Washington Vets to Tech (WaV2T)

Saint Martin's offers three cohort opportunities each year; each cohort is 16 weeks in length:

• Spring (January to May)
• Summer (May to August)
• Fall (August to December)

There are two pathway options for each of these cohorts:

Server and Cloud Application (SCA)

• Focus on networking fundamentals, operations, troubleshooting, security, cloud computing, hardware
• Careers include junior network administrator, datacenter support technician, network engineer, system administrator, and more
• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Foundational (exam voucher provided)

Cybersecurity Administration

• Focus on advanced networking, ethical hacking, threat intelligence, web and app security
• Careers include information and security analyst, security engineer, penetration tester, and more
• Cloud Practitioner Foundational (exam voucher provided)

Take a detailed look at courses in each pathway and key focus areas here.

Term: Summer 2025

Program dates: May 12 to August 22, 2025
Application deadline: April 30, 2025

Term: Fall 2025

Program dates: August 25 to December 12, 2025
Application deadline: August 13, 2025

Term: Spring 2026

Program dates: January 12 to May 8, 2026
Applications will open August 2025

***Active duty applicants should aim to complete their applications at least 10 days before the deadline to allow CSP/Skillbridge approval processing time***

Interested? Start your no-cost application here.

1. Application: Create an account and start your application.  Don't have all the prerequisites on hand? You can still submit your application and come back to upload additional materials later. 
2. Proof of Service: We require specific documentation based on your status as a service member on active duty, a veteran, or a military spouse. Please review this document to determine which supporting materials should be uploaded with your application.
3. Math prerequisite: Equivalent to Saint Martin's MTH 101 College Algebra with a grade of C or higher. You can meet this prerequisite by submitting unofficial transcripts, take our math placement exam, or take a college algebra course at SMU or another university.
   • Unofficial transcripts - Upload transcripts from the college or university where you earned the math credit. We cannot accept math that shows as a transfer credit.
   • Math Placement Exam - Free and online, a 50-minute exam with 22/32 will meet the prerequisite. Applicants will have access to the math placement exam link and recommended study materials after submitting an application.
   • College algebra course - Take a college algebra course with Saint Martin's or another university. Send the course description to us if attending another university. The course must be complete with a letter grade to meet the prerequisite. Applicants may upload their unofficial transcript to their application. Contact the SMU-JBLM team for more information about course options at SMU.
4. Cybersecurity applicants are also required to meet one of the following criteria (new prerequisite):
   • Have at least one year of applicable IT experience (confirmed with service documents or a basic resume).
   • Hold a valid CompTIA certification (A+, Network+, Security+, etc.). Expired certifications are not accepted.
   • Be a successful WaV2T graduate from the CAD or SCA pathways.
5. Behavioral Interview: Once prerequisites are met, an interview is scheduled and conducted over the phone. You will receive a notification when you enter the interview queue, and an email when an interview is scheduled. Please contact us to coordinate a different time if needed.
6. Joint Service Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcripts (active-duty and veteran only)

   • In order to comply with the Department of Veterans Affairs requirements, we must request that you submit your JST or CCAF transcripts with your application. 

     When applying to an undergraduate or graduate program, credits may transfer from your military transcripts to your degree program.

     Should you choose to pursue a degree at Saint Martin's University after completing the WaV2T program, any transfer credits evaluated will be reviewed and applied then. 

     You can request your official JST or CCAF transcript online.

     In lieu of submitting these transcripts, applicants may also request to waive this requirement (You must have an application in progress to fill out the form). By waiving this requirement you understand that potential transfer credits from military service will not be reviewed. If you plan to apply to a degree seeking program at SMU, you will need to submit your JST or CCAF transcripts for any transfer credits to be considered.

     Please note that while the WaV2T program does not accept transfer credits, the submission of military transcripts or a completed waiver for all active-duty military or veteran applicants is required to proceed with the WaV2T admissions process.

