Return of Military Education Benefits

Return of Military Education Benefits

The University complies with all refund requirements established by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense for students who withdraw prior to completion of a term or payment period for which military education benefits have been received:

Veterans Benefits

School Certifying Officials will notify the Department of Veterans Affairs within 30 days of the change in enrollment status along with the corresponding change in tuition, fees, and Yellow Ribbon, and a characterization of either "non-punitive grades assigned" or "punitive grades assigned". The DVA will determine if a debt is owed either by the school or the student, based on the timing of the withdrawal. Generally, a debt belongs to the student if s/he begins a course. The school is responsible for the debt if the student reduced or withdrew from school on or before the first day of the term. The student and/or the school will be notified of the debt by the DVA.

Tuition Assistance for Active Duty Military

Tuition Assistance is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded.

To comply with Department of Defense policies, WCU will return any unearned TA funds on a prorated basis through at least the 60% portion of the period (term) for which the funds were provided. Funds are paid by term as invoiced by the campus.

Ground Undergrad Programs - 10 week terms
Online Programs - 8 week terms
CGS OT & PT - 15 week terms

TA funds are earned proportionally during the term (not semester/trimester), with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending. Theses funds are returned to the military service branch according to the following schedule.

Note: References to a "week" below refer to 7 consecutive calendar days.

8 Week Term (60% Complete During Week 5)

100% of TA received will be returned if the student stops attending before the add/drop period (week 2).
75% of TA received will be returned if the student stops attending during week three.
50% of TA received will be returned if the student stops attending during week four.
40% of TA received will be returned if the student stops attending during week five.
No TA received will be returned if the student withdraws after the fifth week of classes.

10 Week Term 60% Complete During Week 6)

100% of TA received will be returned if the student stops attending before the add/drop period (week 2)
75% of TA received will be returned if the student stops attending during week three.
50% of TA received will be returned if the student stops attending during weeks four or five.
40% of TA received will be returned if the student stops attending during week six. (60% of course is completed)
No TA received will be returned if the student withdraws after week six of classes.

15 Week Term (60% Complete During Week 9)

100% of TA received will be returned if the student stops attending before the add/drop period (week 2)
75% of TA received will be returned if the student stops attending during weeks three and four.
50% of TA received will be returned if the student stops attending during weeks five through eight.
40% of TA received will be returned if the student stops attending during week nine. (60% of course is completed)
No TA received will be returned if the student withdraws after week nine of classes.

16 Week Term (60% Complete During Week Ten)

100% of TA received will be returned if the student stops attending before the add/drop period (week 2)
75% of TA received will be returned if the student stops attending during week three and four.
50% of TA received will be returned if the student stops attending during weeks five through nine.
40% of TA received will be returned if the student stops attending during week ten.
No TA received will be returned if the student withdraws after week ten of classes.

Students requiring a military leave must submit their request in writing/email to the University's Registrar or Student Services Office, and include a copy of their military orders. Students requesting a military leave in the middle of an academic term will be removed and unregistered from the course(s). The University will perform the required calculations for the Return to Title IV, and the remaining charges for the term will be reversed from the students account. Upon return to the University, the student will resume their academic program and will not be required to retake any previously passed courses.

Students who do not submit a request in writing/email and are absent more than 14 consecutive calendar days will be withdrawn from the University.

While deployed, students may be eligible for a military deferment on their federal student loans. However, the deferment is not automatic and a student must apply by contacting their lender(s).