Veterans Success Center

• Identify Your GI Bill Benefits
  If you are unable to determine which benefit plan to use, please contact Veterans Success Center.
  • Apply for Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
    If you are transferring from another college, you must re-apply for a new COE for Sierra College. As soon as you receive the certificate (first page), email it to veterans@sierracollege.edu. Note: If you are a reservist, you must also request a completed Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) from your unit’s education officer and email it to veterans@sierracollege.edu.
  • Visit Veterans Affairs (VA) to learn more about VA Education Benefits, verify eligibility and apply. Note: The Veterans Success Center is not responsible for determining eligibility. The VA determines eligibility upon completion of benefits application. Once you submit your application, you will receive a COE in the mail that needs to be delivered to the Veterans Success Center or emailed to veterans@sierracollege.edu.
• Apply to Sierra College
  Complete the OpenCCC application. The California Community College online application (OpenCCC) is designed for many student types, so some questions may not apply to you. If this happens, just give the best answer you can. Use the step-by-step guide or watch a video on how to complete the Sierra College online application through OpenCCC. Note: if you are returning student, you must reapply if it has been at least one semester since you’ve taken classes at Sierra College.
  • Generate Student ID
    Once you submit the OpenCCC application, you will receive an email (at the address you provided in your application) that will include your Student ID number. The email will be from “Sierra College” and the subject line will say “Welcome to Sierra College.” Note: If you do not receive the Welcome email within two business days of submitting your OpenCCC application, contact Admissions and Records.
• Apply for Financial Aid
  Look into all financial aid options, including scholarships, grants and work study. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

1. Request DD-214 Military Records
   This step is only required if you have a DD-214. Email your DD-214 or Service-2 Copy (with Social Security Number blacked out to protect your identity) to veterans@sierracollege.edu. Note: Veterans planning to use their benefits should complete this step as soon as possible. Providing Sierra College with your DD-214 will prevent you from being dropped due to non-payment (if using Chapter 31 or Chapter 33), enable you to be eligible for priority registration and grant you five physical education credits.
2. Check Residency
   In your Welcome email from Sierra College, there will be a section at the bottom of the email that states “According to your application information, you are: Residency Status for tuition purposes: California Resident. If the residency status for tuition purposes does not say “California Resident,” you must submit a Residency Reclassification Petition Form since the VA will not pay out of state tuition. If you need assistance with the petition form, contact Admissions and Records.
3. Submit Official Transcripts to Sierra College
   This step is still required if you did not use a benefit at another college. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for your initial counseling appointment. Note: Duplicate courses will not be certified by VA.

• Schedule Intake Appointment
  During the 30-minute intake appointment, you will meet with a Veterans Success Center team member to complete the New Student Intake Form. Note: Please wait until you are speaking with a team member to complete the intake form. Tip: Consider completing Sierra College’s free Career and Academic Planning (CAP) Session by logging into Canvas. The information you learn can help you prepare for your counseling appointment.
• Schedule a Counseling Appointment
  Schedule an appointment with a Veterans counselor to make sure you’re on the right track to meet your academic and career goals. During your appointment, you will work with your counselor to develop a) VA Educational Plan, which is used to certify that classes/areas of study are covered and payable from your military benefit and b) Educational Plan, which will help you determine what classes to take your first semester based on your career and academic goals.
• Register for Classes
  Once you have your VA Education Plan, register for classes. You will receive an email from mySierra around your time to register that will include FAQs, articles and short how-to videos about registration, how to add/drop classes, join a waitlist and more. Find the class times and locations that work for you using our Class Schedule.
• Certify Your Classes
  This is an important step. Once you have your VA Education Plan, certify your classes by:
  • Logging in to your mySierra account.
  • Clicking on “Canvas Classes and Gradebook”
  • Clicking on “Courses” (book icon in left navigation) and choosing “Veterans Support Services”
  • Clicking “Certification Form”

Note: For Chapter 30 and 33 students, you must also verify your attendance monthly by responding to texts from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or by calling 1-800-GI-BILL-1 (1-800-442-4551).

Veteran Dependents eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill Transfer of Eligibility (Chapter 33 – TOE) will receive the same attributes of Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33). To learn more, visit U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33).

