Veterans and Their Dependents
Are you a veteran or the dependent of a veteran, National Guard, Active Duty or Selective Service member? We welcome you to join us at Columbia-Greene, the top-ranked SUNY community college in New York. We’ve got a dedicated Veterans Resource Center and a Veterans and Military Affairs Advisor who is here to help you every step of the way!
Have a question for us? E-mail us at admissions@sunycgcc.edu or call us at 518.697.6500, or join us at at one of our weekly Admissions Online Information Sessions by signing up HERE.
There are many ways to learn about our campus! Schedule a visit with us by e-mailing admissions@sunycgcc.edu or calling 518.697.6500. Or, join us at one of our Admissions Online Information Sessions by registering HERE. If you can’t make it to us, we can come to your workplace or other public space. Let us know what works best for you!
After you apply to C-GCC by completing a free application, these are your next steps to enrollment:
1. Submit a High School Transcript or High School Equivalency Transcript
All applicants must request an official high school or high school equivalency transcript be sent directly to the Office of Admissions by email, admissions@sunycgcc.edu, or by mail.
Returning Students may skip this step.
2. Submit Official College Transcripts
Applicants who have attended another college must forward official transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Transcripts should be sent directly from the college or university in sealed envelopes to:
Office of Admissions, Columbia-Greene Community College, 4400 Route 23, Hudson, NY 12534.
Transcripts can also be sent via email to admissions@sunycgcc.edu.
- A transcript waiver is available upon request.
- Prospective Nursing students or Athletes must submit all transcripts.
- Returning students can skip this step if they have not attended another college after C-GCC.
- For those who served in the United States Military, it is strongly encouraged to request a Joint Service Transcript (JST) for the College to apply any life equivalency credit toward your degree. The application for a JST is available HERE.
3. Complete program specific entrance requirements
- Nursing Applicants: Must complete a Nursing Information Session. Register for In-Person sessions HERE, or register for Online sessions HERE.
- Automotive Applicants: Must submit a signed Automotive Acknowledgement Form (link) to the Office of Admissions, admissions@sunycgcc.edu
4. Apply for Financial Aid
Financial aid is available to qualified students at Columbia-Greene Community College and is awarded based on student need and the availability of funds. Funds are limited so students are encouraged to submit the Free Application for Federal student Aid (FAFSA) as soon after October 1 as possible.
The FAFSA form is available HERE.
5. Schedule an Appointment with the Veteran and Military Affairs Advisor
It is strongly recommended that Veterans, dependent of veterans, guardsman, and/or currently serving active / selective reservists to set up an appointment with the college’s Veteran and Military Affairs Advisor Catherine Carlson to discuss your educational options and to discover what Columbia-Greene offers veteran and military students. Email catherine.carlson@sunycgcc.edu or call 518.697.6502.
6. Apply for VA Educational Benefits
Eligible students for VA Chapter 30, Chapter 33, Chapter 1606, Chapter 1607, Chapter 35, and Chapter 31 are encouraged to apply for VA Educational Benefits. Detailed instructions on how to apply for these educational benefits can be found in the C-GCC Veterans Resource Guide, available HERE.
7. Apply for Federal TA or NYS RIRP
Eligible students who are currently serving on active duty or selective reserves may be entitled to TA (Tuition Assistance) for their specific branch of service. Students currently serving in the NY National Guard may be eligible for the National Guard Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program (RIRP). Detailed instructions on how to apply for these educational benefits can be found in the C-GCC Veterans Resource Guide, available HERE.
8. Submit Supporting Military Documents
Veterans, dependents of a veteran and/or active/reserve military personnel who have applied for VA educational benefits are required to submit a copy of their DD214 (Member 4), submit a copy of your VA certificate of eligibility, and sign the Columbia-Greene Statement of Understanding, which is available HERE for your review and signature. Please note that the certificate of eligibility may take up to 4-6 weeks to process by the VA during peak times.
