Veteran and Military

Veterans Center of Excellence 

Penguin Union Building (PUB) 015
Phone: 360-992-2073
Email: veterans@clark.edu
Website: http://www.clark.edu/campus-life/student-support/vrc

The Veterans Center of Excellence connects veterans, military, and military dependents with each other as well as college and community resources.  Our veteran staff and VA work study students provide a welcoming environment for students to thrive academically and personally.  The center itself is a large and it features a study room with computers and printers; snacks and drinks for refueling; and a lounge area for hanging out with a large screen TV, textbook lending library, piano, board games, Wi-Fi, and an air hockey table.  Students are encouraged to visit and use VCOE services

  • Learning about and navigating VA educational benefits
  • Advocating for military, veteran, and military dependent students
  • Offering fun and community building through events such as Crafternoons, Coffee and conversations, soup Day, Hot Tea Day, Halloween costume contest, and more
  • Tutoring services in the VCOE
  • Certifying class enrollments to VA 
  • Connecting with college resources such as Disability Services, Workforce Education Services, Worker Retraining, Penguin Pantry, and more
  • Connecting with community resources such as CMAC, Clark County Veterans Advisory Committee, Washing Department of Veterans Affairs, VA healthcare services, and more
  • Offering customized workshops covering personal finance, creating great LinkedIn pages, nailing the job interview, and more

Clark College does not and will not provide any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollment or financial aid to any person or entities engaged in any student recruiting or admissions activities, or in making decision regarding the award of student financial assistance.

VA Education Programs

Veterans Readiness and Employment (formerly Vocational-Rehabilitation) (Chapter 31)

  • Veterans must apply for this program and get accepted by the VA. 
  • Once accepted, student veterans are assigned a VA counselor who helps students develop their training plan to acquire skills so they can seek employment after completing their program.  . 
  • Benefits include housing allowance (paid to student), book and class materials payment, and tuition and fee payment to the college.  Email veterans@clark.edu for more information.

Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)

  • Earned by veterans through military service: benefits may range from 30% to 100% based upon service completion.
  • 36 month maximum for benefits;
  • Benefits include a book allowance, housing allowance (paid to student), and tuition and fee payment (paid to school).  More information about housing allowance rates can be found at va.gov. 

Email veterans@clark.edu for more information.

Dependents Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35)

  • Dependents (spouse and eligible children) of VA-rated 100% totally and permanently disabled veterans are eligible  
  • Up to 48 months of benefits
  • Benefits- monthly stipend paid to student (see va.gov for stipend rates)
  • Benefits expire when children reach age 26, unless the benefits are received after August 18, 2023.  After that date, benefits do not expire.
  • Spousal benefits expire 10 years after the date of veteran death or veteran received VA 100% disability rating. Email veterans@clark.edu for more information. 

Chapter 1606 Reserve educational benefits

  • Active members of the Reserve with minimum 6-year commitment after 6-30-1985
  • Maximum number of months- 36 months
  • Can only use these benefits while serving on Selective Reserve
  • Payments are made to the student

Clark Academic Programs Eligible for VA Educational Benefits

The Emergency Medical Technician program is not eligible for VA educational benefits, but all other Clark academic (for credit) program are eligible for VA educational benefits.  non-credit courses and programs offered through the Office of Continuing and Community Education are not eligible for VA educational benefits.

VA definitions for the attendance status of students using VA educational benefits:

Fall, Winter, and Spring Terms

Attendance Status = Credits Per Term

  • Full-time student = 12 credits
  • Three-quarter-time student = 9 - 11 credits
  • Half-time student = 8 credits

Summer Term

Attendance Status = Credits Per Term

  • Full-time student = 8 credits
  • Three-quarter-time student = 6 - 7 credits
  • Half-time student = 4 - 5 credits
  • Less than half-time student = 3 credits

The attendance status of student determines the level of educational benefits paid by the VA. 

Dropping a Class

Holds are placed on all veteran and military students after their enrollments are certified to the VA to prevent them from dropping a class.  The VA regulations require students who drop a class after the free add/drop period (first week of class) to reimburse the VA for the tuition and fees for the class and the amount of monthly housing allowance paid to the student after the class was dropped.  Students need to contact the Veterans Center of Excellence  to discuss the financial ramifications of dropping a class before they drop the class.   Email veterans@clark.edu for more information or call 360-992-2073.

Withdrawing from all classes

Occasionally, students have personal issues that require them to withdraw from all classes after the free add/drop period (first week of class).  When this occurs, students should contact the Veterans Center of Excellence for guidance.  Email veterans@clark.edu for more information or call 360-992-2073.

Tuition and Fees

If VA educational benefits do not cover all tuition and fee charges, students using VA benefits are responsible for paying the remainder.  The veteran 25% tuition waiver cannot be used with VA benefits to cover that cost. 

