What are the Benefits and Services?
Educational VA Benefits, DVA Benefits, Referrals, Work Study Program
OCC maintains a full-time Office of Veterans' Affairs. The staff offers informal supportive assistance and information to any interested students. As a direct link between the student veterans and the V.A. regional office, the office handles applications for V.A. benefits and payment inquiries. Veteran tuition deferrals and veterans' emergency loans may be requested through the office when financial need exists. Any student currently receiving or interested in applying for V.A. benefits is encouraged to make full use of the service provided by the OCC Office of Veterans' Affairs.
Any veteran or eligible person using V.A. educational benefits is responsible for being aware of and fulfilling the OCC Standards of Progress as mandated by the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs. Detailed information is available from the Office of Veterans' Affairs.
The types of information and assistance available through the office of Veterans' Affairs include:
- Assistance in resolving VA pay problems
- General counseling and referral services
- Up-to-date information on legislative action/inaction for veterans' benefits
- Fellow student-vets to talk to
In this Office of Veterans' Affairs website you'll find information on:
- How to initiate your V.A. benefits
- New educational benefit programs for eligible veterans
- The OCC Veterans' Association (Vet Club)
- other resources of interest to veterans to obtain more information or get questions answered
- ...and more!
Important Advice
Protect yourself by keeping accurate records. Don't try to guess about dates and amounts; have them on hand.
- Keep everything the V.A, college, and our office gives you. Organize it and put it in a folder for safekeeping. When there is a pay problem these papers will help you get the problem resolved. These papers are your lifeline!
- Keep a record of all the payments from the V.A. If possible, photocopy all checks. Keep a list of the dates that the checks are received, noting what period and the amount.
- Do not get yourself in a position where a pay problem will occur. Follow the rules of the game so if something does go wrong...it is not your fault!
- Use the Office of Veterans' Affairs as your resource and advocate. We're here to help!