​Donation to Fund Critical Counseling and Financial Literacy Program for Veterans

(Santa Ana, CA)—The Santa Ana College (SAC) Foundation has received a $15,000 donation from U.S. Bank. This charitable gift will help fund academic counseling, transition to college seminars, mentoring and financial literacy training for student veterans.

“We are pleased about our continued partnership with U.S. Bank,” said Ken Purcell, president, SAC Foundation Board of Directors and retired vice president of First American Corporation. “Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces face challenges in adjusting to civilian and college life. Many of our student veterans confront problems in managing the cost of civilian and college life, including paying for rent, food, utilities, transportation, medical coverage, and college-related expenses. They also need to cope with entrance into the academic world.”

The financial literacy program will teach veteran students basic skills such as balancing a checkbook, understanding a credit score and its impact on future loans, understanding credit card APRs, how different loans work, and how to anticipate and manage gaps in GI benefits funding and civilian employment paychecks.

“Our partnership with the Santa Ana College Foundation helps equip veterans for a successful transition to today's workplace,” said Joe Hensley, U.S. Bank's Orange County market president.  “We are pleased that our charitable investment supports such an important financial literacy initiative.”

During 2013-2014, Santa Ana College served 619 veteran students through its Veteran Resource Center (VRC). The college’s VRC provides the following services:

• Access to a VA Certifying Official to help with obtaining Veterans Assistance (VA) educational benefits
• Specialized academic counseling to ensure that educational plans meet VA benefit requirements
• Customized college orientation and academic skills workshops
• Quiet study area with access to computers, the Internet, and a printer

For more information on services to student veterans, contact the Santa Ana College Veterans Resource Center at (714) 564-6050 or www.sac.edu/vrc.

About Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College (SAC), which will turn 100 years old in 2015, serves about 18,000 students each semester at its main campus in Santa Ana. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions, provides invaluable workforce training, and customized training for business and industry. In addition, another 10,000 students are served through the college’s School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center. Ranked as one of the nation’s top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students, the college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and other medical personnel. SAC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District. Visit www.sac.edu to learn more.