Veterans

Veterans Resource Center - Room W108, (626)585-7226 X4


The Veterans Resource Center (VRC) at Pasadena City College provides a comprehensive program of services for veteran and military-connected students.

The VRC provides the essential components in academic support services for veterans, military-connected students and for faculty to complement classroom learning and college success. We offer special programs, resources and activities to help the transition to civilian and professional life.
The VRC is located in a newly-renovated space in W108. There is a computer lab, free printing, assistive technology software, women veterans’ programs, new student veteran orientations, individual and group tutoring, mentors, academic and personal counseling and relevant support programs. We are a “Vet Success on Campus” (VSOC) school and have a VA Vocational Rehabilitation counselor on campus two days a week. We also offer wellness workshops and activities. There is also a student veterans club.

The VRC provides a relaxing place for veterans and military-connected students to meet, do homework, get help with their classes, find a mentor, receive the latest veteran benefits information, coordinate with a veteran’s network, attend workshops, and meet with veterans’ service providers.

The VRC is a resource hub, easily accessible and widely available to all veterans and military-connected students.

The VRC’s mission is to provide veterans and military connected students with the resources, support and advocacy needed to be successful in the classroom and ultimately in life.

Veterans Using GI Bill®1 Benefits - Room W108, (626) 585-7475
Pasadena City College is approved as an institution for higher learning for veterans and veterans’ dependents entitled to educational assistance.

Veterans enrolling at Pasadena City College and intending to use VA educational benefits for the first time are required to submit the following documents to the veterans' clerk before they will be certified for benefits:

  1. Member 4 copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD214).
  2. Official transcripts from all colleges attended.
  3. Veteran’s Statement of Responsibility (obtained from the veterans' clerk).
  4. Certificate of Eligibility for GI Bill®1 benefits, or verification of application for benefits.
  5. Other documents requested by the veterans' clerk necessary to complete the application for benefits.

There are several education programs available for veterans, reservists and dependents. The benefits for each program are different.

Post 9/11 (CH 33) students receive a Monthly Housing allowance (MHA) if attending at more than 50% of full-time in approved courses. Students also receive an allowance for books and supplies up to $1,000 per year depending upon units taken. Some fees will be paid by the VA directly to the College for courses that are requirements for the student’s educational program. Fees covered include the Enrollment fee, Course fees and the Health fee. All other tuition and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Chapter 33 recipients attending at 50% of full-time or less will receive payments for books and supplies. The VA will also pay some fees. These fees will be paid by the VA directly to the College for courses that are requirements for the student’s educational program. Fees covered include the Enrollment fee, Course fees and the Health fee. All other tuition and fees are the responsibility of the student. No Monthly Housing Allowance is paid to CH 33 participants for attending at 50% of full-time or less.

For students receiving Montgomery GI Bill®1-Active Duty (CH 30), Montgomery GI Bill®1-Selective Reserve (CH 1606), Reserve Educational Assistance Program (CH 1607), and Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (CH 35) benefits, a monthly assistance allowance is available for full-time, three-quarter-time or half-time students. Chapters 30, 1606, and 1607 recipients training at less than half-time will receive a onetime payment for the amount they have paid in tuition and fees. No monthly assistance is paid to Chapter 30, 1606 or 1607 participants for less than half-time enrollment. Chapter 35 recipients enrolled for less than half-time will receive the total they have paid in tuition and fees. The total will be divided by the number of months enrolled and the resulting amount will be sent monthly.

Students using Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (CH 31) benefits are paid either a Monthly Housing Allowance or a monthly subsistence allowance depending on eligibility. Contact your VA Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) for more information. The Monthly Housing Allowance is available for students attending at a more than half-time rate. The monthly subsistence is available for students attending at a half-time or more rate. The VA pays the school directly for all tuition, fees, books, parking and the allowed amount for supplies.

The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 was signed into law in August 2014. As a result of this Act, certain veterans and their dependents are now eligible to have their out-of-state tuition, and fees associated with that tuition, waived for terms beginning after July 1, 2015. This waiver applies to the following groups:

  1. Veterans who:
    • Had a length of active duty service that was 90 days or more.
    • Live in California (regardless of legal state of residence).
    • Are eligible to use benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®1 (CH 33) or the Montgomery GI Bill®-Active Duty (CH 30) or Veterans Readiness and Employment (CH 31).
  2. Dependents (spouse or child of a veteran) who have had GI Bill®1 benefits transferred to them from the veteran and the following conditions are met:
    • The veteran had a length of active duty service that was 90 days or more.
    • The dependent lives in California (regardless of legal state of residence).
    • The dependent is eligible to use Post 9/11 benefits through Transfer of Entitlement.
  3. Dependents (spouse or child of a veteran) eligible for the Marine Gunnery Sargent John David Fry Scholarship benefits and the following conditions are met:
    • The service member served at least 90 days on active duty.
    • The dependent lives in California (regardless of legal state of residence).
    • The dependent is eligible to use the Marine Gunnery Sargent John David Fry Scholarship benefit.

Pasadena City College students who believe they are eligible for this waiver should contact our GI Bill® Benefits certification desk at (626) 585-7475.

Veterans must submit their Member 4 copy of their DD214 and their Certificate of Eligibility for the Post 9/11 or MGIB-AD. Dependents must submit the Member 4 copy of the DD214 of the veteran upon whom they are dependent and the dependent’s Certificate of Eligibility for the Post 9/11 GI Bill®1 transfer of entitlement.

1

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.