Veterans Administration Benefits

The Veterans Administration administers certain programs for eligible veterans, service persons, reservists, and dependents of veterans seeking assistance for education. Benefits are determined by the Veterans Administration based on the veteran’s service record. Depending on the program, benefits may be used to pay for tuition, housing, and other educational expenses.

Before an Enrollment Certification will be submitted to the VA, the those wishing to receive benefits must complete the Certification Request and Acknowledgement of Responsibilities Form.

Students receiving VA benefits are required to maintain satisfactory progress towards degree completion and abide by all rules and regulations as outlined in the Aquinas College Student Conduct Code. Students are also responsible for reporting changes in their enrollment to the Veteran Certification Officer.

Students may obtain further information from the Veterans Administration Office nearest their home or from the Veterans Certifying Official in the Financial Aid Office in Hruby Hall.

Return of Tuition Assistance

Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend for the entire semester awarded. When a student withdraws from Aquinas College, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded.

To comply with the new Department of Defense policy, Aquinas College will return any unearned TA funds on a prorated basis through the 60% portion of the period for which the full amount of TA funds were provided for. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based on the completion of the withdrawal form by the student and according to the withdraw policy schedule. These funds are returned to the government and will not be refunded to the student.

The college realizes that on occasion, students may need an exception to the withdrawal policy. If the withdrawal was due to mitigating circumstances that were beyond the student’s control, the student has the opportunity to provide relevant documentation to the appeals team to support a request to back date the day of the withdrawal. This could result in an adjustment for the refund of the TA funds.

Unearned TA Return Schedule

Full-time TA-eligible students in the 16-week format only or 16-week and 8-week combination

• During the first two weeks of the semester 100% refund of tuition charges
• During the 3rd week of the semester 90% refund of tuition charges
• During the 4th week of the semester 75% refund of tuition charges
• During the 5th week of the semester 70% refund of tuition charges
• During the 6th week of the semester 60% refund of tuition charges
• During the 7th week of the semester 55% refund of tuition charges
• During the 8th week of the semester 50% refund of tuition charges
• During the 9th week of the semester 45% refund of tuition charges

Part-time TA- eligible students in 8-week format courses

• During the first two weeks of the quad 100% refund
• During the 3rd week of the quad 60% refund
• During the 4th week of the quad 50% refund
• After the 4th week of the quad full charges apply