Program of Study

VA students may only pursue a program approved by the Oregon Department of Education, the State Approving Agency (SAA) for the VA. Most one and two-year programs listed in the Chemeketa Community College catalog are approved for veteran educational benefits. To receive veterans' educational benefits, a student must be pursuing a stated educational goal, and will receive benefits only for courses that are required to meet that goal as outlined in the college catalog. If prerequisite or refresher courses are required for entry into the program or need is verified by placement test scores, the VA will pay benefits for the courses. The veterans' services specialist will monitor courses, and notify the student and VA of courses that do not apply to the stated program. Failure to confirm courses with Chemeketa's Veterans' Services Office at the beginning of each term could result in an overpayment obligation to the VA if courses do not apply to the program.

Students taking courses to transfer to a program at another school must be certified in the Chemeketa Community College Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree program and take the courses outlined in the College catalog to meet requirements for completion of that program. 90 credits can apply toward completion of the AAOT degree. Any courses beyond the 90 credits must have documentation that they will be accepted by the other institution up to the maximum limit in transfer credit the other institution will accept.. For the convenience of students planning to transfer, the catalog lists the transfer course guidelines for some programs. The Advising and Counseling Department can also provide a transfer guide for many programs offered at other institutions. It is recommended that transfer students use these guides to select courses to meet AAOT requirements that will be accepted for the final program. Any courses beyond those that apply toward completion of the Chemeketa AAOT degree must be listed on a transfer guide to be certifiable for benefits.

The VA allows students to change programs. The new program must be approved for veterans' benefits, and the student must complete the Request for Change of Program Form. Credit earned in the previous program and from prior institutions must be evaluated and reported to the VA for each change of program

HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION AND GED

High School Completion and Adult Basic Education programs are not approved for veteran educational benefits.

GED (General Educational Development) can be approved for Chapter 35 students one term at a time for a maximum two terms. The VA pays educational benefits for GED based the number of hours scheduled in class each week including lecture and labs. To receive full-time benefits, students must be scheduled for and attend a minimum 18 clock hours per week. It is necessary for GED students to schedule the times with the GED Office and present a schedule before certification for benefits can be processed to the VA. It is the student's responsibility to obtain weekly reports certifying attendance from the GED Office. These forms must be turned into the Chemeketa Veterans' Services Office at the end of each month. The GED Office may email the progress and attendance information to Chemeketa Veterans' Services, but it is the student's responsibility to make sure the GED Office knows the information is needed. VA will be notified to adjust benefits if students do not attend the minimum hours required each week. In some instances it is possible for students to make up missed time in another week. This must be arranged with the GED Department and noted on the attendance report.

Updated June 2007 by Marketing and Student Recruitment.