Military-Connected Student

Start your journey at COM by attending an in-person or virtual Information Session!

These sessions are the best way to see if College of the Mainland is the right fit for you. You’ll explore our programs of study, financial aid options, student resources, and campus life—all in a welcoming, low-pressure setting.

You’ll also have the chance to connect one-on-one with an Enrollment Coach, who can answer your questions and guide you through each step of the enrollment process. From exploring your options to registering for classes, they’re here to make the process simple and stress-free.

Sign up to reserve your information session. Walk-in appointments with Enrollment Coaches are also available during regular business hours—no appointment needed.

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If you plan to use Veterans Affairs benefits or Tuition Assistance benefits and you have not used the benefit previously, please apply for your benefit at the appropriate link below:

• Post 9/11 G.I. Bill ® (Chp. 33)
• Montgomery GI Bill (Chp. 30)
• Vocational Readiness and Employment (Chp. 31)
• Dependents Educational Assistance (Chp. 35)
• MyCAA Scholarship
• Tuition Assistance and Chp. 1606: These benefits are handled directly by the individual branches. Please click on the link for your branch below:
  • ARMY
  • NAVY
  • Air Force
  • Marines
  • Coast Guard
  • Texas Army and Air National Guards
  • Texas State Guard
  • Reservists (USAR, USAFR, USCGR) – refer to the main site for your branch listed above

If you plan to use the Hazlewood Exemption, you may read about the benefit here (https://tvc.texas.gov/education/hazlewood/ ). You will apply for the benefit through the Office of Veterans Success either in person or by requesting a Hazlewood Exemption Application via email at comvets@com.edu

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Apply to COM

• Complete and submit your admission application at ApplyTexas.org.
• You will apply as a two-year student.
• For selective admission programs listed below, students will need to submit an additional program-specific application. Prospective students will select their program of interest in the ApplyTexas application. Once submitted, COM will provide instructions for completing the program-specific application.
  • Allied Health
    • Nursing
      • Associate degree Nursing (AAS)- Registered Nurse
      • Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
    • Dental Hygiene
    • Radiologic Technology
    • Pharmacy Technician
      • Certificate- Pharmacy Technician
      • Associate of Applied Science- Pharmacy Technician
  • Public Safety
    • Law Enforcement
    • Basic Peace Officer Certificate

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Apply for Financial Aid

Don’t let finances stand in the way of your education! COM offers financial aid to help you cover the cost of your education.

Start by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

To complete a FAFSA, you will need:

• Your social security number
• Your A-number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
• Federal income tax returns, records of child support received; and your current balance of cash, savings and checking accounts
• Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
• Records of untaxed income (if applicable)

Complete a FAFSA at studentaid.gov. COM school code is 007096.

FAFSA assistance or to schedule an appointment with staff:
Phone: 409-933-8274
Email: finaid@com.edu

Learn more about financial aid at COM.

No Social Security Number? No Problem.

If you are a Texas student without a Social Security Number (SSN), you can access financial aid through the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TAFSA). This state and institutional aid can help cover the cost of tuition, fees and other educational expenses.

To complete a TAFSA, you will need:

• Your residency information
• Your parents’ financial information (if dependent)
• Documentation of your income and assets
• A completed TAFSA form.

TASFA contact information:
Carmen Franco
Phone: 409-933-8655
Email: cfranco@com.edu

Learn more about TAFSA.

For help with FAFSA or TAFSA, visit the Welcome Center located in the Doyle Family Administration Building located at 1200 N. Amburn Road, Texas City, TX 77591. No appointment necessary.

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Apply for Scholarships

Unlock opportunities to fund your education by applying for scholarships! COM offers a variety of scholarships to help reduce your college expenses and make your educational journey more affordable.

By completing one application, students will be considered for 100+ COM Foundation scholarships!

To complete a scholarship application, you will need:

• A COM login and email (students receive their official COM email once their application for admission has been submitted in-full and accepted)
• A completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application

Click here to complete your scholarship application.

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If you plan to earn an associate’s degree, you will need to demonstrate college readiness by completing a TSI assessment.

Not all incoming students need to take the TSI Assessment.

• Students with a TSI Assessment exemption can enroll in any entry-level college course.
• College Bridge certificates and certain SAT or ACT scores may qualify you as college ready.

Visit our TSI Assessment page for more information.

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Once your application has been accepted by COM, you will receive instructions for setting up your official COM email account. Official communications from the College to its students is sent through the COM email account.

