CCSF Veterans Educational Benefits Office

CCSF Veterans Educational Benefits Office

Conlan Hall, Room E-2 (in the basement)

Monday - Thursday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Fridays 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

(415) 239-3486

APPLYING & MATRICULATING at CCSF

Application to CCSF: Each veteran student will need to complete the matriculation process, starting with the on-line application for admission to City College of San Francisco (CCSF) found at www.ccsf.edu.

CCSF Placement Tests: Placement tests are available for English and mathematics course placement. However, if a student already has an Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree or has completed English and or mathematics courses at another educational institution they should check with the Veteran’s Counselor at City College of San Francisco before taking the placement tests. The student could be exempt from this requirement, if prior coursework qualifies. SAT/ACT and AP scores might also exempt the student from taking placement tests.

Orientation: Orientation is available on the CCSF website, as well as in-person. If taking the online orientation, there will be a certificate of completion that the student will print out at that time to verify completion. (The student will not be able to do this later.) If attending orientation in-person, a certificate of completion will be provided at the time of the orientation.

Appointment with the CCSF Veteran’s Counselor: Students who are planning to use their veteran’s educational benefits at City College of San Francisco are required to make an appointment to see the CCSF Veterans Counselor by calling (415) 239-3071 in the VA Counselors Office in Smith Hall Rm. 106. Appointments can also be made by calling the Veterans Educational Benefits Office at (415) 239-3486 in Conlan Hall Rm. E-2. Students should bring at least unofficial transcript(s) of prior college-level coursework to this counseling appointment pending official transcripts. This will allow the VA counselor to begin construction of an educational plan (required) as well as account for previous coursework (also required by the federal regulations of the Department of Veteran Affairs), again pending the receipt of official transcripts.

Registering for Classes: After completing the matriculation process, students will be assigned a date to register for classes on-line. Veteran Students are eligible for priority registration. If you are a new student to CCSF please provide a copy of DD-214 (member 4 copy) to CCSF Veterans Educational Benefits Office to be assigned a priority date. Once certified under VA Benefits you will automatically be assigned a priority registration date for future semesters. Students can get more information about how to register for classes on-line by reading the class schedule, and they can also go on-line to CCSF Web www.ccsf.edu.

APPLYING for VETERANS BENEFITS

First-Time Applicants: Students applying for veterans educational benefits for the first time should contact the CCSF Veteran’s Educational Benefits Office in Conlan Hall, room E2 for information about specific benefit chapters.

Veterans Coming to CCSF from Other Schools: Students who have attended other schools and used VA educational benefits will need to complete a “Change of Program” form 1995 or 5495 at the CCSF Veteran’s Educational Benefits Office in Conlan Hall, room E2.

Transcripts & Evaluation of Prior College Credits: Students are required to obtain an official transcript from each college or university that they have attended where coursework was completed. The student should have all transcripts mailed to themselves, and then bring the transcripts unopened to the CCSF Veteran’s Educational Benefits Office in Conlan Hall, room E-2.

DD214-(member 4 copy) & CCAF Transcripts: All veterans are required to provide a copy of their DD214 (member 4) before benefits can begin at CCSF. Also, veterans of the United States Air Force will need to present an official copy of their transcript from the Community College of the Air Force.

Educational Plan: All students receiving veteran’s educational benefits are required to have a current educational plan on file completed by the CCSF VA counselor.

Student Responsibility Contract: All students receiving veteran’s educational benefits at CCSF are required to sign a contract agreeing to comply with all applicable federal regulations and all CCSF institutional policies and procedures.

Requesting Certification Each Semester: Each semester, the student must request certification by notifying the VA Certifying Official located in the CCSF Veterans Educational Benefits office each semester. The Certifying Official is responsible for processing your certification once All requirements have been met. If the student is enrolled in coursework that is not listed on the official education plan as part of the declared major on file, the student must update the educational plan if the major has changed with the CCSF VA counselor to reflect the new major. VA form 1995 or 5495 will need to be filled out before certification can be processed under a new major. Any coursework not listed on the educational plan as part of the stated Major will NOT be certified.

Verifying Enrollment Each Month: (For Chapters: 30, 1606 & 1607) After the student has been certified for the semester he/she must verify continued enrollment with the federal VA office in Muskogee, Oklahoma. This must be done at the beginning of each following month before payments will be issued. For example: classes start in August you verify September 1, and so on, by either calling 1-877-823-2378 or by going to the VA web site at www.gibill.va.gov . Chapter 33 post 9/11 and Chapter 35 Dependant Benefits do not have to do the monthly Enrollment verification.

ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS

Chapter 30, Montgomery G.I. Bill: The Montgomery GI Bill establishes a program of educational benefits for eligible persons. Please go to the VA web site for further details on specific eligibility criteria. This chapter can provide educational assistance for eligible veterans who have served on active duty for two or more years and have been honorably discharged from the service. All students who feel they might be eligible should submit an application on-line at www.gibill.va.gov. The Department of Veteran Affairs will review your application and will notify you via US mail.

Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation: This program provides assistance for veterans with various degrees of service connected disabilities. Apply at:

Veterans Regional Office

1301 Clay Street, Room 1300 North

Oakland, CA 94612

1-800-827-1000

The NEW Chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI Bill: This GI Bill Is for Veterans who served on active duty for a defined period of time after 09/10/01. Chapter 33 offers Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH, a book stipend per term/semester (not to exceed $1,000 per academic year) and pays for tuition and required college fees. Apply on-line at www.gibill.va.gov. (Chapter 33 on-line applications only)

The VA web-site also provides continuous updates about the new GI bill program.

