Veterans Certification/Benefit Information

Veterans and dependents can apply for educational benefits online at https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/. 

The VA will not pay non-resident fees. However, recent changes under both Section 702 of the federal Veterans Choice Act of 2014 and California's Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act (VACA) waive non-resident tuition for qualifying veterans and dependents using CH30 Montgomery, CH33 Post 9/11, CH31 VRE, and CH35 DEA while living in California. A covered individual is defined as:

1. A veteran eligible for educational assistance under either the MGIB-AD or Post-9/11 Education Benefit programs who resides (lives) in California (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the community college within three years of discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.

2. An individual eligible for transferred education benefits under  Post-9/11 Education Benefit programs who resides (lives) in California (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the community college within 3 years of the transferors discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.

3. An individual eligible for transferred Post-9/11 Education Benefits while the transferor is on active duty who resides (lives) in California (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) as described in 38 USC 3679(c)(2)(B)(ii)(II). The 3-year enrollment period limitation does not apply to eligible dependents of active duty service members. This is a new covered individual category which was added by the December 2016 VACA Act change.

4. An individual eligible for benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry scholarship (provides Post-9/11 education benefits to the children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty while on active duty) who resides (lives) in California (regardless of his/her formal state of residence). Prior to the December 2016 VACA Act change, individuals using the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship were required to enroll within 3 years of the service member's death, and there was a requirement that the deceased service members death in the line of duty followed a period of active duty service of 90 days or more. These two requirements were deleted effective July 1, 2017.

5. If applicable, after expiration of the three year period following discharge as described in 38 U.S.C. 3679(c)(2)(B)(i) or (c)(2)(B)(ii)(II), a student who qualifies under the applicable requirements above shall maintain covered individual status as long the student remains continuously enrolled at the community college, even if the student enrolls in multiple programs, and the student shall continue to be exempt from paying nonresident tuition and other fees that are exclusively applicable to nonresident students. Continuously enrolled means enrolled for at least the fall and spring semesters of an academic year, or for at least three of the quarters in an academic year for an institution using the quarter system (pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 5 section 55701, the academic year does not include summer or other Intersession).

If you believe you qualify, contact the GWC residency clerk for the VACA exemption form. You will also need to submit a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility, DD214 and one proof of residence.

You may be eligible for a monthly housing rate. The Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) is generally the same as the military Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents. This rate is variable and dependent on factors such as the location of your school, your rate of pursuit, and whether you enrolled in the program prior to 1/8/18. Visit the VA Education Benefits Comparison Tool to calculate your housing rate. 

Students whose enrollment is exclusively distance learning (online) will be eligible for a monthly housing allowance equal to 50% of the national average for all Basic Allowances for Housing.

All students must complete orientation, placement testing, and have a Student Education Plan (SEP) in order to be granted priority registration. GWC will grant first level priority to a student who has met these criteria and who is:

Get the classes you need at the times you want with Priority Registration. Follow the three easy steps:

Step 1.
Submit your My Academic Plan (MAP) online. This will get your English and Math placement done, as well as help you identify your Program of Study. For most students, this will also prompt Counseling to complete a first semester Student Educational Plan (SEP) for you. (See Step 2.)

Step 2.
Meet with a Counselor. All students who want to secure Priority Registration must have a Counselor-approved Student Education Plan SEP on file. To make an appointment, visit the Counseling Virtual Front Desk, or call (714) 895-8799.

Step 3.
Complete the Online Orientation. Once you finish MAP, you will be directed to complete the Online Orientation. Finish these steps by October 1st and you will be guaranteed Priority Registration for the Spring semester.

Counseling FAQs

To make an appointment, visit the Counseling Virtual Front Desk, or call (714) 895-8799

You only need to complete the Priority Registration process once!

(a) a 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, and to any member or former member of the State Military Reserve, for any academic term attended for four academic years after he or she has left state or federal active duty, which he or she shall use within 15 years of leaving state or federal active duty.

(b) A former member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the State Military Reserve who received a dishonorable discharge or a bad-conduct discharge is not eligible for priority registration for enrollment pursuant to this section. Proof of current military status (military ID or DD214 Member 4) must be submitted to the Veterans Services Office. It is important to remember:

• once students have completed 100 or more units, they will lose their registration priority;
• students must remain in good academic standing to receive priority registration.

In order to qualify for priority registration, all students must have met with a counselor for a Student Education Plan (SEP). Veterans must submit official transcripts from all schools attended previously before scheduling their appointment.

VA requires schools to evaluate all prior credit for all students using GI Education Benefits. Students must submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges. There are several ways to do this. Most colleges are able to send the transcript directly to Golden West College. Transcripts should be mailed to the following address:

Golden West College ATTN: ENROLLMENT CENTER 15744 Goldenwest Street Huntington Beach CA 92647-3103

Transcripts can also be sent electronically to gwctranscripts@gwc.cccd.edu. Please note that the transcript must come directly from a trusted transcript provider, not the student.

Students may also deliver transcripts to the Student Services Center as long as they are sealed, official transcripts. Please write your student ID number on the envelope before turning it in.

Based on a review of the DD214 #4, the college recognizes and grants academic credit to veterans who completed a minimum of one year of active honorable service in the armed forces. This credit includes 3 units for AA Degree Area E Self-Development on the GWC General Education pattern, or Area E Self-Development on the California State University General Education Pattern (CSDU GE Breadth). Three additional units of elective credit are awarded toward the GWC AA Degree to equal a total of 6 units.

Submit a copy of your CalVet Fee Waiver to the Financial Aid Office at FinAid@gwc.cccd.edu. The waiver is valid for one academic year, so students must reapply each year. In addition to submitting an application to the California Department of Veterans Affairs, dependents should complete the Board of Governors Tuition Fee Waiver form available on the schools website.

Please note: the Financial Aid Office recommends students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which includes the BOG application. Students who have been approved for the CalVet tuition fee waiver should take their Authorization Letter to the Financial Aid Office. The CalVet waiver is for tuition only. Students must pay any and all remaining fees, or they will be dropped in accordance with the non-payment drop schedule.

For more information about this program, contact your local County Veterans Service Office.

Active service members using Tuition Assistance should submit their TA authorization form to the VA School Certifying Official at srogers@cccd.edu. 

Yes. GWC is a pay to park site: all vehicles utilizing parking lots are required to display a valid permit at all times. For information on purchasing a parking pass, visit this web page https://www.goldenwestcollege.edu/public-safety/parking-permits/index.html. 

Citations are issued for violations of the campus parking rules and regulations.

The California DMV and CalVet have launched a new program honoring our veterans by allowing them to apply for a Veteran designation on their California drivers licenses and ID cards. As an added bonus, the new Veteran designation means businesses can easily confirm Veteran status when offering discounts.

1. Get Records. Find your military discharge certificate (DD214). If you need assistance obtaining your military records, then contact any County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO).
2. Visit Any CVSO. Take your DD214 and government identification to any CVSO to obtain your Veteran Status Verification Form. For faster CVSO service, you can make an appointment with any CVSO by calling (844) 737-8838 or finding your local CVSO at www.calvet.ca.gov.
3. Visit Any DMV. Go online or call DMV for an appointment. Then bring your Veteran Status Verification Form to any DMV field office. Pay any application fees in addition to a any Veteran designation fee, and complete all application and testing requirements. To schedule an appointment at any DMV field office, visit www.dmv.ca.gov a or call 800-777-0133.

The DMV has set up a webpage specifically designed to assist Veterans, Active Military, and their families.