Veterans Services

Welcome Veterans, Current Military, and Dependents

We welcome you to Whatcom Community College where your service is recognized and appreciated. Most importantly, we want to thank you for your service to our country and the sacrifices you have made, and continue to make, to ensure our freedom and way of life.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Veterans Office is to provide a supportive environment for veterans, current military, and their dependents. We are dedicated to assisting you with the services you need to receive VA benefits and accomplish your educational goals at Whatcom. Knowledgeable Veteran Representatives make getting started at Whatcom easy. Our office is an informational center to assist you with questions about activating your VA educational benefits and connecting with campus resources and veteran services in the community. The Veterans Office, in partnership with an incredibly supportive faculty and staff, strive to make Whatcom Community College a great campus for veterans.

Getting Started as a Student Veteran at Whatcom

The following recommendations are designed to help students complete the initial steps necessary to receive VA educational benefits and the timely application of those benefits in support of each veterans success at Whatcom. Even if you are a veteran choosing not to utilize your benefits at this time, you have full access to veteran academic advising and the Veterans Office. We invite you to drop in and see how we can help you accomplish your educational goals.

Step 1: Apply for your VA benefits at www.gibill.va.gov by clicking on the "Apply for Benefits" graphic followed by the "Launch VONAPP" link. To select the GI BILL that maximizes your educational payout, call the VA Education Division directly at 1.888.442.4551.
Step 2: Apply to Whatcom Community College. All students must apply for admission to the College and should contact Whatcom's Veterans Office as early as possible after applying to ensure all necessary eligibility paperwork is submitted and complete.
Step 3: Schedule an appointment for your math and English assessment at Whatcom by visiting Entry and Advising in Laidlaw Center, Room 116 or by phone at 360.383.3080. If you have successfully completed college-level math and/or English at a prior institution you may not need to complete math and/or English assessments at Whatcom. If you have questions about the math and English assessments, schedule an appointment with the Veteran Advisor at 360.383.3080.
Step 4: Meet with Whatcom's Veteran Representative to submit VA eligibility documentation and complete required paperwork to activate VA benefits, as well as, learn about campus services and community resources available to veterans. Please bring a copy of your DD214 - Member 4 and VA Education Certificate of Eligibly (Award Letter). Visit the Veterans Office in Laidlaw Center, Room 116 or call 360.383.3015 to speak with a WCC Veteran Representative or email a WCC Vet Rep.
Step 5: Schedule an appointment with Whatcom's Veteran Academic Advisor 360.383.3080 to create a Program Completion Plan, register for classes, investigate long-term educational planning, and prepare for transition to four-year schools. If you have attended prior colleges, please bring all unofficial transcripts to your appointment.

Important WCC Veteran Contact Information

Whatcom Veterans Office, Laidlaw Center (LDC), Room 116 in Entry and Advising
Office Phone and Veteran Representatives: 360.383.3015
Office Email: veterans@whatcom.ctc.edu
Schedule an appointment with Veteran Academic Advisor: 360.383.3080
Veterans drop-in advising: 3:00-4:00 M-Th
Schedule math/English Assessment: 360.383.3080
Schedule an appointment with Disability Support Services: 360.383.3080
Schedule an appointment with Whatcom Counselors: 360.383.3080
Margaret Vlahos MS, LMHC & Malcolm H. Oliver, MS.

Important VA and Community Contacts

VA Educational Website: www.gibill.va.gov
Apply for VA Benefits: http://www.gibill.va.gov/apply-for-benefits/application/
Post-9/11 BAH Calculator: http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/bah.html
VA Forms: www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp
VA Education Division (Muskogee, OK Regional Office): 1.888.442.4551
VA Debt Management: 1.800.827.0648
Military Benefits - http://www.military.com
VA Vocational Rehabilitation - Mt. Vernon 360.753.7821
Dr. Bridget Cantrell: PTSD counselor located in Bellingham. 360.714.1525
FREE FOR COMBAT VETERANS!
Bellingham Vet Center: To promote quality clinical sound services to veterans and their families. 360.733.9226
Whatcom County Disabled American Veterans: (360) 676-6700 ext. 50910
Whatcom County Veterans Assistance Program: 360.715.7453
FAFSA (Federal Application for Federal Student Aid): www.fafsa.gov
Student Veterans of America: www.studentveterans.org

Tips for Success for Veterans Attending Whatcom

1.888.442.4551 for all VA payment related questions
Bring your class schedule to the Veterans Office each quarter or after any changes to your credit load and/or tuition. This is one of the most important tips to ensure your VA benefits arrive in a timely and consistent manner.
Meet with Veteran Advisor quarterly to plan and register for classes.
Complete annual Program Completion Plan with Veterans Academic Advisor. Whatcom requires all students utilizing GI BILL benefits to meet with a Veteran Advisor annually to create a Program Completion Plan. This plan will act as your approved class list and help guide you to completing your degree.
Apply for Federal Financial Aid. www.fafsa.gov
Check in with a Whatcom Veteran Representative if you are having difficulty in or out of class. Vet Reps have detailed information about VA benefits, campus services, and community resources.
Always report changes to your credit load or tuition to the Veterans Office within 24 hours.
Check out the WCC Library or swing by the Heiner Center for a look inside.
Veterans who are receiving educational benefits at a half-time or greater rate may be eligible to receive tutorial assistance payment. Complete Form VA 22-1990 or call 1.888.442.4551.
Visit Whatcom's Learning Center or stop by Cascade Hall, Room 113.

Whatcom's Veterans Safe Zone Program

We are pleased to inform you about our 'Veteran Safe Zone' program here at Whatcom Community College. This Program was developed at Whatcom and initiated on campus in 2008 by veterans, dependents of veterans and veteran supporters as a visible showing of our support from our faculty and staff. Any staff member that displays one of these logos on their office door or wall has made a conscious decision to provide an area and a set of ears to a veteran. These faculty and staff members are not counselors, but they are people that care about your needs. Many of these staff members are veterans themselves, some are just people who want to help and lend support in this way.

If you are having a rough day and need to vent, ask for advice, talk about school, work or prior experiences, or just need a quiet place to sit and gather your thoughts, these people have made their office a welcome place for you.

The Veterans Safe Zone Program was developed by Whatcom students and staff and was enthusiastically implemented on campus in Fall 2008. This is an ongoing commitment of support from Whatcom's faculty and staff to our veterans and current military.

Whatcom Recognizes All Who Have Served

We look forward to seeing you on our campus soon. The Veterans Office and Whatcom Community College thank you for your service and dedication. We look forward to helping you succeed and accomplish all your educational goals.