Chapter 35, Dependants Educational Assistance (DEA): Educational assistance paid to dependants (spouse/children) of veterans who are permanently and 100% disabled due to a service connected condition or who died in the service of a service-connected disability. Apply on-line at www.gibill.va.gov

Chapter 1606, Montgomery G.I. Bill for Selected Reserve: This program provides educational assistance for active members of the selected reserves, including members of the Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air Force Reserve, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard. Basic eligibility requires a six-year obligation to serve in the selected reserves, and satisfactory participation in required selective reserve training. Participants must be signed up for a six year commitment. Apply on-line at www.gibill.va.gov

Chapter 1607, Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP): The Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP) provides education assistance to Guard members and Reservists who have served 90 days or more in a contingency operation after September 11, 2001.

Benefits vary depending on the amount of time that the reservist spent on active duty. More information can be independently obtained by going to www.gibill.va.gov. The recipient must remain in the reserves in order to be eligible for these benefits.

California Department of Veterans Affairs (Cal-Vet): The “Cal-Vet” department offers a College Fee Waiver Program for eligible dependants. Contact the Cal-Vet office at 415-554-7100 for more information.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question: How do I apply for my Veterans Educational Benefits? Applications are available on-line at the VA web site www.gibill.va.gov or in Veterans Educational Benefits Office on campus for Chapters 30, 35, 1606, or 1607 only. Any member of the office staff can assist you. If you apply on-line please download a copy of the on-line application to be given to the Veterans Educational Benefits Office to begin the benefits process at CCSF.

Question: What documentation do I need to provide to apply for my Veteran’s Educational Benefits?

Chapter 30 Montgomery G.I. Bill: Application form 1990 and a copy of form DD 214 discharge paper (member 4 copy only) that indicates an honorable discharge. Or a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility.

Chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI Bill: Students are required to bring in a copy of certificate of Eligibility, and a copy the DD 214 member 4 that indicates an honorable discharge.

Chapter 35 for Dependents of Disabled or Deceased Veteran: Spouses need to submit a copy of their marriage certificate. Dependant children need to provide a copy of their birth certificate if completing an application in our office, or a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility with the full VA File Number as issued to the student from DVA.

Chapter 1606 Selected Reserve: Students are required to bring in a “Notice of Basic Eligibility” (NOBE) that can be obtained from their reserve or National Guard unit. They must be signed up for a six year commitment, or a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility.

Chapter 1607 (REAP): National Guard members and Reservists who have served on active duty for 90 days or more in a contingency operation after September 11, 2001 need to bring in a copy of the DD 214(member 4 copy) and the “Notice of Basic Eligibility” (NOBE). These military reservists will be informed by the Department of Veteran Affairs what their benefit package will be. They will be eligible for this benefit as long as they continue to be in the Active Reserves.

Special note about transcripts: All of the above recipients who have completed courses at other post-secondary institutions MUST submit official transcripts from those schools. All Air Force veterans will need to also bring in an official copy of their transcript from the Community College of the Air Force.

Question: How long does it take for an application to be processed by the VA? Once an application for educational benefits is sent to the Department of Veterans Affairs Processing Center it usually takes four to six weeks before the certificate of eligibility is sent to the student. The certificate of eligibility needs to be brought into the CCSF VA office as soon as it is received by the student.

Question: Are ALL City College courses certifiable for educational benefits? No! Before a student can receive payment for the educational benefit, they must meet with the CCSF Veterans Counselor and establish an educational plan based on their educational goal (such as transfer to a university, associate degree or certificate program). Only courses required for these programs are certifiable for VA educational benefits. This process will be explained in detail during your counseling appointment.

Question: How long does it take to get payment for educational benefits from the Department of Veteran Affairs? After all of the admissions and application steps have been completed as mentioned above and you have requested certification, the VA can take up to six to eight weeks to process a payment. (Depending on the time of year, processing time may vary).

INFORMATION & WEBSITES

CCSF Veterans Educational Benefits Office

City College of San Francisco

50 Phelan Avenue

Conlan Hall, Room E2

San Francisco, CA 94112

415-239-3486

Direct Deposit of Educational Benefits Payments

1-877-838-2778

Department of Veteran Affairs

www.gibill.va.gov

Western Regional Office

PO Box 8888

Muskogee, Ok 74402-8888

1-888-442-4551

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America www.iava.org

Monthly Verification of Enrollment in Classes (WAVE)

www.gibill.va.gov

1-887-823-2378

San Francisco VET Center for

Combat Veterans

505 Polk Street

San Francisco, CA 94102

415-441-5051

Military Transcripts

https://www.smart.navy.mil/smart/welcome.do

SMART (ACE) navy & Marines

ARTS (ACE) Army

Community college of the Air Force

(Coast Guard)

www.uscg.mil

Troops-to-Teachers

www.caltroops.org

Department of Veteran Affairs regional Office

1301 Clay Street, Room 1300 North

Oakland, CA 94612

1-800-827-1000

San Francisco County Veterans

Service Office

875 Stevenson Street, Suite 250

San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 554-7100