Active duty applicants who are accepted into the program but are still pending CSP/Skillbridge approval will receive a conditional admit, and will be granted a full admit when we receive an emailed copy of the approved CSP/Skillbridge form. This must be complete and submitted by the application deadline.

Active duty applicants:

• Must be within 180 days of their end-of-service date on the start date of the program to be eligible to participate in the program.
• May apply with Saint Martin's and start the CSP/Skillbridge command approval process at the same time.
• Do not require CSP/Skillbridge approval if on terminal leave at the start date of the program.
• As of April 3, 2025 active duty Army applicants must also be eligible to attend in accordance with MILPER 25-116.

Command approval applications

It is the Service Member's responsibility to compile their CSP or Skillbridge packet for command approval. You MUST initiate this step and route the packet through your chain of command and CSP/Skillbridge representative or office for approval for release to participate in the program while on active duty.

Army applicants: download your checklist here and download IMCOM Form 45 with WaV2T information included here. You are responsible for filling out and sending these forms to your command team.

Joint Base Lewis McChord applicants: Visit the JBLM TAP webpage to review the most up to date requirements for CSP participation.

All branches: review the steps to start your packet here.

Send checklist & Form 45 (approved or declined by command) to TAP for validation: usarmy.jblm.imcom.list.dhr-career-skills-program@army.mil.

After reviewing the above information, if you have additional questions please contact the JBLM Transition Assistance Program:

Hawk Career Center, Bldg. 11577, 42nd Division Drive
Phone: 253-967-3258
Email: usarmy.jblm.imcom.list.dhr-career-skills-program@army.mil

Four months of VA Educational Benefits fund one 16-week pathway

• Chapter 33
• Chapter 30

Other funding options include

• VR&E Chapter 31 for veterans with a service connected disability
• Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Chapter 35 for spouses of a veteran or service member who has died or has disabilities
• Substantial scholarships available for those without VA funding
• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) for service members and spouses without VA benefits, or who will exhaust their VA benefits in less than four months of use.
  • The WIOA team independently determines financial assistance eligibility.
  • Contact them at:
    Phone: (253) 593-7320
    Email: worksourcejblm@esd.wa.gov
    Office: Hawk Career Center, 11577 41st Division Dr Room 206, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 98433
  • Students must initiate contact with WIOA no later than 2 weeks prior to the start of the program, or funding opportunities may not be available.

It is recommended that students apply for their VA Benefits Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) no later than 30 days before their term start date. Your CoE is used to verify your VA Educational Benefits eligibility and certifies your enrollment upon the start of the term. You can apply for your CoE and find more information here. If you have additional VA Benefits questions, please email Mercedes Garrido at mgarrido@stmartin.edu or call Veterans Affairs at 888-442-4551, Monday through Friday, 5:00am to 4:00pm PT/8:00am to 7:00pm ET.

Out of pocket payments

Students who elect not to use their VA Educational Benefits to cover the program tuition will be required to pay the full tuition and fee rate for the selected term.

Active Army soldiers may be eligible for AER assistance to cover costs relating to:

• Travel expenses (airfare or fuel)
• Uniforms/business attire
• Tools/CSP training supplies
• Lodging
• Utilities​
• Food​

To apply for an AER grant or to learn more, Soldiers may contact their local AER officer or, in the event a local office is inaccessible or located farther than 50 miles away, please contact AER headquarters at assistance@aerhq.org.

2024-2025 | Fall 2024 through Summer 2025

• Tuition:  $22,450
• Fees:  $880*  (Server and Cloud Application pathway)
• Fees:  $1,500*  (Cybersecurity Administration pathway)
• Optional housing:  No cost for active duty using Chapter 33 VA benefits, $2,895.00 for all others. All applicants pay a $200 refundable deposit with application.
• WaV2T students staying on campus are not required to purchase a meal plan, but may elect to purchase a meal plan at their own expense.

* Fees may differ by pathway. Subject to change as course materials are updated. VA benefits cover tuition and fees.