Veteran Resource Center

Post 9/11 GI Bill®

Step 1: Apply to Chaffey (if applicable)

• Apply here - Application for Admission to Chaffey College
• Once you receive your welcome email, please make sure to follow the instructions on how to complete your mandatory New Student Orientation and Math/English placement.
  
  For questions about admissions to the college, contact the Admissions at Rancho (909) 652-6600, Chino (909) 652-8000, and Fontana (909) 652-7400 or visit them online.

Step 2: Submit Documents

• Certificate of eligibility - request online from the VA website
• DD 214 member 4
• Photo ID card
• Non-California resident, fill out the residency reclassification petition online form
• Request Joint Services Transcript
• For air force transcripts, visit the Air University transcript web page
  
  Please send your documents via the student veteran documents online form.

Step 3: Recommended Support

• FAFSA and/or California College Promise Grant
• College transcript(s) need to be sent to admission and records directly (if applicable)

Step 4: Student Comprehensive Educational Plan

• Call the VRC at (909) 652-6235 to schedule an appointment with a veterans counselor to get a VA Comprehensive Educational plan (SEP). SEP is a roadmap of courses that align with your program of study and will be your guide for selecting classes during registration.

Step 5: Meet with a VA Certifying Official

• Veterans Request for Certification (this is done every semester after you register for classes)
  
  To receive full BAH, you must register full time and at least take one in-person class

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Veterans Readiness and Employment : Chapter 31

Apply to Citrus College

Once you receive your welcome email, please make sure to set up your email account, log in to Wingspan, and complete your mandatory new student orientation. To do so, visit New Student Orientation/SEP Requirement.

For questions about this process, contact the Veterans Resource Center at (909) 652-6235.

Step 1: Submit Documents

• Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VRE) entitlement letter
• DD 214 member 4
• Photo ID card
• Non-California resident, fill out the Residency Reclassification Petition online form
• Request Joint Services Transcript
• For air force transcripts, visit the Air University transcript web page
  
  Please send your documents via the student veteran documents online form.

 

Step 2: Recommended Support

• FAFSA and/or California College Promise Grant
• College transcript(s) need to be sent to admission and records directly (if applicable)

 

Step 3: Student Comprehensive Educational Plan

• Call the VRC at (909) 652-6235 to schedule an appointment with a veterans counselor to get a Student Comprehensive Educational plan (SEP). SEP is a roadmap of courses that align with your program of study and will be your guide for selecting classes during registration.
• Veterans Request for Certification (this is done every semester after you register for classes)
• To receive full BAH, you must register full time and at least take one in-person class

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Montgomery GI Bill® : Chapter 30

Apply to Citrus College

Once you receive your welcome email, please make sure to set up your email account, log in to Wingspan, and complete your mandatory new student orientation. To do so, visit New Student Orientation/SEP Requirement.

For questions about this process, contact the Veterans Resource Center at (909) 652-6235.

Step 1: Submit Documents

• Certificate of eligibility - request online from the VA website
• DD 214 member 4
• Photo ID card
• Non-California resident, fill out the residency reclassification petition online form
• Request Joint Services Transcript
• For air force transcripts, visit the Air University transcript web page
  
  Please send your documents via the student veteran documents online form.

 

Step 2: Recommended Support

• FAFSA and/or California College Promise Grant
• College transcript(s) need to be sent to admission and records directly (if applicable)

 

Step 3: Student Comprehensive Educational Plan

• Call the VRC at (909) 652-6235 to schedule an appointment with a veterans counselor to get a Student Comprehensive Educational plan (SEP). SEP is a roadmap of courses that align with your program of study and will be your guide for selecting classes during registration.
• Veterans Request for Certification (this is done every semester after you register for classes)
• To receive full BAH, you must register full time and at least take one in-person class

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Apply to Citrus College

Once you receive your welcome email, please make sure to set up your email account, log in to Wingspan, and complete your mandatory new student orientation. To do so, visit New Student Orientation/SEP Requirement.

