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 https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Welcome Military-Affiliated Bulldogs!
Allan Hancock College's Veteran Success Center supports veterans, active duty, and dependents with:
- Education benefits and enrollment.
- Campus resources and leadership opportunities.
- Civilian transition.
- Mental/health services, computer access, tutoring.
Explore the Veteran Success Center garden and the VA Work Study for further involvement.
Admissions and Enrollment for Military-Affiliated Students
IMPORTANT: Remember to complete all steps, including online orientation.
- Complete the Application for Admissions to apply to Allan Hancock College
- Apply for your military education benefit at the Department of Veterans Affairs
- In-state tuition rates under the Veterans Choice Act may apply. Click the link for eligibility. An AB13 VACA affidavit is processed through Admissions and Records.
- Apply for Financial Aid
- Complete the Online Orientation
If you have trouble logging onto myHancock for the first time, watch this video. - Scroll down to the gold banners for further information on processing education benefits.
Book an appointment with an academic counselor
A Comprehensive Student Education Plan is required to use military education benefits. Students newly enrolled, returning from two semesters prior, or wishing to change their major are encouraged and recommended to see an academic counselor regularly to prevent delays in receiving benefits.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE SCHOOL CERTIFYING OFFICIAL
NOTE: The School Certifying Official/VSC Coordinator is NOT able to create a Comprehensive Student Education Plan. An appointment with a counselor is REQUIRED.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION! Please reference your Student Education Plan!
Course Applicability
VA certification requires courses to match the student's curriculum guide or graduation evaluation. Non-program courses cannot be certified.
Excessive free electives, for example, cannot be certified.
Source: US Department of Veteran Affairs, School Certifying Official Handbook, updated February 14, 2025
Number of units required to receive MHA/Living Stipend
| Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) | Chapter 35 (DEA) | |
| 100% - MHA | 12+ units | 12+ units |
| 80% - MHA | 9-11 units | 9-11 units |
| 50% - MHA | 6.5 - 8 units or online only | 6-8 units |
| Tuition and Fees only | 6 units or less - no MHA | less than 6 units - no living stipend |
| Summer Term | 6 units + = full time | 6 units + = full time |
| Winter Term - online only | 50% MHA | 3+ units = full time |
Please refer to www.va.gov or contact 888-442-4551 for further details.
Chapter Requirements for Military Education Benefit Certification
First-time VA benefit users must apply online. Eligibility certificates are downloadable or mailed within 30 days.
For registration assistance without a certificate, contact Kaili Villanueva at kaili.villanueva@hancockcollege.edu or 1-805-922-6966 ext. 3562.
Eligibility for Chapter 31 benefits can be found here: Eligibility
Chapter 31 benefits can be applied for here: VR&E
Once approved, please contact the School Certifying Official (SCO) immediately to ensure benefits are received before each semester.
Please provide the following contact information to the VR&E counselor, if necessary: kaili.villanueva@hancockcollege.edu
Benefits are determined under various plans.
More information can be found here:
For dependents: Dependents may use the CalVet Fee Waiver concurrent with Chapter 35 benefits.
For spouses: Spouses may use the CalVet Fee Waiver or Chapter 35, but not concurrently.
The CalVet Fee Waiver covers tuition and enrollment fees for the entire academic year, except the Student Health Center Fee, Student Representative Fee, and applicable material fees.
Please contact Veteran Service Officer, Rhonda Murphy, at 805-346-7160. Once an application is submitted and approved, an authorization letter will be obtained. Please submit the authorization letter in person at the Santa Maria campus, or email kaili.villanueva@hancockcollege.edu
Active Duty and most veterans are eligible for priority registration.
Active Duty members may submit their current orders to kaili.villanueva@hancockcollege.edu
Eligibility for priority registration for veterans is determined by residency and discharge status. A member-4 copy of your DD214 may be submitted to kaili.villanueva@hancockcollege.edu
Once Admissions and Records authorizes your priority registration, log in to your myHancock account and verify your registration date under My Registration Date.
Once you are registered for classes, go to the Certification Request Form and sign in with your AHC email and password. Click on the "Next" box at the bottom of each page. Complete the Veterans/Dependents Request for Certification Form. For certification inquiries and/or assistance with completion, please schedule a VSC Coordinator appointment or call 805-922-6966 x 3925. Any amendments to a class schedule will require a new certification form reflecting the most recent changes. Emails can no longer be accepted.
Adding or dropping courses:
Please note: Do not make any changes to your schedule without consulting with the school certifying official or your education counselor. Keeping the school and the VA notified of any changes will prevent under/over payment and unnecessary financial hardship.