Veteran & Military Student Success Center - Viking Vets

Application FAQ's & Instructions

Obtain a Cleveland State University Application

You may complete an application using one of the following methods:

  • Online
  • Download and print application (Adobe Acrobat Reader required to download application)
  • Go to the Dayroom (Veteran Student Success Program) in Rhodes West, room 210 to get a paper copy, complete it and have the staff deliver it to the Admissions Office for you.

Personal Information

Your date of birth is required. While we do not require you to provide your social security number, it is recommended that you do so. If you choose not to provide your social security at this time, you will need to present a copy of your social security card in order to add it later. A social security number is needed before financial aid and scholarships can be applied to a student account.

Ohio Residency

Upon moving to Ohio, active duty, guard, reserve service members, and their spouse/dependents are eligible for in-state residency for the purposes of tuition, state educational subsidies and financial aid if one of these options is met.

Option 1:  Gi Promise

The service member or veteran served at least one year on active duty and was honorably discharged (or received a medical discharge related to military service). 

OR

The service member or veteran was killed in action, declared missing in action, or served as a prisoner of war.

AND

The service member or veteran must establish domicile in Ohio as of the first day of a term of enrollment in an institution of higher education.  If the service member or veteran is deceased, missing in action, or a prisoner of war, the spouse or dependent must establish domicile in Ohio as of the first day of a term of enrollment in an institution of higher education.

“Domicile” can be documented with a copy of a lease for a rental property or closing statement for residential property verifying the parent or spouse has established residency at the location, or a letter from the owner of a property verifying the parent or spouse resides at that residence.

Option 2: New!

The service member or veteran must be using VA education benefits under Chapter 30 or Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill), served at least 90 days on active duty, is enrolled in a state institution of higher education, and lives in Ohio as of the first day of a term of enrollment in an institution of higher education. Once VA benefits expire, the service member or veteran must apply under the GI Promise option and if not eligible will revert to out of state tuition rates.

A spouse or dependent is eligible, only while using benefits, if they are the recipient of the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry scholarship or Chapter 33 transfer of entitlement if the person is enrolled in a state institution of higher education, lives in Ohio as of the first day of a term of enrollment in an institution of higher education, and the veteran’s period of active duty was at least 90 days.  Once VA benefits expire, the spouse or dependent must apply under the GI Promise option and if not eligible will revert to out of state tuition rates.

Not sure about your eligibility?  Call the CSU Veteran Certification Office at (216) 687-2053

Citizenship

If you are a permanent resident of the United States, but not a citizen, you must submit a copy of your alien registration card or green card, (front and back). Please mail to Admissions Processing, UN301, 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115.

If you are not a United States citizen or permanent resident, you must include your country of citizenship and your current visa type.

Enrollment Plans

You may begin taking classes any term.  CSU’s semesters are:

  • Fall semester is August to December.
  • Spring semester is January to May.
  • Summer semester is split into two sessions May to June or late June to August.  You may begin either session if admitted beginning with the summer semester.

As an undergraduate student you are probably applying for a program to earn a bachelor's degree.  Even if this is not the case, select from the following options.

  • Select "degree” if you wish to earn a bachelor's degree or to seek a second degree (post-baccalaureate) or other program pre-requisite courses.
  • Select "State of Ohio Teaching Licensure" if you have already earned a bachelor's degree and plan to pursue a teaching licensure.
  • Select "certificate” if you only wish to earn a certificate.
  • Select "non-degree” if you have no intention of earning a degree, licensure or certificate and are taking courses for personal reasons.

Please choose the major that is most interesting to you.  If you don't know, select "undecided” and then contact the Veteran Student Success Program at (216) 875-9996, to schedule an appointment for an advising and testing session that will help you better understand your strengths and interests.  Even after choosing a major you may change your decision at any time.  If you would like to change your major after you submit your application, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 216.687.5411.

Are you a United States Veteran?

If you have ever served or are serving in any of the five branches of the Armed Forces of the United States whether on active duty, reserve duty or are in the National Guard you are a veteran for the purposes of this question. 

