Veterans Resource Center

Welcome to the Veterans Resource Center

 

Hours and Contact

Mon, Wed, Thurs & Friday - 09:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday & Weekend - Closed
Room 347

Veterans Resource Center Coordinator
Jeejun Bertuso
jbertuso@peralta.edu

How to Get Started

First time using benefits at BCC

Follow these easy steps if you are trying to receive benefits as a vet at BCC for the first time

  1. Apply to Berkeley City College
  2. Apply for your Benefits (view a list of benefits on this page below)
  3. Speak to a VRC Counselor
  4. Submit other transcript and complete evaluation
  5. Create a Student Education Plan (in Campus Solutions in your Student Portal)
  6. Enroll in Classes in Campus Solutions in your Student Portal
  7. Attend VRC Orientation
  8. Submit Initial Certification
  9. Apply for Financial Aid (*required)
Continuing or returning students previously Certified within 3 years
  1. Make a VRC Counseling Appointment
  2. Update your student plan in Campus Solutions in your Student Portal
  3. Enroll in classes in Campus Solutions in your Student Portal
  4. Submit a Request for Re-certification
Not using benefits but want access to BCC student veteran resources?

Apply to BCC and submit your DD-214 & Government Issued ID @ Rm. 345. For details steps go to Getting Started at BCC

What you get
  • Priority Registation
  • Access to VRC resources and services

Be more than a student - become part of a Community!

Benefits

Veterans Benefits
Dependent Benefits
Campus Services

There are a wide variety of resources across the Berkeley City College Campus for you to take advantage of - more info on some useful tools coming soon.

Non-VA Educational Benefits
  • Community Colleges Promise Grant
    For eligible California residents, the California Community Colleges Promise Grant permits enrollment fees to be waived.
  • Federal Pell Grants
    Apply by first filling out a FAFSA - more info at the above link
  • Cal Grant
    The Cal Grant is a California-specific financial aid allocation that does not need to be paid back. Cal Grant applicants must apply using the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application by the deadline and meet all eligibility, financial, and minimum GPA requirements of either program.

There is also the VRC Voucher:

Need food, gas, clipper card and other emergency needs? The Veterans Resource Center has you covered! We have different types of gift cards that are available for eligible veterans and dependents who may need additional financial support. Please see details of eligibility below.

Eligibility

Note: If the voucher you wish to access is no longer available, please speak to our Veterans Resource Center Coordinator for additional resources available outside of the campus

  • Student veterans and dependents must complete a Financial Aid Application through FAFSA. The result of being approved or denied does not disqualify eligibility.
  • Finally, student veterans and dependents are required to have an up-to-date SEP for the current term.
  • Student veterans and dependents must be currently enrolled to classes for the current term with a pursuit rate of part-time status.
  • Student must complete or re-complete the orientation through this link: https://www.studentpathway.com/peralta/berkeley/ to understand the different on-campus support services for all students.

Please contact, VRC Coordinator, Jeejun Bertuso at jbertuso@peralta.edu to request for a voucher.

Additional Veterans Benefits
  • Veterans receive Priority Registration
  • BCC has a staffed Veterans Resource Center here to help you
  • Veterans Work Study
  • In-State tuition

    Member of the U.S. Armed Forces (Cal. Ed. Code § 68075):

    Any military members who are stationed in CA and on active duty, not for educational purposes, are granted a waiver of non-resident tuition for as long as student maintains eligibility requirements.

    Student needs to fill out the California Residency Questionaire Form and submit to the Admissions and Records Office on the 1st Floor at Berkeley City College

    Child or Spouse of a Member of the U.S. Armed Forces (Cal. Ed. Code § 68074):

    Dependents of Member of the U.S. Armed Forces who is stationed in CA and on active duty are granted a waiver of non-resident tuition as long as parent/spouse maintains eligibility requirements. If parent/spouse transfers or retires, dependent shall not lose residence so long as student remains continuously enrolled at Berkeley City College.

    Student needs to fill out the California Residency Questionaire Form and submit to the Admissions and Records Office on the 1st Floor at Berkeley City College

    Former Member of the U.S. Armed Forces:

    Cal. Ed. Code § 68075.5: Any military members who were stationed in CA and were on active duty for more than one year immediately prior to discharge are granted a waiver of non-resident tuition up to the minimum time necessary to become a resident. Exemption must be used within two years of discharge. Disqualification: a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge.

    Student needs to fill out the California Residency Questionaire Form and submit to the Admissions and Records Office on the 1st Floor at Berkeley City College

    Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (Veteran’s Choice Act or VACAA) (38 U.S.C. § 3679):

    A student who lives in California and uses education benefits under Chapter 30, 31, or 33 is granted a waiver of non-resident tuition regardless of his/her formal State of residence. Under the provision of Isakson and Roe Veteran Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, section 1005, the requirement for covered individuals to enroll in a course at a public institution of higher learning within three years of being discharged to receive in-state tuition is no longer required effective August 1, 2021.

    A covered individual is defined as:

    • A veteran, or
    • A spouse or dependent child using transferred benefits, or
    • A spouse or dependent child of a person whose active-duty transferor dies, on or after September. 11, 2001, in the line of duty, or
    • A spouse or dependent child using transferred benefits and the transferor is serving on active duty effective for courses, semesters, or terms beginning after July 1, 2017;
    • Students who initially qualify under the applicable requirements above maintain “covered individual” status as long as they remain continuously enrolled

    Student needs to fill out the California Residency Questionaire Form and submit to the Admissions and Records Office on the 1st Floor at Berkeley City College

    Active Duty Who Are Residents of California

    Active Duty military members who are residents of California stationed outside of state can establish California resident by providing proof showing home of record is California such as Enlisted Record Brief, and the Leave and Earnings Statement (LES). The LES indicates the military’s home of record is California.

    Student needs to fill out the California Residency Questionaire Form and submit to the Admissions and Records Office on the 1st Floor at Berkeley City College. For more information, please visit the district Admissions and Records Residency Requirements Page or contact admissions@peralta.edu.

VA College Tool Kit

Staff/Contact Us

Video chat on Cranium Cafe with Jeejun Bertuso
Video chat on Cranium Cafe with Cynthia Park
Video chat on Cranium Cafe with Roberto Alvarenga
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