Principles of Excellence
On April 27, 2012, President Barack Obama issued Executive Order 13607: Establishing Principles of Excellence for Educational Institutions Serving Service Members, Veterans, Spouses, and Other Family Members.
Cerro Coso Community College will adhere to the “Principles of Excellence” as noted in EO 13607.
Our Pledge
Cerro Coso Community College shall allow prospective students with military affiliation to compare financial aid across institutions by personally informing them of the cost of their education, the amount that federal and state programs will assist in paying, the availability of other financial aid, and the estimated debt they will incur as a result of their enrollment. Cerro Coso Community College will assure the prospective students “Know Before You Owe”.
Cerro Coso Community College will:
- Prior to enrollment, provide prospective students who are eligible to receive Federal military and veterans educational benefits with a personalized and standardized form, as developed in a manner set forth by the Secretary of Education, working with the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs, to help those prospective students understand the total cost of the educational program, including tuition and fees; the amount of that cost that will be covered by Federal educational benefits; the type and amount of financial aid they may qualify for; their estimated student loan debt upon graduation; information about student outcomes; and other information to facilitate comparison of aid packages offered by different educational institutions.
- Inform students who are eligible to receive Federal military and veteran's educational benefits of the availability of Federal financial aid and have in place policies to alert those students of their potential eligibility for that aid before packaging or arranging private student loans or alternative financing programs.
- Not engage in fraudulent and unduly aggressive recruiting techniques on and off military installations, as well as misrepresentation, payment of incentive compensation, and failure to meet State authorization requirements, consistent with the regulations issued by the Department of Education (34 C.F.R. 668.71-668.75, 668.14, and 600.9).
- Obtain the approval of the institution's accrediting agency for new course or program offerings before enrolling students in such courses or programs, provided that such approval is appropriate under the substantive change requirements of the accrediting agency.
- Allow service members and reservists to be readmitted to a program if they are temporarily unable to attend class or have to suspend their studies due to service requirements, and take additional steps to accommodate short absences due to service obligations, provided that satisfactory academic progress is being made by the service members and reservists prior to suspending their studies.
- Agree to an institutional refund policy that is aligned with the refund of unearned student aid rules applicable to Federal student aid provided through the Department of Education under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as required under section 484B of that Act when students withdraw prior to course completion.
- Provide educational plans for all individuals using Federal military and veterans educational benefits that detail how they will fulfill all the requirements necessary to graduate and the expected timeline of completion.
- Designate a point of contact for academic and financial advising (including access to disability counseling) to assist service member and veteran students and their families with the successful completion of their studies and with their job searches.
Financial Information and Resources
- College Financing Plan
- 2025-2026 Annotated College Financing Plan (PDF)
- Note: For a detailed, personalized College Financing Plan, please log into InsideCC, click
on the 'Financial Aid' card, then click "College Financing Plan" at the top.
- If you do not see a Financial Aid link, please contact the Financial Aid office to check the status of your FAFSA application.
- Note: For a detailed, personalized College Financing Plan, please log into InsideCC, click
on the 'Financial Aid' card, then click "College Financing Plan" at the top.
- 2025-2026 Annotated College Financing Plan (PDF)
- Estimated cost of courses including tuition, fees, and other additional costs.
- Estimated cost of living expenses.
- Amount of cost covered by VA can be found using the GI Bill® Comparison Tool:
- Types of Federal financial aid offered by the institution, that the students may be qualified to receive.
- Estimated amount of student loan debt upon completion of a two-year degree or certificate.
- Graduation Rates for Cerro Coso Community College
- Job Placement rates for graduates
Net Price Calculator
This tool allows students to research the cost to attend Cerro Coso Community College.
CC Net Price Calculator
Monthly VA Enrollment Verification
Students using the Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapter 30), Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33), or Dependents Education Assistance (Chapter 35) must verify their enrollment each month while enrolled in the same courses or training certified to the VA. This verification confirms that their enrollment has not changed, not whether they are attending classes.
Requirements for In-State Tuition
Students eligible for G.I. Bill® educational benefits, including the Montgomery G.I. Bill - Active-Duty Program (Ch. 30), the Veterans Readiness & Employment Program (Ch. 31), or the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill Program (Ch.33) are exempt from paying non-resident tuition regardless of when the veteran separated from the military.
Prohibition of Automatic Enrollment Certification
Veteran students and students utilizing VA educational benefits at Cerro Coso Community College are not automatically certified. Students must request to be certified each term they wish to use their education benefits.
Military Credit
Two units of physical education credit will be awarded for the equivalent of basic training for military personnel now on active duty or veterans who have received a discharge other that dishonorable. Upon verification, evaluation of appropriate records, and department recommendation, credit may be granted for military schools and experience in accordance with the recommendations of the American Council on Education (ACE).
Students can obtain military transcripts at the links below:
Cerro Coso Community College participates as a Servicemember's Opportunity College (SOC). As an SOC, Cerro Coso Community College has adopted policies and practices that are fair, equitable, and effective in recognizing the special and often limiting conditions faced by military students. Cerro Coso Community College agrees to transfer practices for servicemembers that minimizes the loss of credit and avoids duplication of course work, while maintaining the integrity of college programs.
Absence due to Military Service
A student may contact the Vice President of Student Services regarding the procedure to drop or withdraw after the final withdrawal date deadline if there are verifiable extenuating circumstances. Examples of verifiable extenuating circumstances may be accidents, illness, death of an immediate family member, or other circumstances beyond the control of the student.
In the case of students who are members of an active or reserve military service, and who received ordered compelling a withdrawal from courses, the college shall permit withdrawal at any time during the term with no adverse impact on a student's academic record or enrollment status.
To request a military withdrawal, please email: studentservices@cerrocoso.edu
Designated Campus Employees for Military Affiliated Students
- Director, Admissions & Records and Military & Veterans Services:
Jessica Kawelmacher – jessica.kawelmacher@cerrocoso.edu - School Certifying Official: Marilyn Turrietta – veterans@cerrocoso.edu
- Veterans Counselors:
- Andrew Neilson-Mullins – andrew.mullins@cerrocoso.edu
- Chelsea Watson – chelsea.watson@cerrocoso.edu