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After your admission application is accepted, you will need to submit any required supporting documents, if applicable. This includes:

• If you are a military service member or veteran, request an official transcript from your military service.
  • Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard
  • Air Force
• For students who are 21 years old and younger, submit current meningitis vaccination records, which can be submitted via email to admissions@com.edu or the Upload Documents Portal.
  • Vaccinations must be no more than five years old and must be administered more than 10 days before the start of classes.
  • If students are unable, or unwilling, to provide vaccination records, they may complete a vaccination waiver. This waiver must also be sent to admissions@com.edu.

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Each semester, every COM student is required to accept the student financial responsibility agreement (SFR) before registering for courses.

• Log in to COM SelfServe.
• Click on your user profile and select "Required Agreements."
• Click on "Student Financial Responsibility Agreement" for each term reflected.
• View and accept the agreement.

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Once you have completed all the steps to enroll above, you will be assigned an academic advisor. Your advisor will guide you through your academic journey at COM, helping you plan your courses and register, all based on your personal goals.

Military-connected students should meet with our dedicated academic advisors in the Office of Veterans Success (OVS). These advisors can assist you in applying for benefits, requesting needed documentation, planning your classes, and requesting to use your benefits at COM. You can reach the OVS in person (ADMIN 113), or by phone (409-933-8455) or email at comvets@com.edu.

MEETING WITH AN ACADEMIC ADVISOR IS REQUIRED FOR ALL FTIC STUDENTS.

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Tuition Payment

Once you have registered, you will need to submit payment for courses prior to the payment deadlines. Students who register for the first and second eight-week sessions together may pay for all courses at the same time. However, students may also choose to only pay for the upcoming first eight-week session and then pay for the second eight-week ahead of that start date.

Payment options include:

• Payment installment plan
• Financial aid
• Online payment (via Student Selfserve)
• In-person payment by visiting the Cashier’s Office in the Doyle Family Administration Building during business hours.
• Over-the-phone payment by calling the Cashier’s Office at 409-933-8377 to pay in-full with a debit or credit card.
• Use of VA Post 9/11 or VR&E or the Texas Hazlewood Exemption. Please see below for instructions to request certification for these benefits.

For assistance, please contact the Cashier’s Office at 409-933-8377.

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• Please note:  A Request for Certification with updated documents is required for each semester when you plan to use your benefits.
• Submit your Request for Certification by clicking on the link titled “Certification Request Form” located on the Veterans section of the COM website. The dynamic form will require you to log in to your student account and complete questions as well as upload specified documents.
• Please note: Processing of benefits takes approximately 7-10 business days. To avoid losing classes due to nonpayment, please submit your Request at least 10 business days before the College’s posted payment deadline or set up a payment plan to hold your classes until your benefits can be processed. View payment options.

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Obtain a COM Student ID

The college offers current COM students and employees the COM ID card.   The COM ID card is not only the official identification card of the college, but also the means to access facilities and services such as the library, tutoring center, computer labs, gym facility, and bookstore.

The first COM ID card is free for students and employees.  A replacement ID card is $5.  The COM ID card is available at the Doyle Family Administration Building - Student Help Center during normal operating hours.

To obtain a COM Student ID Card:

1. Go to COM Photo ID request form and log in to your COM account.
2. Select your student type and press "Continue" to complete the form.
3. Upload your photo. Be sure to review the photo criteria.
4. Your ID will be ready on the next business day. You will be notified by email and phone call.
5. Visit the Welcome Desk in the Doyle Family Administration Building to obtain your COM ID Card.

The COM ID card is non-transferable.  Misuse of the card may result in disciplinary action by the college.  Lost, stolen or damaged cards should be reported to the Doyle Family Administration Building – Student Help Center immediately.

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Obtain a COM Parking Permit

A parking permit should be displayed on each automobile parked on any COM campus.

Vehicles with temporary license plates (paper) or those regarded as rental vehicles should display a temporary parking permit. Learn more about the temporary parking permit here. Vehicles with permanent license plates (metal) should display a traditional parking permit. Follow the instructions below to obtain a traditional parking permit:

1. Go to the Vehicle Registration Form and log in your COM account.
2. Complete and submit the online form with vehicle information.
3. After submission, visit the Doyle Family Administration Building – Student Help Center.
4. Place the sticker on the outside lower, left-hand corner of the rear window.

COM parking permits are free and issued for as many vehicles as needed when requested via WebAdvisor. An official government issued photo ID must be presented in order to obtain a COM parking permit. The parking permit number will be cataloged using your name and vehicle information.

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Purchase Textbooks

Purchase required course textbooks. Required textbooks are available in the COM Bookstore. However, students are not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbooks may also be available from independent retailers, including online retailers.

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Attend Class

Attend class (required). Students unable to attend class should contact their instructors of record.  (Instructor contact information is available in the course syllabus.)

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Connect with Others

Build academic and social connections on campus.  Learn more about Student Life.

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More Information

Visit Veterans Center for more information

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