ACCESS for Military-Affiliated Students

Military-affiliated students who have either been out of school for a number of years or who don’t have the strongest academic background 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: August 1 for fall enrollment and December 1 for spring enrollment.

Getting Started Checklist

Download the printable checklist.

1. If you are new to CU as a nondegree student, complete and submit the Enrollment Application for Continuing Education.
   • Spring 2024 Enrollment Application
   • Summer 2024 Enrollment Application
   • Fall 2024 Enrollment Application

   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.

2. 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 that is located in the bottom right-hand corner.
3. 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 W320.
   Note: This takes 6-8 weeks for the VA to process.
4. Schedule an appointment with a Continuing Education advisor to plan your schedule of classes.
5. Take the Math Readiness Test if you are an engineering, science or math major.
6. 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.
7. Apply for the College Opportunity Fund (COF) stipend online at cof.college-assist.org (undergraduate in-state students only).
8. Enroll in classes during Veteran Registration.*
9. 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.
10. Purchase a Buff OneCard to access campus facilities.
11. Apply for the Nontraditional 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:

• Academic Resource List for Veterans provides an outline of the many campus services you can take advantage of as a student.
• 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.
• ACCESS Veteran Orientation is a half-day event that includes general information on what to expect in the ACCESS program, how to use your benefits, planning for formal undergraduate admission, and campus resources to help you be successful at CU Boulder.
• 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.