The Veterans Services Office works in tandem with the Financial Aid Office and the college to enable student veterans and dependents of veterans to take full advantage of their veterans education benefits as well as federal and state financial aid programs. The VSO strives to provide a positive and caring community for our student veterans built on shared experiences and dedication to service. We are committed to supporting opportunities for access to higher education and the achievement of vocational and professional goals through ensuring consistent and timely delivery of services to our students.
The VSO administers federal and state education benefits to eligible veterans and dependents of veterans, serving those who are students at Butte College or who plan to attend Butte. These services include certification of veterans educational benefits, referrals to both on and off-campus resources including financial aid, mental health, DSPS and supervision of Veteran Work-Study students. The regulatory services are guided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the California Department of Veterans Affairs. Further guidance is provided by the Student Services and Special Programs Office within the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office. The VSO also provides oversight for the Veterans Resource Center (VRC). They are located in the same building to provide veterans with easy access to information and certification, as well as to promote a sense of community for those who have the common bond of having served in one of the branches of the armed services. As with financial aid, regulations concerning new GI Bill chapters have grown exponentially while the number of staff -- one certifying official who also has financial aid responsibilities -- has remained the same. For several years, Butte College Veterans Services and the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) have received state and national attention for a model programming. This is a source of pride for Butte College but it has been accomplished on a shoestring and should be directly supported by district funds. We have seen a steady increase in the number of students served through the VSO over the past two years. This increase in numbers of student veterans is predicted to continue.
Veterans Counselor
Student Veterans and dependents of veterans are now able to have direct access to a counselor that is housed in the Veterans Resource Center; this has been extremely beneficial for the success of our veterans and dependents alike.
Special Programs Clerk
Assist the VRC Coordinator with certification of Veterans Education Benefits
Outreach to Veterans
One-on-one counseling with Veterans relative to usage of benefits
Communication strategies to Veterans and dependents of Veterans
Assist in planning events and workshops
Veterans Resource Center Enhancement
Painting the exterior of the VRC created an immediate improvement on student morale and gave the VRC location an eye-catching facelift.
The VSO is working with our student Veterans to improve FAFSA submission, Financial Aid documents, assisting in apply for the BOGFW and encouraging Veterans to work through income adjustments with FA to determine eligibility as a change of income may be appropriate when a Veteran is discharged from service.
Fall 2018:
22% of Veterans/ Dependents filed the FAFSA and are receiving financial aid at the start of the semester
1% of Veterans/ Dependents are receiving Bog Fee Waiver only
26% of Veterans/ Dependents have not filed for FAFSA
21% of Veterans/ Dependents were missing documents
Out of the 104 students, 51% turned in documents and completed the FAFSA
Less than 1.9% do not qualify for FAFSA
Spring 2018:
54% of Veterans/ Dependents filed the FAFSA and are receiving financial aid at the start of the semester
16% of Veterans/ Dependents are receiving Bog Fee Waiver only
24% of Veterans/ Dependents have not filed for FAFSA
18% of Veterans/ Dependents were missing documents as of 2/1/19
Strategy 1 - Appropriate Compensation for District VA Certifying Official
ENSURE APPROPRIATE USE OF CATEGORICAL FUNDING. The salary and benefits for the VA certifying official are covered entirely by categorical funds. It would be prudent for the district to cover this cost as the scope of the duities for this position is outside that of the financial aid arena and appropriate use of BFAP-SFAA categorical funds.
The Chancellor’s Office does not currently provide a dedicated budget to support veterans programs. At Butte College, the FAO has historically supported all services for veterans through state financial aid programs funds (BFAP). The VSO and its student program (VRC) have been lauded state-wide as a model program, while the number of students served has increased by 75% over the past 5 years.
The Certifying Official(CO) is paid through Financial Aid Office state funding (BFAP) as a Financial Aid Assistant Senior, and is required to perform financial aid duties as well as those required in the VSO. Not only has the program grown in size, the scope of its work has increased by the complexity and number of state and federal regulations, overwhelming the original organizational and funding model.
The operations of the VSO, with increased regulatory compliance demands, should be under the oversight of a certifying official with supervisory responsibility.