• Apply for Chapter 33 – TOE
  Identify your GI Bill benefits. If you are unable to determine which benefit plan to use, please contact Veterans Success Center.
  • Apply for Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
    If you are transferring from another college, you must re-apply for a new COE for Sierra College. As soon as you receive the COE (first page), email it to veterans@sierracollege.edu.
  • Visit Veterans Affairs (VA) to learn more about VA Education Benefits, verify eligibility and apply. Note: The Veterans Success Center is not responsible for determining eligibility. The VA determines eligibility upon completion of benefits application. Once you submit your application, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in the mail that needs to be delivered to the Veterans Success Center or emailed to veterans@sierracollege.edu.
• Apply to Sierra College
  Complete the OpenCCC application. The California Community College online application (OpenCCC) is designed for many student types, so some questions may not apply to you. If this happens, just give the best answer you can. Use the step-by-step guide or watch a video on how to complete the Sierra College online application through OpenCCC. Note: if you are returning student, you must reapply if it has been at least one semester since you’ve taken classes at Sierra College.
  • Generate Student ID
    Once you submit the OpenCCC application, you will receive an email (at the address you provided in your application) that will include your Student ID number. The email will be from “Sierra College” and the subject line will say “Welcome to Sierra College.” Note: If you do not receive the Welcome email within two business days of submitting your OpenCCC application, contact Admissions and Records.
• Apply for Financial Aid
  Look into all financial aid options, including scholarships, grants and work study. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

1. Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
   If you are transferring from another college, you must re-apply for a new Certificate of Eligibility for Sierra College.
2. Check Residency
   In your Welcome email from Sierra College, there will be a section at the bottom of the email that states “According to your application information, you are: Residency Status for tuition purposes: California Resident. If the residency status for tuition purposes does not say “California Resident,” you must submit a Residency Reclassification Petition Form since the VA will not pay out of state tuition. If you need assistance with the petition form, contact Admissions and Records.
3. Submit Official Transcripts to Sierra College
   This step is still required if you did not use a benefit at another college. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for your initial counseling appointment. Note: Duplicate courses will not be certified by VA.

• Schedule Intake Appointment
  During the 30-minute intake appointment, you will meet with a Veterans Success Center team member to complete the New Student Intake Form. Note: Please wait until you are speaking with a team member to complete the intake form. Tip: Consider completing Sierra College’s free Career and Academic Planning (CAP) Session by logging into Canvas. The information you learn can help you prepare for your counseling appointment.
• Schedule a Counseling Appointment
  Schedule an appointment with a counselor to make sure you’re on the right track to meet your academic and career goals. During your appointment, you will work with your counselor to develop a) VA Educational Plan, which is used to certify that classes/areas of study are covered and payable from your military benefit and b) Educational Plan, which will help you determine what classes to take your first semester based on your career and academic goals.
• Register for Classes
  Once you have your VA Education Plan, register for classes. You will receive an email from mySierra around your time to register that will include FAQs, articles and short how-to videos about registration, how to add/drop classes, join a waitlist and more. Find the class times and locations that work for you using our Class Schedule.

Certify Your Classes
This is an important step. Once you have your VA Education Plan, certify your classes by:

• Logging in to your mySierra account.
• Clicking on “Canvas Classes and Gradebook”
• Clicking on “Courses” (book icon in left navigation) and choosing “Veterans Support Services”
• Clicking “Certification Form”

Note: For Chapter 33-TOE students, you must also verify your attendance monthly by responding to texts from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or by calling 1-800-GI-BILL-1 (1-800-442-4551).

To learn more, visit U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – VA Educational Benefits for Survivors and Dependents to learn more about Chapter 35.

• Apply for Chapter 35
  Identify your GI Bill benefits. If you are unable to determine which benefit plan to use, please contact Veterans Success Center.
  • Apply for Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
    If you are transferring from another college, you must re-apply for a new COE for Sierra College. As soon as you receive the COE (first page), email it to veterans@sierracollege.edu.
  • Visit Veterans Affairs (VA) to learn more about VA Education Benefits, verify eligibility and apply. Note: The Veterans Success Center is not responsible for determining eligibility. The VA determines eligibility upon completion of benefits application. Once you submit your application, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in the mail that needs to be delivered to the Veterans Success Center or emailed to veterans@sierracollege.edu.

