Veterans' Benefits
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Contact: Linda Jackson, 541-867-8503, ljackson@occc.cc.or.us
The Veterans Coordinator is located in Student Services and provides assistance to veteran students and eligible dependents regarding college-related matters. The Coordinator will help veterans and eligible dependents with VA educational contacts and policies as well as general college information or referrals. Initiating VA educational benefit checks generally takes 6-8 weeks. While an application is being processed, students should be prepared to meet the costs of attendance. A Deferred Payment Plan is offered to all qualified students by the Business Office to assist students in initial tuition costs.
Admissions: Students receiving veterans educational benefits must be officially admitted toward a certificate or degree program before the term they are requesting benefits. The VA will pay only for classes that advance students toward an approved degree or certificate program. All previous official college transcripts must be submitted to Enrollment Services for evaluation.
Online VA Application: Students are encouraged to submit their application for VA benefits online and keep a copy for their records. Online applications and more information on Veterans Educational Benefits can be found at www.gibill.va.gov (will open in a new window). Veterans are also required to fill out and submit a Veterans Enrollment Form to the Veterans Coordinator. It is the student's responsibility to notify and submit their registration to the Veterans Coordinator each term they are requesting certification of their classes for benefits.
Satisfactory Academic Progress: To maintain eligibility to receive veterans educational benefits while enrolled at Oregon Coast Community College, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress. More information regarding SAP can be found here.
Campus VSO Program: The Campus VSO program has been discontinued as of 7/1/2011. This means Jim Fitzpatrick and/or Gus Bedwell will no longer be visiting OCCC to meet with veterans in our community regarding their benefits. Please contact Gus Bedwell using the contact information below for assistance:
Gus L. Bedwell
Veteran Service Officer
Phone: 1-800-692-9666
700 Summer St.
Salem, Oregon 97301
Information on various types of Veterans benefits is available at the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, 1-800 828-8801, website www.odva.state.or.us.