Veterans

Our goal is to assist Veterans and dependents in utilizing benefits available to them. Coastline College is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education for the training of veterans seeking benefits under state and federal regulations. Application and certification for benefits are provided by the School Certifying Official in the Admissions and Records Office located at the College Center.

Registration Priority for Veterans

Coastline College offers priority registration to any member - or former member - of the Armed Forces of the United States who is a resident of California, and who has received an honorable discharge, a general discharge, or an other than honorable discharge within four academic years after he/she/they has left state or federal active duty.

Priority registration will be granted for two years beginning the first term of enrollment within the Coast Community College District (CC, GWC, OCC). Once your Veteran's priority registration exhausts, your registration status will be determined by units completed.

In order to receive priority registration, students must present their DD-214 or Military ID to the School Certifying Official.

Veterans Outside of CA

Our goal is to assist Veterans and dependents in utilizing benefits available to them. Coastline College is approved by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education - CSAAVE for the training of veterans seeking benefits under state and federal regulations.

Why choose Coastline?

With the increase of Veterans using their GI Bill, specifically Chapter 33: Post 9/11, schools are just now creating programs to support our service members. Here are just a few reasons Coastline is the school for you: Approved VA School Certifying Officials, Priority Registration, and College credit for your military experience.

Admissions Process

Veteran Student Checklist
1. File for Education Benefits

Veterans, service members, reservists, and spouses/dependents of a "service connected" disabled or deceased veteran may use the eBenefits website and complete the Veterans On-Line Application (VONAPP). Once you have submitted the online application and received a confirmation number, print a copy of your application.

If you previously applied for benefits, provide us with your VA "Certificate of Eligibility" letter instead of a copy of the application.

2. Apply to Coastline

Apply Now to Coastline. After 48 hours (excluding weekends), you should receive an email containing instructions and a student ID number. If English and Math courses have been completed, submit unofficial transcripts to Admissions & Records in the Student Services Center.

3. Apply for Financial Aid

Apply for Financial Aid by completing the "Free Application for Federal Student Aid" (FASFA), to see if you qualify.

4. Check your Residency Status

If you are classified as a non-resident for tuition purposes, please see the Admissions & Records Office about what exemptions you may qualify for or you may email residency@coastline.edu.

5. Order Official Transcripts

Order official transcripts from every college you have ever attended to be sent to Coastline. Note: you are required by federal law to disclose all other colleges you have attended, and provide official transcripts from those schools.

6. Request an official copy of your Military Training Transcript

Request an official copy of your military training transcript (Joint Service Transcript). A copy of your transcript order confirmation page will be sufficient for certifying your benefits your first semester.

7. Submit your Discharge Letter

Submit your Discharge Letter (DD214) to the Veterans Resource Center in order to request priority registration, if eligible.

8. Make an appointment with Coastline's Career Counselor

Schedule with Career Services to make sure your Degree Plan corresponds with your Career goals.

9. Complete an intake appointment with an Academic Counselor

Schedule with Academic Counseling to develop an Education Plan. Be sure to identify yourself as a Veteran.

10. Complete your VA File
Complete your VA File by presenting these documents in person to the Veterans Services Center:
- A Certificate of Eligibility
- Education plan signed by a counselor
- Certification request form (or email to rcervantes@coastline.edu)
- Veterans Enrollment contract (or email to rcervantes@coastline.edu)
- DD 214
Important: If you are using the Post 9-11 Chapter 33, or Chapter 31, VR&E, you don't need to pay your tuition and fees as they will be paid by the VA. If you've enrolled in classes that have not yet completed this checklist, you must show us your eligibility letter or application (with confirmation number) ASAP to prevent being dropped for non-payment.

