Veteran's Education Benefits

Required Documents & Forms

Certifying Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, or 1606 for the First Time at Cañada College:

Not your first semester here? Scroll down.

• Certificate of Eligibility** obtained from the VA after you have submitted the Veterans Online Application 
  • If you have used your benefit at another college and plan to make Cañada College your primary place of training, you may need to change your place of training with the VA. Visit the VA GI Bill webpage here for more information).
• Student Educational Plan (completed with a veterans counselor in Step 5 of enrollment)
  • Only classes listed on your Educational Plan and required for an approved educational goal will be certified. Students using VA Education Benefits must meet with a Veterans Counselor at their parent school to create the Student Educational Plan. Make sure to note you need to meet with a veterans counselor when scheduling an appointment with the counseling department**, and bring copies of transcripts from all prior colleges with you to the appointment (electronic copies preferred).
• Veteran's Certification Request Form: Submit this Form through the Student Success Link after you have registered for classes. Only classes listed on your SEP and required for an approved program of study can be certified, no repeat courses- SEP and Veterans Certification Request form must be submitted each semester students wish to be certified. Note: The Veteran's Benefits Statement of Responsibility form is now a part of the Veterans Certification Request Form in the Student Success Link.

For questions regarding the certification requirements/process, contact our SCHOOL CERTIFYING OFFICIAL TEAM via email at: veraj@smccd.edu 

**A note on Certificate of Eligibility: For Chapters 30, 33 and 35- You will receive the certificate of eligibility from the VA in the mail after you apply for Educational Benefits or change your place of training to Cañada College. For Chapter 31- Submit an award letter, your VR&E counselor will also need to submit a purchase order electronically to the college's School Certifying Official(s)*. If you are a Reservist using Chapter 1606, you will need to submit the Notice of Basic Eligibility.

Certifying Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, or 1606 each semester after the first semester attending Cañada College:

• Student Educational Plan (completed with a veterans counselor in Step 5 of enrollment)
  • Only classes listed on your Educational Plan and required for an approved educational goal will be certified. Students using VA Education Benefits must meet with a Veterans Counselor at their parent school to create/ update the Student Educational Plan. Make sure to note you need to meet with a veterans counselor when scheduling an appointment with the counseling department**, and bring copies of transcripts from all prior colleges with you to the appointment (electronic copies preferred).
• Veteran's Certification Request Form:Submit this through the Student Success Link after you have registered for classes. Only classes listed on your SEP and required for an approved program of study can be certified, no repeat courses- SEP and Veterans Certification Request form must be submitted each semester students wish to be certified. Note: The Veteran's Benefits Statement of Responsibility form is now a part of the Veterans Certification Request Form in the Student Success Link.