Veterans Services

Thank you!

Veterans and Service Members

Los Medanos College Veterans Services offers a range of services and supports to U.S. Military Veterans and Service Members.  Our Checklist is designed to help you get started at Los Medanos College and guide you through the process of applying for VA Education Benefits.  

To access services, please submit a copy of your DD-214 Service-2 or Member-4 or U.S. Government-Issued Identification Card (front side only). 

Submit DD-214 or U.S. government-issued I.D. here.

For more information, please click the links below. If you have any questions, feel free to email us at veterans@losmedanos.edu, call us at (925) 473-7511, or visit the Veterans Resource Center during our office hours for hands-on assistance.

  • Checklist

    Checklist

    1. APPLY OR RE-APPLY TO LMC:  If you are a new student, apply and obtain a student ID number.  If you are a returning student absent for one or more academic years, re-apply to reactivate your student account.

    2. ORDER OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS & SUBMIT EVALUATION REQUEST:  Request electronic military transcripts and academic transcripts for ALL school(s) you have attended outside of our College District.  E-transcripts can be sent to transcripts@losmedanos.edu.

    • Joint Services Transcript (JST) for Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy Service Members/Veterans
    • Community College of the Air Force/Air University for Air Force Service Members/Veterans
    • Check if LMC has received ALL your transcripts by visiting the InSite Grades-Transcripts tile, then click on Received Transcripts.
    • Submit a Request for Transcript Evaluation and select your LMC Pathway and Program/Major

    3. MATRICULATION:  Complete the following for an earlier registration date. 

    • Online New Student Orientation
    • Online English and Math Guided Self-Placement
    • Education Plan with a Veterans Services academic counselor.  Required annually and any time there is a change to your course schedule and/or academic program. To schedule an appointment with a Veterans Services academic counselor, please

      • Drop-in during our office hours
      • Call our main number at 925-473-7511, or
      • Email veterans@losmedanos.edu with your availability and phone number.

    • Register for Classes Required for Your Degree/Program Major 

    4. APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID:  You can receive VA education benefits and financial aid simultaneously.

    5. APPLY FOR VA EDUCATION BENEFITS:  Have your DD-214 and banking information readily available, find your education benefit, and complete an online application.   Contra Costa County Veterans Service Office can provide expert assistance to Veterans and service members.

    6. SUBMIT DOCUMENTS TO LMC:


    7. REGISTER AND SUBMIT AN ENROLLMENT CERTIFICATION REQUEST:      If you are using VA education benefits, submit this document each semester and whenever you make any changes to your schedule.  If you have been accepted into the Contra Costa County Basic Law Enforcement Academy, please note the following details:  the term is based on the semester in which the academy graduates, e.g. 10/31/25, corresponds with Fall 2025.  The major is Basic Law Enforcement Academy.  The course name is ADJUS-005, 25 units, and the course dates are the start and graduation dates of the academy class, e.g. 203rd.   Ensure that all required items are completed before submitting your request.  If items are missing, your request will be returned unprocessed.

    8.  GET YOUR SCHOOL SUPPLIES, PARKING PERMIT, BOOKS, ETC.  

  • Financial Aid, Grants & Scholarships

    Financial Aid, Grants & Scholarships

    Financial Aid

    Veterans Emergency Funds Application and Referral - Open Year-Round

    AUSA Dean Chapter Scholarship - Trades/Vocations Scholarship - 04/18/25 Deadline 

    AUSA Dean Chapter Scholarship - Professional/General Scholarship - 04/18/25 Deadline

  • Forms and Uploader Links

    Forms and Uploader Links

    DD-214 Service-2 or Member-4 (Uploader)

    Enrollment Certification Request & Change Notification 

    Guided Self-Placement - English and Math

    Joint Services Transcript (JST) for Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy Service Members/Veterans

    Police Academy Employment Hire Letter (Uploader)

    Student Orientation

    Transcript Evaluation Request

    VA Certificate of Eligibility Education Decision Letter - Download Copy from VA

    VA Certificate of Eligibility or Notice of Basic Eligibility “NOBE” - Upload through InSite

    VA Education Benefits Application

    VA Form 22-1995 Veteran’s Change of Program/Place of Training Parts I, II & V.  Do NOT complete Direct Deposit Information.  Upload the form here.  Do NOT submit to the VA.

  • Priority Registration for U.S. Military & National/State Guard

    Priority Registration

    Complete the following for an earlier registration date. 

      • Drop-in during our office hours
      • Call our main number at 925-473-7511, or
      • Email veterans@losmedanos.edu with your availability and phone number.


    Contingent upon completing and meeting the above matriculation items, priority registration for enrollment will be granted to any member or former member of the U.S. military, and who is a resident of California, who has received an honorable discharge, a general discharge, or an other than honorable discharge, and to any member or former member of the State Guard.

