Request Information

Service members and veterans will follow the same application process as the general population, as outlined in Step 2. Steps 1,3 and 4 are for service members and veterans only that you can begin at any time.

Step 1
The process begins with you going to the VA website and filling out the application. The VA will process your application in 2 to 10 weeks and send you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).*

Step 2
Go to Casa Loma College General Admissions Requirements and Academic Program Requirements to review the general and specific program requirements, and/or contact the Admissions Office for information at 818.785.2726.

Step 3
Determine the benefits offered by the College by visiting Casa Loma College Veterans Benefits. Each of the education programs offered by the VA vary. For the most up to date information, visit here.
After you have determined your VA Benefits, you can schedule an appointment with the Financial Aid Office to discuss student loans, and other options.

Step 4
When you receive your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) bring a copy of your COE to the Financial Aid Office

As always, if you don’t find answers on this site, call Casa Loma College Admissions or Financial Aid Offices for assistance at
(818) 785-2726. If you want to see a live person, drop by our offices. We look forward to seeing you.

As always, if you don’t find answers on this site, call Casa Loma College Admissions or Financial Aid Offices for assistance at
(818) 785-2726. If you want to see a live person, drop by our offices. We look forward to seeing you.

As always, if you don’t find answers on this site, call Casa Loma College Admissions or Financial Aid Offices for assistance at
(818) 785-2726. If you want to see a live person, drop by our offices. We look forward to seeing you.

Disability Services
Casa Loma College’s works to afford all students the opportunity to be academically successful.
Students with disabilities should consult with the ADA Coordinator of the College to determine the functional limitations of the disability and what accommodation, auxiliary aids and/or services are needed.
Casa Loma College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations including auxiliary aids and/or services to qualified individuals with a disability, unless providing such accommodations would result in undue burden or fundamentally alter the nature of the relevant program, benefit, or service of the college. prior to the beginning of the first day of classes or as soon as practical.

Can I transfer my benefits to my spouse?
Yes, but the VA determines whether you can do the transfer. You can find information on the transfer process here.

Can I transfer my benefits from another school?
Yes you can transfer your benefits from anther school to Casa Loma College using Form 22-1995 – Request for Change of Program or Place of Training Form by visiting the VA website.

What happens if I am called to active duty?
If you are called to active duty or receive a notice of transfer, contact the Admissions Office and/or Financial Aid Office immediately and we will discuss all the options available. In the normal course, if you are called up or transferred in the middle of a semester, it would be virtually impossible for you to continue your studies for that semester. There may be extenuating circumstances, so a review will be done on a case-by-case basis.

Should I be concerned if my benefits have not started after the beginning of classes?
If Financial Aid has your COE and you have met the criteria for admissions into your program of study, your enrollment is confirmed, and the documentation has been processed with the VA. There normally is a delay in the start of benefits once the documentation is received by the VA.

VA Make the Connection

Returning from the War Zone

Student Veteran Engagement

Student Veterans in Education

Academic Performance
Student Veterans report mixed concerns about academic success. Some report a readiness for school work that is heightened by their military experience. Other students report concerns about performing up to academic standards. Courses and trainings in the military can be quite duty-specific and practical, while college classes and assignments can be more general and abstract.

As a whole, research findings suggest that Student Veterans spend more time preparing for classes and talking with instructors outside of class than civilian students. Despite obstacles and challenges, the Million Records Project found that Student Veterans are as likely to graduate as civilian students.

Social Relationships
Student Veterans may find that they do not fit in with other college students. Finding like-minded peers on campus can be difficult. Dealing with younger students who may be perceived as being overly entitled or not serious about their studies can contribute to a sense of being different. It can be difficult for student Veterans to be patient with complaints about the daily hassles of being a student.

Biases against the military may be another stressor for student Veterans. Biases can be expressed in many ways on college campuses from faculty and students which may hold strong negative opinions about the military and voice them in class to readings and assignments being biased toward a particular perspective.

Civilian Beliefs About Veterans
Being asked inappropriate questions about their military experience can interfere with relationship building. Social interactions are also limited by competing demands. For example, although student Veterans spend the same amount of time studying as non-Veterans, because of their experiences, student Veterans are often considered “nontraditional” students. Research shows that close to 60% of student Veterans report concerns about balancing school and other responsibilities.

