Frequently Asked Questions
Use the CAVS Quick Answer Tool to have information listed below emailed to you.
RESOURCES FOR MILITARY-CONNECTED BENEFIT USERS
-
How do I get started?
First, make an appointment with the adult student counselor. The counselor can offer you information on 5X社区 as well as information specific to adult students and can answer your questions. Then, if you like what you hear, it is time to apply. Fill out an application (which can be found online through the main Kent State web page), have your transcripts sent to the school, and pay the $50 non-refundable application fee.
-
How do I use my VA benefits at KSU? Can I get more info about my benefit?
- If you haven't already received a Certificate of Eligibility from VA, This is a one-time workflow, so you'll never need to do it again. Once you have your Certificate of Eligibility (also called a Notice of Basic Eligibility), you can forward or take a picture of it and send to cavs@kent.edu as an attachment so we have a copy for our records. It鈥檒l take VA about 4-6 weeks to get this to you.
- Be sure to fill out an EVERY semester you intend to take classes once you have a class schedule for that semester. A link for that can be found at kent.edu/cavs. Once we submit your benefits, you'll receive an automated email from Sarah Helmick with the subject line "Intent of Enrollment" and, once VA accepts that certification, they'll send you an email with the subject line "Confirmation - Enrollment Information Sent to VA".
- If you're a member of the Ohio National Guard, you need to (at ongsp.ohio.gov) and it will pay for your tuition (but not fees, parking tickets, library fines, residence hall bills, etc.). And if you have more than 3 months of federal deployment time, contact cavs@kent.edu so we can talk more about which benefit type may be best for you.
- Students using the Post 9/11 GI Bill, Chapter 30, or Chapter 1606 benefits (ONG and Reserves) must verify their attendance with VA every month. Within the Intent of Enrollment form there are instructions on how to do this. Chapter 30 and Chapter 1606 students must verify enrollment near the end of each month with VA by to gibill.va.gov/wave or calling 1-877-823-2378 and Post 9/11 users will verify via a monthly text from VA. You will not receive your monthly stipend if you do not verify your enrollment every month you're taking classes
- Students using the Chapter 35 benefit (for dependents of veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating) may also want to look into the at highered.ohio.gov. (The deadline for that scholarship to be used in the upcoming school year is typically in May but the veteran only needs to have a 60% or greater disability rating.) You do not need to reapply for this scholarship every year.
- Send your to KSU to get credit for any military training at jst.doded.mil/jst.
- Use some of our resources for a more complete overview of VA educational benefits and our office processes including Federal Tuition Assistance.
- You may want to check out the pages we have for military-connected scholarships and adult learner scholarships.
- When you fill out an admissions application for Kent State, choose the 鈥淧ay Later鈥 option where it asks you for the application fee and, if you鈥檙e a veteran, you won鈥檛 be charged.
- Be sure to apply for financial aid.
- Last, for benefits updates and reminders, follow us on social media using the links at the bottom of kent.edu/cavs and feel free to contact us with further questions.
-
When will I get my monthly stipend?
Students may also refer to their monthly stipend as a "B.A.H." You get paid at the beginning of the month for the previous month, so, for example, you should receive payment by March 7th for your February stipend. If you haven't received your stipend, be sure you filled out an Intent of Enrollment form for this semester. You may also want to call VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1 to ask when you can expect to get paid.
(Post 9/11 GI Bill users, Chapter 30, and Chapter 1606 recipients are also required to verify their enrollment with VA at the end of each month. Post 9/11 students will verify via a text message from VA while Chapter 1606 and Chapter 30 students should call 1-877-823-2378 to verify. You will not get paid unless your verify your enrollment every month.)
-
Did you certify my benefits yet?
We typically certify your benefits before the start of the semester. Once we submit your benefits, you'll receive an automated email from Sarah Helmick with the subject line "Intent of Enrollment" and, once VA accepts that certification, they'll send you an email with the subject line "Confirmation - Enrollment Information Sent to VA". If you search your old emails and can't find either of these confirmations, email cavs@kent.edu to ask if you submitted an Intent of Enrollment form.