  • VA Education Benefits

    VA Education Benefits

    VA education benefits help the military-connected community pay for college and training. The VA education benefit chapters are the most commonly used by Los Medanos College military-connected students.  For a complete list of GI Bill® and other education benefits, click here.  

    Veterans are encouraged to contact the VA Education Call Center at 1-888- 442-4551 and speak first with a VA career counselor.  Should you consider or qualify for Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) education benefits due to a service-related disability, at least one day of entitlement of Chapter 33 Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® benefits is required.  

    If you need help determining which education benefits you are eligible for, which is best for you, and to apply, click here or call the G.I. Bill Hotline 1-888-442-4551.

    CH. 30 MONTGOMERY G.I. BILL - ACTIVE DUTY
    CH. 31 VETERAN READINESS & EMPLOYMENT (VR&E)
    CH. 33 POST 9/11 G.I. BILL
    CH. 1606 MONTGOMERY G.I. BILL - SELECTED RESERVE

    Rates of Pursuit (ROP)

    Fall and Spring Term

    Chapters 30 and 1606 Rate of Pursuit

    • 12 credits or more is full time
    • 9-11 credits is ¾ time
    • 6-8 credits is ½ time
    • 4-5 credits is less than ½ time (<½-time)
    • 1-3 credits is ¼ time or less (<¼-time)


    Chapter 33 Rate of Pursuit
    The VA calculates the Rate of Pursuit (ROP) by dividing the credit hours (or credit hour equivalents) being pursued by the number of credit hours considered to be full-time by the school. The resulting percentage is the student’s ROP.  The Chapter 33 housing allowance is paid if ROP is more than 50%. 

    Summer Session

    The VA converts credit earned during nonstandard quarters or semesters to equivalent credit hours. The VA makes the conversion, not the schools. LMC will report your actual units pursued.

    The VA uses this formula to determine your payment:

    • Credit × 18 ÷ weeks = credit hour equivalents
    • 4-semester credits earned in 4 weeks is the equivalent of 18 credits earned during a standard semester (4 × 18 ÷ 4 = 18) and will pay full-time for 4 weeks.

    Rates and Payments

    Please note that the VA determines payment amounts.  Please direct payment-related question to the VA by calling 1-888-442-4551 should you have any questions after reviewing the VA Education Benefits here.

    Monthly Self-Reporting to the VA

    Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill® and non-Chapter 33 students (except for Chapter 31 VR&E) are required by the VA to self-verify continued course enrollment every month.  Students can opt-in with the VA for text messaging verification. Students who do not opt-in for text messaging will automatically be enrolled in email verification and sent an automated email on the last day of the month. Students can also verify online at Monthly Verification of Enrollment or call 1-887-823-2378.

    Changes After Enrollment Certification

    Military-connected students must immediately report any changes to their LMC School Certifying Official by submitting a Course Enrollment Certification Request & Change Notification and/or appropriate (veteran or dependent) Request for Change of Program or Place of Training.  Failure to report changes, such as withdrawal from courses or the college, will be interpreted as a violation of the Educational Benefits Act.

  • VA Work Study Allowance Program

    VA Work Study Allowance Program

    Earn While You Learn
    Support Your Military-Affiliated Community


    The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Work-Study Allowance Program offers additional payments to students in exchange for performing services at VA-approved work sites.  The program is designed to support eligible students in obtaining their academic goals by providing VA-funded work experience in a supervised learning environment.  The hourly wage is set at the higher of either the federal or state minimum wage.  Positions are limited at Los Medanos College Veterans Resource Center (VRC) worksite.  Application deadline is September 12, 2025 for the fall semester.

    Position Highlights

    • Flexible Hours
    • Tax-Free Income
    • Valuable Experience
    • Convenient On-Campus Location


    Eligibility Requirements     

    • Registered at least ¾ time at LMC
    • Using VA Education Benefits (Ch. 30, 31, 33, 35, or 1606)
    • Able to work 10 to 20 hours per week
    • Responsible, dependable, and committed to serving
    • Attendance at required ongoing training


    Typical Duties

    • Assist students in the VRC
    • Provide information on VA benefits and services
    • Help with outreach, events, and student engagement


    Location

    Los Medanos College Veterans Resource Center
    College Complex Room CC3-817
    2700 E. Leland Rd, Pittsburg, CA 94565

    Application Process

    • Complete the Application for Work-Study Allowance (VA Form 22-8691)
    • Submit the application and your resume using this link.  All sections and fields must be completed to be considered for the position.  Incomplete applications will be returned.
    • Interview with Veterans Services Program Coordinator/VRC Work-Study Site Supervisor
    • If selected,

      • Complete and submit a TB test to the Veterans Services Program Coordinator
      • Complete all required training
      • Sign a contract
      • Establish a start date once the contract has been signed and authorized by the VA