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Veterans

Grossmont College is a California Community College approved for veteran’s education by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs www.gibill.va.gov and the California State - Department of Consumer Affairs: Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education www.bppve.ca.gov (click on Student Bill of Rights) for the following VA education benefit programs:

The Veterans Affairs Office (VAO), on campus, provides  information and assistance in applying for these service-connected benefit programs; filing appropriate VA forms; receiving information about related services, such as VA Tutoring, and contacting the VA Regional Office in Muskogee, Oklahoma on a student’s behalf, for advocacy in resolving problems and any other benefit or education related matters. The VAO will inform veterans, dependents, or veteran-related students of any and all available campus services applicable to their needs. Upon applying for admission to Grossmont College, immediately contact the VA Office to initiate  the benefits process:

Certification for VA Education Benefits is not automatic.  All students must stop by the VAO each term/semester they wish to utilize benefits, and fill out the Veterans Intent Form. This should be done, as soon as possible, after registering for the classes which are required for your educational goal.  Students are strongly recommended to make sure their chosen classes are payable before they register, in order to expedite processing of education benefits.   

 The VAO Certifying Official can be contacted at:

Email: olivia.krausie@gcccd.edu

Phone: 619-644-7165

General Information for All Veterans/Students:

Everyone receiving VA benefits is required, by the Veterans Administration, to maintain regular class attendance and satisfactory progress to comply with the Academic Policies section of the current Grossmont College Catalog. Students should refer to the “General Education” &   “Degree Requirements” sections of the current catalog.

Counseling Center:  For academic advising, changing majors / classes, make an appointment with a counselor every semester. (619) 644-7208

The Transfer Center is also available for information about the UC and CSU Public Institutions, as well as Independent Institutions.  Refer to the “Transfer Planning” section of the current catalog. (619) 644-7150

VETERANS: Chapters 30,31,1606 & 1607 receive FIRST DAY Priority Registration.  This is about 9 weeks before the start of each semester.  You are encouraged to plan accordingly to take advantage of this opportunity, then file your Intent form at the VAO.  Call the VAO for questions about registration dates.

Students must fill out the Grossmont College Veterans Affairs Office - Intent Form after registering for classes every semester to insure the continuance of their benefits.  You must provide a copy of your class schedule showing term dates.

Military Credit:  Submit your military transcript to the VAO for review of military service schools (Fill out a request for military credit form).  Credit may be granted in accord with recommendations by the ACE guidelines, up to a maximum of 20 units for work similar to Grossmont courses.  Military Credit is not transferable and can be used toward major requirements, only with consent from the Department Chair and a Modification of Major form.  If you have verified that your transcript was received by Grossmont College Admissions & Records Office, please call the VAO to have your transcript reviewed.  You will be mailed documentation showing the results of the review. 

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 New-to-College  and New-to-Grossmont Students:

Eligible veterans and dependents, who have never used their VA educational benefits.

Apply for benefits:  VONAPP - The online application for benefits is at www.va.gov

• click on: Apply Online Tab;

• click on Education; which takes you to the VONAPP site;

• Click on Start VONAPP. 

You can contact the GC-VAO if you have questions about the application or while filling out the online application.  It takes 6-8 weeks for benefits to be processed and awarded.  Using Direct Deposit facilitates prompt receipt of your benefits.

Certificate of Eligibility:  Bring the certificate to the VAO, it will be copied and placed in your file.

DOCUMENTATION:

PRIOR CREDIT: All students who have any prior educational training must provide official transcripts to Grossmont College from all colleges and universities, (accreditation of training institutes/trade schools can be verified by Admissions & Records staff).  The VA requires evaluation and monitoring of all prior credit before the third term/semester of attendance can be certified.

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Transfer Students:  All students who have previously received VA educational benefits must complete VA Form #22-1995 or #22-5495 Change of Place of Training, available at the GC-VAO, prior to registering for classes, to ensure proper certification.  All official transcripts of prior education must be submitted to the Grossmont College Admissions & Records Office.  DD 214s or NOBE’s may also be submitted for the “Fitness/Wellness Requirement” for Graduation.  Refer to the Veterans section of the current college catalog. 

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 Advanced Payment:
New or Returning Students (who have been out of school for over 30 days) may choose to receive Advanced Payment. This must be done no later than 30 days prior to the beginning date of the semester/term. Check with the Grossmont VAO for requirements, general questions and applicable dates to apply for Advance Pay. Please note that by receiving Advance Pay you will receive payment for the first partial month and the second month of the semester.  The next payment will not be made until you certify at the end of the 3^rd month of the semester. 

