Students enrolled in CIAT’s Hybrid Campus option are required to complete one (1) on-campus academic activity per term to satisfy residency verification requirements. This requirement is reported to applicable federal and state agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs where applicable.
Acceptable on-campus activities include:
• A scheduled midterm exam session, or
• A final exam session, depending on course scheduling availability
Students must complete the Campus Selection Agreement:
• Upon initial enrollment, or
• When changing between Online and Hybrid Campus status
Students are responsible for ensuring their selected modality aligns with their ability to attend required on-campus sessions. To complete a campus selection agreement, please reach out to studentservicesteam@ciat.edu.
Midterm & Exam Structure
All hybrid courses now include a midterm assessment as part of standardized course design.
On-Campus Exam Option
Students may choose to complete their required on-campus attendance requirement by attending either:
This is an optional scheduling flexibility, not an additional requirement. Students must reserve seating in advance through the Student Portal. Availability is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Attendance Compliance
Students who select Hybrid Campus must meet on-campus attendance requirements each term.
Failure to attend a scheduled on-campus requirement may result in:
• Reclassification to Online status
• Adjustment of VA certification (if applicable)
• Reduction or loss of Monthly Housing Allowance eligibility (for VA-funded students)
Exam Timing & Duration
• Students must be seated for a minimum of 50 minutes to meet the hybrid residency requirement.
• Standard exam duration: 90 minutes
• All times listed are Pacific Time (PT)
2026 Terms and Exam Dates
Term Start Date Midterm Dates Final Dates
March 23 April 10-11, April 17-18 April 21- 25
April 27 May 15-16, May 22-23 May 26-30
June 8 June 26-27, July 1-2 July 7-11
July 13 July 31-August 1, August 7-8 August 11-15
August 24 September 11-12, September 18-19 September 22-26
September 28 October 16-17, October 23-24 October 27-31
November 2 November 27-28, December 4-5 December 8-12
Exam Day Midterm Times Final Times
Monday NONE NONE
Tuesday NONE 10AM, 12PM, 2PM, 4PM
Wednesday NONE 10AM, 12PM, 2PM, 4PM, 6PM
Thursday NONE 10AM, 12PM, 2PM, 4PM, 6PM
Friday 10 AM, 12PM, 2PM 10AM, 12PM, 2PM, 4PM
Saturday 9AM, 11AM 9AM, 11AM
Online Students
Online-only students are not required to attend campus sessions.
• Exams are completed virtually
• Deadline: Saturday of Week 5 by 11:59 PM PT
Military & VA Students
Hybrid enrollment may impact VA certification status.
If a student:
• Fails to attend required on-campus sessions, or
• Switches to Online status due to non-compliance
Then:
• VA certification may be adjusted to Online rate
• Monthly Housing Allowance may be reduced accordingly
Students should consult the GI Bill® Comparison Tool before selecting modality.
Instructions – How to Reserve Your On-Campus Exam Session
Students now have greater visibility into their exam schedules directly within the Student Portal.
You can now:
• View your scheduled exam date and time
• Confirm your exam status
• Access your exam schedule directly from the portal
• Cancel your exam registration, if needed
To access this feature:
• Log into the Student Portal
• Navigate to “My Exam Schedule” on the left-hand menu
• Select the dropdown arrow next to your exam entry
• Review your exam details or select “Cancel” if necessary
Please refer to the screenshot below for guidance:
Frequently Asked Questions
Scheduling & Availability
What if my schedule is variable and I can’t commit to attending on-campus session every term?
If your schedule changes frequently due to work, family, or personal obligations and you are unable to consistently attend required on-campus sessions each term, we recommend selecting the Online Campus option.
If you are enrolled in the Hybrid Campus option but do not meet the required on-campus attendance requirements, your status may be updated to Online, and your campus designation will be adjusted accordingly.
For military students, failure to meet on-campus attendance requirements may result in a change to VA certification status from Resident to Online. This may also reduce your Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) to the online rate and could result in a debt to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Continued non-compliance for two consecutive terms may result in automatic conversion to Online enrollment status.
