Don’t just take our word for it!
Rockland Community College was named a Military Friendly School-Bronze for 2021-2022, ranked as a 2021 Military Times Best for Vets School, and received the 2022 Veteran Champion of the Year in Higher Education.
What We Do
Veterans Affairs at RCC provides multiple services to our students who have served in the military or who are eligible for survivor’s benefits.
The Veterans Counselor meets individually with students to:
- Help them identify all the federal and/or New York State educational benefits for which they may qualify
- Guide them through the application process for those benefits
- Advise them about the related academic requirements
The Veterans Counselor also certifies the student’s enrollment each semester to the Veterans Administration and helps students resolve problems associated with obtaining their benefits.
All RCC personnel and personnel working on behalf of RCC are required to refrain from providing any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing Service member enrollments and are prohibited from using any
high-pressure recruitment tactics.
Applying for College
Admissions, Advisement, Assessment, and Enrollment
In order to receive VA administered Educational Benefits or benefits from New York State, a student needs to proceed through the regular college admissions process. This includes:
- completing an RCC Admissions Application
- taking the English and mathematics assessment tests
- matriculating into an approved degree or certificate program
- registering for courses required of that degree or certificate program
Full-time, part-time, and degree-seeking students are encouraged to seek advisement from faculty within their degree program or an adviser at the Student Success.
Accurate academic advisement will prevent a student from making registration errors which could result in a loss of benefits. For an appointment with an advisor, please call 845-574–4443 or stop by the Student Success, Technology Center, Suite 8220.
To receive benefits from the Veterans Administration, veterans MUST fill out the Veterans On-Line Application (VONAPP). All military affiliated students using federal or state educational assistance must obtain approval from the School Certifying Official.
Financial Aid
The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 requires educational institutions to make certain disclosures to students using federal military and/or VA educational benefits.
To view and print a copy of an estimated personalized cost of attendance you can visit the SUNY Net Price Calculator and select Rockland Community College from the dropdown. Additional financial information can be found at the NCES College Navigator site.
The SUNY Financial Aid Plan (FAP) will provide a more in-depth analysis and accurate picture of student cost once the student has filed their FAFSA, completed a SUNY application, and has been accepted by a campus.
In addition to applying for veterans’ benefits, student veteran are also encouraged to apply for scholarships, federal and state financial aid grants, student loans, and federal work-study jobs on or off campus.
In the most recent Rockland Community College Scholarship Awards Ceremony, student veterans were well represented. Ten scholarships were offered exclusively for veterans.
Remember to file an annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using RCC’s school code (002877) and submit scholarship applications, which can be found in Veterans Affairs, to Financial Aid on time. Please be aware that veterans’ education benefits are considered a resource in determining New York State aid and may cause adjustments in award eligibility as required by law.
For complete information about financial aid at RCC, please visit our Financial Aid web page or visit Financial Aid, Technology Center, first floor for applications or to speak with a Financial Aid Counselor.
Expected qualifications of RCC Financial Aid Advisors include: Masters Degree, extensive experience in student financial aid, excellent customer service skills. A detailed job description is available by contacting Human Resources at [email protected].
Student Success
At Rockland Community College, you are provided with a Student Success Team that will help you with your academic journey, career exploration, transfer planning, support service referrals, and more! Visit the Student Success page to learn more.
Expected qualifications of Student Success Advisors include: Masters Degree, extensive experience in student affairs or academic advising, excellent customer service skills. A detailed job description is available by contacting Human Resources at [email protected].
For Disability/Accessibility counseling please contact: Mrs. Monica Jackson, Director of Accessibility Services at [email protected].
For Job Search activities please contact: Jessica Gilot at [email protected]
For assistance with completion of studies for Service members please contact: Mr. Jonathan Barnwell, Coordinator of Veterans Affairs at [email protected].
Payments and Transfer Credits
Deferred Payments for Veterans
It is college policy that all students must pay tuition and fees in full or provide credit authorizations to Student Accounts when they register for classes. Because of the delay in processing benefit payments each term from the VA, Veterans Affairs has arranged with Student Accounts to defer payments for a period of time after registration. However, veterans are expected to make regular payments as soon as they receive their benefit checks, and they must complete the payments for each semester before they are allowed to register for any subsequent semester. If you wish to take advantage of the deferred payment option, you must request it each semester from the Veterans Counselor, who will then arrange it with Student Accounts.
