As the coronavirus pandemic continues, the College of the Canyons (COC) Veterans Resource Center (VRC) has continued to help veteran students obtain education benefits.

At COC, over 350 student veterans have benefited from the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, which provided over $1 million in housing aid in the Spring 2020 semester.

“The program has always been an incredible opportunity, but with coronavirus, and economic challenges upon us, this program is more meaningful than ever before,” said VRC Director Renard Thomas. “The program is helping these veterans move forward during some of the most difficult challenges our nation has ever faced, but it is also stimulating the local economy.”

For students who served on active duty in the military for 90 or more days after Sept. 11, 2001, the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill provides education benefits.

Veterans attending COC who are enrolled in the G.I. program have tuition and fees waived, in addition to being given a $1,000 stipend to pay for books and a monthly housing allowance.

COC student, VRC college assistant and former United States Marine Marissa Muñoz and her husband felt relieved when she was able to access her G.I. benefits for the Fall 2020 semester.

“I feel very fortunate to be able to attend school full time and receive a housing stipend,” said Muñoz, who also works as a VRC college assistant. “I feel really supported at College of the Canyons. The VRC always had the answers to my questions, and if they don’t, they always point me in the right direction.”

Because the COC campus is closed to the general public, the VRC now provides assistance to student veterans remotely, offering its services by phone, email and Zoom call.

Counseling appointments are available to all student veterans and veteran dependents looking for assistance in applying to COC, enrolling in classes and requesting education or vocational benefits.

“We are effectively reaching more students using multiple mediums depending on their needs and available resources,” said Thomas. “Although it is not easy to keep all these different types of access points open and available for students, it is worth it because the need is real and present.”

More information about the Veteran Resource Center can be found here.

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