Veteran and Military Policies

Covered Individuals

As amended, 38 U.S.C. 3679(c) requires that the following individuals be charged the in-state resident rate:

  • A veteran using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty Program), Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation), Chapter 35 (Dependent Educational Assistance) or Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®), of 38 U.S.C. who lives in Massachusetts (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).
  • Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Massachusetts (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).
  • Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same institution. The person must be using educational benefits under Chapter 30, Chapter 31, Chapter 35, or Chapter 33 of 38 U.S.C.
  • Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in Massachusetts (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).
  • Out-of-state-students: To ensure that our recently discharged veterans and their eligible family members will not have to bear the cost of out-of-state charges while using their Post 9/11 GI Bill® education benefits, STCC is fully compliant with section 702 of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014.  We have also elected to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program to make additional funds available without an additional charge to your GI Bill® entitlement.

In summary, individuals are not required to enroll within three years of discharge or release from a period of active duty service or the transferor’s discharge or release from active duty service in order to receive the in-state resident tuition rate.

Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, Section 103

  • A covered individual is any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill ®benefits. 
  • Springfield Technical Community College will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.
  • Springfield Technical Community College will permit any covered individual to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website – eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates: 
    • The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution. 
    • 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

Students Placed on Active Military Orders

3691A. Withdrawal or leave of absence from certain education

(a) In General

  1. A covered member may, after receiving orders to enter a period of covered service, withdraw or take a leave of absence from covered education.

    1. The institution concerned may not take any adverse action against a covered member on the basis that such covered member withdraws or takes a leave of absence under paragraph (1).
    2. Adverse actions under subparagraph (A) include the following:
      1. The assignment of a failing grade to a covered member for covered education.
      2. The reduction of the grade point average of a covered member for covered education.
      3. The characterization of any absence of a covered member from covered education as unexcused.
      4. The assessment of any financial penalty against a covered member.

(b) Withdrawal

If a covered member withdraws from covered education under subsection (a), the institution concerned shall refund all tuition and fees (including payments for housing) for the academic term from which the covered member withdraws.

(c) Leave of Absence

If a covered member takes a leave of absence from covered education under subsection (a), the institution concerned shall-

  1. assign a grade of "incomplete" (or equivalent) to the covered member for covered education for the academic term from which the covered member takes such leave of absence; and
  2. to the extent practicable, permit the covered member, upon completion of the period covered service, to complete such academic term.

(d) Definitions

  1. The term "covered education" means a course of education-
    1. at an institution of higher education; and
    2. paid for with educational assistance furnished under a law administered by the Secretary.
  2. The term "covered member" means a member of the Armed Forces (including the reserve components) enrolled in covered education.
  3. The term "covered service" means-
    1. active service or inactive-duty training, as such terms are defined in section 101 of title 10; or
    2. State active duty, as defined in section 4303 of this title.
  4. The term "institution concerned" means, with respect to a covered member, the institution of higher education where the covered member is enrolled in covered education.
  5. The term "institution of higher education" has the meaning given such term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
  6. The term "period of covered service" means the period beginning on the date on which a covered member enters covered service and ending on the date on which the covered member is released from covered service or dies while in covered service.

(Added Pub. L. 117–328, div. U, title II, §216(a), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5455 .)

Academic Standing

The quality point index is required to maintain acceptable academic standing in an approved program of study.

For part-time students, the completion of 12 semester hours will be considered the completion of a semester.

Students receiving benefits from the Veterans Administration are advised that if their quality point average does not permit them to remain in a program, they may continue to attend as non-matriculated students at their own expense until their average allows them to re-enter the program.

Students are cautioned that the V.A. will not provide benefits to repeat a course, which has been previously passed, nor will they support courses that do not meet the requirements for an approved program of study.

Students receiving benefits from the Veterans Administration are advised that benefits will be extended only for the normal length of time that an approved program is designed to encompass. Full-time students must complete associate degree programs in five semesters. Part-time students will receive reduced benefits for the extended period of time necessary to complete their program of study. Specific questions about benefits, program approval and eligibility will be answered by the Veterans' Office on campus.

Grading Procedure and Unsatisfactory Grades

STCC makes use of a scale from "A" to "F" converted into quality points that are utilized in determining a cumulative average. A grade of "F" equals 0 quality points and is unsatisfactory. A "D" equals 1.0 and may count toward a degree if the quality point cumulative average is maintained with respect to degree specifications. The Veterans Administration does not authorize benefits for courses that are audited or challenged. A withdrawal or termination from a course constitutes an overpayment for the veteran.

Withdrawal and Absences

Students using benefits from the VA or DOD T.A. who decide to withdraw from a class should reach out to the Office of Veteran and Military Services at STCC to go over options. Students are responsible for the course and their monthly BAH could change (depending on the credit count).

Students using these benefits must initiate the withdrawal.

 

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

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