The following information is for Long Beach City College Students who have never received benefits.

To start the process, please submit all necessary Veterans' Education Benefit forms to the LAC Veterans' Affairs Office. This includes:

• Submit VA form 22-1990; Application for Education Benefits
  Or
• VA form 22-5490; Dependent Application for Education Benefits (Ch. 35)
  
• 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.
  

• 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 PCC 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.)

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.

All new Long Beach City College students need to be assessed for placement in reading, math, and English.

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.

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.
• 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.)
• 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.

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.