Certificate Programs

Tuition Assistance

Our programs are not-for-credit certificate programs. This means that the FASFA, Pell Grant, and other for-credit funding options are not available to our students. Here is what is available for many of our programs (please be aware that you need to contact and apply through each organization directly):

G.I. Bill Funding

  • MiraCosta College Community Services & Business Development was just G.I. Bill approved. Currently we have three non-college degree programs approved: Certified Armed Protection Specialist (CAPS), High Threat Protection Specialist, and Facilities Maintenance.
  • Active duty and Veteran students can use their G.I. Bill funding, as long as they qualify. Please contact the Department of Veterans Affairs or the education office on base to discuss your options.
    NOTE:     Although all of our programs qualify for both Montgomery G.I. and VRAP funding, neither covers our CAPS and High Threat programs in full. We encourage you to use your Post 9-11 G.I. Bill funding or look to an outside Veterans organization to scholarship you. See the "Resources" page for options.
  • Click HERE for more information about the G.I. Bill or call 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551).
  • Click HERE to apply for your benefits online using VONAPP. You will want to complete VA Form 22-1990.

Interested in our Certified Armed Protection Specialist course?

  • Complete the CAPS and High Threat Application.
  • $50 refundable deposit (cash or credit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard, or Discover). If you attend the program, you will receive this deposit back on the first day of class.
  • Submit a copy of your letter of eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs (if you are not approved for 100% of tuition coverage or do not have at least one and a half months and $2,650 left of your GI benefits, please let us know how you will be paying for the remaining tuition). We recommend that you sign up for eBenefits in order to check your GI Bill enrollment status.
  • If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214.
  • Please read and sign the Veteran Student Agreement.
  • If applicable, copies of your transcripts from all schools previously attended following high school (can be unofficial and/or SMART). Please let us know if this is not applicable.
  • If applicable, copies of any pertinent certificates, permits, and licenses. Please let us know if this is not applicable.
  • If you have already used or applied for your GI benefits at another educational institution, please submit VA form 22-1995 online and print a copy to submit to our department.

Submit all of the documents to MiraCosta College Community Services in person (Administration Building, #1000), by fax (760.795.6826), or by email (cjensen@miracosta.edu). Once we receive all of the above documentation, we will review your file and let you know whether you've been accepted into the program. If you are waiting for your letter of eligibility, please submit all other documents so we can start your student file.

Housing: You should be eligible for a housing allowance. The amount will be determined by our school zip code: 92056. Please be aware that your housing allowance is prorated for the time between the start and end date of the course. The Department of Veterans Affairs will pay the money directly to you (monthly, after the start of the program). If you are not local to the area and need suggestions on places to stay, please feel free to contact our office at 760.795.6820.

Food and transportation costs are not included. Students will need to pay out of pocket for these expenses.

Interested in our High Threat Protection Specialist course?

  • Complete the CAPS and High Threat Application.
  • $50 refundable deposit (cash or credit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard, or Discover). If you attend the program, you will receive this deposit back on the first day of class.
  • Submit a copy of your letter of eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs (if you are not approved for 100% of tuition coverage or do not have at least two and a half months and $6,875 left of your GI benefits, please let us know how you will be paying for the remaining tuition). We recommend that you sign up for eBenefits in order to check your GI Bill enrollment status.
  • If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214.
  • Please read and sign the Veteran Student Agreement.
  • If applicable, copies of your transcripts from all schools previously attended following high school (can be unofficial and/or SMART). Please let us know if this is not applicable.
  • If you have already used or applied for your GI benefits at another educational institution, please submit VA form 22-1995 online and print a copy to submit to our department.

Submit all of the documents to MiraCosta College Community Services in person (Administration Building, #1000), by fax (760.795.6826), or by email (cjensen@miracosta.edu). Once we receive all of the above documentation, we will review your file and let you know whether you've been accepted into the program. If you are waiting for your letter of eligibility, please submit all other documents so we can start your student file.

