Veterans’ Benefits

Santa Rosa Junior College is an approved college for the training of veterans and veterans’ dependents under the various public laws of the United States and California veteran enactments.

Students eligible for veterans' benefits are urged to contact the Veterans Affairs Office in Plover Hall well in advance of registration so that necessary arrangements may be made with the Veterans Administration or the California Department of Veterans Affairs.
Students using VA education benefits should keep in mind that the time frame in which they receive their benefit payment is usually directly correlated with the timelines with which they apply for their benefit and/or notify the SRJC Veterans Affairs Office they wish to use their benefit. Payments will be retroactive from the first day of attendance. Since the payment of fees and books cannot be deferred until receipt of benefits and the Emergency Loan Fund cannot provide loans to cover all veterans during the first two or three months of school, the student should be financially prepared until benefit payments begin.

The state of California provides a program for children of veterans who are deceased or are disabled from service-related causes. Applications should be submitted to the Sonoma County Veteran Service Office, 3725 Westwind Blvd. STE 101, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 (707) 565-5960

Veterans and military reserve members are granted four units of college credit for completion of basic training. Additional academic credit may be granted for advanced military experience and training as determined by the Evaluations Office of Admissions and Records.

Veterans and eligible persons using VA educational benefits should be aware that the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) requires the termination of VA educational benefits if the student is not making satisfactory progress toward completion of their training objective. Definitions for satisfactory progress are outlined at: https://counseling.santarosa.edu/probation-dismissal-readmission-and-renewal

Additionally, USDVA requires benefits be terminated if a student remains in an academic/progress probation status for more than two semesters. In such cases, Veterans and eligible persons using VA educational benefits are able to reinstate the use of their benefit once they have completed one semester of a minimum of six certifiable units with a minimum GPA of 2.0 and a minimum completion rate of 51%.

Should a Veteran or eligible person using VA educational benefits be placed on Academic or Progress Dismissal, they will be able to reinstate the use of their benefit upon completing the process from readmission, outlined at: https://counseling.santarosa.edu/probation-dismissal-readmission-and-renewal

For information or assistance regarding veterans benefits, contact the Veterans' Affairs Office in Plover Hall. Hours are Monday–Thursday, 8:00 am–5:00 pm and Friday, 8:00 am–12:00 pm and 2:00 pm–5:00 pm. For more information, call (707) 527-4326 or visit: https://veterans.santarosa.edu/

Information for students Using Veteran Readiness and Employment benefits (CH31) or Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® (CH33)

A student using Veteran Readiness and Employment benefits (CH31) or Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® (CH33) will be allowed to enroll in and attend courses and access campus facilities while the campus awaits payment for tuition and fees from the VA.  While awaiting receipt of funds from the VA, Santa Rosa Junior College will not impose any penalty, charge late fees or require an eligible student to borrow additional funds to cover tuition or fees. This waiting period begins the date the student provides appropriate documentation and continues either until funds are received from the VA or until 90 days after the School Certifying Official has certified the student’s enrollment for tuition and fees.

To demonstrate current eligibility and intent to use Chapter 31 or 33 benefits, a student must provide the following documents:

  • Electronic authorization from Veteran Readiness and Employment Counselor; or

  • Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or Education Enrollment Status form (printed from the VA website).

  • A written request to use either VA Veteran Readiness and Employment or Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits; and

  • All additional information requested by the School Certifying Official to properly certify enrollment to the VA.

  • A comprehensive education plan created by an SRJC Veterans Counselor.

For more information regarding this policy, contact your School Certifying Official, Farrel Dobbins at fdobbins@santarosa.edu or (707)524-1661.

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 https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

More about Veterans’ Benefits