Veterans
Welcome to the Veterans Resource Center
San José City College Veterans Resource Center (VRC)
In collaboration with various resources on campus and veterans community organizations and resources, we increase success by helping you to overcome academic, transfer, social, and personal challenges. The VRC provides a space to gather, socialize, and form relationships with other veterans. This space is a hub for the Veterans Programming efforts that include connecting you with the Veterans Student Association and accessing resources provided by the college and local veterans agencies.
We provide a holistic approach to support services shown to increase veteran student success. That approach includes close collaboration with Financial Aid, Counseling, the Veterans Resource Center, the Veterans Student Association, and the Student Affairs Department.
Steps to success
New Veteran students and/or their dependents who are eligible to receive educational benefits must complete the following steps:
Complete & Submit an SJCC application online:
Apply Online for Veteran Eligibility:
Meet with Sophia Partida, School certifying Official, to provide the following required documents:
- A copy of your current DD214
- Certificate of Eligibility (aka C.O.E)
- All unofficial academic transcripts from other colleges attended
- Meet with a Veterans counselor to complete the 2-year comprehensive Ed. Plan (** The US Department of Veteran Affairs requires you select a major/objective**)
- Register for classes
**You will only be paid for classes that are required for your major. If you decide to change your major, please make an appointment with a VA counselor and forward your new educational plan to the Sophia.
Meet with a Veterans counselor to complete the 2-year comprehensive Ed. Plan
** The US Department of Veteran Affairs requires you select a major/objective**
How to make an appointment to meet with a Veterans Counselor:
- Veterans may make an appointment through eSARS:
- Veterans may also call Kathy Araki at 408-288-3121 to make an appointment.
Complete all course work with a C grade or better
Repeated courses taken and completed at prior institutions will not be paid by the VA regardless of receiving MAH (Monthly Housing Allowance) at the institution.
Academic standing for our Veteran population is found in SJCC's 2023-2024 College Catalog, which states:
"In compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations Section 21.4253 (d) (4) a veteran or eligible person receiving GI Bill® Educational Benefits and placed on academic probation for unsatisfactory progress shall have their benefits terminated if his or her grade point average remains below 2.0 at the end of two terms on probation. Benefits may be reinstated when the student’s progress is satisfactory (i.e. grade point)."
You must remain in good academic standing to be eligible for future educational benefits.
**If you have questions about the next steps, contact Kathy Araki, Program Assistant at Kathy.Araki@sjcc.edu
Services offered
- Veteran-specific Orientation
- Technology center with four computers and a printer
- VA Veteran Work-Study Peer Mentor program (In-progress)
- Priority Registration
- Veterans Student Association
- Outreach Veterans Project Transportation Services
- Campus-wide Service Guidance:
-
- Health Services
- Tutoring
- Counseling
- Financial Aid
- CalWORKs
- SAS
- VA Health Clinics
- Goodwill
- San José Veterans Center
- VA Palo Alto Hospital
- Veterans Supportive Agency
- The American Legion
- Make The Connection
- Transitioning from Service: Advice & Resources for Veterans
- Succeeding in School: Advice & Resources for Transitioning to Higher Education
- Social Isolation: Signs and Resources to Address Social Withdrawal

California Community Colleges Veterans Resource Centers
Veterans Contacts:
- Kathy Araki
- Program Assistant
- 408-288-3121
- Kathleen.Araki@sjcc.edu
Location:
Robert N. Chang Student Center, Room SC-215
- Sophia Partida
- VA Certifying Official
- 408-288-3742
- Sophia.Partida@sjcc.edu
Location:
Robert N. Chang Student Center, Financial Aid
- Alex Lopez
- Veterans Coordinator/Counselor
- 408-288-3750
- Alex.Lopez@sjcc.edu
Location:
Robert N. Chang Student Center, Room SC-216B