LAVC Veterans Resource Center

IF YOU ARE A NEW OR RETURNING STUDENT VETERAN*, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

*(RESERVISTS, ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS, AND DEPENDENTS INCLUDED).

Returning students are students who have not attended LAVC for 2 or more semesters (fall and spring)

STEP 1: APPLY TO LAVC. Apply to become a student at LA Valley College using this link - LAVC Application. After you apply, you will receive a LACCD student ID number.

STEP 2: SCHEDULE A VETERANS COUNSELING APPOINTMENT. Schedule an academic counseling appointment with the Veterans Counselor to develop a student educational plan (SEP). To schedule an appointment, click here- Veterans Counseling Appointments (you will need to create a Cranium Cafe account)

STEP 3: SEND TRANSCRIPTS. If you attended a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S., send a copy of your official transcripts* to the LAVC Admissions Office. *Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent to LAVC Admissions directly from the college/university. NOTE: if you attended a community college within LACCD, you will NOT need to send transcripts

STEP 4: REGISTER. Register for classes online through your Student Portal. If you plan on using your VA educational benefits, enrolled classes must be listed on your SEP to receive VA certification. Use your student educational plan (SEP) to help you choose your classes. 

STEP 5: VA BENEFITS. If you plan on using VA educational benefits, fill out the Certification Request form online through Canvas. To access the form, go to your student portal online - www.mycollege.laccd.edu > Canvas > LAVC Veterans > Certification Request. 

IMPORTANT: If this is your first semester using VA educational benefits at LAVC, please read below-

• when submitting your form, please have the following documents ready to upload in a PDF format:
  • Certificate of Eligibility Letter (COE) provided by the VA
  • Copy of DD-214 (Member 4) 
  • Copy of an ID (i.e. CA driver's license, passport, VA card, LAVC student id card)

CONTINUING STUDENTS (not using VA Educational Benefits)

Continuing students are students seeking to enroll in the next session or semester. As a continuing student, you are encouraged to meet with the Veterans Counselor at least once per semester (fall and spring).

CONTINUING STUDENTS USING VA EDCUATIONAL BENEFITS

VA Certification is not processed automatically. Students wishing to receive certification must submit a request for every semester they would like to receive benefits.

Please remember the following prior to submitting your certification request:

• You must meet with the veterans counselor EVERY semester prior to submitting your certification request

• It is the student's responsibility to enroll in classes indicated on the Student Educational Plan (SEP) Therefore, prior submitting a certification request, you must verify that all courses are on your (SEP)

• If the class includes lecture and laboratory, list the lecture information only

• Courses taken at another institution must be approved by the Veterans Counselor and entered on your certification request. ***Ch 31 students must have approval from your VR&E Counselor

• Do not include classes that are wait-listed. Once you are officially enrolled, you may update your certification by clicking on “Enrollment Changes” in (Canvas > LAVC Veterans > Enrollment Changes)

• Any changes to the initial certification (add, drop, exclusion, section changes, guest schools, etc.) must be submitted as an enrollment change. To access Canvas, go online to your LACCD student portal > Canvas > LAVC Veterans > Enrollment Changes

TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION REQUEST, PLEASE GO ONLINE TO CANVAS

To access Canvas, go online to your LACCD student portal > Canvas > LAVC Veterans > Certification Request

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

Veterans Crisis Line

Dial 988, then Press 1 OR Text 838255

LAVC Student Health Center

Health services are available with the LAVC Student Health Center (operated by Valley Community Healthcare)

• physicals, immunizations, etc.
• mental health services for depression, anxiety, and stress

For more information and to access services, please visit https://www.lavc.edu/studenthealth/index.aspx

Additional mental health services are available by referral through the LAVC VRC. To receive more information or to be connected to additional mental health services, please send an email to veteransinfo@lavc.edu

The Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN)

VPAN can assist veterans and military connected students with questions or issues related to:

• housing
• food insecurity
• benefits (medical, education, etc.)
• transportation
• mental health
• and other veteran related needs

General Information for GI Bill®

VA Regional Office

Los Angeles Federal Building
11000 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Phone: (800) 827-1000

Regional GI Bill® Claims Processing Office

Western Region - Muskogee, OK
P.O. Box 8888, Muskogee, OK 74402-8888
Monday to Friday, 6am - 4pm PST
1-888-GI Bill®(1-888-442-4551)

Eligibility

https://www.va.gov/education/eligibility/
Learn about GI Bill® eligibility requirements and find out if you can get these benefits. VA education benefits can help you pay your tuition, pick out a school, choose a career, and more. If you’re an active-duty service member or Veteran, a member of the National Guard or Reserves, or a qualified survivor or dependent, find out if you can get VA education benefits through the GI Bill® and other educational assistance programs.

Apply for Educational Benefits

https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/
Find out how to apply for the GI Bill® and other VA education benefits as a Veteran, service member, or qualified family member.

Benefit Comparison

https://www.va.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool/
For many eligible participants, the Post-9/11 GI Bill® is a better solution than other education benefit programs, such as the Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty, Montgomery GI Bill® - Selected Reserve and the Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP). However, this decision depends on several factors, including the type of education or training you plan to take and the amount of benefits received under each program.

