Veterans Success Center

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Since 2009, Citrus College has supported veterans' educational goals through the Veterans Success Center. Dedicated to helping student-veterans transition from military to academic life, the center offers GI Bill support, academic counseling, military transfer credit assistance, mental health resources and a range of student-veterans services to promote success in college and beyond.

WINTER 2026 OFFICE HOURS
Jan 5, 2026 – Feb 12, 2026
Mon–Thur 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fri 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

OFFICE CLOSURE DATES
Jan 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Feb 13 Lincoln's Birthday
Feb 16 Washington's Birthday

Veterans Crisis Line - Dial 988 then press 1

New Student Veterans
The Veterans Success Center is here to support your decision to attend Citrus College and to help make your transition as smooth as possible. To begin, please select the GI Bill benefits you plan to use while enrolled. For assistance, contact VSC at (626) 852-6457.

Apply to Citrus College

Once you receive your welcome email, please make sure to set up your email account and complete your mandatory New Student Orientation.

For questions about this process, contact the Veterans Success Center at (626) 852-6421.

STEP 1: Submit Documents

Certificate of eligibility — request online from the VA website
DD 214 member 4
Photo ID card
Non-California resident, fill out the residency reclassification petition online form
Request Joint Services Transcript
For air force transcripts, visit the Air University transcript web page

Please send your documents via the student-veteran documents online form.

STEP 2: Recommended Support

FAFSA and/or California College Promise Grant
College transcript(s) need to be sent to admission and records directly (if applicable)
To set an appointment, contact Vet Success on Campus counselor, Maura Kazden, at maura.kazden@va.gov or (310) 235-7778 (this is for additional VA benefits).

STEP 3: Student Education Plan

Call the VSC at (626) 852-6421 to schedule an appointment with a veterans counselor to get a Student Education Plan (SEP). SEP is a road map of courses that align with your program of study and will be your guide for selecting classes during registration.
Veterans Request for Certification (this is done every semester after you register for classes)
To receive full Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), you must register full time and at least take one in-person class.

Apply to Citrus College

Once you receive your welcome email, please make sure to set up your email account and complete your mandatory New Student Orientation.

For questions about this process, contact the Veterans Success Center at (626) 852-6421.

STEP 1: Submit Documents

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VRE) entitlement letter
DD 214 member 4
Photo ID card
Non-California resident, fill out the Residency Reclassification Petition online form
Request Joint Services Transcript
For air force transcripts, visit the Air University transcript web page.

Please send your documents via the student-veteran documents online form.

STEP 2: Recommended Support

FAFSA and/or California College Promise Grant
College transcript(s) need to be sent to admission and records directly (if applicable)
To set an appointment, contact Vet Success on Campus counselor, Maura Kazden, at maura.kazden@va.gov or (310) 235-7778 (this is for additional VA benefits).

STEP 3: Student Education Plan

Call the VSC at (626) 852-6421 to schedule an appointment with a veterans counselor to get a Student Education Plan (SEP). SEP is a road map of courses that align with your program of study and will be your guide for selecting classes during registration.
Veterans Request for Certification (this is done every semester after you register for classes)
To receive full Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), you must register full time and at least take one in-person class.

Apply to Citrus College

Once you receive your welcome email, please make sure to set up your email account and complete your mandatory New Student Orientation.

For questions about this process, contact the Veterans Success Center at (626) 852-6421.

STEP 1: Submit Documents

Certificate of eligibility – request online from the VA website
DD 214 member 4
Photo ID card
Non-California resident, fill out the residency reclassification petition online form
Request Joint Services Transcript
For air force transcripts, visit the Air University transcript web page.

Please send your documents via the student-veteran documents online form.

STEP 2: Recommended Support

FAFSA and/or California College Promise Grant
College transcript(s) need to be sent to admission and records directly (if applicable)
To set an appointment, contact Vet Success on Campus counselor, Maura Kazden, at maura.kazden@va.gov or (310) 235-7778 (this is for additional VA benefits).

