Programs by Category
Military Educational Benefits

Military Members, Veterans, and Family

The Center for Professional Development offers VA approved programs to help you get started in a new career or advance in your current position.  The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) determines the type of benefits you may be eligible for - if you would like more information on the benefits you may be entitled to, please contact the VA at 888-442-4551, press 1-0.  Please note that you may only register for one program at a time and Excelsior College must be listed as your parent school.

View a complete list of approved programs and program durations

Filing Forms for the Department of Veterans Affairs

Please use the expand sections below to navigate to the benefit you will be using.  You will then be able to download the required documentation. 

Once completed, you can submit your paperwork directly to us by:

As per the DVA, all benefits claims will be processed at a half-time rate of pursuit (minimum of 9 clock hours per week). This will ensure that you have the maximum completion time with a minimum requirement on clock hour commitment per week.

However, students who successfully complete their program at a full-time or 3/4-time rate of pursuit will have Excelsior's VA Office report the change in status to the DVA.  (Note: For Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, a change to full-time or 3/4-time will generate a housing allowance for eligible students.) This amendment will be submitted upon successful completion of your program.

The approved programs list outlines the time commitment expected per week, as well as the expected enrollment period for each rate of pursuit.  This information may be helpful if you intend to complete above half-time status.

Please be advised that Department of Veterans Affairs regulations require us to report weekly attendance for clock hour programs to ensure that students are completing a minimum of 9 clock hours per week, as committed to on the Excelsior College Letter of Intention. Should you dedicate fewer than the minimum hours required for half-time status, your benefit claim may be amended to quarter-time.  This adjustment to your rate of pursuit may result in a reduction or loss of VA financial benefits and, in some cases, a debt with the DVA may be created if payment has already been received.

Please note: If you are currently receiving benefits for another program (certificate / degree) that you will not be eligible to use your GI Bill entitlement at Excelsior College until complete. Our VA Certifying Official can only certify you for one program at a time.

Post 9/11

The Post 9/11 GI Bill requires the following paperwork:

  • Certificate of Eligibility or DD-214

AND

  • Form 22-1990 (PDF) - if you have not yet used your education benefits

OR 

  • Form 22-1995 (PDF) - if you have previously used your benefits and need to change your parent school to Excelsior College

 

Processing Your VA Claim

Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits require that you submit the above paperwork prior to registration, as this will allow us to determine your percentage of coverage and adjust the program cost.  If you are not 100% covered, you will be able to pay the remaining balance using either a one-time payment or a payment plan.  Once you have registered for your professional development program, our VA Certifying Official will notify the Department of Veterans Affairs to certify your claim. 

Please note: Post 9/11 GI Bill - to receive partial Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), you must successfully complete your program at three-quarter or full-time status. Your benefits claim will be processed at a half-time rate of pursuit; however, upon completion of your program, our VA Office will report your change in status to the DVA, as this change will generate your housing allowance.  If you qualify for BAH, please allow up to 8 weeks for your entitlement to be dispersed.  Please be aware that you will not receive the BAH entitlement during the duration of the program.

Ch 30, 1606

Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30, Chapter 1606) requires the following paperwork:

AND

  • Form 22-1990 (PDF) - if you have not yet used your education benefits

OR 

  • Form 22-1995 (PDF) - if you have previously used your benefits and need to change your parent school to Excelsior College

 

Processing Your VA Claim:

Once you have registered for your professional development program, our VA Certifying Official will notify the Department of Veterans Affairs on your behalf.  If you qualify for reimbursement, please allow up to 8 weeks for your entitlement to be dispersed.  You will be reimbursed at a half-time status; however, if you successfully complete your enrollment at full-time or 3/4-time, our VA Office will report your change in status to the DVA, adjusting your reimbursement rate.  Information regarding current reimbursement rates can be found on the VA Web site.  NOTE: Active duty soldiers cannot receive more than program costs reported or enrollment into half-time, three-quarter time, or full-time status, whichever is less.

Ch 35

Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35) requires the following paperwork: 

  • Form 22-5490 - for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program

Processing Your VA Claim:

Once you have registered for your professional development program, our VA Certifying Official will notify the Department of Veterans Affairs on your behalf.  If you qualify for reimbursement, please allow up to 8 weeks for your entitlement to be dispersed.  You will be reimbursed at a half-time status; however, if you successfully complete your enrollment at full-time or 3/4-time, our VA Office will report your change in status to the DVA, adjusting your reimbursement rate.  Information regarding current reimbursement rates can be found on the VA Web site.  Active duty soldiers cannot receive more than program costs reported or enrollment into half-time, three-quarter time, or full-time status, whichever is less.

 

Ch 31

Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31) requires the following paperwork: 

Processing Your VA Claim:

Once you have registered for your professional development program, our VA Certifying Official will notify the Department of Veterans Affairs on your behalf.  

Ch 1607, 32

Reserves Educational Assistance Program (REAP - Chapter 1607) and Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP - Chapter 32) requires the following paperwork: 

AND

  • Form 22-1990 (PDF) - if you have not yet used your education benefits

OR 

  • Form 22-1995 (PDF) - if you have previously used your benefits and need to change your parent school to Excelsior College

 

Processing Your VA Claim:

Once you have registered for your professional development program, our VA Certifying Official will notify the Department of Veterans Affairs on your behalf.  

 

MyCAA

To use your MyCAA benefit, start by determining your eligibility and establishing an account on the MyCAA site: https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa.  After registering, you will be able to develop an Education and Training (E&T) Plan that can be uploaded to your account for approval by a MyCAA Education Consultant.

To set up your Education & Training Plan, you will need the following information:

> Course code

> Your start and end dates
All programs are open enrollment, so you can choose the start date most convenient for you. As the programs have a completion time ranging from six months to one year (this information is noted on the program page), please select an appropriate end date.  Also, please note that there is a 15-day window for us to process your paperwork with MyCAA, so make sure to allow for this time when selecting your start date!

> Your Excelsior Student ID
You will need to create an account on the Excelsior College Web site (www.excelsior.edu) by clicking on the "Log In" button at the top right of the homepage.  You can then click the "Create a MyExcelsior User Account" link on the left hand side of the page.  Follow the instructions to create a username, password, and Student ID.  

Once your E&T Plan is approved, you will receive a two-page document (cover letter w/voucher and confirmation number) in your MyCAA Account.  Please notify us when you have received this confirmation/approval, as this will allow us to retrieve your paperwork directly from the MyCAA portal.  If your program is fully covered, we will manually register you in our system.  If you have a balance remaining, you will be able to register online with the option of a one-time payment or a payment plan.
 

Featured Program

Payroll Practice and Management

Prepare today for a career as a Payroll Practice Professional.  This program will also prepare you for the American Payroll Association's two professional certification exams. 

Contact Us

Email: cpd@excelsior.edu

Phone:
1-888-647-2388 x11-8211 
or 518-608-8211

Fax: 202-683-6139

Program Method

Instructor-Facilitated
Open enrollment with completion times ranging from 6 to 12 months. Led by an instructor / facilitator; most programs include all materials, including textbooks.

Success Story

Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)

Read about Military Spouses taking advantage of the new educational benefit