More info can be found in Military & Veterans. Please contact your local Military Student Advisor or the Military and Contract Education Department if you need assistance.
What will I need to bring in?
Documents needed will depend on the benefits 'Chapter' that you are filing for.
CHAPTER 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill®
- DD 214 Copy Member-4
- Copy of VA approval letter
CHAPTER 30 - Montgomery GI Bill®
- DD 214 Copy Member-4
- Copy of VA approval letter
CHAPTER 31 - Vocational Rehabilitation
- DD 214 Copy Member-4
- VA 28-1905
CHAPTER 35 - Dependent of Eligible Veteran
- Disabled/deceased veteran's information (name, military service number)
- VA Certification of Eligibility (if available)
CHAPTER 1606 - Selected Reserve
- DD-2384 Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE)
CHAPTER 1607 - Reserve Educational Assistance
- DD 214 Copy Member-4
CAL-VET: Students who qualify for CAL-VET benefits should contact the Financial Aid Office. Email: financialaid@coastline.edu

Education Benefits

Veterans Administration Requirements for Receiving Veterans Education Benefits

In order to claim benefits, a veteran or eligible person must have, as an educational objective, "an (a) Associate in Arts Degree or Associate in Science Degree, (b) Baccalaureate Degree, or (c) Certificate Program." If, after consulting the college catalog or the schedule of classes a person wishing to file for veterans benefits is still unsure of his/her goals or major, arrangements should be made for a counseling appointment at (714) 241-6162.
Students must follow their educational plan in order to insure continuity of benefits, satisfactory progress must be made toward the stated major.
Attendance in enrolled classes is expected at all times.
After each registration, the person receiving veterans benefits must notify the School Certifying Official of any program changes, i.e., complete withdrawal from college, adjustment of units, courses added and dropped, etc.
Unit Load to Qualify for GI Bill®: See table

Unit Load to Qualify for GI Bill®

Load Units for 8-week Session Units for 16-week Session

Full-time 6 units 12 units

3/4 time 4-5 units 9-11 units

1/2 time 3 units 6-8 units

Unit Load to Qualify for GI Bill®
Load	Units for 8-week Session	Units for 16-week Session
Full-time	6 units	12 units
3/4 time	4-5 units	9-11 units
1/2 time	3 units	6-8 units

CAL-VET: Students who qualify for CAL-VET benefits should contact the Financial Aid Office. Email: financialaid@coastline.edu.

Military Times: Best for Vets

Coastline was chosen again as a Best for Vets College by the Military Times. Coastline's Military Programs Department has been named a Military Friendly School and a Best for Vets School annually for almost a decade.

VA Benefits Chapters

Forever GI Bill - Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act

Department of Veteran Affairs - Forever GI Bill®

Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill®

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp

If you have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001, and are still on active duty, or if you are an honorably discharged Veteran or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days, you may be eligible for this VA-administered program

Chapter 30: Prior Active Duty - Montgomery GI Bill®

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/mgib_ad.asp

The MGIB-AD program - sometimes known as Chapter 30 - provides education benefits to Veterans and Servicemembers who have at least two years of active duty.

Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation

http://www.benefits.va.gov/VOCREHAB/index.asp

The Department of Veterans Affair's Veterans Benefits Administration's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) service is vested with delivering timely, effective vocational rehabilitation services to veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Chapter 35: Dependent of Eligible Veteran

http://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/DEA.asp

The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or of Veterans who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.

Chapter 1606: Selected Reserve

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/mgib_sr.asp

The Montgomery GI Bill® - Selected Reserve program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.

Chapter 1607: Reserve Educational Assistance

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/reap.asp

The National Defense Authorization Act of 2016 ended REAP on November 25, 2015. Some individuals will remain eligible for REAP benefits until November 25, 2019, while others are no longer eligible for REAP benefits.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill in many ways has replaced REAP because it also provides educational assistance benefits for Reserve and National Guard members called to active duty on or after September 11, 2001, and in many cases provides a greater benefit than REAP.

FAQs

Questions & Answers
How will COVID-19 affect my GI Bill benefits?

Over the past two weeks, VA has worked with Congress to preserve GI Bill benefits for impacted students during this difficult time. The Senate and House passed S.3503 and the bill will be headed to POTUS to sign, which will give the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) the authority to continue GI Bill payments uninterrupted in the event of national emergencies. The new law allows for VA to continue to pay benefits regardless of the fact that the program has changed from resident training to online training. Also, students will continue to receive the same monthly housing allowance payments that they received for resident training until January 1, 2021, or until the school resumes normal operations of resident training. VA is working to immediately implement the new changes to address current and future school terms to ensure students continue to receive their education benefits.