In order to sustain the quality of service that has been recognized, we request (1) that the current certifying official be reclassified from a FAA II Senior to a class that compensates for program oversite and supervision of staff, (2) the cost of the certifying official be moved to the District budget, which would allow BFAP funds to be used for positions that more closely fit the intent of the allowable usage guidelines such as an administrative assistant for the FAO (see FAID Unit Plan);
Strategy 2 - Establish District Funded Operating Budget
Establish a district funded operating budget for supplies and training.
The Veterans Services Office currently receives no funds from the district for supplies and training. It is imperative that the certifying official stay current on changes to student eligibility, institutional responsibilities, and changes to VA programs.
Strategy 3 - Awareness & Celebrations of our student veterans
Hold events at district locations to celebrate our student veterans and to bring about awareness of the unique issues they face. Awareness would come in the forms of presenations and trainings for faculty, staff and students and also through our annual Veterans Day event.
Veterans face unique issues as the transition from combat to civilian life. Add to that the transition to acadamia and it can be very overwhelming for both the veteran and his/her family. It is imperative that we ensure faculty, staff and students have an awareness of these issues. Veterans bring a unique perspective on diversity to campus. The majority of our incoming veterans have spent extensive amounts of time living in other countries and have experienced the culture (food, music, government, industry, education) along side the citizens of those countries.
Strategy 4 - Hire Support Staff for VSO
Hire one part-time Special Program Clerks to assist with the intake, processing, outreach, data entry and campus community events.
Currently the VSO does not have a defined budget to support the many initiatives and goals it has set to enhance support and services to our Veteran students. Currently the VSO office is dependent on VA Work Studies (Volunteers) that are funded through the VA program, the addition of support staff will allow the VSO to be more visible during community and campus events, outreach efforts would expand dramatically, and student success will increase due to additional support provided to students. VA Work Study students do not have access to support data entry needs additionally, there is high turnover which leaves the VSO with less than adequate support to meet the overall strategic goals.
Strategy 5 - Veterans Resource Center Enhancements
Purchase of tables that have power outlets for students to charge laptops in the VRC.
Students need to have access to charge their portable electronics at their workstation within the VRC. Currently students "could" plug into the wall but are unable to do so due to safety concerns. (Cords laying across the floor)
Strategy 6 - Veterans Counselor
Veterans Counselor to be housed in the VRC and provide direct support to veteran students and dependents.
Student Veterans and dependents of veterans are now able to have direct access to a counselor that is housed in the Veterans Resource Center, this has been extremely beneficial for the success of our veterans and dependents alike.
Strategy 7 - Laptop Loaning Library
Student veterans would be able to check out laptops in the VRC to use for the week.
Having laptops with WiFi access available for our student veterans to borrow will allow them access to complete assignment from home.
Strategy 8 - Electronic check-in software
With an electronic check-in system, it will allow the VRC to collect usage data on our student veterans. This will enable us to offer other services around the needs of our veterans.
The VRC currently uses a sign-in a system using pen and paper. This is not reliable data to students handwriting not being legible. It also takes staffing hours to input data into a home-brewed system that doesn’t meet the needs of our office.
None requested
Department of Veterans Affairs reimburses the VRC with a per-student reporting fee of $7, which for 2017/2018 calculates to $2,700. This is the primary source of funding that supports the VRC and its operations for 2018/2019.
We received a $56,000 grant from the California Community College Chancellor's Office for VRC funding. The amount will change pending the number of student veterans Butte College serves.