Stay tuned for more information for fall 2025.

If you are interested in learning more about the club and how to join, please email the Veterans Club Advisor, Krixa Alejo at alejok@lavc.edu.

Eat Your Breakfast

Description: start off the fall semester (and your mornings) right with some hot breakfast! WELCOME TO FALL!

Date: Tuesday and Wednesday, 9/2 and 9/3  

Time: 9:30am to 12:30pm 

Location: Inside the Rising Scholars and Veterans Resource Center (SSC 2nd Floor) 

Intro to College Online Platforms

Description: workshop to access and use Canvas, LACCD Student Email, and other online programs. The workshop will be offered on two dates. 

Date: Wednesday, 9/17 

Time: 4pm to 5pm 

Location: GPS Center (SSC 2nd Floor)

Intro to College Online Platforms

Date: Thursday, 9/18 

Time: 12:30pm to 1:30pm 

Location: GPS Center (SSC 2nd Floor) 

Fall Mixer

Description: meet other students, have some food, play some board games

Date: Wednesday, 9/24 

Time: 12pm to 2pm 

Location: Inside the Rising Scholars and Veterans Resource Center (SSC 2nd Floor) 

HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR PRIORITY REGISTRATION AS A VETERAN?

To qualify for priority registration, students must:

• be fully matriculated and identify as active-duty military and/or a veteran
• complete orientation and academic counseling by the deadline
• maintain good academic standing and must NOT be on academic or progress probation
• provide a DD-214. If the DD-214 indicates a dishonorable discharge, they may not be eligible for priority registration (Department of Defense 214 (DD-214) is a document issued by the US DoD, upon a military service member's retirement, separation, or discharge from active-duty)

NOTE: Check the Academic Calendar at www.lavc.edu for priority registration dates

CAN I ATTEND ANOTHER COLLEGE WHILE ATTENDING LAVC?

• While enrolled at Los Angeles Valley College, students may also take courses at other colleges
• If a student is utilizing VA educational benefits, they must be enrolled in at least 1 unit at LAVC, then request a Parent School Letter (PSL) to take additional courses at other college(s)
• Veteran students who wish to concurrently enroll must discuss their plans with the veterans academic counselor to receive approval and ensure that the class(es) taken is listed on the Veterans Student Educational Plan (SEP)
• The Parent School Letter (PSL) will be emailed to the other school's designated veterans services office/contact for certification

HOW MANY UNITS ARE NEEDED TO BE CONSIDERED FULL-TIME?

• For VA benefit purposes:
  • Spring and Fall: 12 units
  • Winter (5 weeks): 4 units
  • Summer (5 Weeks):4 units
  • Summer (8 Weeks): 6 units

NOTE: At least one unit must be on campus to qualify for BAH (Chapter 33 Post/911 only). Due to COVID, students must be enrolled in at least one unit that is offered as a synchronous course listed with a designated day and time of meeting

HOW CAN I APPLY FOR VETERANS WORK STUDY?

• Available to any veteran or dependents of a veteran
• Must be enrolled in 9 units or more
• 25 hours maximum per week
• Students are paid the current CA State Hourly Rate
• Complete the work-study application and submit it to the Veterans Services Office

NOTE: VA Work Study payment is issued by the VA after every two weeks or after 50 hours have been completed

INFORMATION ON VA BENEFITS BASED ON CHAPTERS

• Chapter 33 – Post 9/11- Monthly Rates
• Chapter 31 – Voc Rehab
• Chapter 35 - Dependents - Monthly Rates
• Chapter 1606 - MGIB-SR - MonthlyRates
• Chapter 1607 REAP - Monthly Rates
• Chapter 30 – MGIB Active Duty - Monthly Rates

CAN A VETERAN APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?

• All students are encouraged to apply for financial aid through www.fafsa.gov
• Financial Aid does not affect VA benefits for veterans and dependents
• For more information about Financial Aid, please go to https://www.lavc.edu/financialaid/index.aspx

LAVC Forms

Military Credit Petition (MCP)
Veterans Prerequisite Form
LAVC Petition to Withdraw
Veterans Excess Unit Petition

VA Forms

21-4138 Statement of Support
22-1995 Change of Program/Training
22-8691 Work Study Application

Veterans Contact Information

LAVC VRC Contact Information

Front Desk (818) 778-5627
@email

Gemma "Trish" Gonzalez
School Certifying Official
gonzalg2@lavc.edu

Ingris Hernandez
Counselor 
hernaniy@lavc.edu

Krixa Alejo
Counselor and Coordinator
alejok@lavc.edu

Veterans Administration

Attendance Verification
(Chapters 30, 1606, 1607)
Phone: (877)-823-2378

Education Benefits Headquarters
Phone: (888)-442-4551 (payment status)

eBenefits (apply for benefits)

Military Service Records

Other VA Benefits
Phone: (800)-827-1000

VA Direct Deposit
Phone: (877)-838-2778