Education and Training
Veterans Affairs Educational Benefits
This Process for Success gives step by step instructions to new and returning students planning on using VA Education Benefits at Cuyamaca College.
- Apply for VA Education Benefits.
- Apply for admissions to Cuyamaca College.
- Apply for Financial Aid.
- Complete On-line Orientation.
- Complete Math and English placement questionnaire.
- Request official transcripts from all previously attended colleges, universities including JST (military transcripts) to be sent to Cuyamaca College Admissions and Records Office.
- Schedule an appointment with Veterans Academic Counselor, Osvaldo Torres to create a One Semester Educational Plan or Comprehensive Educational Plan.
- Register for courses.
- Submit ALL forms and documents listed below to the Veterans Center (I-113) or email in ONE EMAIL to debra.ayers@gcccd.edu after you have registered for courses:
- Semester Worksheet
- VA Statement of Understanding
- One Semester Educational Plan or Comprehensive Educational Plan
- Certificate of Eligibility
- DD214 (member 4 copy)
***REMINDER*** Email All Forms And Documents In One Email
For additional information please send email to debra.ayers@gcccd.edu.
This Process for Success gives step by step instructions to continuing students planning on using VA Education Benefits at Cuyamaca College.
Submit ALL of the following forms and documents to the Veterans Center (I-113) or email to debra.ayers@gcccd.edu after you have registered for courses:
If you have changed your major, you will need to provide a One Semester Educational Plan or a new Comprehensive Educational Plan. The educational plan must be submitted with the semester worksheet. If you are a continuing student and have not submitted a Comprehensive Educational Plan you will need to provide a copy before enrollment will be certified to VA.
The One Semester Educational Plan can be created and obtained during drop-in appointments. Drop-in appointments are available Mondays only. You cannot pre-schedule these appointments.
Click here see the availability of the counselor, click the appropriate hour and enter the waiting room; the counselor will be with you shortly after that. These are not scheduled appointments, so you need to enter the room during the hour you are selecting, the same way you would see a counselor as a drop-in when on campus.
The Comprehensive Educational Plans can be created and obtained during a 60 minute appointment. Click here to schedule an appointment with Veterans Academic Counselor, Osvaldo Torres.
***REMINDER***Email All Required Forms And Documents in One Email
For additional information please send email to debra.ayers@gcccd.edu.
Advance payment is only available to Chapter 30, 32, and 1606. Students who have been out of school for over 30 days and new students must request to receive Advanced Payment at least 30 days before the semester begins. Check with Debbie Ayers for requirements, and dates in which to apply for Advance Pay.
Advance payment is Not available under Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) and Chapter 1607.
Undergraduate Enrollment Status by Number of Credits
| Full Time | 3/4 Time | 1/2 Time | |
| Fall and Spring | 12.0+ | 9.0 - 11.5 | 6.0 - 8.5 |
| Summer -- 8-week | 6.0+ | 4.0 - 5.5 | 3.0 - 3.5 |
| Summer -- 6-week | 4.0+ | 3.0 - 3.5 | 2.0 -2.5 |
| Summer -- 4-week | 3.0+ | 2.0 - 3.5 | n/a |
While receiving VA Educational benefits, students may be concurrently enrolled at another college or university. Veteran students must request a Parent School Letter from Debbie Ayers. This letter states that the courses taken at the Supplemental School will be credited toward the current major at Cuyamaca College. Veteran students are responsible for informing the Supplemental School's Veterans' Office where their Parent School is located. The Supplemental School will complete the certification for the benefits form (VA form 22-1999).
Telephone - Using Interactive Voice Response (IV)
1-877-823-2378
Internet - WAVE (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment).
https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/
Failure to self-certify will cause your benefits to stop. You must do this every month or you will not get paid!
Federal holidays may delay receipt of the Student Verification of Enrollment and/or your check.
Remedial and deficiency courses offered as independent study (online) cannot be approved and cannot be certified to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Remedial and deficiency courses are designed to correct deficiencies in basic mathematics, English, and reading at the elementary or secondary level. These courses can be certified, but only it has been established through assessment AND are taking the course residentially (on campus).
Tutorial assistance helps the student pay for necessary tutoring and is a supplement to the student's regular education benefit.
Tutorial Assistance may be paid to students under Chapters 30, 33, 35 and 1606. Tutorial assistance is not authorized for Chapter 1607.
If eligible for tutoring benefits under a GI Bill®. The monthly rate may not exceed the cost of tutoring or $100. The maximum amount payable is $1200 per student per benefit program. For additional information go to: https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/tutorial_assistance.asp.
Who is Eligible?
- Post-9/11 GI Bill--(38 U.S.C. Chapter 33) (Veterans and transfer-of-entitlement recipients)
- Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty (38 U.S.C. Chapter 30)
- REAP Participants
- Montgomery GI Bill--Selected Reserve (10 U.S.C. Chapter 1606)
- Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (38 U.S.C. Chapter 32)
- Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (38 U.S.C. Chapter 35)
- Eligible dependents under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 may use work study only while training in a State.
- National Call to Service Participants
- Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Program -- (38 U.S.C. Chapter 31)