9. Obtain a Certificate of Residence
Students who reside in New York must submit a Certificate of Residence for each academic year (Fall through Summer), unless they are receiving VA Educational Benefits. Students receiving VA Educational Benefits are not required to submit a Certificate of Residents; however, for students not receiving VA Educational Benefit, failure to submit a Certificate of Residence will result in the student being charged the non-resident tuition rate.
You can find more information on Certificates of Residence HERE.
10. Submit Immunization Records
If you are enrolled for six or more credits, you are required to submit documentation against measles, mumps, and rubella.
You can find more about Immunization Records HERE.
11. Meet with your Advisor
After submitting an application and the required documents, you will receive an admissions decision in the mail which details how to set up your meeting with your advisor. At that meeting, you’ll create your schedule for the upcoming semester.
For Spring 2024 Registration
New students can schedule appointments with an advisor beginning on October 30, 2023.
For Summer and Fall 2024 Registration
New students can schedule appointments with an advisor beginning on April 1, 2024.
Get started by completing an easy-to-use 15-minute career exploration survey, Focus2 Career, that uses your interests and values to explore careers and majors at Columbia-Greene. Create your own, free Focus2 Career account HERE. After using the Focus2 Career tool, schedule a meeting with an Admissions counselor to understand how to kick-start your education and career goals. Contact Admissions today at admissions@sunycgcc.edu or 518.697.6500.
Columbia-Greene understands that adult students like you have work experience that relates to your education. Want to apply for credit toward your degree or certificate programs? You’ll find the downloadable Prior Learning Assessment formHERE.
Students will be charged an assessment fee of $30.00 per semester hour awarded and credit will not be applied until fees are paid in full.
Process for Petition:
Students wishing to be considered for life experience credit are required to submit the following documents to the Office of Admissions:
- Complete the top portion of the downloadable Petition of Life Experience.
- Provide necessary documentation (samples of work, certificates, licenses etc.) to support evidence of learning course materials.
- Submit petition and supporting documents to the Office of Admissions by email
(admissions@sunycgcc.edu) or mail (Office of Admissions, 4400 Route 23, Hudson, NY 12534)
The process can take up to 30 days to review. For questions on your petition, please contact the Office of Admissions at 518-828-4181 ext. 3427 or admissions@sunycgcc.edu.
Columbia-Greene adheres to the standards set forth by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). By doing so, we follow a code of ethics as related to the recruitment and admissions of all students, including Service members and their dependents.
NACAC’s Statement of Principles of Good Practice
In addition to NACAC’s Statement of Principles of Good, Columbia-Greene Community College will ensure compliance with program integrity requirements consistent with the regulations issued by ED (34 C.F.R 668.71-668.75 and 668.14) related to restrictions on misrepresentation, recruitment, and payment of incentive compensation. This applies to the educational institution itself and its agents including third party lead generators, marketing firms, or companies that own or operate the educational institutions. As part of efforts to eliminate unfair, deceptive, and abusive marketing aimed at Service members.
Columbia-Greene Community College and its agents including third party lead generators, marketing firms, or companies that own or operate the educational institutions will:
- Ban inducements, including any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, transportation, lodging, meals, or other item having a monetary value of more than a de minimis amount, to any individual or entity, or its agents including third party lead generators or marketing firms other than salaries paid to employees or fees paid to contractors in conformity with all applicable laws for the purpose of securing enrollments of Service members or obtaining access to TA funds. Educational institution sponsored scholarships or grants and tuition reductions available to military students are permissible, and;
- Refrain from providing any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing enrollments or federal financial aid (including TA funds) to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting, admission activities, or making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance, and;
- Refrain from high-pressure recruitment tactics such as making multiple unsolicited contacts (3 or more), including contacts by phone, email, or in-person, and engaging in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing Service member enrollments.
Any questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Office of Admissions – 518.697.6500.