Prior Training, Experience and Transfer Credits
Rockland Community College participates in the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Students who earn satisfactory scores on an appropriate examination may be granted credit for prior training. Qualifying scores and the number of credits granted are determined by the individual academic disciplines. For a current listing of examinations and passing scores, or to arrange to take a CLEP exam, contact Placement and Assessment at 845-574-4525.
The College may grant credit for some courses offered by the Armed Forces. These courses are reviewed by the Records and Registrar when the official transcripts are submitted. In addition, a maximum of three physical education credits may be granted to veterans who have served at least six months in the Armed Forces. Have your DD-214 along with your transcript sent to the college for all the credits you are eligible to receive.
All branches of the Armed Forces, (including Coast Guard), now use the Joint Services Transcript. Click the following link to request a transcript:
Please request the transcript(s) be sent to:
Rockland Community College
Attn: Records & Registration
145 College Road
Suffern, NY 10901
The College may grant credit for some courses completed at other colleges. Students should have their former institutions forward all official transcripts to the Records & Registration Office. Upon receipt of all academic documents, the Registrar will evaluate transfer credit and inform the student in writing of their decision. Transfer credit is granted for courses which are equivalent to RCC courses when a grade of C or better was earned at a regionally accredited institution of higher learning. RCC will evaluate courses for transfer credit based on the degree or certificate program that the student intends to pursue at RCC.
Withdrawal/Refund Policy for Military Personnel Called to Active Duty
Students who are called to active duty during a semester must officially withdraw from their classes to avoid failing grades. Students who must withdraw due to military orders are also advised to apply for Tuition Appeals. A completed Tuition Refund Appeal Form, and a copy of the student’s deployment orders should be submitted to the Associate Vice President of Student Development, Student Development Center, Rockland Community College, 145 College Road, Suffern, NY 10901. Approval of a tuition appeal will result in a full tuition refund for the term and an indication on your transcript that you had a no-fault withdrawal from your classes for an approved reason.
Veterans Benefits/Resources
Green to Gold for Veterans
Green to Gold for Veterans
Personal Finance and Career Development
Enroll Now in this FREE program for all veterans & especially student veterans
To enroll or for more information:
Jonathan Barnwell, RCC Coordinator of Veterans Affairs
[email protected] • 845-574-4105
Program Description
To help young veterans transition to the career and the life they want. Providing coaching & mentoring in personal finance, goal setting, & career development. Connecting with other veterans and veterans organizations to build the career you want and live with purpose. Developing an effective individual plan to achieve your goals.
Objectives
- Create a vision of the life you want to build
- Develop a Personal Finance Plan to fund your life’s goals
- Identify skills from military service that are valued by businesses
- Create an Individual Development Plan and receive mentorship
- Connect with a community of veterans and veteran supporters
- Earn a job, grow your career, achieve your goals
- Serve as mentor to help the next veteran
Workshop Sessions
- Initial Vision Setting & Intro to Personal Finance
- Debt Myths & Decisions
- Putting Your $ to Work
- Managing Debt, Emergency Savings & Retirement
- Financial Fitness & Presentation Preparations
- Financial Action Plan
Participating Veterans’ Organizations
Pat Curran Leads Green to Gold Program
A longtime Rockland resident, Curran enlisted in the army after attending North Rockland HS. He graduated from West Point in 1997 and served as a US Army Engineer. Currently a business executive at Pfizer, Curran’s credentials include certified business trainer, Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt, and an MS in Human Resources Education and an MBA in Finance from Fordham University. Learn more about his work at www.absinsights.com.
SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society
The national SALUTE organization was founded in 2009. The acronym stands for “Service, Academics, Leadership, Unity, Tribute, and Excellence.” RCC was the first community college in New York State to support a chapter. RCC inaugurated its first chapter in 2013 with an initial group of 40 students who had achieved the necessary academic requirements.
RCC maintains its position in the top 20% of schools nationwide, earning recognition again this year as Military Friendly School for its commitment and services to veterans.
