The following information is a short list of available services at the Veteran Services Office. Our services are expanding so check back with us regularly.
Basic Services
- Assistance with applying for GI Bill Benefits
- Academic Counseling – 2 part-time counselors dedicated solely to the VSO
- Priority Registration
- Expedited paperwork in Financial Aid
- Certification for GI Bill
- Orientation for all Veterans
- Small computer lab – 6 computers and 1 scanner
- Printing – 5 cents a page (cheaper than any other place on campus!)
- Fax Machine – 5 cents a page (the only place on campus a student can use a fax machine)
- Copying Machine – 5 cents a page (cheaper than any other place on campus!)
- Textbook Loan Library – If we have a textbook you need, you can check it out for the semester.
Tutoring
The Veteran Services Office offers tutoring in a variety of subjects for our students.
Tutors are available for drop-in sessions. Friday Afternoon are appointment-sessions only.
Stop by the VSO to inquire on the tutor’s schedule.
VetSuccess on Campus
The Vet Success on Campus program (VSOC) is a partnership between the US Department of Veterans Affairs and Long beach City College designed to place experienced VA counselors at schools to assist the growing number of Veterans on college campuses. VSOC counselors provide resources to help Veterans achieve their academic goals, find meaningful careers, and utilize the full extent of all their VA benefits. The counselors collaborate with school certifying officials, perform outreach, and communicate with student Veterans. They make sure Veterans’ health, educational, and benefit needs are met; helping them reach their education and career goals.
VA has placed trained counselors at 92 college and university campuses throughout the nation. Long Beach City college is proud to be selected as a VSOC site and welcomes VA staff member Lois Daz to our Veteran Services Office.
Your VetSuccess on Campus Counselor can assist you with:
- Information on VA educational benefits to include the Montgomery G.I. Bill (Chapter 30), Post 9/11 G.I Bill (Chapter 33), and other VA and non-VA educational benefits
- Information, guidance and support while using your VA educational benefits
- Accessing, understanding and applying for VA benefits to include Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, disability compensation, Life Insurance, Home Loan Guaranty and other benefits and services
- Transition support services
- Vocational exploration and career counseling services
- Assistance with electing healthcare benefits through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
- Information, and referrals for VA medical and mental health services
- Referrals for readjustment counseling services for eligible veterans and their family members
The VSO hosts workshops and presentations regarding services on and off campus available to Veteran and Veteran Dependents.
For the Fall term the workshops are as follows:
All workshops will take place in the VSO from 1pm-2pm unless otherwise noted. Please check the schedule regularly as it is subject to change.
VA Workstudy
Students utilizing a GI Bill may be eligible to “earn while you learn” through VA Workstudy. For more information, please see our VA Workstudy Page.
Who is Eligible?
The VA work-study allowance is available to persons training on a full-time or ¾ time basis under the following programs:
- Post-9/11 GI Bill–(38 U.S.C. Chapter 33) (Veterans and transfer-of-entitlement recipients)
- Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty (38 U.S.C. Chapter 30)
- REAP Participants
- Montgomery GI Bill–Selected Reserve (10 U.S.C. Chapter 1606)
- Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (38 U.S.C. Chapter 32)
- Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (38 U.S.C. Chapter 35)
- Eligible dependents under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 may use work study only while training in a State.
- National Call to Service Participants
- Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Program — (38 U.S.C. Chapter 31)
VA will select students for the work-study program based on different factors. Such factors at LBCC include:
- Ability of the student to complete the work-study contract before the end of his or her eligibility to education benefits
- SAP of student (student must have a 3.0 GPA and at least one successfully completed semester at LBCC)
The number of applicants selected will depend on the availability of VA-related work at your school (LBCC) or at VA facilities in your area. Veterans with service-connected disabilities of at least 30% may be given priority consideration.
How Much May I Earn?
You’ll earn an hourly wage equal to the Federal minimum wage or your State minimum wage, whichever is greater. If you’re in a work-study job at a college or university, your school may pay you the difference between the amount VA pays and the amount the school normally pays other work-study students doing the same job as you.
You may elect to be paid in advance for 40% of the number of hours in your work-study agreement, or for 50 hours, whichever is less. After you’ve completed the hours covered by your first payment, VA will pay you each time you complete 50 hours of service OR bi-weekly, whichever comes first.
You may work during or between periods of enrollment. You can arrange with VA to work any number of hours you want during your enrollment. But, the total number of hours you work can’t be more than 25 times the number of weeks in your enrollment period.
What Type of Work May I Do?
Services you perform under a VA work-study program must be related to VA work. Examples of acceptable work are:
- The preparation and processing of necessary papers and other documents at educational institutions
- Any activity at a VA facility
- Any activity at Department of Defense, Coast Guard, or National Guard facilities relating to the administration of Chapters 1606 or 1607 of Title 10 U.S.C.
- Any activity of a State Veterans agency related to providing assistance to Veterans in obtaining any benefit under Title 38, U.S.C. or the laws of the State
- A position working in a Center for Excellence for Veteran Student Success, as established under 20 U.S.C. 1161t, which purpose is to support and coordinate academic, financial, physical, and social needs of Veteran students
- A position working in a cooperative program carried out jointly by the VA and an Institution of Higher Learning
- Any veterans-related position in an Institution of Higher
Learning, such as:
- Assisting with dissemination of general information regarding Veteran benefits and/or services
- Providing assistance to Veteran students with general inquiries about Veteran benefits via phone, email, or in person
- Maintaining and organizing veteran-related files
The work you actually do will depend on your interests and the type of work available.
How Do I Apply?
Inquire with the Veteran Services Office or your local VA facility to discuss application procedure. Typical procedure includes a verification of enrollment, resume/application, and completion of VA form 22-8691 (provided by institution).
Student Veterans of America – Veterans Club
LBCC is proud to have a very strong and active Veterans Club on campus. To find out more about their activities please refer to their page.
Veteran Advisory Program
Many veterans will encounter only expected, short term issues throughout the transition from military to campus life. Some may face more serious challenges, including academic concerns, family issues, financial struggles, or emotional issues such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). VAP is there to provide support to these student veterans, connect them with useful resources, and help them chart a path to personal and academic success.
Every new student utilizing a GI Bill is automatically enrolled in VAP where a peer advisor is matched up to periodically check upon the student’s well being. While every new student is automatically enrolled, VAP is a voluntary program and students may decline any and all services.