Financial Aid : Veteran's Educational Benefits

Educational benefits are available to veterans attending Life West through the various assistance programs provided by the federal government.   Students are eligible to use both the current GI Bill and the new Post 911 GI Bill.   Detailed information, eligibility criteria and updates on the various chapters may be found at www.GIBILL.va.gov.

While the various education assistance programs are administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs the college does have a VA Certifying official available to provided guidance and assistance with the application process. 

For the majority of Veterans attending Life West the Post 9/11 GI Bill will pay tuition, a monthly allowance of $1590 and a book stipend up to $1000 per academic year.

Life West is approved to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program allowing the VA and educational institutions to enter into agreements to help cover the cost of tuition above the highest in-state rate. The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays up to the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition and for CA this rate is $335.75 per credit hour. Based on the current in-state tuition rates, if you have 36 or more months of service, 100% of your tuition would be covered by the Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33); therefore, it would not be necessary to apply for Yellow Ribbon Benefits.

If you have less than 36 months of service all benefits are prorated based on your length of service and you would not be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Institutions that voluntarily enter into a Yellow Ribbon Agreement with the VA choose the amount of tuition that will be contributed. The VA will match that amount and issue payment directly to the institution. Life West will contribute (if needed) a maximum of $2,250 per academic year for up to ten VA students on a first come, first served basis. The VA will match this amount (maximum of $2,250) for a total possible benefit of $4,500 during the 0910 academic year. The college recommends you submit Life West’s Application for the Yellow Ribbon Program in a timely manner.

Testimonials

I started with the Active Duty Air Force back in 1996 just as I was graduating high school. During my four years of active duty I was stationed in North Carolina and had the opportunity to spend four months of that in Saudi Arabia. At the end of my four years I headed back to Wisconsin and joined the Wisconsin Air National Guard and proceeded to continue my academic career at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Thanks to my time on active duty and my service in the guard I was able to focus on my education as I was able to cash in on the stupendous benefits the military give. Between the GI Bill and tuition reimbursement, from the state of Wisconsin, all I needed to worry about was absorbing all the knowledge possible. Upon arriving in California I had the distinct pleasure of meeting a Life West alumni and prior service Navy, who gave a glowing review of the school and solidified my decision of which school to attend.  Now with what I believe drew me to Chiropractic, and that would be the same great force utilized by Chiropractic itself for the restoration of health of chiropractic patients. I believe that I answered a calling by the great inner self to join a profession that restored the function of the nervous system so that same great inner self could optimally maintain the health of the vessel in which it resides our body. This path that I am walking was made possible by the great educational benefits provided by the U.S. Military and the growth opportunities available by servitude. I am forever grateful for what has been given me and look forward to the opportunity given serve in return. (James Kunsman)

I served 8 years as an interrogator for the U.S. Army, 223MI, located out of Massachusetts. After injuring myself in the Iraqi war, Chapter 31 the Vocational Rehabilitation program gave me an opportunity to seek another career. Here at Life Chiropractic College West, I received personal guidance from Ms. Brenda Johnson.Ms. Brenda Johnson is the Veterans/military liaison at Life Chiropractic College West. She walked me through the paperwork needed, as well as gave me the extra support needed, to fully succeed in this program.  Chapter 31 not only assisted me with tuition cost but also provided me with all supplies needed for school.  This included all my medical books, chiropractic table and spine. The staff at the bookstore, under the supervisor Toni Morlan, has been outstanding to make sure that I received all necessary supplies. Ms. Toni Morlan has even gone as far as ordering me  the supplies when the bookstore does not have it in stock.  Overall I am very pleased with my decision to attend Life West Chiropractic College. The staff, students and faculty members have all made this an easier transition than what I thought it would be. I am very thankful for the opportunity that the U.S. army has given to me, and to all the support that is provided. (Darlene Flores)        

 I have always wanted to have a career as a Doctor of Chiropractic, but I first wanted to serve my country. I entered the another. If it were not for the support of my family and the benefits I have received from the military, I might not have had the opportunity to fulfill my dream. I have taken advantage of all the benefits the military has to offer, such as using tuition assistance while stationed with the 3rd Marines on Marine Corps Base Hawaii. I have used my GI Bill for both my Navy in 1991 during the first Gulf War and spent the next 14 years affiliated with the military in some capacity or undergraduate studies at the University of Oregon and my graduate studies here at Life Chiropractic College West. I want military personnel to know that their dreams after service can be accomplished and the benefits that are provided by the Dept. of Defense can propel them towards those dreams. I have gravitated to a career in Chiropractic because of the deep personal connections these doctors have with their patients. I have always wanted to make a difference within my community and have elected to do so by teaching patients how to live healthier lives through the Chiropractic adjustment which will increase the neurological function to each and every tissue and organ of the body. I consider myself very fortunate to have been taught by some of the most experienced and inspirational professors the Chiropractic profession has to offer. The education I am receiving at LCCW will allow me to properly diagnose fixations, disease, give proper nutritional advice, tailor exercise programs specific to each patient and how to help each patient build a lifestyle that will allow them to live everyday to their optimal level. (Shane Ott)