In accordance with the Virginia Tuition Relief, Refund, and Reinstatement Guidelines, University students in the uniformed services under call or order to active duty, of more than 30 days, after the beginning of a semester or summer session have two options they may consider with the dean's office of their school of enrollment and UREG (Office of the University Registrar) in determining their enrollment status with the University:
- Students may withdraw from all courses in which they are enrolled as of the effective date of the call or order to report to active duty. When this option is selected, a full credit of all tuition and fees, and any pre-paid tuition, room, or board deposits, will be made to the student's account. Students will receive a pro-rated credit of dining service and housing contract charges. Financial aid awards that were credited to the student's account will be recovered by the University in the amount of tuition and fees, dining, or housing credit. Loans used to cover the remaining charges will be subject to normal repayment procedures. For students receiving Title IV funds, financial aid recovery will be subject to requirements for return of Title IV funds to the federal government. The notation "Withdrew for military service [date]" will be added to the official transcript.
- Students may take a grade of incomplete in all courses. The conditions for completing course work and receiving a regular grade should be agreed to between the student, course instructors, and the appropriate dean's office of the school in which the student is enrolled. Upon separation from active duty, and subject to the reinstatement provisions below, students may complete the course work without paying any additional tuition and fees for the semester. Students will receive a pro-rated credit of dining service and housing contract charges. Financial aid awards that were credited to student's accounts will be recovered by the University in the amount of any dining or housing credit. Loans utilized to cover the remaining charges will be subject to normal repayment procedures. For students receiving Title IV funds, financial aid recovery will be subject to requirements for return of Title IV funds to the federal government. No notation is added to the transcript, and the incomplete grades are changed to final grades when the coursework is completed.
Families of students living in University family housing may remain in their units for 60 days or until the end of the semester, whichever is longer. Assistance in finding alternative housing will be available through the Housing Division.
To initiate the process of withdrawing from courses (option one) or receiving incompletes in courses (option two), students will need to discuss their situation with the appropriate representative from their dean's office, in consultation with UREG, and provide a copy of their active duty orders.
Regardless of the option selected above, the following provisions govern reinstatement to the University upon release or return from service in the uniformed services. Former students (option one) and students (option two) are entitled to reinstatement, to their program of study (if available), without having to reapply for admission if (1) they return to the University after a cumulative absence of not more than five years, and (2) they provide notice of intent to return to the University not later than three years after the completion of the period of service. (Exceptions to these time periods may be found in the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008.) Throughout the entire process, former students/students will have access to counseling to determine the impact of absence from the program, to evaluate the ability to resume study, and to assess options when a program is no longer available or suitable.
Applicants to the University who have accepted an offer of admission but who have not yet registered in a degree program may defer admission and enroll for the next appropriate semester following discharge from active duty, provided the school to which the student has been admitted receives adequate notice of the applicant's intention to enroll. It will not be necessary for the applicant to reapply for admission nor to pay an additional application fee. Any pre-paid admission deposits, tuition, room, or board charges will be refunded.
This policy is applicable to all students registered at the University, whether on Main Grounds or through the School of Continuing and Professional Studies.
For further information, students should contact UREG, at 434-924-4122.
-- July 1, 2011
Resources: Virginia Tuition Relief, Refund, and Reinstatement Guidelines