Getting Started
Highline College recognizes and honors the hard work of those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. If you are a veteran or a survivor or dependent of a veteran, you may be eligible for Veteran’s educational benefits to help you earn an outstanding college education.
Highline College Veterans Services office will assist in accurately reporting your schedule to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This will ensure you receive the benefits that you have earned.
It is your responsibility to make sure we know what credits to report. You will need to complete and turn in an Enrollment Certification Request Form (ECRF) as soon as you have registered for classes to the Veterans Services office.
The VA accepts certifications up to 120 days before the start of the quarter. The earlier you turn in an accurate ECRF, the sooner the VA will process it.
Steps to use your Veterans Education Benefits at Highline College
Step 1: Apply for VA Educational Benefits.
- Visit U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website and apply for education benefits. If you are not sure about your benefit selection, visit the GI Bill Comparison Tool.
- Under the heading “How do I apply?”, click “Find Your Education Benefits Form”.
- You will be asked a series of questions to declare your benefit selection. Choose the selections that best describes you, then click Apply Now.
For further assistance, call the VA Educational Benefits at 1-888-442-4551.
Step 2: Apply for admission.
- Visit the Admissions Department website to apply for admission to Highline College.
Step 3: New Student Orientation options.
- If you have never attended college prior to enrolling at Highline College, you must register for New Student Orientation. Sign-up as soon as possible as sessions fill quickly.
- If you have prior college experience, you may request an exemption by contacting Academic Advising at (206) 592-3534 or advising@highline.edu.
Step 4: Attend a mandatory veteran benefits orientation.
You are required to attend a veteran’s benefits orientation in the Veterans Services Office. This orientation can be on a drop-in basis or by appointment.
Please bring the following information to your orientation:
- your DD214 (Member 4),
- Highline College Student Identification Number, and
- VA Letter of Eligibility.
Step 5: Did you earn credits at another college?
This is required by the VA to use the education benefits that you have earned and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment.
- Submit a Transcript Evaluation Request to Registration and Records.
- Request official transcript(s) from previous institutions you attended.
- Have your transcript(s) sent to the Highline College Registration and Records Credentials Evaluator. For additional information, call Registration and Records at (206) 592-3126 or email registration@highline.edu.
Step 6: Meet with an Academic Advisor and create an academic plan.
- Before registering for classes, meet with an academic advisor in the Student Success Center in Building 6. Take an ECRF with you to the meeting. You can pick up an ECRF in the Veterans Services office. An academic advisor will help you register for your first quarter and request a faculty advisor that is affiliated with your program of study.
- Schedule an appointment with your faculty advisor to assist you with creating a quarter-by-quarter academic plan. Once completed, your advisor can give you a copy of your academic plan and upload it to your degree audit.