Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

When does Fall registration begin?

Priority Registration begins May 1st.

How many units do I need to be full time (for Post-9/11 GI Bill housing allowance) each semester?

12 units. To receive ANY housing allowance you need to be more than half time, meaning you would need a minimum of 7 units. Summer and Winter semesters work diffrently, please connect with the School Certifying Official for more information.

Do I need to take an in-person course to obtain my full housing benefits?

Yes, students must take one course that is considered a resident course or in-person to obtain full housing benefits. If the student decides to take all online courses, they will get paid the national average. Talk with Dewitt to review available classes and determine which classes may qualify.

How do I tell the VA I’m taking classes this semester?

You MUST complete a Certification Request, which is then submitted to the School Certifying Official, Marisol Guerrero-Berumen, for processing. The only classes that will be certified are those which are also listed on your Education Plan. The certifying official CANNOT assume that you want to use your educational benefits.

When will I get paid?

The VA won’t do anything until I submit your certification to them. They typically take a few weeks to process your certification. Once done, you’ll receive your book stipend first. You can expect to receive your first monthly housing allowance payment on 1st of every month.

Why does it say that I owe the school money for the semester?

Every step of GI Bill certification is manual -- nothing happens automatically. Here’s how it works:

The VA processes your GI Bill certification
The VA sends tuition payment to the College
The College provides me with a bank statement monthly (usually end of month for the previous month’s statement)
I reconcile the College bank statement against payments a VA statement of tuition paid
Once done, that reconciliation goes to the cashier to review.
The cashier, if there are no questions, applies those funds to your student account, at which point your balance changes. If the cashier has questions, she informs me and we go back-and-forth until everything is cleared up, at which point funds are applied to your account.

How do I schedule an appointment with a VRC Academic Counselor)?

Call Rosalinda at 408-848-4767 to schedule your appointment or email the counselors directly.

Should I complete the FAFSA?

Yes! Filling out the FAFSA application gives you the opportunity to be eligible for other grants and scholarships. If unsure, reach out to Financial Aid (finaid@gavilan.edu) to speak with someone about your options or ask Marisol.

Credit for Military Service

Can I get credit for my military service?

Yes. Veterans who have been honorably discharged, and those on active duty, can apply to earn college credit for their service. You must first complete 12 units of college credit at Gavilan to apply.

How do I apply?

After you’ve completed 12 units at Gavilan, speak with an Academic Counselor to complete the application. You will need to provide the counselor with a copy of your DD Form 214.

What credit will I be awarded?

For the completion of basic training, 6 units will be awarded: 3 for Physical Education and 3 for Military Science. Credit can also be awarded for technical training received in non-combat areas. The veteran must have an Academic Counselor evaluate his/her service schools to receive the corresponding credit.

Does this credit fulfill degree requirements at Gavilan, and will they transfer to a 4-year school?

All credits earned will be accepted as electives and count towards the 60 semester unit graduation requirement for an AA or AS degree at Gavilan College. One unit of the General Education/Physical Education requirement for Gavilan College AA and AS degrees will also be fulfilled. However, students who plan to transfer to a 4-year school should meet with a Gavilan College Academic Counselor as acceptance by the CSU and UC colleges varies greatly. As a general rule, the CSU colleges will accept 6 semester units for basic training, but will only apply it as elective credit. UC colleges do not accept military service credit.