How do I find out the date and time of my exam?
Exams are scheduled during Weeks 3, 4, and 5 of each term. Students will be required to select and reserve an exam session no later than the first week of the term.
All reservations are made through the online scheduling system and are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited and subject to availability each term, and CIAT cannot guarantee all time slots will remain open.
Why is CIAT introducing midterm on-campus options?
California Institute of Applied Technology has introduced midterm assessments across all courses to strengthen academic engagement and provide earlier feedback on student progress.
Midterms allow instructors to:
• Evaluate student understanding earlier in the term
• Identify learning gaps sooner
• Provide timely academic support
• Improve alignment with course learning outcomes
This structure is intended to support student success and improve overall course performance.
How long do I have to take my exam?
• Students have 90 minutes to complete each exam, whether taken on-campus or online.
• Students with approved disability accommodations may receive additional time in accordance with their accommodation plan.
• To satisfy hybrid residency requirements, students must remain present for the full duration of their scheduled exam session.
• Students must be seated for a minimum of 50 minutes to meet the hybrid residency requirement.
What happens if I miss my exam?
• Students are responsible for reserving and attending their scheduled exam session. Exam seating is limited and based on a first-come, first-served reservation system.
• Failure to attend a scheduled exam may impact course completion and may require the student to rebook based on availability.
• Attendance requirements for the Hybrid Campus option are strictly enforced. Exceptions cannot be made for circumstances including, but not limited to:
• Illness or recurring health concerns
• Transportation limitations
• Financial hardship
• Work schedule conflicts
• Personal or family emergencies
• Any other personal scheduling constraints
What if I am already at a passing grade and don’t need to take the exam?
If you are enrolled in the Hybrid Campus option, you are still required to attend your scheduled on-campus exam session, regardless of your current grade standing.
Attendance at the required exam session is mandatory to satisfy hybrid residency requirements.
If I am an online student, when is my exam due?
Students enrolled in the 100% Online Campus option are not required to attend any on-campus sessions.
Online students may complete their exams remotely, with all submissions due by 11:59 PM Pacific Time (PT) on Saturday of Week 5 each term.
Impact For Military Students:
California Institute of Applied Technology’s Hybrid Campus option combines online coursework with required on-campus academic activities to meet residency verification requirements for eligible students using VA education benefits.
Tuition & Education Benefits For Military Service Members:
Are tuition rates different between CIAT Online and CIAT Hybrid Campus plans?
Tuition rates are the same for both Online and Hybrid Campus students, regardless of residency location.
Eligible students may receive benefits through the GI Bill®, including tuition coverage, a books and supplies stipend, and a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA).
Active-duty military students using Tuition Assistance receive a discounted rate of $250 per credit hour.
How much will I receive for my books/supplies stipend?
Eligible students may receive a yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000, prorated based on enrollment intensity.
How much will I receive for my Monthly Housing Allowance?
The Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) is generally based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an E-5 with dependents.
The amount varies depending on whether a student is certified as Resident (Hybrid) or Online. Students may use the VA GI Bill® Comparison Tool to estimate their specific benefits.
What happens to my military benefits if I do not have a class available?
If a required course is not available in a given term, students may be placed on a temporary Leave of Absence.
During this time:
• GI Bill® tuition benefits remain preserved
• Months of entitlement are not reduced
• VA certification will not be submitted for that term
• Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) will not be issued
Do I need to resubmit my campus selection each term?
No. Students are only required to complete the Campus Selection Agreement once upon enrollment or when changing campus status.
The selected campus designation will remain active in the student record unless updated by the student.
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California Institute of Applied Technology has shared ownership and management of two distinct institutions. California Institute of Applied Technology located in California, and California Institute of Applied Technology located in New Mexico.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill. CIAT is approved to offer VA benefits. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
* Students are encouraged to take certification exams while actively enrolled in their Bootcamp, Certificate or Degree program. Unlimited certification exam attempts expire 180 days after program completion. Select exams are not eligible for unlimited retakes - see certification exam policy for details. Industry certifications and/or courses may change at any time to address industry trends or improve student outcomes.
