Camo to Campus Objective

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2 Camo to Campus Objective Camo to Campus is for new students who are veterans, service members or otherwise affiliated with the military. WCCC strives to assist military-affiliated students as they transition to college to increase their opportunity for success. This presentation provides the basics of what you need to know as a military-affiliated student to start classes at WCCC.

3 Adjusting to College Life at WCCC This may be your first time attending college or maybe you re transitioning from the military or another school. Entering college or transferring from another school brings a whole new set of expectations, challenges and goals. Let WCCC help you Gear Up for success!

4 Gear Up for Your First Semester Class Schedule - You should already be registered for classes. For last-minute changes, please visit the Placement Testing Office in Founders Hall, Room 555 or contact staff at your local WCCC center. Payment - Your registration statement states your balance and due date. Be sure you have completed all steps of the application process for your VA educational benefits and/or the financial aid process. Sign in to the Portal - Log on to the MyWCCC Portal (my.wccc.edu) for access to your account (Microsoft Outlook), student account info (WebAdvisor), online classes (Blackboard) plus campus news, workstudy opportunities and more. Textbooks - Refer to the appropriate booklist on the Bookstore website ( Pay for your books with financial aid or your own money.

5 Gear Up for Success Disability Services - WCCC provides provide equal access to educational opportunities for all qualified students with disabilities. Contact MaryEllen Beres at beresm@wccc.edu or for more information. Tutoring - Complete an application in the College Learning Center (Founders Hall, Room 555) or your local WCCC center to access free tutoring services or call WCCC College Catalog and Student Handbook visit for important information on: Admissions, financial aid, academic policies pgs Programs of study and course descriptions pgs Student services/resources/rights/responsibilities and student life pgs

6 Gear Up Details To obtain more details on Gear Up topics, visit: For more information about starting your first semester contact: Jackie Greenawalt Student Service Support Assistant Academic Support Services Founders Hall, Room

7 Financial Aid/GI Bill Overview The following provides information on how to apply for and maintain VA Educational Benefits as well as Financial Aid. Apply early so you will receive the money in a timely manner. If you have any questions, please contact as soon as possible Wendy Seman VA Certifying Official/Financial Aid Assistant semanw@wccc.edu

8 Veterans Administration Education Benefits General Information Here is an overview of VA educational benefits: Steps to start the process: Apply- Do the VONAPP (Veterans Online Application) Complete the Veterans Request for Certification Form- Submit to Wendy Seman in the Financial Aid Office (Complete this form every semester after you register for class.) Post 9/11 Students: VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility after you are approved for the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Submit this form to Wendy Seman in Financial Aid.

9 Veterans Administration Education Benefits General Information Reasons to stay in contact with the VA Certifying Official 1. Change or add a major 2. Adding or dropping a class 3. Change in your military status The VA/DOD ebenefits website provides resources and self-service capabilities to veterans, service members and their families to research, access and manage their VA and military benefits and personal information. Visit Downloading VA forms Information about obtaining military records Update direct deposit information Post 9/11 GI Bill Enrollment Status Home Loans Compensation Plus additional resources

10 Applying For Financial Aid You may also receive Financial Aid while receiving VA Educational Benefits Visit: Apply for a pin # After submitting online, it takes 3-5 days for WCCC to receive the FAFSA information Visit: Sign in using your FAFSA pin # Select Complete Counseling Select entrance counseling and read and answer all questions Select Complete your Master Promissory Note Type of loan-subsidized/unsubsidized Complete your Master Promissory Note and submit it. WCCC receives this information in 24 hours

11 Applying For Financial Aid For more information about applying for Financial Aid, contact WENDY SEMAN VA Certifying Official /Financial Aid Assistant Student Services/ Financial aid Founders Hall, Room

12 Military Transcripts and Transfer of Credits How to request your official Joint Services Transcript Go to (A dialog box may appear to tell you that there is a problem with the website s security. Click Continue to proceed.) You will need to register for a JST account, and then follow the steps provided on the website. To transfer military or other college credits to WCCC You will need to complete the Transfer of Credit Form. This form can found online or picked up at the Admissions Office or any WCCC Center.

13 Transfer of Credits For more information about transferring credits to WCCC, contact SHAWNA LITTLE Coordinator/Admissions - Special Programs Student Services Founders Hall, Room littles@wccc.edu

14 More Services for Military- Affiliated Students WCCC s Veterans Information website can be found at: Priority Registration for Veterans and Military Students - WCCC offers Priority Registration for veterans and other military-affiliated students which provides early registration one week prior to open registration for each semester. See the Veterans Information website for exact dates in March/October and documentation required. Military Withdrawal - Students who must withdraw from school due to military orders to active duty (other than active duty for training, including, in the case of members of the PA National Guard, active state duty) or if the students is a service member s spouse, may be eligible to receive a military withdrawal on their transcript. The student must submit their active duty military orders to Jan Grabowski, Registrar, in Admissions-Founders Hall, Room 130. If approved, a grade of M will appear on the transcript. Student Veterans Organization - The college is in the process of starting a student veterans organization for past and current members of the Armed Forces to promote, unify and advocate for the veteran s voice on and off campus. Please contact John Scassellati, faculty, if you are interested at

15 We re Here For Your Success! Please feel free to contact any of the staff below who work together, along with other college staff, to provide services to support our veterans and military service members who are students at WCCC. Transferring Credits to WCCC SHAWNA LITTLE Admissions Coordinator Student Services Founders Hall, Room Applying for Financial Aid WENDY SEMAN VA Certifying Official /Financial Aid Assistant Student Services/ Financial aid Founders Hall, Room Starting Your First Semester JACKIE GREENAWALT Student Service Support Assistant Academic Support Services Founders Hall, Room Academic Accommodations MARY ELLEN BERES Counselor/Special Populations Student Services Founders Hall, Room WCCC Student Veterans Organization JOHN SCASSELLATI Assistant Professor/Chemistry Science Hall, Room 3300F

16 We re Here For Your Success! Thank You For viewing the Camo to Campus information session. We hope the resources presented are helpful as you begin classes at WCCC. Feel free to offer your comments on Camo to Campus to Jackie Greenawalt at