Veterans Tuition Waiver

The state of Washington offers a 25% tuition waiver for all veterans who are not using VA educational benefits and who have an Honorable Discharge for the military.  Students submit a copy of their DD214 to the Veterans Center of Excellence to have the waiver applied to their account.  Email veterans@clark.edu for more information.

100% Tuition Waiver for Dependents of 100% Disabled Veterans or those who died as a result of their military service

The state of Washington offers a 100% tuition waiver to the dependents (spouse and children) of veterans who died as a result of military service or who have a VA disability rating of 100%.  Students must submit required documents and fill out a 100% tuition waiver application to qualify for this waiver.  (RCW link https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=26b.15.621 )

Here are the documents that must be submitted to determine eligibility-

  1. Disabled veteran must be a resident of Washington state
  2. Child must be a resident of Washington state
  3. Required documentation must be submitted to the Veterans Center of Excellence for processing:
    1. Official death certificate of veteran or military member killed in the line of duty
    2. A copy of the veteran’s 100% disability award letter from the VA
    3. Veteran’s valid WA state issued ID or driver’s license in veteran’s name with WA state address to verify residency
    4. Student’s valid WA state issued ID or driver’s license in veteran’s name with WA state address to verify residency
    5. Birth certificate or marriage license
    6. Completed 100% waiver application
    7. A copy of the veteran’s DD-214

Email veterans@clark.edu for more information.

Military Tuition Assistance (TA)

Clark College participates with the US Department of Defense’s tuition assistance program for active duty military personnel.  Active duty military stationed in the state of Washington, as well as their spouses and dependents, qualify as residents for tuition purposes. To qualify for in-state tuition, military members and their dependents present a copy of the military ID card when registering for classes. 

Here are the steps for using Tuition Assistance at Clark:

  • Apply for college admission and activate Clark student email account
  • Contact VCOE for more information (veterans@clark.edu)
  • Complete assessment testing unless you are a transfer student or attended another college
  • Submit transcripts from prior colleges you have attended
  • Meet with an Academic Advisor to develop an Education Plan
  • Submit Education Plan to military base contact
  • Register in required classes based on your Education Plan.
  • Submit a copy of your Education Plan and approved Tuition Assistance authorization to the Clark College Business Office, email businessoffice@clark.edu for more information.

Important Notes:

  • Your Tuition Assistance Authorization will not cover college fees. Some fees are embedded in the Tuition Rate Schedule: https://www.clark.edu/enroll/registration/tuition-fees/index.php After you send your TA authorization, the Business Office will calculate the costs that you will be responsible to pay along with the due date and payment information.
  • If your service branch denies payment of the authorized TA funds due to grades, non-attendance or any other situation, you will be responsible for the costs and must make payment to Clark College.  Failure to pay these costs will restrict further enrollment and access to academic records.
  • If you change your major, you must provide a revised Education plan to your military base contact and the Business Office
  • Please notify the Business Office of your enrollment every quarter and your intent with utilizing tuition assistance. Please ensure that you are notifying the Business Office prior to the tuition due date to ensure that there is a protective hold placed on your account so that you are not dropped for non-payment. Please follow this link for tuition due dates: https://www.clark.edu/enroll/registration/tuition-fees/tuition_payment_process.php
  • You must submit a Graduation Application one quarter before completing your certificate or degree requirements and notify the Business Office of your anticipated graduation date. https://www.clark.edu/enroll/credential-evaluation/graduation-application.pdf

Guard and Reserve

Resident Status- Washington National Guard members, as well as their spouses and dependents, qualify for resident tuition as long as they are domiciled in Washington.

Guard and Reservists can use Military Tuition Assistance to help defray the cost of their education.  Washington National Guard members also qualify for the Washington National Guard scholarship.  Please contact the VCOE (veterans@clark.edu or 503-992-2073 or stop by) for more information.. 

Absences

A member of the Washington National Guard or any other military reserve component who misses any form of participation/attendance in a class due to being ordered to service for 30 days or less, or requiring medical treatment for that service, is entitled to make up academic assignments without prejudice to the final course grade or evaluation. Students should inform their instructor and submit documentation (orders) well before the absence and make a plan to make up missed work.  Email veterans@clark.edu  for information.

Credit for Military Coursework and Experience

The Veterans Administration requires all veteran students to submit official JST or CCAF transcripts to the college for review and awarding credit to students. 

