General Information

Yes, students can apply for both VA educational benefits and financial aid! The VRC strongly recommends that students file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every academic year. By filling out the FAFSA, you will be applying for federal and state student aid such as grants, federal work-study, loans, and the California College Promise Grant (Fee Waiver). 

The VRC staff can assist you with the application process and there are computers in our office you can use to submit the FAFSA.

The VRC staff is happy to walk you through the process of starting your benefits at our campus. We also have a helpful New Student page you can use as a step by step guide. 

Yes, there are state and federal benefits you may qualify for - including the Cal Vet Fee Waiver to cover the cost of classes and the VA's Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) program. We have a Dependent's page you can use for a guide. 

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is a federal institution that provides and regulates veteran benefits, including educational benefits. The VA determines a student's eligibility for educational benefits. The VA Regional Processing Center is responsible for processing your education benefits. Questions regarding benefits or payments must be directed to the VA. The VRC is not involved in the processing of VA benefit payment.

The VRC is a student services office that acts as a liaison between the student and the VA. In addition to assisting veteran students with the application for VA educational benefits, the VRC can connect students with campus and community resources to assist with the transition into the college life. The VRC's Certifying Official certifies your courses with the VA for processing. If you have any questions regarding the courses you are certified for or any resources to assist you with your education, please contact the VRC. 

If you are a veteran bring a copy of your DD-214, member 4 (if applicable) or if you are an active duty service member or reservist, bring a copy of your most recent orders. You can also bring a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility from the VA showing your benefit entitlement. ​

Chapters 1606, 30, and 35
Priority Registration Only students:
The district policy for non-payment of fees applies to students using Priority Registration Only, VA Chapters 1606/1607, Chapter 30, and Chapter 35. Students are responsible for paying all student fees within the three-day period as outlined in the catalog policy. Students must adhere to this policy to ensure that the classes are not dropped for non-payment. This policy also applies to veteran students utilizing VA educational benefits listed above as the VA does not pay the tuition and fees on behalf of the student. The student can either pay out of pocket, complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or apply for a California College Promise Grant (CCPG) at the VRC. If the student qualifies for the CCPG, the $46 per unit would be covered by the CCPG.

Chapters 31, 33, and 33TOE
Fry Scholarship students:
Course protection Guarantee under the Veterans Benefits & Transition Act of 2018 Effective August 1st, 2019, SCC will allow Veterans under Chapter 33, Chapter 31 and dependents under Chapter 33TOE & Fry Scholarship to register in their courses without being dropped until the VA pays for their mandatory Tuition and Fees.  In order to receive this benefit, the student must request to use their benefits promptly after registration by filling out the Certification Request Form and provide a copy of their Certificate of Eligibility or Authorization Notification via Tungsten Portal for Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation students.

Failure to provide the Certification Request Form promptly after registration may delay or prevent the VRC from adding a protection code to prevent the student's courses from being dropped for non-payment. It will be the student's responsibility to pay the school any remaining balance should the student register in courses that is not in their approved plan, or if the student is not in the 100% level of entitled GI Bill® benefits.

Mandatory in -state tuition and fee payments are sent directly from the VA to SCC and are credited to the student's account to cover mandatory fees. The VA encourages schools to submit the actual amount of tuition and fees in a process called Dual Certification. For Dual Certification, courses will be certified at the beginning of the semester to the VA for processing BAH and book stipend payments. The actual amount of tuition and fees will be reported to the VA for payment to the school after the add/drop period has ended for each semester. Dropping certified courses may affect the amount of tuition and fees the VA will cover on behalf of the student. Students who drop certified classes before the tuition and fees are reported to the VA may have to pay for that course(s) out of pocket. The SCC Cashier's Office will process reimbursements to students who paid the fees out of pocket once the VA's payment has been received and processed by the school. A refund will not be issued if the student had a protection code applied to his/her account and did not pay fees out of pocket. Instead, the VA tuition and fees payment will be applied to pay the mandatory fees owed. Contact the SCC Cashier's Office for details on the Refund Policy.

In-state fees for Chapters 31 33, 33TOE and Fry Scholarship students
The VA will only cover up to the in-state fees for any student eligible for Chapters 31, 33, 33TOE and the Fry Scholarship. If the student has not established California residency by the time of benefit certification, they must turn in the California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Form and supporting documentation to the SCC Admissions & Records Office. This form does not make them a California resident. However, it will remove the non-resident fees from the account so that the remaining in-state fees may be certified to the VA. The student is responsible for establishing residency within the year after turning in the California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Form. The tuition exemption will not carry over beyond one academic year.