• Apply to Sierra College
  Complete the OpenCCC application. The California Community College online application (OpenCCC) is designed for many student types, so some questions may not apply to you. If this happens, just give the best answer you can. Use the step-by-step guide or watch a video on how to complete the Sierra College online application through OpenCCC. Note: if you are returning student, you must reapply if it has been at least one semester since you’ve taken classes at Sierra College.
  • Generate Student ID
    Once you submit the OpenCCC application, you will receive an email (at the address you provided in your application) that will include your Student ID number. The email will be from “Sierra College” and the subject line will say “Welcome to Sierra College.” Note: If you do not receive the Welcome email within two business days of submitting your OpenCCC application, contact Admissions and Records.
• Apply for Financial Aid
  Look into all financial aid options, including scholarships, grants and work study. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

1. Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
   If you are transferring from another college, you must re-apply for a new Certificate of Eligibility for Sierra College.
2. Check Residency
   In your Welcome email from Sierra College, there will be a section at the bottom of the email that states “According to your application information, you are: Residency Status for tuition purposes: California Resident. If the residency status for tuition purposes does not say “California Resident,” you must submit a Residency Reclassification Petition Form since the VA will not pay out of state tuition. If you need assistance with the petition form, contact Admissions and Records.
3. Submit Official Transcripts to Sierra College
   This step is still required if you did not use a benefit at another college. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for your initial counseling appointment. Note: Duplicate courses will not be certified by VA.

• Schedule Intake Appointment
  During the 30-minute intake appointment, you will meet with a Veterans Success Center team member to complete the New Student Intake Form. Note: Please wait until you are speaking with a team member to complete the intake form. Tip: Consider completing Sierra College’s free Career and Academic Planning (CAP) Session by logging into Canvas. The information you learn can help you prepare for your counseling appointment.
• Schedule a Counseling Appointment
  Schedule an appointment with a Veteran counselor to make sure you’re on the right track to meet your academic and career goals. During your appointment, you will work with your counselor to develop a) VA Educational Plan, which is used to certify that classes/areas of study are covered and payable from your military benefit and b) Educational Plan, which will help you determine what classes to take your first semester based on your career and academic goals.
• Register for Classes
  Once you have your VA Education Plan, register for classes. You will receive an email from mySierra around your time to register that will include FAQs, articles and short how-to videos about registration, how to add/drop classes, join a waitlist and more. Find the class times and locations that work for you using our Class Schedule.

Certify Your Classes
This is an important step. Once you have your VA Education Plan, certify your classes by:

• Logging in to your mySierra account.
• Clicking on “Canvas Classes and Gradebook”
• Clicking on “Courses” (book icon in left navigation) and choosing “Veterans Support Services”
• Clicking “Certification Form”

Note: For Chapter 35 students, you must also verify your attendance monthly by responding to texts from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or by calling 1-800-GI-BILL-1 (1-800-442-4551).

• Apply for the CalVet Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents
  Complete and submit the CalVet Fee Waiver application to a local Veterans’ Services Office (VSO) and return the approval letter to Veterans Success Center.
• Apply to Sierra College
  Complete the OpenCCC application. The California Community College online application (OpenCCC) is designed for many student types, so some questions may not apply to you. If this happens, just give the best answer you can. Use the step-by-step guide or watch a video on how to complete the Sierra College online application through OpenCCC. Note: if you are returning student, you must reapply if it has been at least one semester since you’ve taken classes at Sierra College.
  • Generate Student ID
    Once you submit the OpenCCC application, you will receive an email (at the address you provided in your application) that will include your Student ID number. The email will be from “Sierra College” and the subject line will say “Welcome to Sierra College.” Note: If you do not receive the Welcome email within two business days of submitting your OpenCCC application, contact Admissions and Records.
• Apply for Financial Aid
  Look into all financial aid options, including scholarships, grants and work study. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

1. Send approved CalVet Fee Waiver approval letter to Veterans Success Center
   
2. Check Residency
   In your Welcome email from Sierra College, there will be a section at the bottom of the email that states “According to your application information, you are: Residency Status for tuition purposes: California Resident. If the residency status for tuition purposes does not say “California Resident,” you must submit a Residency Reclassification Petition Form since the VA will not pay out of state tuition. If you need assistance with the petition form, contact Admissions and Records.
3. Submit Official Transcripts to Sierra College
   This step is still required if you did not use a benefit at another college. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for your initial counseling appointment. Note: Duplicate courses will not be certified by VA.

• Schedule a Counseling Appointment
  Schedule an appointment with a counselor to make sure you’re on the right track to meet your academic and career goals. During your appointment, you will work with your counselor to develop an Educational Plan.
• Register for Classes
  Once you have your VA Education Plan, register for classes. You will receive an email from mySierra around your time to register that will include FAQs, articles and short how-to videos about registration, how to add/drop classes, join a waitlist and more. Find the class times and locations that work for you using our Class Schedule.

Placer County Veteran Services

Assists with service-connected disability compensation, re-evaluation increases, dependency indemnity compensation (DIC) for surviving spouse and children, pension for war-era veterans, death pension for surviving spouse and children, dependent allowances, housebound and aid and attendance (A&A) allowance, California Yountville Veterans Home admissions, and request and correction of military records.

