Veterans Affairs Office staff accepts and processes necessary documents for eligible veterans and dependents to receive military service connected benefits.

Disabled Veterans

Veterans who qualify for educational benefits as disabled veterans may be entitled to special educational benefits. Veterans should visit the Veterans Administration Regional Office, 8810 Rio San Diego Drive, San Diego, CA, 92108, to determine their eligibility for disabled status (Telephone: 1-800- 827-1000). Veterans with disabilities are encouraged to pursue services offered through Disability Support Programs and Services, A-115.

Military Service Connected EDUCATIONAL Benefit Programs

The San Diego Community Colleges have been approved to offer military service connected benefit programs leading to a certificate, an associate degree or transfer to a four-year institution. The Veterans Affairs Office and the Counseling Office staff works in collaboration to provide counseling and guidance to veterans and assists them in the selection of educational programs which qualify for veterans benefits. Veterans must see the Veterans Affairs Office for verification of veterans benefits prior to seeking the Counseling Office. The final responsibility for monitoring the process of qualification for educational benefits resides with the individual. Each veteran must read, understand, and comply with the many rules, regulations, and procedures that influence the benefit process.

Students on active duty and veterans who have been discharged within the past 2 years may be eligible to receive priority registration. Check with the college Admissions/ Residency Office for eligibility. An Active Duty Military ID card or DD214 are required for verification.

Veteran Dependent Exemption

Children and spouses of U.S. Veterans may be eligible for a waiver of college fees. For more information, contact the Cal Vet Program at 858-694-3222. Children and spouses of U.S. Veterans with 100 total percent service connected disabilities may be eligible for a small monthly payment. For more information contact Veterans Administration Regional Office at 1-800- 827-1000.

Liability

The veteran assumes full liability for any overpayment of veterans benefits. All persons receiving educational benefits must report to the Veterans Affairs Office after enrollment every semester to continue their benefits. In addition, a Student Education Plan (SEP) must be on file by the end of the first semester; otherwise, certification of VA benefits will be delayed for the second semester. This plan must be developed and reviewed by a counselor.

Veterans Mandatory Orientations

All first time veterans and/or dependants receiving educational benefits must attend a mandatory VA orientation before being signed up for an educational plan or to sign off on classes. These orientations are offered twice a week for Fall 2011:

Week of July 11th: Monday 10:00 am - 11:30 am and Wednesday 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Starting July 18th to August 4th: Mondays 10:00 am - 11:30 am and Thursdays 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Please contact the Veterans Office at 619 388-3504 to learn more.

Number of Unites Required

• 12 units or more full allowance
• 9 - 11.5 units three-fourths allowance
• 6 - 8.5 units one-half allowance
• 2 - 5.5 units one-quarter allowance*

* Chapter 106 only.
Short-term and summer session courses are computed proportionately for payment purposes.

For those under the Post 9/11, latest updates will be posted on www.gibill.va.gov.

Withdrawal/Change of Classes

Veterans are required to notify the campus Veterans Affairs Office when they stop attending class, withdraw from the college, or add or drop a class. Such changes should be reported immediately after completing the add/drop procedure through Reg-e. Failure to comply with this regulation will be grounds for decertification of VA benefits.

Veterans Academic Progress

A veteran student on Academic or Lack of Progress probation status will be disqualified when his/her grade point average (GPA) falls below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters. The College Veterans Affairs Office is required to notify the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) of this status. The DVA will terminate benefits unless it can be shown that the student is pursuing an appropriate objective and has a reasonable chance for success in the chosen program. Please contact the Veterans Affairs Office for more information.

Readmission After Termination Status

Students who wish to be considered for readmissions after the VA termination will be required to meet with a Counselor and develop a Student Success Plan prior to being readmitted.p>

Repeated Classes

Veterans may not receive benefits for a repeat of a course in which a grade of "A", "B", "C", "D", or "CR" has already been earned. Although District policy allows a student to repeat a course in which a "D" grade has been received, the course may be certified for benefits only if this catalog states that a grade of "C" or better in that course is required to earn a degree or meet a prerequisite.

Work Experience

Room: A-1 (J)
Phone: (619) 388-3495
Occupational work experience, combine worksite learning and academic instruction, credit while you work as an intern.

Veterans may be approved for Work Experience classes only if work experience is required in their major or if they have electives available according to their education plan. Total work experience may not exceed four units per semester or a total of 16 cumulative units.

Transcripts

All official transcripts of prior college work and military schools, including copies of form DD214 or DD295 covering all periods of military service, must be on file in the Records Office by the end of the first semester of attendance at this college. Certification for benefits for the second semester will be withheld if transcripts are not received. Visit the Veterans Affairs Office for necessary forms.

Veterans Affairs Contact

Location: A-109

Phone: 619-388-3504

Office & Telephone Hours:
Monday – Thursday
8:00am to 6:00pm
Friday
8:00am to 12pm
Closed Weekends

Veteran & Military Resources