STEP 3: Student Education Plan

Call the VSC at (626) 852-6421 to schedule an appointment with a veterans counselor to get a Student Education Plan (SEP). SEP is a road map of courses that align with your program of study and will be your guide for selecting classes during registration.
Veterans Request for Certification (this is done every semester after you register for classes)
To receive full Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), you must register full time and at least take one in-person class.

Apply to Citrus College

Once you receive your welcome email, please make sure to set up your email account and complete your mandatory New Student Orientation.

For questions about this process, contact the Veterans Success Center at (626) 852-6421.

STEP 1: Submit Documents

DD Form 2384-1 Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) given by your command
Certificate of eligibility – request online from the VA website
DD 214 member 4
Photo ID card
Non-California resident, fill out the residency reclassification petition online form
Request Joint Services Transcript
For air force transcripts, visit the Air University transcript web page.

Please send your documents via the student-veteran documents online form.

STEP 2: Recommended Support

FAFSA and/or California College Promise Grant
College transcript(s) need to be sent to admission and records directly (if applicable)
To set an appointment, contact Vet Success on Campus counselor, Maura Kazden, at maura.kazden@va.gov or (310) 235-7778 (this is for additional VA benefits).

STEP 3: Student Education Plan

Call the VSC at (626) 852-6421 to schedule an appointment with a veterans counselor to get a Student Education Plan (SEP). SEP is a road map of courses that align with your program of study and will be your guide for selecting classes during registration.
Veterans Request for Certification (this is done every semester after you register for classes)

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 website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Active Duty Service Member
Prior to applying, Citrus College military service members need to receive approval from the education service officer (ESO), military counselor or command.

Apply to Citrus College

Once you receive your welcome email, please make sure to set up your email account and log in to your online account in Banner/Wingspan.

STEP 1: Request Tuition Assistance

Request tuition assistance from your command.

STEP 2: Student Education Plan

Schedule an appointment with a veterans counselor to prepare a Student Education Plan (SEP) before enrolling in any classes. Your counselor will help guide you through the process of selecting your major and educational path. To schedule an appointment, call (626) 852-6421.

STEP 3: Register for Classes

STEP 4: Submit Documents

Tuition Assistance Approval/Voucher
Student Education Plan (SEP)
Military ID

Please send your documents via the military tuition assistance online form.

For questions regarding using tuition assistance, contact Maria Buffo at (626) 852-6457.

Veteran Dependent/Spouse
Before you start the process of requesting GI Bill or CalVets education benefits, please read all directions and make sure the documents you are submitting are up to date. For questions and clarification, call VCS at (626) 852-6421 or make an appointment online to speak with a staff member.

Apply to Citrus College

Once you receive your welcome email, please make sure to set up your email account and log in to your student account on Banner/Wingspan.

Contact the Veterans Success Center at (626) 852-6421 if you are unsure which education benefit you are eligible to use at Citrus College.

STEP 1: Submit Documents

Certificate of eligibility – request online from the VA website
DD 214 member 4
Photo ID card (student and veteran)

Please send your documents via the student-veteran documents online form.

STEP 2: Recommended Support

FAFSA and/or California College Promise Grant
College transcript(s) need to be sent to admission and records directly (if applicable)
To set an appointment, contact Vet Success on Campus counselor, Maura Kazden, at maura.kazden@va.gov or (310) 235-7778 (this is for additional VA benefits).

STEP 3: Student Education Plan

Call the VSC at (626) 852-6421 to schedule an appointment with a veterans counselor to get a Student Education Plan (SEP). SEP is a road map of courses that align with your program of study and will be your guide for selecting classes during registration.
Veterans Request for Certification (this is done every semester after you register for classes)

The College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents benefits the spouse and children of U.S. veterans.

Students meeting the eligibility criteria may get their college fees waived if they attend a California community college, a California state university or University of California campus.

The Veterans Success Center wants to support your decision to attend Citrus College and is here to help you process your veteran dependent benefits.

For questions about this process, contact the Veterans Success Center at (626) 852-6421.

STEP 1: Check Eligibility

Verify your eligibility on the official CalVet College Fee Waiver website.

STEP 2: Apply for Fee Waiver

Visit the CalVet College Fee Waiver site. Scroll to the bottom of that page to the "How to Apply" section and follow direction from there.