For questions about this process, contact the Veterans Resource Center at (909) 652-6235.

Step 1: Submit Documents

• DD Form 2384-1 Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) given by your command
• Certificate of eligibility - request online from the VA website
• DD 214 member 4
• Photo ID card
• Non-California resident, fill out the residency reclassification petition online form
• Request Joint Services Transcript
• For air force transcripts, visit the Air University transcript web page
  
  Please send your documents via the student veteran documents online form.

 

Step 2: Recommended Support

• FAFSA and/or California College Promise Grant
• College transcript(s) need to be sent to admission and records directly (if applicable)

 

Step 3: Student Comprehensive Educational Plan

• Call the VRC at (909) 652-6235 to schedule an appointment with a veterans counselor to get a Student Comprehensive Educational plan (SEP). SEP is a roadmap of courses that align with your program of study and will be your guide for selecting classes during registration.
• Veterans Request for Certification (this is done every semester after you register for classes)

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Active Duty Tuition Assistance Program

Prior to applying, Citrus College military service members need to receive approval from the education service officer (ESO), military counselor or command.

Apply to Citrus College

Once you receive your welcome email, please make sure to set up your email account and log in to Wingspan.

Step 1: Request Tuition Assistance

Request tuition assistance from your command.

• Air Force (MilTA)
• Army
• Navy/Marine Corp (Navy College Program)

 

Step 2: Student Comprehensive Educational Plan

• Schedule an appointment with a veterans counselor to prepare a Student Comprehensive Educational plan before enrolling in any classes. Your counselor will help guide you through the process of selecting your major and educational path. To schedule an appointment, call (909) 652-6235.

 

Step 3: Register for Classes

• Register for classes based upon your SEP

 

Step 4: Submit Doucments

• Tuition Assistance Approval/Voucher
• Student Comprehensive Educational Plan
• Military ID
  Please send your documents via the military tuition assistance online form.

For questions regarding using tuition assistance, contact Maria Buffo at (626) 852-6457.

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Dependents Education Assistance Program : Chapter 35

Apply to Citrus College

Once you receive your welcome email, please make sure to set up your email account and log in to Wingspan.

Contact the Veterans Resource Center at (909) 652-6235 if you are unsure which education benefit you are eligible to use at Citrus College.

Step 2: Submit Documents

• Certificate of eligibility - request online from the VA website
• DD 214 member 4
• Photo ID card (student and veteran)
  
  Please send your documents via the student veteran documents online form.

 

Step 3: Recommended Support

• FAFSA and/or California College Promise Grant
• College transcript(s) need to be sent to admission and records directly (if applicable)

 

Step 4: Student Comprehensive Educational Plan

• Call the VRC at (909) 652-6235 to schedule an appointment with a veterans counselor to get a Student Comprehensive Educational plan (SEP). SEP is a roadmap of courses that align with your program of study and will be your guide for selecting classes during registration.
• Veterans Request for Certification (this is done every semester after you register for classes)

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CalVets Fee Waiver

The College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents benefits the spouse and children of U.S. veterans. Students meeting the eligibility criteria may get their college fees waived if they attend a California community college, a California state university, or University of California campus. The Veterans Resource Center wants to support your decision to attend Citrus College and is here to help you process your veteran dependent benefits.

For questions about this process, contact the Veterans Resource Center at (909) 652-6235.

Step 1: Check Eligibility

• Verify your eligibility on the official CalVet College Fee Waiver website

 

Step 2: Apply for Fee Waiver

• Visit the CalVet College Fee Waiver site. Scroll to the bottom of that page to the "How to Apply" section, and follow direction from there.

 

Step 3: Apply for FAFSA

• Complete the FAFSA application on the Federal Student Aid website

 

Step 4: Submit Documents

• Submit both the fee waiver letter and the FAFSA confirmation via the CalVet students online form

 

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To make a counseling appointment with a veterans counselor, visit Veterans Appointment Scheduling web page. Select the "Specialty Area Counseling" tab from the drop down menu to see the veteran appointment links.

