Military Veteran Student Checklist

1. Apply to RRCC to activate your student account: www.rrcc.edu/apply

2. If you haven't used benefits before, apply with the VA to use your benefits at RRCC: https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/
   Take a screenshot of the confirmation number. You’ll need it for the Request for VA Certification.

3. Completing the online orientation for RRCC: https://www.rrcc.edu/advising/red-rocks-101-orientation

4. Apply for the College Opportunity Fund through the state of Colorado: https://cof.college-assist.org/Apply

5. Authorize COF on the Rock by going to the "Student Account" tab and "Authorize COF for this term" (You must sign into the Rock for this link to work.)

6. (Optional, but recommended) Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at  FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid This form determines your eligibility for Federal Student Aid and Pell Grants. The RRCC School Code for this application is 009543. You are able to collect Financial Aid, Pell Grants and VA education benefits at the same time.

7. (Optional, but recommended) Check out RRCC's Scholarship Foundation.

8. Sending your official transcripts from the military directly to the school (not to yourself first). This is so we can award credit where available, and so we can confirm that you haven’t already completed the equivalence of the training you’re interested in while in the service. VA benefits will not cover training that you have already completed in the past, but they will cover the costs to take more advanced training:

   1. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard visit JST HOMEPAGE

   2. Air Force visit www.airuniversity.af.edu/Barnes/CCAF/Display/Article/803247/community-college-of-the-air-force-transcripts/

9. Sending your official college transcripts from your previous school(s) to:
   Student Records, Box 8
   Red Rocks Community College
   13300 W 6th Ave
   Lakewood, CO 80228-1255
   student.records@rrcc.edu

10. Taking needed placement tests (if needed for your program):

    1. Study for free: http://bit.ly/studyrrcc and use the Next Generation version

    2. Test for free: bring your photo ID and your S# (student number) to one of our Assessment Centers. Tests are untimed and given on a walk-in basis. Please contact Assessment.Center@rrcc.edu if you need an out-of-state testing location.

11. Blue Sheet: Requesting VA Certification of the semesters of your choice to use benefits at RRCC: https://www.rrcc.edu/veteran-services/va-certification-form.

    • If a hold ever prevents you from seeing the schedule, you will be able to use the Degree Check option on "the Rock" to see classes still needed for your program. If you click on those, you should be able to see the schedule offerings.

12. Complete and submit your VA Request for Certification: https://www.rrcc.edu/veteran-services/va-certification-form

    1. You’ll need to submit your DD214 and your COE (Certificate of Eligibility) with your VA Request for Certification. If using benefits for the first time, the VA will send you a copy in the mail that may take up to 2 months to arrive. A digital copy of your COE can be printed with the GI Bill Checker Tool.  ontact Veteran Services if you have questions.

Please be sure to check your student email account frequently, as the student email account is the primary means of communication from the school to you. If there are any issues with processing your GI Bill®, you will receive an email from the Veteran Services office. To ensure prompt and accurate payment of your GI Bill® benefits, you must regularly check the student email account. Below is information on how to forward your student email account to an email account you already check regularly.

Additional Checklist Items

Activate Your Student Email Account

This is the way the school keeps in contact with you, it is important to activate your email account as soon as possible.

Step 1. Log in to the “The Rock” to access your Student Email by clicking on the envelope icon at the upper right.

Step 2. Click the icon (gray torso) on upper right to receive your email address. (@student.cccs.edu)

Step 3. To forward your emails to a mobile device do the following:

1. Click on the SETTINGS (the gear) icon.
2. Below on the right side of page click on MAIL.
3. On the left side of page under ACCOUNT, click FORWARDING.
4. At the top of the page click the button marked START FORWARDING.
5. Type in your personal email address in the window provided. (@gmail, @yahoo, etc.)
6. If you want copies of your email saved in your accounts, check the box - Keep a copy of forwarded messages.
7. Click on SAVE. 
8. If you receive an email from your RRCC account and need to reply to it, log into The Rock and reply from there.

Get Your Student ID

• Bring your printed schedule to the Student Life Desk at the Lakewood campus for verification of registration. Student Life hours are Mon.-Thurs. 0900-1900 and Friday 0900-1700.

Buy/Rent your Text Books

• Bring your printed schedule for help finding your books in the bookstore or visit rrcc.bncollege.com.

Accessibility Services (If needed)

The role of Accessibility Services is to remove barriers for students with disabilities by providing support and accommodations. Disabilities can be physical, psychological, developmental, related to learning or health-related.

        To schedule an intake appointment:

• Call: 303-914-6733
• Email: access@rrcc.edu
• Stop by Accessibility Services (with construction, please ask for directions from the Information Desk)

ROTC (if needed)

Veteran Services does not manage the ROTC classes. These classes are listed in the RRCC schedule under Army ROTC. If you are a student interested in more information about that program, please contact the liaison for all of the schools in our area:

Meggan Foster, AROTC University Liaison at University of Colorado Boulder

303-492-6495

meggan.foster@colorado.edu

RRCC Veteran Services Contact Information

Lakewood Campus (Rm 1005)
13300 W. 6th Ave.
(Box 25)
Lakewood, CO 80228

veteran.services@rrcc.edu

*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.