If you are a family member who is or will be receiving education benefits from a spouse or parent please check yes as well so you can take advantage of our services as well. We believe that family members have also served in their own way.

Education History

You must complete the information concerning the high school from which you graduated or if you have a GED state that and the state from which you received it. 

List every college or university regardless of the number of credits earned at that school and whether or not you completed or withdrew from the courses in which you were enrolled.  List Cleveland State University in this section as well if you took courses here previously.

Obtaining Official Transcripts

Transcripts are required from every school, including a GED, listed in Education History. 

High School and College/University Transcripts

Most schools have information on how to request their transcript online and some will allow you to make the request online.  They will also include cost, if any, information online.  You can always request a transcript by mailing or dropping off a written request and CSU request forms to assist you are included below.

  • Official high school transcripts from every school attended are required.  Download the high school transcript request form as a PDF here.
  • College transcripts from every institution attended are required even if you enrolled in but did not complete course work.  Download the college transcript request form as a PDF here.
  • GED - submit an official score transcript from the state in which the diploma was earned.
    • If earned in Ohio, visit the Ohio Department of Education to download the appropriate form and follow the submission instructions.
    • If earned in a state other than Ohio, visit www.acenet.edu to download the appropriate form and follow the submission instructions.

Any paper transcript must be submitted in an official sealed envelope.

Military transcripts (Note that CSU accepts all ACE recommended credits)

Request your Joint Service Transcript – U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy
https://jst.doded.mil/official.html

Request your Community College of the Air Force – U.S. Air Force
http://www.au.af.mil/au/barnes/ccaf/transcripts.asp


Submitting Your Application

Paper Copy

If convenient to you, you are invited to come to the Dayroom in Rhodes West Room 210, to complete a paper copy of the application.  During this visit you will also be able to meet with our VA VetSuccess Counselor to get set up for your VA education benefits and even enroll with the VA for health services.  This is a one-stop operation.

Submitting by Mail:

Cleveland State University
Application Processing Center
Office of University Registrar
1836 Euclid Avenue, UN 443
Cleveland, OH  44115

Submitting In Person:

Drop off your application at the Dayroom, Rhodes West room 210, and we will deliver it to the Admissions Office for you or deliver your completed application to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the Welcome Center at Euclid Commons, room 100.

Electronic Submission

If more convenient for you, you can submit your application electronically.  Before you begin the online application, you will need to complete information to create an account. You will need an active e-mail address that is unique to you and has not been used to create an application for another prospective student. To establish an account you will be prompted to create a password. Be sure to keep your password in a safe place so you can access your account, should you need to complete your application in multiple sittings. When completing your online application over a period of time, or upon exiting the online application before submission, please be sure to save your work. If you encounter difficulties, please contact admissions@csuohio.edu. If you have questions as you are completing the application, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 216.687.5411.

Following the completion of your electronic application, you will be prompted to review your application responses prior to submission. To complete your online application two additional steps will be required.

Step 1: Confirmation & Signature

After reviewing your application, you must check the box affirming that "I have reviewed my application for errors and I wish to submit my information at this time", sign your name and click submit.

Step 2: Application Fee Payment

As a veteran, a serving member of the Reserve, National Guard or on active duty or a family member using VA education benefits you are not charged an application fee

With an application submitted electronically you will still want to schedule a meeting with our VA VetSuccess Counselor to ensure you are set to receive any veterans benefits, particularly education benefits, you have earned.  The VA VetSuccess Counselor at CSU can be reached at:  (216) 875-9942. 

Application Review

Your application will be reviewed as soon as all required materials are received. You can check your application status and check from missing materials online by visiting CampusNet. Your student ID number will be emailed to the address you provided on the application within three days of submission. If you have any questions, you may also contact us at 216.687.5411 or contact your enrollment representative.

Admissions Decision

While we hope that every veteran applying to Cleveland State University is accepted, that is not the case.  Should your application rejected you are not done.  In this event call the Dayroom at (216) 875-9996 and ask to schedule an appointment with the program Coordinator to review your application including your transcripts and your DD-214.  Many veterans have been admitted following an appeal to an application initially rejected. 

Thanks for considering and applying to Cleveland State University.