-
When will I get my book money?
Book money for Post 9/11 GI Bill users is typically deposited to your account sometime within the first two weeks of the semester. Call 1-888-GIBILL-1 to ask for more specific information on when you can expect to see that. If you haven't received your stipend, be sure you filled out an Intent of Enrollment form for this semester.
-
When will I get the Ohio National Guard scholarship or the Ohio War Orphan scholarship?
Kent State doesn't receive these scholarship rosters until just before the semester starts, so you should expect that money to be credited to your account within the first couple weeks of the semester. Contact scholarships@kent.edu with questions. (You must apply for the Ohio National Guard scholarship every semester at , but the War Orphan scholarship renews every semester automatically.)
-
Do you have scholarships for students like me?
Our office has a list of adult learner scholarships, and military-connected scholarships.
-
What do I do if I have to add or drop a class? Will this affect my VA benefits?
If you're using military-connected benefits and are thinking of adding or dropping a class, send an email to cavs@kent.edu to let us know so we can adjust your benefit certification, if needed. If you have questions on how that add or drop may affect your benefits, please include that question in the email.
-
Where can I find info about programs for military-connected students?
You can see our offering of programs for this semester through our live calendars.
Also through our site, find info on our Veterans Day Commemoration, about our Veteran Career Initiative, or get details about Military-connected students.
-
How are Post 9/11 GI Bill庐 benefits transferred to spouses/children?
The VA has posted a fact sheet at their website that details the benefits that can be transferred and the transfer process.
RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
-
Where is there info about services for parenting students or adult learners?
Check out the Parenting Student Resource page and our page for adult learners. This page also includes info on Family-Friendly Study Hours
Follow us on Facebook or ,for updates on programs/services.
-
When can I file my FAFSA on the web?
You can file the FAFSA at any time on the
-
I am the first to go to college and I don鈥檛 have a lot of family support. Is there someone I can talk to that will understand my situation as an adult student?
Yes. Schedule an appointment to see one of our advisors. We can help you establish a support system and assist you in your transition to college. Additionally, we may be able to refer you to other resources on and off campus that can help you be successful in college.
-
Will I 鈥渇it in鈥 here at 5X社区 as an adult student. Won鈥檛 I feel 鈥渢oo old?鈥
You will be happy to know that thousands of adult students throughout the Kent State system are undergraduate students. Adult students take classes during the day, evening, and weekends. They have multiple roles and responsibilities and still find time for college success!
-
I am interested in a specific career field or job title. How do I find out if I am in the right major?
Use the resources in Career Exploration and Development to research your career field. You may wish to visit their website or their office in person. You may also find it useful to discuss your plans with your academic advisor, a career services advisor, a favorite professor, or a fellow student.
-
I need to find a job while I am a student. Where should I start looking?
On this website you can link to national databases for available jobs. On the Career Exploration and Development website you can link to campus jobs for students. On the 5X社区 homepage you can link to jobs available on campus. Additionally, many students find local newspapers and the Kent Stater to be helpful.
-
How many classes should I take?
In general, with a full-time job, adult students take no more than two courses or six hours of credit. This will ensure that you will have enough time to take care of your academics as well as your personal and professional responsibilities.
-
How can I get some help with my study skills?
Free tutoring is available at the Academic Success Center. Students can also take advantage of workshop courses aimed at improving study skills, which Continuing Studies offer.
-
What is a major?
A major is a collection of credit hours in a specific field such as business administration or interior design.
-
To what does the term 鈥渃redit hour鈥 refer?
A credit hour refers to how many hours per week a student spends in class. For example, a typical course is three credit hours. Therefore, a student would spend three hours in class per week. Some schools calculate credit hours by semester and some by the quarter. KSU is on the semester system and can accept semester or quarter-credit hours.