If you need assistance with setting up an appointment, call the VRC at 626-852-6421.

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If you have a VA rating or another physical, learning, or mental health diagnosis, you may qualify for academic accommodations. Accommodations are adjustments that can be made to support you in the areas that your rating or diagnosis impacts your educational functioning. Watch this introduction video for more information.

If interested, please call the Disabled Student Programs and Service (DSPS) office at (626) 914-8675 or email dsps@citruscollege.edu. Be sure to include your full name, student ID number and Citrus College email.

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Higher Education Transitional Skills for Veterans and Families features a course section for all veterans and current military members (especially returning OIF/OEF veterans), their family members, friends and supporters. The course offers three units of credit, and it is transferrable to both the University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU) campuses.

The goal of this course is to assist the deployed, post-deployed, and veteran (DPV) student in making a positive transition from military to civilian life or from deployment to post-deployment life including college survival skills. This curriculum was developed to help the DPV student succeed in academics, work, family and other social settings.

Higher Education Transitional Skills for Veterans and Families teaches students interpersonal skills and techniques for managing military readjustment transition issues. The course will also help DPV students effectively manage military stress, combat reaction stress, operational stress, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The course also focuses on returning veterans, their families and supporters, emphasizes improving overall health, resilience, and readiness for deployed/post-deployed troops.

Please review the Citrus College online catalog entry​.

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Enrollment Status

​The following is considered full time:

• Regular 16 week semester - 12+ units
• Summer eight week session ​- six units
• Summer and winter six week intersession - four units

Please check in with counselor for variations of combination units.

For example, if the student is taking 12 units in a semester where nine units begin February 8 and end June 12, 2015​, and the other three units begin February 18 and end April 10, 2015, the student will only be considered full time up to April 10, 2015. From April 11 through June 12, 2015, he or she will be considered 80% rate of pursuit and receive 80% of full time pay for that enrollment period.

What the VA will NOT Pay For

No benefits will be paid for courses that do not meet the program of study requirements. The following list reflects types of courses that will not be certified for payment; however, this list is not all-inclusive:

• Recommended classes
• Challenged classes
• Repeated courses
• Electives (can be used to supplement and complete semester units, consult with an academic counselor)
• Repeated courses with a "D" (cannot be re-certified unless academic counselor confirms that the student must pass the course with a "C" for graduation purposes. This must be documented in writing before another certification can be submitted for the repeated course)​

 

What the VA WILL Pay For

• Required prerequisites and remedial classes
• Repeated courses with an "F" or "FW" (may be repeated and certified for chapter 33 benefits)
• Online classes/distance education (enrolled exclusively in distance education courses will receive the BAH payment at an approximate 2/3 reduced rate)
• Hybrid courses (students should inquire with the VA certifying official for confirmation and how it may impact their benefits)
• Counseling courses - COUN 156, 160, and 161 are approved courses and advised by counselors for students that are transitioning​

 

Round Out

Only during the last term before graduation may a student register for non-applicable courses in order to have enough hours to be full-time. This can be done only once per program.

For example, if a student needs only six units to graduate in the current term, but wishes to receive full-time benefits, he or she can register for six additional units (or more) of courses that do not apply to the intended degree program.

This policy DOES NOT apply to students in the chapter 31​ vocational rehabilitation program. Students need to speak directly with their case manager.

Standards of Progress

​Students must be in good academic standing to be eligible for VA certification. VA students must complete each semester with a GPA of at least 2.0 or above to remain in a satisfactory status. Failure to maintain a 2.0 or above will result in probation and a loss of enrollment priority. When placed on probation for two consecutive semesters, the student's VA benefits will be terminated. Students may be re-certified for benefits ONLY after their GPA is brought up to the minimum required standards of progress.​

Concurrent Enrollment

A student may take courses (as a guest student) at more than one school (secondary school) that apply to his or her degree. VA will pay for the combined credit taking overlapping enrollment dates into account. If a student takes courses elsewhere that satisfy requirements for his or her degree, a "parent school letter"​ will need to be issued to the secondary school. The student will need to meet with a counselor or educational advisor for an updated Student Comprehensive Educational plan indicating the course(s) and secondary school under the semester/term and submit it to the certifying official in order to have the parent letter prepared.