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Concurrent Enrollment:
While receiving VA Educational Benefits, students may be concurrently enrolled at more than one school during the same semester. Whichever school the student is pursuing a degree from is considered the Parent School. The other school is considered the Secondary School.   Grossmont Students must fill out a “Veterans Affairs Office Parent School letter” form at the VAO.  If you are attending another institution and wish to receive benefits as a Guest Student for a course at Grossmont College, an authorization form/letter from the VAO at your Parent School is required. This form/letter states that the courses taken at the Secondary School will be credited toward the current major the student is pursuing. All “Guest Students” are responsible for contacting the Secondary School's Veterans Office to file required forms, the Parent School Course Approval Letter is usually mailed or faxed between colleges. The Secondary School will complete the certification for Guest Student benefits.

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Monthly Verification Process:
Veteran students, who receive benefits under Chapters 30, 1606 and 1607, must verify their enrollment on or after the last day of each month. Veterans receive an award letter from the VA Regional Processing Center in Muskogee, OK, after certification of enrollment in authorized courses. Once this is received, the student can self-certify. To insure prompt payment of benefits you must remember to certify every month, even if your class(es) ended before the end of the month. The earliest that verification can be done is the last day of the month. Monthly verification (self-certification) can be done via one of the following two ways:                                                                                                                      Internet - WAVE (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment): Easiest and shows detailed information about YOUR benefits.  Go To:    https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/

Telephone - Using Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
1-877-823-2378

Failure to self-certify every month will lead to your benefits being delayed or suspended.

Please be aware that Federal holidays and filing your Intent Form late, may delay the initial Certification Process and thus, timely deposit of your benefits. You are encouraged to plan accordingly and keep at least a month’s benefits in reserve at your financial institution to prevent problems, especially if your benefits provide the majority of your income.

 

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Direct Deposit:
Direct deposit of your monthly VA educational benefits payment is available for Chapter 30, 31, 1606 and 1607 recipients. This option allows faster receipt of monthly benefits, and work study payments. It also decreases the chance of missing, lost, or stolen checks.  If you did not request direct deposit when you applied for benefits, you may initiate the process at any time by calling the VA at:

1-877-838-2778; Monday – Friday 5:30 AM to 2:50 PM – Pacific Time.

You need to provide your VA file number, 9 digit bank routing number, and checking or savings account number.  To cancel or change direct deposit or home address, fill out Form 20-572 in the VAO.  We will same-day-fax your request to the VA Regional Office in Muskogee, OK.

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VA Work Study Program:
This program is available to any student receiving VA education benefits who is attending school three-quarter time or more. A student working under this program may work at the school veterans' office, VA Regional Office, VA Medical Facilities, or at approved State employment offices. Work-study students are paid at either the state or Federal minimum wage, whichever is greater. If you have other questions on this program contact the VA toll-free number 1-888-442-4551, or the VAO on campus.
This is a tax-free employment program.  The hourly rate, currently, is $8.00 an hour, as of July 2008.  Students must be enrolled in and receiving educational benefits of at least 3/4 time, 9–11.5 units/semester. Contact the Grossmont VAO for summer term requirements.

For jobs at off-campus VA work study sites contact: 

• County of San Diego–Veterans Service Office:
  San Diego–619-531-4545
  Vista–760-643-2049 (ask for Mike).

• San Diego VA Regional Office:
  619-400-5630 (Jesus Camacho).

• VA Hospital, La Jolla:
  858-642-3432 (Jerry Mailhot).                                                        

• VET CENTERS:
  San Diego 619-294-2040 (Michael Groniga).
  San Marcos 760-744-6914 (Dane Galkey).

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GI BILL Benefit Payment Rates:
Rates depend upon amount contributed and/or length of time in service (Number of months of contribution), as well as enrollment status. Inquire at the VAO/ or GI Bill website for current pay rates for each chapter.

Undergraduate Enrollment Status by Number of Credits

Standards of Progress:
Each student receiving VA education benefits through the VAO, must follow the college’s standards, as stated in the Academic Policies section of the current college catalog, to be eligible for the VA Certification process. In addition, each student must read and sign the original copy of the Grossmont College Veterans Checklist in the VAO when applying for benefits.  This acknowledges your agreement to follow VA rules and regulations, which the Certifying Official is responsible for administering. Students must also keep current and correct contact information on file in the VAO.

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 Tutorial Assistance Program:
If you are having difficulty in any of your classes, you should first talk to your professor.  If the difficulty is other than that which can be addressed by tutoring, you should make an appointment with a Counselor.  Through the VA, up to $1200 is available for Individualized Tutorial Assistance.  You must be receiving VA education benefits at half-time rate or more.  If you have a deficiency in a subject necessitating private tutoring, beyond Tutoring/Learning Assistance services available on campus, students can be reimbursed for payments to a qualified tutor. The first $600 does not count against your benefits award.  For questions regarding VA tutorial assistance, and to get a copy of Form 22-1990, contact the VAO.  Students will need to provide documentation from their instructor identifying their need for tutoring, the qualifications of, and fees paid to the tutor, to apply for reimbursement. 

Student Veteran Organization (SVO): www.svogrossmont.org

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