STEP 3: Apply for FAFSA

Complete the FAFSA application on the Federal Student Aid website.

STEP 4: Submit Documents

Submit both the fee waiver letter and the FAFSA confirmation via the CalVet students online form.

Student Veteran Resources and Services

ACADEMIC COUNSELING

To make a counseling appointment with a veterans counselor, visit the program-specific, specialty counseling page. Once on that page, scroll down to see the veteran links to make your appointment.

If you need assistance with setting up an appointment, call the VSC at (626) 852-6421.

ACADEMIC DSPS ACCOMODATIONS

If you have a VA rating or another physical, learning or mental health diagnosis, you may qualify for academic accommodations.

Accommodations are adjustments that can be made to support you in the areas that your rating or diagnosis impacts your educational functioning.

If interested, please call Disabled Student Programs and Service (DSPS) at (626) 914-8675 or email dsps@citruscollege.edu. Be sure to include your full name, student ID number and Citrus College email.

COUN 161 HIGHER EDUCATION TRANSITIONAL SKILLS FOR STUDENT VETERANS AND FAMILIES

Higher Education Transitional Skills for Veterans and Families is a credit course designed for veterans, current military members — especially returning OIF/OEF veterans — and their families, friends and supporters. The course is transferable to both University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) campuses.

Its purpose is to help deployed, post-deployed and veteran (DPV) students successfully transition from military to civilian life or from deployment to post-deployment life, while building essential college survival skills. The curriculum supports success in academics, work, family and social settings.

Students learn interpersonal skills and strategies to navigate military readjustment challenges, including managing military stress, combat reaction stress, operational stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The course also emphasizes improving health, resilience and readiness for returning veterans and their support networks.

Please review the Citrus College online catalog for the official course entry and other relevant course information.

EDUCATIONAL COMPLIANCE GUIDELINES (presented alphabetically)

Concurrent Enrollment
A student may take courses (as a guest student) at more than one school (secondary school) that apply to his or her degree. VA will pay for the combined credit taking overlapping enrollment dates into account. If a student takes courses elsewhere that satisfy requirements for his or her degree, a "parent school letter " will need to be issued to the secondary school. The student will need to meet with a counselor or educational advisor for an updated Student Education Plan indicating the course(s) and secondary school under the semester/term and submit it to the certifying official in order to have the parent letter prepared.

Enrollment Status
The following is considered full time:

Regular 16 week semester – 12+ units
Summer eight week session – six units
Summer and winter six week session – four units

Please check in with counselor for variations of combination units.

Financial Aid
Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid. Students may use VA education benefits in conjunction with Title IV financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. Students should not include VA education benefits when reporting income and resources information on the application.

Military Credit
Citrus College issues four units of military credit (KIN 171 and one activity) to students that have a DD214 on file. The credit meets AREA E of the CSU certification.

Payment Processing and Overpayments

Paperwork Processing
You must allow eight to ten weeks for processing from the time your paperwork is sent to the Veterans Administration before you will receive your first check.

Overpayments
The VA holds both the college and the recipient liable for overpayments. Overpayments are most commonly the result of the following:

Failure to process a program change form when dropping a course (the VA considers the recipient ineligible to receive benefits after the last date of attendance)
Failure to notify the veterans clerk in the Veterans Success Center of any change in status — such as a change in the number of enrolled units or a change of address
Repetition of a course in which a satisfactory ("C" or better) grade has been received

If an overpayment occurs, the VA will automatically stop further payment until the entire amount due has been repaid.

If veterans are no longer eligible to receive benefits because they are carrying less than six units and receiving benefits under Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35 or carrying less than three units and receiving benefits under Chapter 1606 or are officially withdrawn from school, a letter will be sent to them requesting repayment.

In the case of hardship, a veteran may apply to the VA to make arrangements for repayment of the debt with as little inconvenience as possible.

Round Out
Only during the last term before graduation may a student register for non-applicable courses in order to have enough hours to be full-time. This can be done only once per program.

For example, if a student needs only six units to graduate in the current term, but wishes to receive full-time benefits, he or she can register for six additional units (or more) of courses that do not apply to the intended degree program.

