Steps to Getting Started
A. Have you signed up for Veterans Educational Benefits?
- If NO, go to: www.vets.gov/education/apply and click “Apply for Benefits”
- If YES, submit a “Change of School” form: www.vets.gov/education/apply and click “Manage Benefits”
- Once your application is processed, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will send you an updated “Certificate of Eligibility” (COE) via U.S. Mail. Bring your COE and your DD214 to your first counseling appointment.
B. Become a Merritt College Student
- If you haven’t already, apply to be a Merritt College student here: https://www.opencccapply.net/cccapply-welcome?cccMisCode=344
- When your application downloads successfully, you will get a confirmation email congratulating you on joining Merritt College.
- Your “Welcome email” contains instructions to create a password-protected account in Student Campus Solutions. Student Campus Solutions is the electronic system you will use to add and drop classes, view your grades, etc.
- In Student Campus Solutions, you will be assigned a Student ID number. Bring your student ID number and your password when you come to your first counseling appointment.
- If you have trouble with any of the above steps, you can get help in the Merritt College Welcome Center, Monday – Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Click HERE to join virtually, Friday from 9:00 pm – 12:00 pm in person.
C. Complete the “New Student Enrollment” steps.
- For Orientation, watch a video at https://www.merritt.edu/orientationandassessment/
- Download and Complete a Veterans Services Intake Form here.
- SCHEDULE A VETERAN’S COUNSELING APPOINTMENT AT (510) 436-2475
- Please bring the following to your first veteran’s counseling appointment:
- Veterans services intake form
- DD214
- Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
- Transcripts from all previous colleges
- Peralta Student ID number
- Your Student Campus Solutions ID and password (so that you can enroll)
- Please bring the following to your first veteran’s counseling appointment:
- Enroll in Your Classes
Go to the Student Campus Solutions (CS) System (Formerly Passport) to enroll in your classes. - Get your Classes VA-Certified
Print your class schedule. Complete a Certification Enrollment Form to activate your benefits. Please download the fillable form and open it using adobe reader. Once filled Upload Here.