Housing: You should be eligible for a housing allowance. The amount will be determined by our school zip code: 92056. Please be aware that your housing allowance is prorated for the time between the start and end date of the course. The Department of Veterans Affairs will pay the money directly to you (monthly, after the start of the program). If you are not local to the area and need suggestions on places to stay, you will receive a list of options once you have been accepted into the program.

Transportation: Due to the hours of this course, students are expected to stay in the area. We have made arrangements at a local hotel for students. Transportation to and from the hotel to the course location will be provided. For students who are flying in, please contact Christine at 760.795.6822 to discuss pick up and drop off arrangements.

Food and all other transportation (flights or transportation to Alpine) costs are not included. Students will need to pay out of pocket for these expenses.

Interested in our Facilities Maintenance course?

Students will need to submit the following documents:

  • Please complete the Facility Maintenance Application.
  • $50 refundable deposit (cash or credit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard, or Discover). If you attend the program, you will receive this deposit back on the first day of class.
  • Copy of your letter of eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs (if you are not approved for 100% of tuition coverage or do not have at least two months of benefits left of your GI Benefits, please let us know how you will be paying for the remaining tuition). We recommend that you sign up for eBenefits in order to check your GI Bill enrollment status.
  • If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214.
  • Please read and sign the Veteran Student Agreement.
  • If applicable, copies of your transcripts from all schools previously attended following high school (can be unofficial and/or SMART). Please let us know if this is not applicable.
  • If applicable, copies of any pertinent certificates, permits, and licenses. Please let us know if this is not applicable.
  • If you have already used or applied for your GI benefits at another educational institution, please submit VA form 22-1995 online and print a copy to submit to our department.

Submit the documents to MiraCosta College Community Services in person (Administration Building, #1000), by fax (760.795.6826), or by email (cjensen@miracosta.edu). Once we receive all of the above documentation, we will review your file and let you know whether you've been accepted into the program. If you are waiting for your letter of eligibility, please submit all other documents so we can start your student file.

Housing: Depending on the course schedule, you may be eligible for a housing allowance. The amount will be determined by our school zip code: 92056. Please be aware that your housing allowance prorated for the time between the start and end date of the course. If you qualify, the Department of Veterans Affairs will pay the money directly to you (monthly, after the start of the program). If you are not local to the area and need suggestions on places to stay, please feel free to contact our office at 760.795.6820.

Food and transportation costs are not included. Students will need to pay out of pocket for these expenses.

Interfaith Community Services

  • Interfaith is a leading provider of veterans’ assistance programs in San Diego County, with a success rate for employment and stability that is 22% higher than the national average.
  • They provide comprehensive services to help veterans stay off the street and get off the street, including food, emergency shelter, short-term housing, employment assistance, job retraining, and addiction recovery — all designed to help get veterans back on their feet and working again.
  • Call their Oceanside office at 760-721-2117, or visit their website: http://www.interfaithservices.org/ for more information.
  • Once you have completed their paperwork and have funding approval, contact our office at commservices@miracosta.edu for an appointment.

MyCAA Funding

  • Unofficially referred to as Spouse Tuition Assistance, the Department of Defense recently expanded Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program. Go to www.militaryonesource.com to get more information on MyCAA tuition assistance.
  • Eligibility: Spouses of service members on active duty in pay grades E-1 to E-5, W-1 to W-2, and O-1 to O-2 who can start and complete their coursework while their military sponsor is on Title 10 military orders, including spouses married to members of the National Guard and Reserve Components in these same pay grades.
  • MyCAA provides a maximum education benefit of $4,000 with an annual fiscal year cap of $2,000 to assist eligible military spouses who need professional credentials to meet their Portable Career goals.  Annual cap waivers are available for licensure and certificate programs if there is an upfront tuition cost that exceeds $2,000 (up to the maximum education benefit of $4,000).
  • Students need to fax, scan and email, or bring in a copy of their authorization form. We will enroll you at that time - we will need your name, address, phone number, email, social security number, and birthday to complete enrollment.