This policy DOES NOT apply to students in the Chapter 31 vocational rehabilitation program. Students need to speak directly with their case manager.

Standards of Progress
Students must be in good academic standing to be eligible for VA certification. VA students must complete each semester with a GPA of at least 2.0 or above to remain in a satisfactory status. Failure to maintain a 2.0 or above will result in probation and a loss of enrollment priority. When placed on probation for two consecutive semesters, the student's VA benefits will be terminated. Students may be re-certified for benefits ONLY after their GPA is brought up to the minimum required standards of progress.

Student Education Plan and Priority Registration

Student Education Plan (SEP)
All VA students must have an approved program of study. A SEP, signed by an academic counselor or advisor and the student, outlining the required courses for the student's program of study must be on file in order for a student to be certified for benefits. ONLY COURSES REQUIRED TOWARD THE COMPLETION OF THE DEGREE PLAN ON FILE CAN BE CERTIFIED TO THE VA. Additionally, only ONE course of study may be declared on the SEP at any given time.
Priority Registration
Priority registration is available for verified veterans, current or prior members of the armed forces, except those with a dishonorable discharge. An active duty military ID card or DD214 is required for verification.

What the VA will NOT Pay For
No benefits will be paid for courses that do not meet the program of study requirements. The following list reflects types of courses that will not be certified for payment; however, this list is not all-inclusive:

Challenged classes
Electives (can be used to supplement and complete semester units, consult with an academic counselor)
Recommended classes
Repeated courses
Repeated courses with a "D" (cannot be re-certified unless academic counselor confirms that the student must pass the course with a "C" for graduation purposes. This must be documented in writing before another certification can be submitted for the repeated course)

What the VA WILL Pay For

Counseling courses – COUN 156, 160 and 161 are approved courses and advised by counselors for students that are transitioning
Hybrid courses (students should inquire with the VA certifying official for confirmation and how it may impact their benefits)
Online classes/distance education (enrolled exclusively in distance education courses will receive the BAH payment at an approximate 2/3 reduced rate)
Repeated courses with an "F" or "FW" (may be repeated and certified for Chapter 33 benefits)
Required prerequisites and remedial classes

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

Mental health support is available through:

Military OneSource
U.S. Vets Outside the Wire (the nation's largest nonprofit provider of comprehensive services to those experiencing homelessness and at-promise veterans)
Veterans Crisis Line

If you are in need of immediate assistance or have a life-threatening concern, the following services are available 24/7:

dial 911 or
dial 988 then press 1 or
text 838255 or
chat online with a VA responder at the Veterans Crisis Line

VET SUCCESS ON CAMPUS

Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (PCPG) or VA Chapter 36 is offered to student-veterans and qualifying dependents. It can help you make the most of your education benefits and career choices.

If you are interested in learning more about PCPG Chapter 36, you can contact the Vet Success on Campus counselor, Maura Kazden, at (310) 235-7778 or maura.kazden@va.gov.

VETERANS READINESS AND EMPLOYMENT

The Veterans Readiness and Employment (VRE) program is authorized under Title 38, U.S. Code, Chapter 31. It is referred to as the Chapter 31 program. It assists entitled veterans with service-connected disabilities and an employment handicap to prepare for, find and maintain a job. It also helps entitled transitioning service members.

You may be eligible for VRE benefits and services if you're a veteran and you meet all the requirements listed below:

did not receive a dishonorable discharge and
have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from VA

Veterans may apply to chapter 31 via e-benefits or online at va.gov.

For further information, contact the Vet Success on Campus Counselor Maura Kazden, at (310) 235-7778 or maura.kazden@va.gov.

MISSION OF THE VETERANS SUCCESS CENTER
The mission of the Veterans Success Center is to assist student-veterans in achieving their educational and professional goals by removing barriers they may face when transitioning to civilian life, student life or acclimating to the academic culture. The center also strives to empower student-veterans and provide them with the skills necessary to compete globally.

Post 9/11 GI Bill

Veterans Readiness and Employment Chapter 31

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD)

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)

Active Duty Tuition Assistance Program

Dependents Education Assistance Program Chapter 35

CalVets Fee Waiver