Financial Aid

Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid. Students may use VA education benefits in conjunction with Title IV financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. Students should not include VA education benefits when reporting income and resources information on the application.​​

Military Credit

Citrus College issues four units of military credit (KIN 171 and one activity) to students that have a DD214 on file. The credit meets AREA E of the CSU certification.

Payment Processing and Overpayments

Paperwork Processing
You must allow eight to ten weeks for processing from the time your paperwork is sent to the Veterans Administration before you will receive your first check.

Overpayments
The VA holds both the college and the recipient liable for overpayments. Overpayments are most commonly the result of:

• Failure to process a program change form when dropping a course (the Veterans Administration considers the recipient ineligible to receive benefits after the last date of attendance);
• Failure to report to the veterans clerk in the Veterans Resource Center any change in status (number of units or change of address) and;
• Repetition of a course in which a satisfactory ("C" or better) grade has been received.

If an overpayment occurs, the VA will automatically stop further payment until the entire amount due has been repaid. 

If veterans are no longer eligible to receive benefits because they are carrying less than six units and receiving benefits under chapter 30, 31, 33, 35, or carrying less than three units and receiving benefits under chapter 1606, or are officially withdrawn from school, a letter will be sent to them requesting repayment. 

In the case of hardship, a veteran may apply to the VA to make arrangements for repayment of the debt with as little inconvenience as possible.​

Student Comprehensive Educational Plan and Priority Registration

​Student Comprehensive Educational Plan (SEP)
All VA students must have an approved program of study. A SEP, signed by an academic counselor or advisor and the student, outlining the required courses for the student's program of study must be on file in order for a student to be certified for benefits. ONLY COURSES REQUIRED TOWARD THE COMPLETION OF THE DEGREE PLAN ON FILE CAN BE CERTIFIED TO THE VA. Additionally, only ONE course of study may be declared on the SEP at any given time.​

Priority Registration
Priority registration is available for verified veterans, current or prior members of the armed forces, except those with a dishonorable discharge. An active duty military ID card or DD214 is required for verification.

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Mental health support will be available through U.S. Vets Outside the Wire (the nation's largest nonprofit provider of comprehensive services to homeless and at-risk veterans).

A mental health professional is available at the VRC on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For additional support and referrals, contact mbuffo@citruscollege.edu.

If you are in need of immediate assistance or have a life-threatening concern, the following services are available 24/7:

• dial 911 or
• dial 988 then press 1 or
• text 838255 or
• chat online with a VA responder at the Veterans Crisis Line

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Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (PCPG), chapter 36 is offered to student veterans and qualifying dependents. It can help you make the most of your education benefits and career choices.

If you are interested in learning more about PCPG chapter 36, you can contact the Vet Resource on Campus Counselor Maura Kazden, at (310) 235-7778 or maura.kazden@va.gov.

VA VSOC Office Hours at the Veterans Resource Center:
Mondays and Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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The Veterans Readiness and Employment (VRE) program is authorized under Title 38, U.S. Code, Chapter 31. It is referred to as the chapter 31 program. It assists entitled veterans with service-connected disabilities and an employment handicap to prepare for, find, and maintain a job. It also helps entitled transitioning service members.    ​

You may be eligible for VRE benefits and services if you're a Veteran, and you meet all the requirements listed below:​

1. Did not receive a dishonorable discharge, and​
2. Have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from VA​

Veterans may apply to chapter 31 via e-benefits or online at va.gov.​

For further information, contact the Vet Resource on Campus Counselor Maura Kazden, at (310) 235-7778 or maura.kazden@va.gov.

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