Copper Mountain honors your service. We’re committed to helping veterans, active duty service members, and military families reach their goals, use their benefits, and build community.
A Military-Friendly College
Copper Mountain College doesn’t just welcome veterans and other military-connected students. We take active steps to reward your service and support your success:
- Priority registration for veterans and active duty service members
- California resident tuition and fees for veterans, active duty service members, and their dependents
- Special academic options like our nursing program’s Military Challenge
- Military Base Office serving military-connected students with base access at Twentynine Palms
Our Veterans Services team helps veterans, active duty, and dependents with benefit-related needs.
We also offer book cards, gas cards, and even graduation caps and gowns for veterans studying at CMC, host liaisons from groups like Disabled American Veterans, and work with student veterans to create an environment where you can thrive.
Academic Info for Veterans
It’s essential to understand your military education benefits. If you’re a newly enrolled veteran looking to use your benefits, please contact Veterans Services or call them at 760.366.3791.
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Certification of VA Education Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs requires veterans that are using their GI Bill education benefits to work toward a specific educational objective, make satisfactory progress, and meet other requirements. It’s essential to document your plans and receive certification from Veterans Services.
If you’re using GI Bill benefits at Copper Mountain for the first time, talk with the Veterans Services team. If you’ve previously used your benefits and want to continue, use the Veterans Services Certification Request form to renew your certification.
If you’ve attended other colleges or universities, you must provide official transcripts. We can use unofficial transcripts to certify you for your first semester at CMC, but we need official transcripts for the second and subsequent semesters. Evaluating your transcripts can take up to six weeks, so provide them as soon as possible.
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Veteran Program Course Requirements
Veterans and others using military benefits must declare a major and enroll only in classes required for the major. They also should attend class regularly and make satisfactory progress to maintain their benefits.
Contact Veterans Services if you intend to:
Repeat a course: You can receive benefits for repeating a course in which you received a grade of “F” or “NC” if the course is required or a prerequisite to a required course. In some cases, you can repeat a course in which you received a “D.”
Register for a course that does not start on the first day of the semester or end on the last day of the semester: Veterans Services must immediately report all status changes or withdrawals to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Keeping us informed about irregular course schedules (or any course changes) helps avoid overpayments of benefits and subsequent billing.
Meet with your counselor each semester to stay on track.
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Priority Registration
As a veteran, you qualify for priority registration regardless of your separation date.
You must present proof of prior military service—retired ID, Department of Veterans Affairs ID, DD 214, etc.—to obtain priority status.
Tuition & Fee Info for Veterans
Veterans and their families can qualify for programs that reduce tuition and fees. Learn about some of the most common options and contact Veterans Services for more info.
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California Resident Tuition & Fees
Veterans and dependents can qualify for California resident tuition and fees regardless of their residency status. Contact Veterans Services for more info or to file documentation that updates your tuition status.
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CalVet College Fee Waiver
The College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents waives tuition and fees at Copper Mountain (and any other California state college or university) for eligible children, spouses, or others. See the CalVet website for eligibility info or download a CalVet Checklist.
Campus Life for Veterans
You’ll meet a community of veterans and active military at CMC.
Bud & Betty’s Place for Veterans in 300 Quad offers a campus hub open to everybody. Student Veterans of Copper Mountain College is our official student veterans organization.
To learn more, contact the Veterans Services team — or just stop by.
Military Base Office
Have base access? Learn how you can enroll, get advising, and study at Twentynine Palms.
Using Your Benefits
Get essential information about using your GI Bill education benefits.
Forms & Resources
Find forms, documents, general information, and links to other online resources for veterans.
Contact Veterans Services
Veterans Services
300 Quad
P.O. Box 1398
6162 Rotary Way
Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Phone: 760.366.5201, ext. 5891