Other problems that some student Veterans face are physical and emotional disabilities. Physical problems may mean that it takes a student Veteran longer to get to class. Other physical problems may interfere with note taking or classroom participation. The two most common physical disabilities are listed below. Take a moment to consider how these may impact school performance:

• Musculoskeletal problems (e.g., amputations, joint pain, back pain).
  • Possible impact: Difficulty sitting for long periods of time, uncomfortable in standard desk, unable to hold pen/pencil or use a keyboard, frequent medical appointments, medication side-effects, mobility.
• Hearing problems (e.g., hearing loss, tinnitus (“ringing” in ear).
  • Possible impact: Need for special seating or equipment, annoyance, missed conversations, difficulty “jumping in”.

Up to one-third of student Veterans may be struggling with “invisible wounds” of war: traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, or major depression. These conditions can also impact school performance. For example, all three “invisible wounds” can impact the ability to concentrate and complete assignments. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD stands for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD can develop after someone has experienced a traumatic event, for example, combat or a physical or sexual assault. Although most people have experienced at least one traumatic event in their life time, only a small percentage will develop PTSD. Over 90% of returning Veterans have experienced a traumatic event in their lifetime, and research from the National Center for Veteran Studies suggests that symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression are significant in student Veterans. Overview of PTSD PTSD is a stress related disorder characterized by four symptom clusters:

1. 1. Reliving or re-experiencing the event: Symptoms in this cluster include intrusive thoughts and flashbacks about the event as well as dreams/nightmares about the event and distress (both physical and psychological) when reminded of the event.
2. Avoidance: Avoiding people and places that remind you of the trauma, as well as emotions and feelings associated with the trauma.
3. Negative thoughts and feelings: Guilt, blame, and feeling distant or cutoff from the environment or others are examples in this symptom cluster.
4. Alterations in arousal: Difficulty concentrating and falling/staying asleep are included in this symptom cluster, along with hyper-vigilance, exaggerated startle, irritability, and aggressive or self-destructive behaviors.

PTSD in Student Veterans In the classroom, or on campus, PTSD symptoms may be observable in some of the following ways:

1. Re-experiencing: Classroom discussions about the military and war-zone experiences may trigger distress (e.g., anger, anxiety) in student Veterans. Sometimes the triggers are not so obvious.
2. Avoidance: It’s always difficult to understand the reason behind avoidance. If a student Veteran is not attending or participating in class, careful consideration should be given as to why. Detachment from others, or feeling different from other students, may be contributing to avoidance.
3. Negative Thoughts and Feelings: Student Veterans may experience the concerns and worries of other students as trivial and unimportant, especially if they are struggling with feelings of guilt or shame related to the trauma. It is not uncommon for Veterans with PTSD to struggle with depression as well.
4. Alterations in Arousal: Difficulty sitting still, scanning the environment, and startle responses may be observable in the classroom.

Weighted Blankets and PTSD

Individuals suffering from PTSD have experienced a loss of control during their traumatic experience. A situation or circumstance that they could not control or alter caused them harm or trauma. Often these individuals feel unsafe or feel a need to be in control of their circumstances.

Deep Touch Pressure can help provide comfort and reassurance to individuals with post-traumatic stress.

Learn More About PTSD Learn more about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from Veterans who live with it every day. Find out how treatment turned their lives around by visiting About Face. Contact Information We are here to serve and support your efforts as you seek to expand your horizons through education. As always, if you do not find the answer to your questions on this site, contact the Admissions Office or Financial Aid Office at (818) 785-2726.

Half of Us Listen to the stories of student Veterans adjusting to different types of schools (e.g., community college, university, graduate school) by visiting the – select “Dealing with…” in the menu and then select Veterans Issues.

Homeless Veterans Resources is a forum to exchange new ideas; provide education and consultation to improve the delivery of services; and disseminate the knowledge gained through the efforts of the Center’s Research and Model Development Cores to VA, other federal agencies, and community provider programs that assist homeless populations.

Military One Source for confidential non-medical counseling

Disabled America Veterans (DAV) is an organization of veterans helping veterans

Life Line for Vets listing of Veteran resources

Resources for Military and Veteran Family Members

Veterans Benefit Resources