The following information is for Long Beach City College students who have received benefits at LBCC or at another college last semester.

Continuing students who had the GI Bill at LBCC last semester may only have to submit their Request for Benefits. Check with our office to make sure all other documents have been received.

Transfer students who have received the GI Bill at another school (or LBCC continuing students who are changing their major) need to submit:

• VA form 22-1995; Request for Change of Program or Place of Training
  Or
• VA form 22-5495, Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (Chapter 35)

Transfer students also need to:

• Submit a copy of your DD 214. Reservists must provide a copy of their DD 2384, Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE), issued from their military unit.
• Complete your semester Request for Benefits (see above).
• Submit all additional paperwork to complete your file.
  
  • Educational Data Sheet
  • Requirements Agreement
  • Academic Transcript Request
  • Verification of Military Service

Certification is not automatic, so make sure to complete the Request for Benefits form before the start of each semester.

Always contact the LAC Veterans' Affairs Office to report any change in your enrollment. Changes such as Add/Drop or Withdrawals, switching courses, etc. need to be reported immediately so that students do not end up owing money back to the VA.

Federal regulations require that Long Beach City College receive official, sealed transcripts from all schools, colleges, training institutions, and technical schools attended. (This includes all training and education received before entering active duty, as well as any received during service and after discharge - even if VA benefits were not paid for attending the course or program.)

If we do not have your transcripts, fill out a Transcript Request Form. The Veterans' Affairs Office will send one request for students' transcripts. If the student's school(s) fail to send transcripts, you should contact the school to clear up the problem; it will then be up to the student to have all transcripts sent.

• If you have received copies of your official transcripts, do not open the sealed envelopes. They need to be sealed to be used for credit.
• Upon the second semester, no student can receive benefits at LBCC without official transcripts on file.

Transfer students who have not completed math and English at their prior school need to be assessed for placement in reading, math, and English. If you are a continuing student and still have not been assessed, make sure you do so A.S.A.P.

Contact the Assessment Office at 562-938-3920 (PCC) or 562/938-4049 (LAC) to schedule The LBCC Placement (SOAR) Test.

A counselor approved educational plan must be obtained and filed in the VA Office before the beginning of the second semester benefits are requested.

The educational plan is obtained from PCC Counseling only. Call 562-938-3920 for an appointment and state that you need a veteran's educational plan.

• A new educational plan must be submitted to the Veterans' Affairs Office each year, or each time you change your major/degree objective.
• You will receive a copy of the educational plan; it is imperative that you follow it and enroll only in courses required for your stated degree objective. Please bring our office a copy once you have one.
• The educational plan must be specific and indicate each class you need to fulfill your degree objective (major, pre-requisites, general education requirements, and electives), taking into account all of the coursework you have already completed toward your degree objective. (This means that all transcripts should be received before the appointment is made.)

Be aware that the VA places restrictions on what courses you may be paid for. You can only be paid for classes that apply toward completion of your degree objective. A counselor's recommendation may not be payable under VA regulations, especially if the class is a "recommended" elective.

By law, students are also required to declare a major by their second semester. "Undeclared" or "general education" majors are not acceptable for VA purposes.

Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on-line to determine eligibility for financial aid programs (www.fafsa.ed.gov). the FASFA and the GI Bill are completely separate programs, and one does not affect or determine the other.