​​The CJA-099A Basic Police Academy course is an eligible course to be used for VA benefits because it applies towards the Associates Degree in Criminal Justice to fulfill the 6 unit electives requirement and it is also a requirement for the CJ Law Enforcement Certificate. The student needs to be officially pursuing either of these programs for the VA to recognize payment for GI Bill® purposes. Academic Transcripts (Official or Unofficial) need to be brought to an appointment at the Veterans Resource Center to determine if this requirement has or has not yet been met. If it has been met, then the student cannot use the GI Bill® program at Santa Ana College. Furthermore, if the student already has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, the VA does not allow certification for a lower AA degree in Criminal Justice for the same field. The certificate may be the option if the student hasn’t already done the academy at another institution. The CJA 010, PreEmployment Preparation course is not certifiable for GI Bill® purposes at SAC.

As long as the student needs to take this course in order to obtain the AA degree or certificate, it can get certified for VA payment purposes. Students who’ve already taken the equivalent course at another college and are just re-taking it as a requirement by their Police Department may not be eligible for certification unless it is deemed NOT equivalent by the Criminal Justice department at Santa Ana College. Official Academic Transcripts are required to be submitted to Admissions and Records for evaluation to confirm its equivalency. Students may be subject for overpayment if it is found that this requirement was already met after evaluation of transcripts are made, which is why transcript evaluations are very important prior to certification. ALL transcripts from ALL prior colleges and universities attended are required for evaluation prior to certification.

Students who are enrolling in the Criminal Justice Basic Police Academy (CJA-099A) must first secure a spot into an academy class. To do so, please contact Martin Olivera at the CJ Academy site to set up an appointment: (714) 566- 9203. Once a spot is secured, the student must then do the following to get certified in order to utilize the GI Bill® at Santa Ana College.

The following is the checklist to initiate the use of your GI Bill® through Santa Ana College. 

We are located at 1530 W. 17th St., Santa Ana, CA  91706, Building M-120. Our number is (714) 564-6050​

You will be ticketed if you do not have a student permit.  So pay the daily permit or park in the 30 minute lot, if you think you can do everything in 30 minutes.  Click here for the campus map.​

For continuing SAC Veteran Students & Dependings already using GI Bill® benefits:

1. Secure a spot in the Criminal Justice Basic Police Academy.  This course should already be in your educational plan.  If it isn't, then please provide us with an updated plan.
2. Turn in the Completed Purple Certification Request form to the VRC.

For new Veteran Students & Dependents using VA education benefits for the first time:

1. Apply at SAC to become a student & obtain a student ID (make sure residency is California), www.sac.edu. 
2. Obtain a Comprehensive Educational Plan from the VRC Academic Counselor.  Set up an appointment in the VRC(714) 564-6050. (Bring Official or Unofficial Academic Transcripts from all previously attended institutions to your Counseling appointment.  They must be evaluated in Admissions and Records within the first semester of attendance, but applied towards your educational plan before certification). 
3. Fill out FAFSA (Financial Aid) or CA College Promise Grant application whichever would help you waive you're unit fees for appropriate term (Important for self-sponsored students) www.fafsa.ed.gov.  This can pay for the unit fees if eligible.  SAC school code is 001284.
4. For Certification purposes, turn in the following to the VRC:
[   ]   Completed Purple Certification Request Form.
[   ]   Copy of Certificate of Eligibility or confirmation page for those who haven't applied yet: VA application Form 22-1990 or Form 22-5490 (for dependents) with confirmation # (from eBenefits.va.gov). (Make sure training is Santa Ana College, NOT OC Sherriff's Academy). For Ch. 31: Form 28-1905 from Voc Rehab Counselor.
[   ]   DD-2384 or NOBE (for reservists)
[   ]   Copy of Form DD-214, Member 4 (veterans)
[   ]   Comprehensive Educational Plan from Counseling appointment
 

For Veteran Students & Dependents who've used VA benefits previously from other institutions:

1. Apply at SAC to become a student & obtain a student ID (make sure residency is California), www.sac.edu. 
2. Obtain a Comprehensive Educational Plan from the VRC Academic Counselor.  Set up an appointment in the VRC (714) 564-6050 (Bring Official or Unofficial Academic Transcripts from all previously attended institutions to your Counseling appointment.  They must be evaluated in Admissions and Records within the first semester of attendance, but applied towards your educational plan before certification). 
3. Fill out FAFSA (Financial Aid) or CA College Promise Grant application whichever would help you waive you're unit fees for appropriate term (Important for self-sponsored students) www.fafsa.ed.gov.  This can pay for the unit fees if eligible.  SAC school code is 001284.
4. For Certification purposes, turn in the following to the VRC:
[   ]   Completed Purple Certification Request Form.
[   ]   Copy of Certificate of Eligibility or confirmation page for those who haven't applied yet: VA application Form 22-1995 or Form 22-5495 (for dependents using DEA or FRY) with confirmation # (from eBenefits.va.gov). (Make sure training is Santa Ana College, NOT OC Sherriff's Academy).  For Ch. 31: Form 28-1905 from Voc Rehab Counselor.
[   ]   Copy of Form DD-214, Member 4 (veterans)
[   ]   Comprehensive Educational Plan from Counseling appointment

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU MAY GET GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS ON TOP OF YOUR GI BILL®   BENEFITS???

More about Financial Aid:  Apply at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  On top of your GI Bill®, you may be eligible for Federal & State Grants, which are free, and student loans which you will need to repay back.  SAC's school code is 001284. You will need to follow up with the Financial Aid Office.  Also, you can take advantage of Scholarships as well!  Please visit the Scholarships Office for more information!  Scholarships are usually open between November and February for the following academic year.  These monies are in addition to your GI Bill® so don't miss out! 

Make sure you fill out the California College Promise Grant as well!  Especially if you're not sponsored by a Police Department, the VA takes their time in sending tuition and fees for Chapter 33 students.  To ensure your classes don't get dropped, have the state cover it instead!  Most people qualify for this benefit either through the short form or through the FAFSA!  We can help you with these forms in the VRC! 

Admissions Procedures for the Criminal Justice Academies: