A. Have you signed up for Veterans Educational Benefits?

•  If NO, go to: www.vets.gov/education/apply and click “Apply for Benefits”
•  If YES, submit a “Change of School” form: www.vets.gov/education/apply and click “Manage Benefits”
•  Once your application is processed, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will send you an updated “Certificate of Eligibility” (COE) via U.S. Mail. Bring your COE and your DD214 to your first counseling appointment.

B. Become a Merritt College Student

• If you haven’t already, apply to be a Merritt College student here: https://www.opencccapply.net/cccapply-welcome?cccMisCode=344
• When your application downloads successfully, you will get a confirmation email congratulating you on joining Merritt College.
• Your “Welcome email” contains instructions on how to create a password-protected account in Student Campus Solutions. Student Campus Solutions is the electronic system you will use to add and drop classes, view your grades, etc.
• In Student Campus Solutions, you will be assigned a Student ID number. Bring your student ID number and your password when you come to your first counseling appointment.
• If you have trouble with any of the above steps, you can get help in the Merritt College Welcome Center, Monday – Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Click HERE to join virtually, Friday from 9:00 pm – 12:00 pm in person.
  

C.  Complete the “New Student Enrollment” steps.

• For Orientation, watch a video at Merritt Orientation
• Download and Complete the Veterans Services Intake Form here.
• Schedule a Veteran's Counseling Appointment at (510) 436-2475
  • Please bring the following to your first veteran’s counseling appointment:
    • Veterans Services intake form
    • DD214
    • Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
    • Transcripts from all previous colleges
    • Peralta Student ID number
    • Your Student Campus Solutions ID and password (so that you can enroll)
• Enroll in Your Classes
   Go to Student Campus Solutions to enroll in your classes.
• Get your Classes VA-Certified
  Print your class schedule. Complete a Certification Enrollment Form to activate your benefits. Please download the fillable form and open it using Adobe Reader. Once filled, upload here.

Welcome to Merritt College – we look forward to helping you plan this next phase of your life!

Get and Submit VA Certification Forms

VA Certification Enrollment Status Form

You must submit one of these Certification Forms to Merritt’s Certifying Official for EACH semester that you intend to use VA Education Benefits. This form is the legal consent that triggers the release of your benefits. Your benefits will never be used without the consent you provide in this document.

Before filling out the Certification form, you MUST meet with the Veterans Counselor to create a Student Education Plan (SEP). To avoid large financial penalties from the VA, the courses you list on your Certification Form MUST appear on your SEP. Can’t remember what’s on your SEP? No problem: go to your Passport Home Page and click the link that says “Education Plan.”

It’s OK to take courses in a different order than what appears on your SEP, and it doesn’t matter which Peralta College you take the course from. As long as the courses on your Certification Form also appear on your SEP, you’re fine. If you want to change majors or take classes that are NOT on your SEP, see the Veterans Counselor to revise your SEP.

If you need support on how to fill out the forms please view the following two examples. If you are a dependant veterans student please view the Dependent Example form. If you are not a dependant veteran student please view the Veteran Example form. Once you have viewed the examples please download the Fillable Form and open it using Adobe Reader. Once filled please rename the form by clicking on FILE and selecting RENAME. Rename the form with your first and last name. Once you are ready to save it please click on FILE and select SAVE. A copy of the filled form will be saved on your computer, then upload the renamed filled form here.

• Certification Enrollment Status Form
• Dependents Example Form
• Form Download

To submit your Certification packet, please upload the following three documents at the button below:

1. Completed, initialed, signed, and dated Certification Form
2. Your Course Schedule (scan, screenshot, and/or photo OK)
3. Your Student Education Plan (scan, screenshot, and/or photo OK)

• Submit Your File

We are going to be hosting Monday Matters meetings every Monday from 10:00 am to 11:30 am only for students enrolled in our Veterans Service Program. Margie Rubio will be sending out a Zoom link every Thursday after 5:00 pm to students’ emails directly. If you would like to join all you have to do is click on the link the day of the meeting. If you need assistance with downloading Zoom please send Margie an email asking for help. If you need any additional support during these difficult times feel free to call us.

