Veterans’ Benefits
Veterans' Educational Benefits
Oregon Coast Community College students who wish to use Veterans’ Educational Benefits while attending OCCC should follow these steps to get started:
Step 1: Apply with the VA
- Apply for your Veterans Educational Benefits online at va.gov/education/how-to-apply.
- You will need the following to complete your application:
- VA File Number (also called your VA Claim Number and is often your Social Security Number or if you are a dependent, the veteran’s SSN)
- DD214’s for each period of active service.
- Which chapter benefits you are applying for.
- When applying for benefits with the VA, choose Oregon Coast Community College as your school. If you are transferring from another educational institution you may need to complete Request for change of program or place of training.
- Complete the application at least 6 weeks before you plan on attending classes.
- Your local Veteran Service Office can assist you with your application or in determining which benefit you are eligible to receive. You can contact Lincoln County’s VSO at 541-265-0570 or vets@co.lincoln.or.us.
Step 2: Get Admitted to OCCC
- Apply online
- The online admission application is free and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Once you submit your admissions application, you will receive an email with important next steps.
- Note: OCCC has an open admissions policy, but keep in mind limited entry programs have specific entrance requirements.
Step 3: Contact the Veterans’ Liaison in Student Services
Contact the Veterans’ Liaison in student services at 541-867-8525, finaid@oregoncoast.edu
- Turn in a completed Veteran Education Benefits Rights and Responsibilities form.
- After registering for classes, complete a VA Course Certification Request form. You will need to do this every term.
- You might also want to request a waiver of tuition if you are a dependent or spouse of a 100% disabled or deceased veteran.
Step 4: Apply for Financial Aid
- Use financial aid in addition to your Veterans Educational Benefits to get the maximum amount of money for school.
- Apply online at studentaid.gov.
- When applying for financial aid use Oregon Coast Community College’s school code 042837
- Applications take 6-8 weeks to process.
Transfer Credit and VA Benefits
Students using any type of Federal Veterans Administration (VA) Education Benefit are required to have all prior credit history evaluated. It is the student’s responsibility to request official transcripts from all previous colleges and submit them to OCCC. A student’s first term of VA benefits may be certified while waiting for transcript evaluation, however, no subsequent terms will be certified for VA Benefits until transfer credit evaluation is complete.
Residency for Veterans
A person eligible for benefits under the federal Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (38 U.S.C Section 3301 et seq.) or any other federal law authorizing educational benefits to veterans or their survivors/dependents shall be entitled to Oregon resident status for purposes of tuition and fees charged at Oregon Coast Community College. Please be aware that OCCC has only one tuition rate for all students regardless of their residency status.
Contact the Financial Aid office for more information:
541-867-8525
finaid@oregoncoast.edu