Veteran Services

What is expected of students:

• A certification request is required each semester when using VA education benefits.
• Students should submit their certification request (CR) after registering for the semester.
• To avoid late fees, students should submit their CR before the earliest drop date for their classes.
• Do NOT need to resubmit the form when schedule changes are made.
  Veteran Services will track changes and submit to VA accordingly. Please email veteran.services@rrcc.edu if a schedule change was made and you have not seen it reflected in a new email from the VA’s system within two weeks of that change.
• To request your course(s) be certified with VA:
  1. Register for your classes
  2. Log into The Rock and navigate to the Military Benefits card.  You may have to search for it in Discover.  *If you are requesting certification for a previous semester, please email veteran.services@rrcc.edu
      
  3. Complete the CR form. The benefit specific questions will appear once the benefit type is chosen.
      
  4. Track the status of your CR form under the ‘Submitted Certification Request’ section. Once it is listed as Approved, keep an eye on the Notifications section and your student email. We will notify you of any problems or when the certifications are submitted to VA.
     CR Status Key
     Pending = Not Processed
     Approved = Form processed, classes under review
     Rejected = Form needs to be resubmitted
     Closed = Student requested to not be certified
     Need Briefing = Student needs to attend mandatory briefing
     Need VA Doc = Student needs to upload doc
      
• TIPS regarding VA Certification Requests:
  DD214s are no longer required or requested
  If it is your first semester using VA education benefits at RRCC, please upload a pdf copy of your Certification of Eligibility (COE), Statement of Benefits (SOB), or benefit application confirmation page. If you have any issues locating the documentation, please email us at veteran.services@rrcc.edu for assistance.
  The earlier you register for classes, settle your schedule (no more changes), and submit your Certification Request, the earlier we will be able to submit your certifications to VA.
  If you are a guest student from another school, complete the Certification Request form and select ‘Guest Student from Another School.’ Be sure to upload a copy of your parent letter from your primary school. Summer Semester: for VA education benefits, 7 credit hours is considered full-time. Be sure you are full-time the entire semester AND for CH33/31 students be sure at least one class is “on-campus.”

 
*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Earn College Credit for Prior Learning

It is required for VA education benefits and military tuition assistance that all of the student’s prior education be evaluated for transfer credit.

-    Joint Services Transcripts (JSTs)
Starting Fall 2023, if military and veteran students are using VA education benefits, RRCC will automatically obtain and evaluate their JSTs (covering all branches except Air Force/Space Force) during their first semester. Students who began at RRCC before Fall 2023 will follow the standard transcript evaluation process (link is external).

-    Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) and all other previous college transcripts will need to follow the standard transcript evaluation process.

Did you know that you could receive additional college credit for knowledge gained through your work and life experiences?   Click here (link is external) to learn more about Prior Learning Assessment.

• MyCAA is a workforce development program that provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance to eligible military spouses.
• As part of the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program, coaches are available to assist military spouses with:
  • Learning about career paths
  • Pursuing education
  • Building your resume, finding a job, or owning a business
  • Access to a network of resources
• For more information on eligibility and what is covered, visit the MyCAA Website (link is external) or call Military OneSource at 800-342-9647.

Key Deadlines:

• Education and Training Plans (ETPs) should be requested 5 business days before needed.
• ETPs should be requested at least 21 days prior to the start of your class(es) to ensure MyCAA. Steps 1-6 should be completed before requesting an ETP. Be sure to allow enough time to complete everything.

Additional Steps

Take the steps first to become an RRCC Student.

Request a MyCAA Education and Training Plan (ETP)

Email veteran.services@rrcc.edu to request an ETP. Be sure to include:

• Your student ID number
• The program you would like to complete using MyCAA
• Your career goal
• When you need the ETP returned to you by. Standard processing is 5 business days.

Appointment with SECO Career Coach

• Call the SECO Career Center at 800-342-9647 to schedule your MyCAA coaching session with a SECO Career Coach.
• The ETP will be needed for this appointment.

Submit ETP to SECO Career Coach

• They will provide you instructions with submitting the ETP.
• Plans are reviewed and approved in the order received. The process can take up to 14 business days.

Leave of Absence and Readmission of Military Service Member Students

RRCC complies with the Department of Education regulations regarding readmission for Service members and reservists under 34 C.F.R. 668.18 and Title 38 U.S.C. 3691A regulations regarding withdrawal or leave of absence. Service members who believe they meet the criterion should contact Veteran Services (303-914-6127 or veteran.services@rrcc.edu) to begin the readmission, leave of absence, or withdrawal process.

If you are a member of the Armed Forces (including reserve components) and you receive orders “to perform a period of service” (i.e. active duty, inactive duty training, or state service) that will affect your attendance and/or participation in class, you may have several options. The effectiveness of each option is dependent on how far into the semester we are and what education benefit type you are using.

Email us at veteran.services@rrcc.edu with a copy of your orders attached and we’ll provide next steps. Providing a copy of the applicable orders is required. It’s important that we get everything in place before you leave.

