Welcome, Veterans

"UC Hastings College of the Law is proud to welcome veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces to our campus in the heart of San Francisco. Those of you who have shouldered the burdens of military service understand the sacrifices that public service requires and we're grateful you're a part of our community.  Your military service has the potential to enrich the learning experience of your classmates and help you find better solutions as a legal professional. This page is intended for you, however, not your classmates or your eventual clients. We hope it will help you find resources and support to enhance your time here at UC Hastings."

Elizabeth L. Hillman, Former Captain, United States Air Force
Former UC Hastings College of the Law Provost & Academic Dean, Professor of Law

New VA Students

To determine eligibility for benefits, students must apply online on the VA website at www.gibill.va.gov. You must be enrolled for classes at UC Hastings before the Records Office can certify your enrollment to VAOnce.

After you have completed and submitted the form online, the Department of Veteran Affairs will send you a Certificate of Eligibility letter. Upon receipt of this letter, please send a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility to the Registrar's Office.

Items Checklist: (The following paperwork must be submitted to the appropriate office before the certification process can begin.)

• Certificate of Eligibility
  (submit to the Records Office)
• Veteran’s Certification Request form
  (submit to the Records Office)
• Residency Application
  (submit to the Residency Office)
  For more information, please refer to the Residency Information webpage.
• UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) 
  All students are automatically enrolled in and billed for UC SHIP every Fall. If you already have health insurance coverage, and that insurance plan meets the University of California minimum health care criteria, you may request to waive out of UC SHIP by submitting a waiver form online.
  For more information, please refer to the Health Serivces Insurance Waiver webpage.

NOTE:

Anytime you change your units, whether it is an increase or decrease in status, it is your responsibility to let the Registrar's office know. Failure to do so will result in overpayment or underpayment for your benefits. If you promptly notify the school and the VA of these changes, you can prevent or reduce overpayments.

Using Your Education Benefits at UC Hastings

How it works: VA tuition payment process
The UC Hastings Certifying Office is the Records office. They can be reached at 415.565.4613 or records@uchastings.edu
UC Hastings Legal Education Opportunity Program (LEOP)
GI Bill Comparison Tool

Local Veteran's Groups & Community Life

Visit the Student Veteran Organization page!
From the UC Hastings Newsroom: Navy Veteran and UC Hastings 2L Wins Prestigious Abrams Mediation Contest
UC Hastings Veterans Facebook group*
Law Student Veterans Coalition LinkedIn group*
Get connected with other San Francisco Veterans at Coming Home Project*

Useful Information from the VA Website

If you’re new to Veteran’s Affairs
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill and other programs
VA regional office locations & hours of service
eBenefits portal: log-in for benefits information
To check the status of your benefits, change your address & more, call the VA at 1.888.442.4551

Additional Resources

Brief overview of VA benefits including education and training, home loans, employment and more
Information about Vocational Rehabilitation
UC Hastings Disability Resources Program
Combat Veteran Health Benefits information
Loan Benefits
Local veteran’s education benefits administrator: Helen Fung Helen.Fung@va.gov. Contact Helen for benefit questions.

“We should embrace the sacrifices made by all servicemen and afford them the best opportunities. Further, the discipline and ethics distilled from military service will only prove to serve the legal profession.”

Jake Hornsby, Captain, United States Air Force