Skip to content

Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACAA)

Under the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACAA), certain students using VA education benefits may be eligible to pay in-state tuition at public universities, regardless of their official California residency classification.

What This Means at UC Merced

If you qualify for the VACAA waiver, the Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) fee will be credited to your student account. Please note: this waiver does not change your residency status with the University of California and does not establish eligibility for California residency-based programs (e.g. Cal Vet Fee Waiver).

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the VACAA nonresident tuition waiver, you must:

  • Live in California while enrolled at UC Merced, and
  • Be using one of the following VA education benefits:
    • Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (Chapter 30)
    • Veteran Readiness & Employment (Chapter 31) 
    • Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
    • Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) 
    • Transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits from an eligible service member

Additionally, students must maintain continuous enrollment at UC Merced, excluding standard academic breaks. Once approved, the waiver remains active even if the VA benefits are later exhausted or no longer used.

 

Steps to Request the Waiver at UC Merced

  • Submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR).
  • Complete the Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) indicating nonresident status.
  • Provide your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for VA education benefits to veteranservices@ucmerced.edu
  • Provide your Veteran Enrollment Card to veteranservices@ucmerced.edu  

Key Information

  • Processing times may vary during your first term due to coordination across UC Merced offices (Veteran Services, Financial Aid, and Student Billing).
  • The VACAA waiver applies only to the NRST. You will still be classified as a nonresident for UC-tuition purposes.
  • The NRST is charged each term and then a credit will appear on your student account.
  • The VACAA waiver does not make you eligible for California residency-based programs (e.g. Cal Vet Fee Waiver).

 

Learn more about in-state tuition for veterans: VA In-State Tuition Overview and UC Residency Policy and Guidelines