Getting Started
Steps to Take
Getting started is a multi-step process at Shoreline. As a military-connected student, you have multiple applications to complete. These applications can be completed concurrently. You are advised to start your financial aid application as early as possible due to lengthy processing times. Use this step-by-step instruction sheet to get started. If you have already completed any of the steps on this list, please feel free to skip ahead!
- Complete the online application. You should receive your acceptance letter in 1-2 days.
- Please review the Department of Veterans Affairs website to determine which benefit(s) you are eligible for.
- Complete your online Education Benefits application
- It will take approximately 45-60 days to receive your Certificate of Eligibility, so it is best to do this early!
- If you already have your benefits, you can upload the Certificate with your Prospective Student form (see step 5 below).
- If you don’t have or lost your Certificate of Eligibility, you can also provide the
following:
- POST-9/11 GI BILL ONLY: You can also use a screenshot of your Statement of Benefits
- OTHER BENEFIT TYPES: Please request your education letter through Ask VA
- After you have been admitted, you will receive two emails – one containing your ctcLink ID and one to activate
your Shoreline Network Account. Follow the instructions in those emails to set up both accounts.
- Your “preferred” email address in ctcLink will be the one that all college communications go to, so make sure it is an address you will check often!
- If you have not received these emails after 1-2 days, please check your junk/spam folder.
- OCEANS is our online onboarding course for new students. As you complete it, you will have the opportunity to do the following:
- Upload unofficial transcripts/test scores
- Take the ALEKS math placement test if needed – please keep in mind the practice test is not sufficient for placement, you will need at least one proctored test.
- Complete Informed Self-Placement (ISP) for English if needed
- Go to the VMSS website to submit the Prospective Student Form so we have basic info about you. You can also upload the following directly to the
form:
- Certificate of Eligibility/NOBE
- Unofficial transcripts if not already uploaded during OCEANS
- Once we receive your Prospective Student Form and have determined your benefit type, we will contact you to schedule an Indoc appointment with our Program Specialist. Please bring any additional documentation or any of the above that was not previously submitted.
- After your Indoc appointment, the Program Specialist will work with you to schedule an appointment with the VMSS Academic Advisor. This is absolutely required for students using VA/GI Bill benefits and recommended for all military-connected students!
- Your Academic Advisor will review transcripts and help you create a degree plan. Degree plans are required for students using the following benefits:
- Post-9/11 GI Bill
- VR&E
- Montgomery GI Bill
- Dependent’s Education Assistance
- Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve
- You will typically register for the first time during your entry advising appointment.
- If you already registered, or plan to register after your advising appointment, remember to make sure your classes are part of your degree plan and are of the right modality to maximize your benefits (this may vary depending on what you are using).
- If not using VA benefits or your benefits do not directly pay tuition, make sure you have either paid in full or set up a payment plan with the cashiers prior to the tuition due date!
- If your benefits do not include tuition paid directly by VA, you will need to determine
what funding sources you have/need. This may include:
- Personal finances
- Financial aid (either through FAFSA or WAFSA)
- If you have recently separated from the military, submit a Special Circumstances request with Financial Aid to reflect the income change.
- Workforce/Worker Retraining
- Tuition waivers/discounts
- Other outside sources (scholarships, grants, employer, etc.)
- Even if your tuition is paid by VA, be sure to apply for financial aid! It does not conflict with any VA benefit.
- This step is specifically for students using the following benefits:
- Post-9/11 GI Bill
- VR&E
- Montgomery GI Bill
- Dependent’s Education Assistance
- Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve
- Request certification using the VMSS Certification Request Form. You will typically submit your first certification request during entry advising. This must be done each quarter you intend to use benefits – we cannot assume you want to use benefits!
- Please resubmit the form if you make changes to your schedule. You must do this in a timely manner to avoid possible debt with the VA.
- If you are using another benefit (e.g. DOD Tuition Assistance), please reach out to the SCO via email to ensure everything is in place.
- If using Post-9/11 GI Bill, set up text message verification with the VA.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.