San Diego and Imperial Counties Community Colleges Association

Military Friendly
Grossmont and Cuyamaca
colleges are included in the
2013 list of “military
friendly schools” by G.I.
Jobs, a national monthly
magazine focusing on
veterans making the
transition to the civilian
workforce. Its “Guide to
Military Friendly Schools”
honored the top 15 percent of
12,000 colleges, universities,
community colleges and
vocational schools polled for
doing the most to embrace
America’s veterans as
students and to assist veterans
with their educational goals.
The colleges are members of
the Servicemembers
Opportunity Colleges (SOC)
Consortium, a group that has
imposed military-friendly
practices such as awarding
credit for military training
and experience. As
recommended by the
American Council on
Education guidelines, up to
20 units of credit can be
awarded for work similar to
our college courses.
W
ith more than 260,000 veterans residing in San Diego County and the largest
number of military retirees anywhere in the nation, this region is rightly known
as a military town. The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District
values the contributions and sacrifices made by the men and women of the U.S.
armed forces.
The district has seen its enrollment of veterans climb to more than 2,000 a year since the
2008 enactment of the Post 9/11 G.I Bill. This trend is expected to continue as the U.S. military
offensive winds down in the Middle East and returning soldiers enroll in our colleges in their
transition back to civilian life. Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges offer an array of services and
programs for veterans, active-duty military and their dependents. The district is deeply committed
to helping those who count on the education and training provided as they embark on their journey
toward future success.
Services and benefits our colleges provide include:
Priority class registration for those enrolling within four years of their separation from
service. With budget cuts sharply reducing class offerings, first-in-line privileges are a
major benefit to veterans.
Counselors well-versed in the needs of veterans. Workshops, orientations, as well as
veteran-specific counseling, assessments and educational planning are offered.
Transition-skills classes help veterans improve their note-taking and testing, time
management, and other skills needed for college success.
Veteran services are based on a comprehensive network between Admission and Records,
Financial Aid, Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS), and Counseling.
Veteran Affairs Offices with staff trained in the certification of classes to ensure veterans
are receiving VA benefits such as housing allowances and payment for fees and textbooks
promptly and efficiently
A 500-square-foot Veterans Resource Center at Grossmont College is staffed by veterans
and provides access to computers and assistive technologies, academic counseling, peer
support and mentoring, financial aid resources and referrals to outside agencies. When it
opened in 2010, the VRC was one of only 15 in community colleges statewide.
VA Work Study programs that provide paid work experience at the colleges’ veterans’
offices, VA Regional Office, VA medical facilities or at state employment offices.
DSPS connects veterans to community-based resources for assistance with post-traumatic
stress disorder counseling and learning disability assessment.
A VA-backed program provides private tutoring to qualifying veterans.
Student Veteran Organizations foster camaraderie between members and provide outreach
to fellow veterans.
Cuyamaca College’s weeklong activities leading up to Veterans Day 2011 included a
breakfast for veteran students, a Skype session with a soldier in Afghanistan, and a
presentation to faculty and staff by former military members and experts on the challenges
many veterans face adjusting to campus life.
22 SDICCCA