Failure to notify Veteran Services of the orders effecting your enrollment will limit the options available to you.

Colorado HB 20-1275, provides in-state tuition rates for military-affiliated students at all Colorado Community Colleges. In addition, active-duty service members online tuition rate is capped at the TA maximum rate.

Military-affiliated includes US Military Veterans, Service Members, and their dependents plus Canadian Military stationed in Colorado and their dependents if they are a full-time student under the age of 23.  

If you are military-affiliated and your RRCC acceptance letter indicates you have been classified as a Non-Resident for Tuition Classification Purposes, email us at veteran.services@rrcc.edu. Additional information may be needed, but in most circumstances your using military education benefits is all we need.

Leave of Absence and Readmission of Military Service Member Students

RRCC complies with the Department of Education regulations regarding readmission for Service members and reservists under 34 C.F.R. 668.18 and Title 38 U.S.C. 3691A regulations regarding withdrawal or leave of absence. Service members who believe they meet the criterion should contact Veteran Services (303-914-6127 or veteran.services@rrcc.edu to begin the readmission, leave of absence, or withdrawal process.

If you are a member of the Armed Forces (including reserve components) and you receive orders “to perform a period of service” (i.e. active duty, inactive duty training, or state service) that will affect your attendance and/or participation in class, you may have several options. The effectiveness of each option is dependent on how far into the semester we are and what education benefit type you are using.

Email us at veteran.services@rrcc.edu with a copy of your orders attached and we’ll provide next steps. Providing a copy of the applicable orders is required. It’s important that we get everything in place before you leave.

Failure to notify Veteran Services of the orders effecting your enrollment will limit the options available to you.

Follow the steps on the Veteran Student Application  page. **You do not need to complete Step 2. 

In addition to these steps, please complete the following: 

• Complete TA Required Steps
  • Army, Air Force & Space Force: see the applicable Army Tuition Assistance or Air Force and Space Force Tuition Assistance sections below.
  • Navy, Marines, Coast Guard & National Guard: Contact your base’s Education Center for detailed instructions and email billing@rrcc.edu (link sends e-mail) for next steps.
• Pay RRCC Fees
  • TA pays for approved class(es) tuition only, but does not pay for fees. Late fees will be applied if payment arrangements are not made prior to the full semester drop date
  • TA tuition payments will be posted to student accounts after the class(es) drop date.

Army Tuition Assistance

Army TA Basics:

Tuition Assistance funding is capped at $4000 per year OR 16 semester credit hours.  Tuition Assistance only covers the tuition portion of your bill and it does not cover any associated fees or textbooks for the class(es). Tuition Assistance Requests (TARS) may be submitted 60 days prior to start of class and must be approved no later than 7 days prior to the start date. TARS will only be approved for classes that apply toward the declared program/major with the school.  Requesting TA does not enroll you in a RRCC class--it only secures funding. TA funded classes that do not receive a grade of "C" or higher are subject to recoupment by the Army.  This includes withdrawing from the class.

Key Deadlines:

• 60 days prior to start of class - TARS may be submitted
• 7 days prior to start of class - TARS must be submitted and approved
• Semester drop date – deadline to pay fees

Army TA Required Additional Steps:

1. Set up your ArmyIgnitED v.2 account: this is required even if you had an old ArmyIgnitED account in V.1. Please call the Ft Carson Army Ed Center at 719-526-2124 for any issues. 
   1. What you need: 
      1. Your RRCC student ID number
      2. Your declared major at RRCC
2. Account Activation: 
   1. Go to https://www.armyignited.army.mil/
   2. Insert CAC card and then select on Login.
   3. Enter your PIN and then Login.
   4. This brings you to your Dashboard with menu selections on the left side.
3. Set up your Educational Goal in ArmyIgnitED 
   1. Click on "Educational Goal”
   2. Select your goal type -- you will select Associates Degree
   3. Select your Academic Institution—Red Rocks Community College.
   4. Select a Degree Program--this should match your declared program with RRCC.
   5. Check the box that says "No Degree Plan File" and Next (you will upload an Evaluated Degree plan later)
   6. Select Semester Hours and Next
   7. Review and Submit. The Education Center will receive your request. Once approved or disapproved, you will receive a message in the student message section of ArmyIgnitED.  Contact the Education Center at 719-526-2124 if you have questions.
4. Virtual Briefing and TA User Agreement 
   1. You must complete the Virtual Briefing and accept the TA user agreement annually--this covers TA regulations and should be read carefully.
   2. Face to Face TA Briefings and open lab hours to assist with ArmyIgnitED are offered by the Fort Carson Education Center, call 719-526-2124 for details.
5. Create a Tuition Assistance Request (TAR) in ArmyIgnitED

Locate your Detailed Student Schedule from the Student tab of The Rock with start and end dates.

