Orange Coast College is approved for training veterans under all applicable laws. The College helps veterans by cooperating with the Veterans Administration and the California State Department of Veterans Affairs. OCC establishes policies and programs for educating veterans and active-duty military personnel. Veterans Services, located in the Enrollment Center, provides support services for Veterans, including the administration of GI Bill® Education Benefits and referrals to a variety of College-wide student services and activities.

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 Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Using GI Bill Education Benefits

In order to utilize VA education benefits, students must:

• Attend an OCC Benefits Briefing. For a current Briefing schedule, please contact Veterans Services or visit https://orangecoastcollege.edu/services-support/veterans/index.html
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges previously attended outside of the Coast Community College District. Transcripts must be received within four weeks of attending a Benefits Briefing. Please note that failure to meet this requirement may cause an interruption in benefits.
• Obtain a Student Education plan from OCC’s Veteran Counselor. For appointments, please contact Veterans Services. Classes will only be eligible for certification if they are applicable toward an approved program of study.
• Submit an Online Certification Request immediately after registering for classes to avoid a delay in benefits and/or being dropped for non-payment. After initial certification is complete, veterans and dependents are required to report any changes in enrollment to Veterans Services at the time they are made.
• In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), Orange Coast College will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet their financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under Chapter 31 or 33. Students may be required to submit a Certificate of Eligibility, VAF 28-1905, and/or additional information needed to properly certify enrollment, as outlined in other institutional policies.

CalVet Fee Waiver

Dependent students who have been approved for the CalVet Fee Waiver should complete a California College Promise Grant (CCPG) application and submit their Authorization Letter to the Financial Aid Office. This waiver covers the cost of tuition only. Students are responsible for paying any remaining fees to avoid being dropped for non-payment. For more information about this program, please visit our website. 

Military Credit

Orange Coast College reserves the right to evaluate and grant credit based on the academic policies established at OCC. The College recognizes and grants academic credit to veterans who have completed a minimum of one year of active honorable service in the armed forces unless it has been awarded by another school. This credit includes three (3) units for AA Degree Area E-Self Development on the OCC General Education pattern, or Area E-Self Development on the California State University General Education pattern (CSU GE Breadth). A maximum of 15 units from eligible military service and training may also apply. Please refer to the Military Study Programs for additional information.

Military Withdrawal

Under Title 5, Section 55024, members of the service called to active duty during a semester in which they are enrolled, may petition to withdraw under special circumstances. The withdrawal will be posted as “MW” - Military Withdrawal on the student’s transcript and will be non-punitive, which means that it will not count in the student's grade point average nor will it count towards academic or progress probation/disqualification. Students with orders to report during a semester in which they are enrolled should contact Veterans Services.  The Office of Veterans Services is located in Watson Hall and resources and staff contact information can be found on the Orange Coast College's Veterans Services website.  

Registration Priority For Veterans

All students are subject to the provisions under SB 1456. Under the provisions of California Education Code Section 66025.8, OCC will grant priority registration to eligible members or former members of the Armed Forces of the United States. For eligibility information, please visit our website.

Tuition Assistance

Active military interested in using Tuition Assistance should consult with their Education Officer to obtain authorization. Please visit our website for further information about how these benefits are processed at OCC.