Military Coursework

Clark College awards academic credits for military training and experience in compliance with State of Washington law. (RCW28B.10.057).    Credits are awarded based on American Council on Education (ACE) credit recommendations, in consultation with academic department faculty.  Academic credit awarded for military experience is limited to 25% of total credits required for degree/certificate completion.  Military training applicable to the student’s degree or certificate requirements is awarded. The veteran must be enrolled in Clark College and successfully completed a military training course or program that is:

• Recommended for credit by a national higher education association that recommends credit for military training programs (such as ACE)

• Included in the individual’s military transcript issued by any branch of the armed services

• Substantially equivalent to any course or program offered by Clark college.

Student veterans must consult with an academic advisor to apply military credits to their degree plan. 

The Credential Evaluations Department evaluates all military credits after the transcripts are received.  First, they evaluate the transcript for reading, English, and Mathematics placement and general education credits earned.  Next, they forward technical class information including course description and any ACE credit recommendations to appropriate program faculty to determine course equivalency.  Finally, they post specific course credit awards to the student’s transcript. 

If specific course equivalents do not exist, elective credit (non-specific equivalent) is awarded when possible. Both specific and non-specific equivalents must be applicable toward the student veteran’s program of study.

Once the credit is posted to the student’s record the student is notified and provided instructions on how to view awarded credits.

If a student changes their degree plan or program of study, the student must contact the Credential Evaluations Office so awarded credit may be reevaluated, since the awarded credit must be appropriate for their new degree plan/program of study.

• Per the Veteran’s Administration, all veteran student transfer credit must be evaluated within two (2) terms of program start. After the third term, if the student does not submit all transcripts, he/she may be decertified for the use of VA education benefits.

• Veteran students using education benefits are not permitted to opt out of transfer credit evaluation.

Military credit will not be granted for:

• Non-credit courses and workshops

• Remedial or college preparatory courses

• Sectarian religious studies

Credit for Military Experience

Clark College grants academic credit through a process known as credit for prior learning.  Students need to follow the process for awarding credit for prior learning to earn credit for military experience. 

Prospective Student Resources:

College Scorecard - http://collegecost.ed.gov/scorecard/

College Navigator - http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/  -  A tool that provides consistent information about tuition, fees, retention, graduation, and loan default rates by college.

Paying for College - http://www.consumerfinance.gov/paying-for-college/  -  A resource that explains federal student loans and repayment options.

Financial aid Shopping Sheet - http://www2.ed.gov/policy/highered/guid/aid-offer/index.html  - A standardized award letter students and their families use to compare financial aid by institution.

Clark College Student Support Services

Disability Access Center (DAC) - https://www.clark.edu/dac/​  -  Qualified persons with disabilities can receive accommodation to assure equal access.

Financial Aid Resources & Application - http://www.clark.edu/enroll/paying-for-college/index.php  -  Apply for Federal financial aid and find additional resources available to support education costs.

Advising, program/degree planning, Credentials/graduation application - http://www.clark.edu/enroll/advising-services/index.php  -  Academic Advisors are available to map education plans and provide college transfer information.

Job Search Assistance - http://www.clark.edu/enroll/careers/job-search/index.php  -  Explore career options, find employment opportunities, co-op, and internships.

Additional Resources

Other Financial Resources Available

FAFSA - The Federal Pell Grant is awarded based on financial need to undergraduate students including veteran students.  Veterans transitioning from the military or full-time jobs into full-time student status may need to file a “Change in Circumstances Form” with the Clark College Financial Aid office.  See the Financial Aid section and website for more information.  

State of Washington Opportunity Grant - The Opportunity Grant program serves low-income students who are pursuing professional/technical programs that lead to high-wage, high demand jobs. See the Financial Section of this catalog or the website.

Scholarships - Funding for scholarships is made possible through the generous support of individuals and organizations. The Clark College Foundation is one of the largest community college foundations in the country and offers many scholarships to Clark College students each year. (http://www.clark.edu/enroll/paying-for-college/scholarships/)

Clark College Financial Resources

Workforce Education Services (WES)​

Workforce Education Services (WES) administers a variety of programs that are designed to support students who are seeking certificates and degree programs with an employment goal, including veterans. Eligibility, including eligible degree types, vary and are dependent on individual program requirements.  Fill out the WES application to find out if you are eligible, https://apps.clark.edu/WESapplication.

Worker Retraining Program (WRT)

The Worker Retraining program serves students discharged from the military within the previous 4 years, and are pursuing career technical programs. Eligible students must live in Washington State and be enrolled in an approved program.  Email veterans@clark.edu for more information. https://www.sbctc.edu/paying-for-college/worker-retraining-student

Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET)

The BFET program serves students who are receiving federal basic food benefits and are pursuing professional/technical programs. Eligible students must live in Washington State and be enrolled in an approved program. Email veterans@clark.edu for more information.  https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/community-partnership-program-community-services-offices-csd-office-refugee-and-immigration-assistance-manuals/basic-food-employment-and-training-bfet