Tuition Assistance (TA for active duty)

  • Go to www.militaryta.com for more information. If you are trying to determine your education options, we encourage you to visit the Camp Pendleton Marines Corps Education Center (or the education center at your base).
  • Funding for Marines, for our programs, has been suspended until further notice. If our programs get reinstated, the approved programs will be: Certified Armed Protection Specialist, Facility Maintenance Technician, and Scuba Dive Master.
  • Funding for sailors is available. Please visit the Naval College on your base to start the application process.
  • Once you have completed your paperwork and have funding approval, contact Christine to discuss the next steps.

Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP)

  • This program is for unemployed Veterans and is tied to both your GI Bill approval and MiraCosta College CS&BD program approvals.
  • VRAP is not encouraged for our CAPS or High Threat programs.
  • Go to http://www.benefits.va.gov/VOW/education.htm for more information.

Veterans Village of San Diego

  • Veterans Village San Diego (VVSD) has served all veterans since 1981 and is dedicated to "Leave No One Behind." With five locations throughout San Diego County, VVSD is nationally recognized as the leader in serving homeless military veterans. Each year VVSD provides services to more than 2,000 military veterans throughout the County of San Diego. One of the services of VVSD is to help veterans identify vocational training programs and offer financial assistance to pay for them.
  • The enrollment process consists of orientation and assessment testing. No appointment is necessary. The orientation will inform you of their services in detail and the requirements and procedures for enrollment. You must attend an orientation prior to taking the assessment test. The test measures aptitude, abilities and skill levels. While carefully considering your interests and values, their staff will help you figure out which occupations you will most likely succeed in.
  • Call their San Diego office at 619.497.0142, or visit their website: http://vvsd.net for more information. Or you can contact their North County, Oceanside office at 760.724.9765.
  • Once you have completed their paperwork and have funding approval, contact our office at commservices@miracosta.edu for an appointment.

Vocational Rehabilitation Funding

  • Although this program is available across the country, the California State Department of Rehabilitation serves all Californians with Disabilities. We offer job training, job placement assistance, assistance with reasonable accommodation issues, transition to work services for youth with disabilities as well as other services.  More detailed information is available on their website: www.dor.ca.gov
  • Their branch office located in Encinitas serves clients living in the North County Coastal Area. Please contact the following counselor liaison directly for information on referrals and services:
    Laura Rasmussen SVRC-QRP
    Phone: 760.479.1211
    Email: LRasmuss@dor.ca.gov
  • There is no funding limit, nor course/program limit. However, processing can take over 4 months. Therefore, they recommend that you bring any paperwork verifies your disability (letter from doctor, etc.). For details, contact them directly.
  • Once you have completed their paperwork and have funding approval, contact our office at commservices@miracosta.edu for an appointment.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Funding

  • Eligible adults must be age 18 or older. While eligible laid-off workers are generally individuals who have been terminated from their last employment and are unlikely to return to their previous industry or occupation, displaced homemakers and self-employed individuals also may qualify for these services. Adult and laid-off worker services are provided through locally-based One-Stop Career Centers. Comprehensive One-Stop centers provide access to a full range of services pertaining to employment, training and education, employer assistance, and guidance for obtaining other assistance. In order to determine if you qualify, make an appointment at your local San Diego Career Center (go to www.sandiegoatwork.com to find the local center near you).
  • California's Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) was established in compliance with the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998. The purpose of the ETPL is to provide customer-focused employment training for adults and dislocated workers. Training providers who are eligible to receive Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) through WIA Title I-B funds are listed on the ETPL. Go to http://etpl.edd.ca.gov/WiaEtplind.htm to find a list of approved programs.
  • Once you have completed the paperwork and have funding approval from the Career Center, contact our office at commservices@miracosta.edu for an appointment. We will sign your paperwork and enroll you in your class.

Education Credits

For those of you who are trying to figure out if past courses you've taken carry college credit, we recommend that you visit the following website: https://smart.navy.mil.

If you are interested in taking credit classes at MiraCosta, visit our Veteran website.

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