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VA Education Benefits

RESPECT | HONOR | GRATITUDE

Clatsop Community College is proud to welcome you and has a wide variety of programs to meet your interests.  CCC can help you prepare for transfer to a university, upgrade your job skills or prepare you for a new career.  Programs at CCC are approved by the State Board of Higher Education State Approving Agency as qualified training for students eligible for VA educational benefits.  Our VA Certifying School Officials follow the VA rules and regulations for submitting enrollment certifications to the VA Regional Office in Muskogee, Oklahoma, for benefit calculation and payment to student.

Eligibility determined solely by VA

Your eligibility for VA Educational Benefits is determined solely by the Veterans Affairs Office in Muskogee, Oklahoma, by applying online at www.gibill.va.gov.  On the home page select APPLY FOR BENEFITS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

Once you have SUBMITTED the application, be sure to keep a copy with the confirmation number on the bottom for your records.  In a few weeks, you should receive a Certificate of Eligibility letter.  You must submit your Certificate of Eligibility letter to this office in order for your classes to be certified for benefits and you will be required to have an initial meeting with the School Certifying Official and also complete a Rights & Responsibilities form.

Here are a few tips when applying:

  • If you are not sure what chapter of benefits to apply for you should check UNSURE.  The VA will mail a list of benefits you are eligible for.  This is especially true for veterans looking at rolling to Chapter 33, but are not sure.  You can always select which chapter to use at a later date.
  • Give complete dates and other information.  If you don't know the information-don't guess.  The VA will confirm any and all information with the military and the DoD.
  • Plan ahead.  Applications take time to process.  This time can vary from as little as 3 weeks to 12 weeks.  It depends on the situation and chapter you apply for.  For instance, if you list that you are UNSURE of which chapter on your application, you know it will take additional time.
  • Feel free to follow up or ask questions.  You can reach the National Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551.  (Press 1 then 0 to get through all menus quickly.)  The folks in Oklahoma are very friendly and enjoy helping veterans - so let them help you.  Remember, they are not miracle workers and can only guide you through the process and provide detailed information regarding your educational benefits.  They also have to rely on information from the military and the DoD.

Note that CCC is not the Veterans Administration.  Based on information provided by you and/or college records, CCC reports registration, changes and final grades to the VA for determination of payment eligibility.  Determination of your educational benefits, issue and benefit questions should be directed to the VA at www.gibill.va.gov or by calling 1-888-442-4551.

Note that students receiving VA benefits need to submit all official transcripts from previously attended institutions and military.  Our institution will only certify one term of VA benefits without having receipt and evaluation of all transcripts.  Students are cautioned to be sure they do not repeat a course previously completed while transcripts are pending or they may owe repayment.  See VA Satisfactory Academic Progress/Rules & Regulations for more information.

Military Transcript Resources

Previous College Transcripts

Evaluation of transfer credits may take 3-4 weeks, so it is important to start the process early.

  • Order official transcripts from all previous colleges.
  • Get admitted to CCC.
  • Once admitted, an evaluation of your previous credits will be completed.
  • Provide course descriptions for any course that you took more than 10 years ago that you want considered toward your evaluation.

Financial Assistance Opportunities for Military Personnel and their Families

  • Debt Management Center – St. Paul, MN – 1-800-827-0648
  • Department of Veteran Affairs Education –1-888-442-4551/ www.gibill.va.gov
  • Department of Veteran Affairs Home Page – 1-800-827-1000 / www.va.gov
  • Oregon Department Veterans Affairs – www.oregon.gov/ODVA
  • Survivor Benefits – http://www.vba.va.gov/survivors
  • VA Direct Deposit / Address Change – 1-877-838-2778
  • VA Voc Rehab – Portland Office – 503-412-4577
  • Verification of Enrollment – 1-877-823-2378 – (CH 30, 1606 & 1607 must call the last calendar day of EACH month to verify enrollment)

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