Admissions and Records
(408) 741-2001
https://www.westvalley.edu/admissions/
The Admissions & Records Office should be your first stop at West Valley College. College Staff can provide:
- Application and registration processes
- Residency determination
- Registration Assistance: adding and dropping classes.
- Receiving payments, initiating refunds, and Parking Permit sales
- Process official and unofficial transcript requests.
- Process, evaluate, and graduate degrees and certificate petitions completion.
- Process External Transcript evaluation for degrees and certificates’ requests.
- Students Enrollment verifications
- Students’ Academic Appeal Petitions
For more information, visit https://www.westvalley.edu/admissions/.
Learning Outcomes
After accessing services of Admissions and Records, a student will be able to:
- Process an application online.
- Use the WVCPortal for processing adds, drops, apply to graduate, change of address and transcript requests.
Student, who submit an Academic Appeal petition, will:
- Learn the Academic Appeal Process and policies.
- Understand the meaning of Academic Probation/Dismissal and Progress Probation/Dismissal.
Counseling Services
(408) 741-2009
https://www.westvalley.edu/services/counseling/
The College Counseling Services is staffed by competent, highly-trained and diversely experienced counselors. The primary goal of Counseling Services is to provide opportunities for students to clarify their personal, academic, career goals; develop self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-direction, to make informed decisions, and utilize resources. Additional counselors are located in support programs (DESP, EOPS, TRIO, Career Programs, and Veterans Resource Center). Counseling services include the following:
Academic Counseling
Academic counseling includes educational goal-setting, exploring educational options and opportunities, evaluating educational potential, and providing the student with clear, concise and up-to-date educational planning and transfer information.
Career Counseling
https://www.westvalley.edu/services/careers/
Career counseling provides the student with an opportunity for clarification and integration of career and educational goals, study of careers and life-styles, vocational and career inventories, and career decision making courses.
Personal Counseling
Personal counseling is provided to students who seek assistance in resolving personal, relational, self-identity, or health-related problems which are limiting or interfering with the student’s ability to successfully pursue a college education.
Counseling Courses
See available courses under Counseling in Schools & Areas of Study.
Learning Outcomes - Courses
After completing courses in Counseling, a student will be able to:
- Identify strategies for making wise choices, goal setting, taking responsibility, and thinking critically about life choices;
- Create a plan with long and short term goals to achieve their personalized educational and/or career goal.
Learning Outcomes - Services
After utilizing Counseling services, a student will be able to:
- Identify course selections for the next semester;
- Demonstrate an understanding of which general education pattern to follow, and how to access the major requirements needed to achieve their educational goal.
Counseling Services is located in the Student Services Center.
Financial Aid
(408) 741-2024
https://www.westvalley.edu/financial-aid/
Financial Aid opens the door to post-secondary education for many whom could not otherwise afford its costs. Financial Aid manages programs designed to help students pay for educational expenses while they are in school. We evaluate student circumstances and identify all of the Federal, State and Institutional programs available.
How to Apply
Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) at: https://dream.csac.ca.gov/landing. Additional documents may be required. Be sure to respond immediately to any requests made by the financial aid office.
Learning Outcomes
Students who participate in Federal Work Study (FWS) will be able to:
- Develop and refine time management skills by balancing and prioritizing work and academic demands.
- Develop an understanding of Supervisor/Employee relationships.
Financial Aid Programs
Federal Programs
Federal Pell Grant – Assists students to cover school related expenses.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Program (FSEOG) – Student must be eligible for Pell Grant and be enrolled in at least 12 units (full time).
Federal Work Study – Provides the opportunity to work on campus or off campus.
Federal Direct Student Loans - Assists students with unmet need to cover school related expenses.
State Programs
California Dream Act
Effective January 1, 2013 AB 540 students are eligible to apply for the California College Promise Grant (formerly BOGW) and other state programs. Complete application instructions are available online at: https://dream.csac.ca.gov/landing
California College Promise Grant (CCPG)
The California College Promise Grant (CCPG) waives enrollment fees and a portion of the parking fees. Applications must meet eligibility criteria (e.g. household size and income levels, etc.). Visit: https://www.westvalley.edu/financial-aid/ to fill out a CCPG application if the FAFSA or CADAA has not yet been completed
California Grants (Cal Grants)
Cal Grant B – For disadvantage or low income students. Covers living expenses, books and supplies. Minimum GPA 2.0
Cal Grant C – Helps vocationally oriented students acquire marketable job skills within a short period of time.