• Do not submit multiple classes on the same TAR.  Repeat the steps below for each class. Creating individual TARs for each class will allow for different parts of term and prevent having to resubmit all classes if one of your classes is cancelled.

1. From your ArmyIgnitED dashboard select "Apply for Funding".
2. Verify your contact information is correct and update if needed.
3. Read the User Agreement and select "I Agree Continue.”
4. Confirm that Red Rocks Community College is showing and Main Campus is displayed (you do not need to change if taking a class(es) at the Arvada campus)
5. Enter your RRCC Student ID Number and select Next.
6. Look at your class schedule and identify the start and end dates. Select the matching term by dates and Next.
7. Select your course by subject and course number (i.e. ENG 1021).  You can search by subject.  RRCC has all courses loaded--do not manually add a class.  Email veteran.services@rrcc.edu if you cannot find your class. 
   1. Verify the Code, Title, Level, Location, Credit Hours and Credit Type is correct.
   2. Enter the Cost per class – see the Tuition Rates at the bottom of Paying for College.  
      1. Always Resident rate with COF
      2. Locate tuition rate under On Campus or Online labeled as ‘Student Share.’
8. Submit the TAR 
   1. Save a copy of your "Tuition Assistance Request Application: Application Submitted” confirmation page. YOUR Army Education Counselors can assist if an approved TAR needs to be edited (section cancelled so you enroll in a new part of term, etc.).
9. If you drop a class by the drop date, we will reject that TA during the invoicing process.

Example:
Code - ENG 1021
Title - English Composition I
Level - Undergraduate
Location - Campus
Credit Hours - 3
Credit Type - SH

Air Force and Space Force Tuition Assistance

AF/SF TA Basics:
All active duty Air Force and Space Force personnel are required to receive TA approval from the Education Service Officer prior to enrolling in college classes.

Key Deadlines:

• 45 days prior to start of class – TA requests may be submitted
• 7 days prior to start of class – TA requests must be submitted and approved
• Semester drop date – deadline to pay fees
• Evaluated Degree Plan – required after completing 6 credit hours at RRCC

AF/SF TA Required Additional Steps:

1. Attend a TA Briefing at your Base Education Center
2. Log into the Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC) to select your class(es) and enter the TA request information. 
   1. Class information and dates can be found on your Detailed Student Schedule located on the Student tab of The Rock.
   2. Tuition information can be found at the bottom of Paying for College. 
      1. Always Resident rate with COF
      2. Locate tuition rate under On Campus or Online labeled as ‘Student Share.’
3. Your TA request, once approved, will digitally route to the RRCC Cashier’s Office.
4. After completing 6 credit hours at RRCC, request an Evaluated Degree Plan (EDP). 
   1. Request your CCAF Web Progress Report 
      1. Log into your AFVEC account.
      2. Select ‘CCAF Student Services’ tab on the right menu.
      3. Select your degree program title.
      4. Save a copy of the progress report that displays.
   2. Locate unofficial transcripts from all previous schools 
      1. Save a copy
   3. Email veteran.services@rrcc.edu to request your EDP. Attach your CCAF Web Progress Report and any unofficial transcripts from other schools.
   4. Your EDP will be created and emailed to you within 5 business days.

Student Veterans of America - RRCC Chapter

The RRCC Student Veterans of America (SVA) Chapter is a voice for student veterans on-campus and is active in helping veterans integrate into academic and civilian life. The club also connects students to RRCC and community resources.

RRCC SVA Vision: Empowering student veterans to lead and live their best lives.

RRCC SVA Mission: Act as a catalyst for student veteran success by providing resources, network support and advocacy to, through, and beyond higher education.

SVA meets monthly while classes are in-session. Meeting dates and times will be posted on the Veteran Services Events page.

Email veteran.services@rrcc.edu with questions or for the contact information of current SVA officers.

The Veteran’s Lounge is a dedicated place that veteran students and service members with common backgrounds, experiences, and goals can call their own. It is a place to study, connect, and support each other. The lounge is outfitted with a fridge, microwave, coffee maker, computers, and a sitting area.
    
The Veteran’s Lounge is in Room 1007 near the East end of the RRCC Lakewood campus. It’s right next door to the Military & Veteran Services Office in Room 1005.
    
Stop by any time plus watch for lounge events including the monthly Student Veterans of America meeting. Let the Military and Veterans Staff know if you have accessibility needs or any issues with the lounge.

We are dedicated to your educational needs.

The Veteran Advisory Council (VAC) advises the Veteran Services Office, inputs on Veteran-related decision making, and supports Veteran student initiatives. Please use our contact information below if you'd like to get in touch!

Council Members

Dr. Merri Mattison
Student Veterans Association Advisor
Sociology Professor
Merri.Mattison@rrcc.edu
303.914.6635

Paul Gallagher
Student Veteran Association Advisor
English Professor
Paul.Gallagher@rrcc.edu
303.914.6123

A list of all council members and their contact information can be provided by emailing veteran.services@rrcc.edu