Past Events:

To download the Zoom app on your mobile device, click below.
 

Military Drop or Withdrawal

If you are called to active duty during the semester and would like to request a military withdrawal, bring a copy of your orders to Tina Humphrey (R108) and attach them to a Merritt College petition requesting military withdrawal. Upon verification of orders, the “MW” symbol may be given in lieu of a grade at any time after the last day to withdraw without receiving a letter grade (14 weeks). The “MW” shall not be counted in determining progress probation or in calculating grade points for dismissal.

Once approved, Merritt College will withdraw you from your classes and reimburse your tuition. If financial aid is involved, ask the coordinator to determine how your financial aid will be affected. You are responsible for contacting your lender(s) regarding any loan repayment options.

If you are receiving VA education benefits, the Merritt College VA Certifying Officer will work with the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding your last day of attendance. For additional questions, contact us at (510) 313-6189.

Choosing a School Fact Sheet: Fact sheet containing answers to many general questions that new veteran students have.

V.A. Health Benefits: Apply to your nearest V.A. hospital online.

Request Military Records: Standard form 180, request pertaining to military records link.

CalVet College Fee Waiver: The dependent child, spouse, or unmarried surviving spouses of a service-connected disabled or deceased veteran may be entitled to tuition and fee waiver benefits at any campus of the California State University system, University of California, or a California Community College.

Employment Development Department (E.D.D.): All E.D.D. Job Service offices have specially trained staff to ensure veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces receive maximum employment and training opportunities.

CalVet Home Loan Program: The California Department of Veterans Affairs and its CalVet Home Loan program is committed to helping veterans and active duty personnel attain the American Dream of home ownership and while we currently don’t have the legal authority to refinance homeowners who are in difficult situations, we are exploring possible legislative solutions. In the meantime, if you need assistance you can call or access the following websites.

Scholarships and Grants for Veterans: Topics include information about scholarships for veterans; the new and improved Post 9/11 GI Bill; the Yellow Ribbon Program and participating schools; Tuition Assistance Top-Up Program; and My CAA and other programs for qualified military dependents.

Job Resources for Veterans: Information on job search strategies and job preparation.

Scholarship America and Wells Fargo are pleased to announce the launch of the Wells Fargo Veterans Scholarship and Wells Fargo Veterans Emergency Grant programs, designed to fill funding gaps to help veterans complete the postsecondary education or training they need to return to — and succeed in — civilian life and work. These programs can make a significant impact on students across America, and we need your help to spread the word.

The Wells Fargo Veterans Scholarship Program provides scholarships up to $10,000 per year, to fill gaps for veterans and the spouses of disabled veterans after military benefits and other grants and scholarships have been utilized. To ensure that recipients can focus on completing their degree, these scholarships will be renewable, and award amounts will grow by $1,000 each year. 

Wells Fargo’s emergency grant program helps veterans already enrolled in postsecondary education meet their household expenses when faced with unexpected financial setbacks. Ranging up to $1,000, these immediate, one-time grants will ensure that recipients are able to stay in school without creating undue financial hardship for themselves or their families.

If you know of alumni who pursued a military career after graduation, they can start taking advantage of these programs right away! Applications for the Wells Fargo Veterans Scholarship are open until February 29; applications for emergency grants will stay open on an ongoing basis while funds are available. Both programs are accessible via scholarshipamerica.org/wellsfargovets — please take a moment to share the link with veterans, military families, and relevant student organizations in your community. Thank you!

Scholarships and Grants for Veterans: Topics include information about scholarships for veterans; the new and improved Post 9/11 GI Bill; the Yellow Ribbon Program and participating schools; Tuition Assistance Top-Up Program; and My CAA and other programs for qualified military dependents.

The Student Veterans Association was established to provide veterans, reservists, active duty, and dependents with a voice and support in all things educational related. Our mission is to establish a community and provide physical, mental, and emotional peer support.