| Original Priority | Program, Unit, Area | Resource Type | Account Number | Object Code | One Time Augment | Ongoing Augment |
| Description | Supporting Rationale | Potential Alternative Funding Sources | Prioritization Criteria | |||
| 1 | Veterans Services Office (VSO) | Personnel | To be established | 52120 | $0.00 | $92,277.00 |
| Compensation for FAA Senior/Veterans Certifying Official | Moving the CO to the district budget would more reasonably align with the spending guidelines of BFAP-SFAA funding and would free up some portion of BFAP-SFAA funds to assist with additional staffing needs in the FAO. The Chancellor�s Office does not currently provide a dedicated budget to support veterans programs. At Butte College, the FAO has historically supported all services for veterans through state financial aid programs funds (BFAP). The VSO and its student program (VRC) have been lauded state-wide as a model program, while the number of students served has increased by 75% over the past 4 years. The Certifying Official(CO) is paid through Financial Aid Office state funding (BFAP) as a Financial Aid Assistant Senior, and is required to perform financial aid duties as well as those required in the VSO. Not only has the program grown in size, the scope of its work has increased by the complexity and number of state and federal regulations, overwhelming the original organizational and funding model. The operations of the VSO, with increased regulatory compliance demands, should be under the oversight of a certifying official with supervisory responsibility. In order to sustain the quality of service that has been recognized, we request (1) that the current certifying official be reclassified from a FAA II Senior to a class that compensates for program oversite and supervision of staff, (2) the cost of the certifying official be moved to the District budget, which would allow BFAP funds to be used for positions that more closely fit the intent of the allowable usage guidelines such as an administrative assistant for the FAO (see FAID Unit Plan). |
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| 2 | Veterans Services Office (VSO) | Personnel | $0.00 | $119,619.00 | ||
| Veterans Counselor | Student Veterans and dependents of veterans will have direct access to a full-time counselor that is housed in the Veterans Resource Center, this is extremely beneficial for the success of our veterans and dependents alike. The VRC must provide a full-time Counselor located in the VRC for the college to receive any categorical funding from the state to help support the services provided directly to Veterans and their dependents. In the past year Butte College has seen the devastating impacts of Veteran suicide as we have lost 2, possibly a 3rd student Veteran to suicide. The District needs to take very seriously the role we play in the transition for Veterans coming home. |
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| 3 | Veterans Services Office (VSO) | Personnel | To be established | 52150 | $0.00 | $38,463.00 |
| One additional part-time support staff for the VSO | The VSO needs additional support staff in order to provide necessary services and resources to our Veteran students. Currently the VSO is operated by the Certifying Official, with increased implementation of state and federal changes and the higher turnover of VA Work Studies it is critical to provide additional support to ensure continued program success. The VSO needs a defined budget to support the many initiatives and goals it has set to enhance support and services to our Veteran students. Currently the VSO office is dependent on VA Work Studies (Volunteers) that are funded through the VA program, the addition of support staff will allow the VSO to be more visible during community and campus events, outreach efforts would expand dramatically, and student success will increase due to additional support provided to students. VA Work Study students do not have access to support data entry needs additionally, there is high turnover which leaves the VSO with less than adequate support to meet the overall strategic goals. |
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| 4 | Veterans Services Office (VSO) | Facilities | $10,000.00 | $0.00 | ||
| Veterans Resource Center Enhancements | Because of the delay of Measure J and the VRC relocation is expected to happen 2026, the VRC is in dire need of upgrades. Purchasing of tables with built in power outlets for students to use their electronic devices. Currently they cannot charge their electronic devices at the work tables as cords laying across the floor has been a safety concern. |
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| 5 | Veterans Services Office (VSO) | Operating Expenses | To be established | 54200 | $0.00 | $3,500.00 |
| Printing, duplicating, office supplies, training | The Veterans Services Office currently receives no funds from the district for supplies and training. It is imperative that the certifying official stay current on changes to student eligibility, institutional responsibilities, and changes to VA programs. Funds are needed for basic operational costs such as paper and toner. |
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| 6 | Veterans Services | Operating Expenses | $0.00 | $2,000.00 | ||
| Campus Awareness | Establish budget for on-going events such as Veterans Day Celebration |
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| 7 | Veterans Services | Equipment | 121557031648000 | 56411 | $3,200.00 | $0.00 |
| Laptop Loaning Library | Having laptops with WiFi access available for our student veterans to borrow will allow them access to complete assignment from home. |
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| 8 | Veterans Services | Equipment | 121557031648000 | 56411 | $5,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Electronic check-in software | The VRC currently uses a sign-in a system using pen and paper. This is not reliable data to students handwriting not being legible. It also takes staffing hours to input data into a home-brewed system that doesn�t meet the needs of our office. |
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