-affiliated students. The VMA office is now also offering support for students with developing fundamental academic skills in time management, test preparation, organization, mindset, and etc. Contact VMA for more details at veterans@colorado.edu.

  • Planning to use your TA for online classes? Talk to a Continuing Education advisor for information on how to get started.

  • If you have not already connected with the Office of Admissions, contact Jennifer.Glenn@colorado.edu to discuss a plan and timeline for formal admission to CU Boulder.

  • Explore more campus resources of you can take advantage