Contact: Richard “Steve” Johnson, Veteran Service Officer (VSO)
Address: Placer County Veterans Services Office, 1000 Sunset Blvd Ste 115, Rocklin, CA 95765
Phone: (916) 780-3290
Fax: (916) 780-3290
Email: doliveira@placer.ca.gov

Volunteers of America – Supportive Services for Veterans and Families
This program works with veterans to help them get off the street and placed into their own stable and secure housing through their Rapid re-housing program or their preventive services. They offer soft case management, monthly budgeting skills training, and housing stabilization planning. General qualifications include: must have a photo ID, DD-214, proof of income, Honorable Discharge, be a Veteran, and be at-risk or at immediate risk of becoming homeless. Find out if you qualify.

Address: 10636 Schirra Ave, Mather, CA 95670
Phone: (916) 228-3153

Sacramento Veterans Resource Center
The center offers veteran employment assistance training programs and training, a two-year veterans’ transitional housing program for men and women, and advocates for veterans’ rent and veterans’ utility assistance.

The center also advocates for 90-day veterans drug rehab and alcohol treatment programs for men and women, and offers the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) to help homeless veterans find work and gain training at the center.

Address: 7270 East Southgate Drive, Sacramento, CA 95823
Phone: (916) 393-8387

Sacramento Steps Forward
This agency is helping to ensure that individuals and families experiencing homelessness in the Sacramento region have access to housing, employment, health, education, and other resources necessary for economic stability and improved quality of life.

Address: 1331 Garden Highway, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95833
Phone: (916) 577-9770
E-Mail: info@sacstepsforward.org

VA Mather Sacramento Mental Health Clinic

Psychiatric, psychological assessments and interventions, including individual and group psychotherapy, medication management, substance abuse treatment and a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment program.

Address: 10535 Hospital Way, Building 649, Sacramento, CA 95655
Phone: (800) 382-8387 or (916) 366-5420

Sacramento and Citrus Heights Vet Centers

The Centers offer readjustment counseling, which includes a wide range of psycho-social services for eligible veterans and their families to help them successfully transition from military to civilian life.

Services provided include:

• Individual and group counseling for veterans and their families
• Family counseling for military-related issues
• Bereavement counseling for families who experience an active duty death
• Military sexual trauma counseling and referral
• Outreach and education, including post-deployment health reassessment (PDHRA), community events, etc.
• Substance abuse assessment and referral
• Employment assessment and referral
• VBA benefits explanation and referral
• Screening and referral for medical issues including depression, traumatic brain injury (TBI), etc.

Sacramento Vet Center
1111 Howe Avenue, Suite 390, Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone: (916) 566-7430

Citrus Heights Vet Center
5650 Sunrise Blvd., Citrus Heights, CA 95610
Phone: (916) 535-0420

A veteran will receive 5 units of basic military training credit toward an associate’s degree if they have:

• Been on active duty one year or longer and
• Received an honorable discharge

Credit will not transfer to a four-year university and will have no bearing on the student’s GPA. A DD-214 with an honorable discharge can be submitted to Admission and Records or the Veterans Success Center.

View pictures taken at our events.

• Veterans Resource Fair and Public Safety Career Day 2022 (Rocklin)
• Veterans Day Event 2022 (Rocklin)
• Veterans Day Event 2021 (Rocklin)

VA OEF/OIF/OND Transition Patient Advocates

The VA Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)/Operation New Dawn (OND) Transition Patient Advocates assist returning veterans by providing information on benefits and eligibility and facilitate a smoother transition to civilian life while ensuring veterans are treated fairly in all matters involving the VA.

Contact: Richard J. Hernandez, Transition Patient Advocate
Post 9/11 Military to VA Case Management Program
Email: Richard.Hernandez6@va.gov
Phone: (916) 364-3159

Women’s Health Clinic at Sacramento VA Medical Center

Women who have served in the Armed Forces are eligible for a variety of veterans’ benefits. The VA actively encourages women to use their benefits. The Northern California Healthcare System (NCHCS) Women’s Health Program provides services and facilities in 10 locations to meet the unique needs of female veterans.

Contact: Rebecca Stallworth, Social Worker, Women Health Program
rebecca.stallworth@va.gov
(916) 366-5453

Women Veterans Alliance

The Alliance focuses on the quality of life of women veterans by transforming the way the community networks to bring people and programs directly together through an energetic grass roots platform

Contact: Melissa Washington, Navy Veteran
President/Founder, Women Veterans Alliance and a 100% woman, service-disabled veteran-owned small business
Phone: (916) 253-7357
Email: melissawash@gmail.com