Veterans, How to Get Started

CCSF Veterans Educational Benefits

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

Mondays through Fridays, 8:00 am until 4:00 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. This can be done by either going to the Veteran’s Educational Benefits Office in the basement of Conlan Hall room E-2, or by calling (415) 239-3486, Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. 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 Veteran’s Administration), again pending the receipt of official transcripts.

Registering for Classes: After completing the matriculation process, students will be assigned dates to register for classes, on-line. Students can get more information about how to register for classes on-line by reading the class schedule, and they can also find it on-line at 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 & CCAF Transcripts: All veterans are required to provide a copy of their DD214 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 veterans educational benefits are required to have a current educational plan on file completed by the CCSF VA counselor.

Student Responsibility Contract: All students receiving veterans 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 notify the CCSF Veterans Educational Benefits office regarding their intention to use VA benefits for that semester. The certifying official will then process certification. If the student is enrolled in coursework other than what is listed on the official education plan on file, the student must update the education plan with the CCSF VA counselor and might need to fill out VA form 1995 or 5495 before certification can be processed.

Verifying Enrollment Each Month: 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 month before payments will be issued and can be done by either calling 1-877-823-2378 or by going to the VA web site at www.gibill.va.gov .

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, have enrolled in the educational benefits program while on active duty, and have been honorably discharged from the service. All students who feel they might be eligible should submit an application! It is important that this application is reviewed and that an official denial or granting of benefits is made by the VA Regional Processing Office.

Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation: This 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

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. Chapter 35 recipients might also be eligible for a fee waiver through the “Cal-Vet” program. Inquire at the CCSF Veterans Office for more information.

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.

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.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question: How do I apply for my Veterans Educational Benefits? Applications are available in room E-2 (basement) of Conlan Hall at the CCSF Ocean Campus. Any member of the office staff can assist you, or you may apply on-line at the VA web site www.gibill.va.gov.

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 papers that indicate honorable discharge.

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.

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 or letter of eligibility.

Chapter 1607 (REAP): 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 and the “Notice of Basic Eligibility” (NOBE). These military reservists will be informed by the Veterans Administration of 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 VA Regional Office in Muskogee, Oklahoma, it usually takes four to six weeks before confirmation of eligibility is sent from there to the student. This confirmation needs to be brought to 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 Veterans Administration? After all of the admissions and application steps have been completed as mentioned above and you have requested certification, the CCSF certifying official will then certify you by electronically transmitting a form 1999 “Veterans Certification Form” (effective for that semester only) to Muskogee, Oklahoma. The VA can take up to three to four weeks to process a payment. Depending on the time of the year processing time may vary.