Cal Grant C – Helps vocationally oriented students acquire marketable job skills within a short period of time. If eligible for a Cal Grant, ask the Financial Aid Office for additional supplemental grants.
Cal Grant B or Cal Grant C recipients who are enrolled in 12+ units at a California Community College and have remaining unmet need may also be eligible for the SSCG.
Please visit: westvalley.edu/financial-aid for more information and full listing of Financial Aid Programs.
Scholarship Program
The West Valley College Scholarship Program is administered by the Financial Aid Office. The funds are designed to recognize accomplishments and to provide tangible encouragement to students who have demonstrated academic achievement, leadership, community service, and financial need. Funds are donated from a joint investment of contributions from the private sector and from West Valley College employees. The application is available in December through February. Recipients will be notified in April and announced at the Scholarship Ceremony in May of the current academic year to be used the following academic year. (i.e., February 2024 deadline for the 2024-2025 school year)
The Financial Aid Office also maintains information on various scholarships offered and administered by outside donors and organizations. Interested applicants should visit: https://www.westvalley.edu/financial-aid/ for more information.
Veterans Administration Educational Benefits
Veterans enrolled at the College may be eligible for educational benefits under the Veterans Administration (VA) Educational Benefits Program. These benefits include a monthly educational allowance. Most, but not all, of the programs at the College are approved for certification of VA benefits. Interested veterans and/or eligible dependents are urged to call or contact the VA Educational Benefits Certifying Official in the Veteran Resources Center (VRC) for more information
In addition to the academic standards outlined in the West Valley Catalog and West Valley Schedule of Classes, Veterans collecting educational benefits will be subject to the following academic standards of the Veterans Administration for continuing eligibility:
- Must maintain a minimum of at least a 2.0 (C) cumulative grade point average in course work attempted.
- Veterans falling below a 2.0 (C) cumulative grade point average will be given a maximum of two (2) semesters to correct the academic deficiency and bring their cumulative grade point average to at least the 2.0 (C) minimum requirements.
- Veterans whose cumulative grade point average remains below 2.0 (C) for more than two (2) semesters will be allowed to pursue their educational goal but will not be certified for veteran’s educational benefits until such time as their cumulative grade point average is at least 2.0 (C) or higher.
Outreach
(408) 741-2672
https://www.westvalley.edu/admissions/outreach/
The Outreach team at West Valley College serves prospective students and existing students by introducing them to information and resources that will help improve their college experience and help eliminate obstacles to educational opportunity. We share information on college planning, admission requirements, degree and certificate programs, guaranteed transfer programs, financial aid, campus life, student services, and much more. Campus tours and high school visits are arranged through the Outreach Office.
Learning Outcomes
After participating in outreach services and/or activities, a prospective student will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge about the California systems of higher education and independent colleges and universities, including admissions requirements, transfer agreements, costs, scholarships and financial aid, and student support services;
- Demonstrate knowledge about the community college system and determine which community college meets his or her academic goal;
- Identify the benefits of higher education and evaluate the appropriateness of each educational option.
Transfer Center
Student Services Center, 201
(408) 741-2040
wv.transferFREEWEST_VALLEY
https://www.westvalley.edu/services/transfer/
The Transfer and Career Center is located on the second floor of the Student Services Center. The Transfer Center’s mission is to meet the needs of students preparing to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program by providing information, resources, activities and services that support the transfer process.
Learning Outcomes
Through participation in Transfer Center activities, students will be able to:
- Identify appropriate 4-year colleges/universities that can help them meet their transfer goals
- Access and complete all steps of the admission process to transfer to a 4-year college/university
Transfer Center Resources
The Transfer Center is here to support students with all aspects of the transfer process. In our Transfer Center, we have a computer lab where students can research college and university transfer requirements, work on college applications, and explore major and career options. We also offer:
- Transfer counseling
- Drop-in advising
- Transfer application workshops
- Campus visits from 4-year universities
- 1-on-1 advising with 4-year universities
- An annual Transfer Day that hosts over 40 colleges and university representatives (offered every fall semester)
For career resources, visit Career Services.