Military and Veterans

For VA Chapter 30, 31, 33, 35, 1606 “and etc”, please see instruction below for using your VA educational benefits:

1. Visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Education and Training Center to find out more about the benefits for which you qualify.
2. Request your Letter of Eligibility and complete the VA Application:
   If the VA finds you eligible, they will mail you a “Certificate of Eligibility” or an “Award Letter” with information about your benefit.
3. Please submit a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to the student accounts financial coordinator, Rebekah Schaub, immediately upon receipt (via email or drop off in person).
4. Request that your Military Transcripts be sent to Alma College.
   We accept up to 84-credits towards an undergraduate program from prior colleges/universities and military training.
5. Complete the GI Bill® Certification Request (every semester).This form is located in your Alma Portal under “Other Forms”.

1. Visit the Military Tuition Assistance (TA) Overview to find out more about the benefits for which you qualify. If you are a member of the Michigan National Guard, please visit the State of Michigan’s Tuition Assistance Programfor more information.
2. You need to first apply through your respective branch’s education portal or system. You may also need to complete a separate application for VA education benefits specifying “top-up” if applicable.
3. You are required to speak with your education advisor, military counselor, Education Services Officer (ESO) or Service to coordinate benefits.
4. Request your Letter of Eligibility and complete the VA Application and Tuition Assistance Application:
   If the VA finds you eligible, they will mail you a “Certificate of Eligibility” or an “Award Letter” with information about your benefit.
5. Please submit a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to the Director of Financial Aid, Rebekah Schaub, immediately upon receipt (via email or drop off in person).
6. Request that your Military Transcripts be sent to Alma College.
   We accept up to 84-credits towards an undergraduate program from prior colleges/universities and military training.
7. Complete the GI Bill® Certification Request (every semester).This form is located in your Alma Portal under “Other Forms”

Please submit the following required documents.

Active Military Members:

• DD-214 form verifying service
• Service verification letter from your command indicating current duty station
• Active military ID

For Veterans: 

• DD-214 form verifying service
• VA Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)

1. Log into inside.alma.edu
2. Click on “Financial Aid Home”
3. Select the academic year that you want to view from the “Select an Award Year” dropdown menu
4. Click on “College Financing Plan” to view Shopping Sheet

Service members will have access to a financial aid advisor at Alma College, who will provide appropriate loan counseling prior to offering, recommending, arranging, signing up for, disbursing, or enrolling them in any federal or alternative student loans.

15-week semester

1st week 90%

2nd week 85%

3rd week 80%

4th week 70%

5th week 65%

6th week 60%

7th week 50%

8th week 45%

9th week 40% (60% course completion)

10th and later no refund

Readmission Guidelines for Service Members

Steps to leaving Alma College when called to active duty, or when returning to Alma College from active duty.

A continuing student receiving VA benefits and called to active duty must provide a copy of their military orders to the Financial Aid Office, who will then notify the VA of the student’s new status. The FA Office will also notify both the Office of Academic Support and Registrar’s Office as needed to assist the student. A student who has been attending classes prior to being called to active duty must complete a Withdrawal Form through Self-Service.

For guidance on how withdrawal will affect academic progress, the student should contact the Registrar’s Office or Office of Academic Support while also utilizing their academic advisor.

Returning to Alma College from Active Duty

Alma College acknowledges that students may be temporarily unable to attend classes or be required to suspend their studies to perform uniformed service. We encourage such students to resume their education once a military service obligation has ended and adopts this policy to ensure the timely readmission of such students.

In accordance with federal regulations, 34 C.F.R. § 668.18 and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Alma College will promptly readmit service members who seek readmission to a program that was interrupted due to a uniformed service obligation.

Eligibility

This policy shall apply to:

1. Service members who are unable to attend classes for more than 30 consecutive days; and
2. Service members who are unable to attend classes for less than 30 days when such an absence would result in a withdrawal from Alma College.

A student is eligible for readmission under this policy if, during an absence, the student performs uniformed service, voluntary or involuntary, in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard or Reserve, active duty, active duty for training or full-time National Guard (under federal authority).

Notification of Intent to Return

The student must give written notice of their intent to return to Alma College by completing a Readmission Application with the Alma College Registrar’s Office within two (2) years after the military service period is completed. This form may be found online at https://www.alma.edu/admissions/military-and-veterans/

Upon the student’s return to Alma College, they must give written notice they may be entitled to the tuition and enrollment benefits outlined in this policy.

The returning student is required to provide official military orders or supporting documentation of a uniformed service obligation to the Office of Financial Aid as far in advance as possible, unless precluded by military necessity. Notification under this section must be provided, by the student, to the FA Office, by emailing finaid@alma.edu

Tuition and Fees

A returning student must be charged the same tuition and fees in effect during the last academic year the student attended, unless U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits or other service member education benefits will pay the amount in excess. For subsequent academic years, the returning student may not be charged tuition and fees over what other students in the program are charged.

Readmission Requirements

A returning student will be permitted to reenroll in the next class(es) scheduled in the same academic program, unless the student requests a later date of reenrollment or agrees to a different program. A returning student will be readmitted into the same academic program they were enrolled in before the military service obligation. If the exact program no longer exists, the student must be admitted to the program that is most similar. Returning students will be reenrolled with the same enrollment status, number of completed credit hours, and academic standing as the last academic year of attendance.

In accordance with federal regulations, returning students who receive a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces (including the National Guard and Reserves) are not eligible for readmission under this policy. However, service members who receive dishonorable or bad conduct discharge may remain eligible for readmission even though they will not be entitled to the benefits outlined in this policy.