- Based on a newly-signed law, Post 9/11 GI Bill students will continue to receive their regular housing benefit rates for resident training if they pursue courses converted online solely due to COVID-19. The law authorizes this special authority from March 1, 2020 to December 21, 2020. Continue to check with the Veterans Resource Center at (661) 395-4312 or email veterans@bakersfieldcollege.edu and we will update you with the most current information.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is currently monitoring the activities of the Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, a bill introduced and passed in the House that would allow certain students to continue receiving housing benefits through the end of their term if their program was unable to convert to online. The bill would also restore entitlement, extend delimiting dates and address impacts on work-study programs due to COVID-19.
- You may also contact VA Education Call Center if you have questions about your specific circumstance at 1-888-442-4551 between 8 AM and 7 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
- To contact the Veterans Resource Center or a dedicated Veterans Educational Advisor, call (661) 395-4312 or email veterans@bakersfieldcollege.edu and you will be directed to a Zoom conference number where you can make an appointment or be provided with a “walk-in” virtual tutoring appointment.
- The following additional resources are also available:
- NetTutor offers live tutoring on-demand, question drop-off, and writing feedback. Tutors are subject matter expert trained in how to translate tutoring best practices and learning strategies to support students online, one student at a time. Over 150 subjects are offered, including live tutoring for Math, Writing, and Student Success available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Please visit the NetTutor website for more information.
- Merlot is a resource for online simulations and learning activities across all disciplines. This web site has links to free learning resources. Please visit the Merlot website for more information.
- Our online hours of operation remain the same and are posted below. Tutoring hours will vary, so contact the BC Veterans Resource Center at (661) 395-4312 or veterans@bakersfieldcollege.edu for tutoring hours and appointments through Zoom.
- Monday-Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- Friday: 8:00 a.m. - noon
- Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Bakersfield College is approved as an institution of higher learning for the training of veterans and veterans’ dependents entitled to educational assistance.
Bakersfield College will grant credit to veterans for specific service experience and certain educational training completed while in service. Evaluation of such experience and training will be made by the Office of Admissions and Records.
Credit evaluations will conform to the regulations set forth by the State Approval Agency of the California State Department of Education and the recommendations of the American Council on Education.
Evaluations made and credit allowed by Bakersfield College are subject to review and evaluation by any college or university to which the veteran may later transfer. All educational opportunities and personnel services offered in the college are available to the veterans.
Veterans Club
Our club's mission is to be a resource for all veterans that are students of Bakersfield College in order to provide information, service, and a feeling of belonging. We meet in the veterans lounge and our meeting dates are continually changing. Please stop by for the newest schedule.
Veteran Enrollment Steps
Bakersfield College honors and supports the sacrifices of those who have served in our Nation’s military and is approved as an institution of higher learning for the training of veterans and dependents of veterans who are entitled to educational assistance. Services for Veterans include: priority registration, designated veterans counselor, and more. Because of special benefits allowed to veterans, enrollment steps are slightly different. Please see the following:
Step 1 Apply to Bakersfield College Online!
Step 3 Placement
All students are placed based on their high school GPA and coursework. Students who did not complete at least 11th grade in a U.S. high school and graduates of a non-U.S. high school or and international students will need to complete the Guided Self-Placement process.
Step 4 Develop an Education Plan
Complete the New Student Workshop online. The Abbreviated Student Education Plan (ASEP) does not satisfy VA requirements. To complete a Comprehensive Student Educational Plan (CSEP), make an appointment with Armando Trujillo by emailing armando.trujillo@bakersfieldcollege.edu. You will need a copy of the DD214 and your transcripts for your appointment.
You can obtain military transcripts for the Air Force on the Air University website. For military transcripts for the Army, Navy/Marines and Coast Guard via Joint Services Transcript, you will need to adjust the security certificate settings in your web browser. You can find directions for how to access this site for your browser of choice below:
- Google Chrome: to access the JST site via Google Chrome, click "Advanced" in the error message that pops up on your screen, then press "Proceed to jst.doded.mil (unsafe)" in the window that expands below.
- Mozilla Firefox: to access via Firefox, click "Advanced" in the error message that pops up on your screen. Then click "confirm security exception"
- Internet Explorer: to access via IE, click "continue to this website (not recommended)"
- Safari: to access via Safari, click "view the certificate", then click "visit this website". In the drop-up menu that appears, click "view this website". In Mac OSX, you may have to use a password to changes the Certificate Trust Settings in Safari.
Once you're able to access the JST website, you'll need to press the "OK" button on the bottom to consent to the US Government Information System policies.
Step 7 Bring Documents to Admissions & Records
Email veterans@bakersifeldcollege.edu with copies of the following:
- 1990 Application (from Step 7)
- DD214 Form (if not completed in step 5)
- ½ Sheet must be signed and provide mother’s maiden name
- Comprehensive Student Educational Plan from Step 5 signed by a counselor/advisor and must match major
- Enrollment Card
- Transcripts from all other colleges attended and requests to have them evaluated
Step 9 Get Going
Stay in frequent contact with the Veterans Services team to take advantage of benefits. Make appointments with Veterans Advisors each semester and stayed engaged with fellow students through the Student Veterans Organization.
Veterans Lounge
The lounge inside Vernon Valenzuela Veterans Center is currently unavailable due to the physical campus closure. The hours for Veterans Services are below:
- Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Fridays 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The goal of the Vet Center program is to provide a broad range of counseling, outreach and referral services to eligible veterans in order to help them make a satisfying post-military readjustment to civilian life. The room is bright and offers a quiet place for veterans to come and study, rest, take advantage of the literature, and use the center’s computers.
Accessibility Center
President’s Blog