What should GI Bill Students know when it comes to COVID-19?

There is no action required from a GI Bill student. VA has scheduled several training sessions with all VA approved schools and training facilities over the next couple of days to provide further guidance. We will work closely with schools to ensure enrollments are accurately certified and processed timely. We are committed to providing regular updates to you through direct email campaigns and social media about VA's effort to implement these new changes. If you have questions about your specific circumstance, please contact the Education Call Center at: 1-888-442-4551 between 8 AM and 7 PM Eastern Time, Monday-Friday.

How much money will I receive from my VA education benefits?

View current payment rates

Do I need to do anything else to get paid after I have completed the paperwork at the college Admissions & Records Office?
- You must verify your enrollment to the VA via the CCC School Certifying Official, Rachel Cervantes, every semester,
- You must notify the college School Certifying Official each semester you wish your educational benefits to be continued,
- You must notify the college School Certifying Official if you add/drop a class, or withdraw from college.
Can I get paid by VA for taking courses at another school at the same time I am taking courses at Coastline Community College?

Yes, if the courses are equivalent to courses needed for your education goal. Contact the college School Certifyinf Official for details and reporting requirements.

Can my VA education benefit payments be suspended for any reason?

Yes. When a student has failed to maintain prescribed standards of progress, VA must be informed promptly so that benefit payments can be discontinued in accordance with the law. The termination date assigned by the school will be the last day of the term or other evaluation period in which the student's progress became unsatisfactory. Schools that provide a period of academic probation may not continue to certify a veteran or eligible person (who remains in a probationary status) for an indefinite period of time. It is reasonable to expect that an institution will report a termination due to unsatisfactory progress if a student remains on academic probation beyond 2 terms, quarters, or semesters.

Do I have to pay back the VA if I fail a class?

If you fail a class, the college Veterans Office will verify Instructor’s attendance/grade rosters and report any failing grade to the VA and inform the VA the last date the student attended the class or submitted online coursework.

How do I get another DD214 if I lost mine?

View information on replacing a DD214

Can I get college credit for my military service?

Coastline recognizes that U.S. Service members receive intensive training and education instruction unmatched by many others in our society. Coastline will award a maximum of 40 units of credit for military training and experience as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE). The determined number of units may be posted to the student's transcript upon completion of 12 units at Coastline.

Military transcripts are evaluated to verify credit applicable to a degree. Transcript documentation includes SMART (Sailor/Marine ACE Registry Transcript) AARTS (Army/ACE Registry Transcript System), Coast Guard Institute Transcript, DD 295 and DD 2586.

Military credits may count towards general education, major, areas of emphasis, certificate, and elective credits and are applicable to an associate degree at Coastline.

How can I get questions answered for my specific situation?

The college Admissions & Records Office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday. No appointment is necessary. Come in, or email the School Certifying Official at VeteranServices@coastline.edu.

Veterans Resource Centers (VRC)

The Coastline College VRC provide Coastline Student and Community Veterans with an informative and supportive environment so that they may explore the comprehensive array of resources available to them. VRC are located at three campuses: Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, and Newport Beach.

visit VRC webpage

Useful Links

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill® website: http://benefits.va.gov/gibill/
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America: iava.org; Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is the nation's first and largest group dedicated to the Troops and Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the civilian supporters of those Troops and Veterans.
Student Veterans of America: studentveterans.org; Student Veterans of America (SVA) is a coalition of student veterans groups from college campuses across the United States. Founded in January of 2008, SVA is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that works to develop new student groups, coordinate between existing student groups, and advocate on behalf of student veterans at the local, state, and national level.
Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA): Newgibill.org; Continue to defend and expand Veterans Education Opportunities.
Military.com: Military.com

Orange County Vet Center

www.va.gov/directory/guide: Phone: (714) 776-0161; Fax: (714) 748-4573

Orange County Vet Center 12453 Lewis St. Suite 101 Garden Grove, CA 92840

"GI Bill®" is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.