VA Policies at TESU

In order to remain eligible to use Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) educational assistance benefits at Thomas Edison State University, students must remain fully engaged in all academically related activities.  Examples of these activities include making submissions to online discussion boards, submitting assignments, and completing exams and quizzes when due. Students should review course calendars for the timing and types of submissions expected.

Note: viewing or logging into your courses does not constitute academic engagement.

The University will periodically review student progress and engagement with course work during each applicable term. Failure to sign into courses and complete scheduled course work on time will result in a termination of your VA certification, which may lead to financial recoupment from the VA for any money paid to students for enrolling in these courses (including tuition, housing allowance and book stipend).

Undergraduate students using Veteran Affairs (VA) educational benefits when registering for courses at Thomas Edison State University on or after July 1, 2014 will be placed in a 12-week (3 month) attendance pattern designed to prevent overlapping terms. For example, if a student begins a 12-week term in July, they will be enrolled from July to September and will not be eligible for VA certification for the August or September terms.  Based on this scenario the attendance pattern for the year would be July to September, October to December, January to March, and April to June. Given Thomas Edison State University offers 12 terms per year, we realize that VA students will not all start at the same time, and as a result, will not follow the same attendance pattern; however, students will still be responsible for following their outlined attendance pattern for the year, so as to avoid any overlapping terms. For example; a VA student who is enrolled August to October will not be eligible for VA certification during the September or October terms.

This policy applies to any student using VA educational benefits at Thomas Edison State University.  Due to the complex nature of this policy we urge all students to contact the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs at 1-888-442-4551 before you withdraw from a course to determine the impact on allowances, book stipend, and tuition and fees. It is also highly recommended that you follow up with the TESU Office of Military & Veteran Affairs (OMVE) at 609-777-5696 to develop a game plan to minimize the financial impact.

VA One-Time Exception (OTE) for Mitigating Circumstances

• One-time exception intended to lessen the financial impact on a student withdrawing from a course
• Does NOT eliminate all debt to the student
• Debt will be based on the time student was NOT enrolled in the course
• Students with legitimate mitigating circumstances must let TESU school certifying official know and will be treated the same as students using OTE

Scenario 1: Full-time Post-9/11 student reduced to ¾ time due to withdrawal (under OTE)

• Student has NOT previously used the one-time exception
• Withdraws from 3-credit course going from full-time to ¾ time
• Term dates January 1st to March 21st; student withdraws February 10th
• Student should be entitled to tuition and fees for dates enrolled
• Student should be entitled to full BAH for January, but BAH rate would drop to ¾ time rate for February and March

Withdrawing Without Mitigating Circumstances or One-Time Exception

• Enrollment changes any time during the term are retroactively changed to beginning of term impacting payment of tuition and fees (resulting in student debt)
• Enrollment changes any time during the term are retroactively changed to beginning of term impacting payment of allowances and stipends (resulting in student debt)
• No credit is given for the time attended within applicable courses before withdrawal

Scenario 2: Full-time Post-9/11 student reduced to ¾ time due to withdrawal (without OTE)

• Student not eligible for one-time exception (or previously used the OTE)
• Withdraws from 3-credit course going form full-time to ¾ time
• Term dates June 1st to August 21st; student withdraws July 10th
• Tuition and fees retroactively changed to ¾ time from the beginning of term (resulting in student debt)
• BAH retroactively changed to ¾ time from the beginning of term (resulting in student debt)

Punitive Grades

• Consider the cost of withdrawal vs. continuation within a course
• Failed courses during one term at TESU will not necessarily result in student debt
• Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is required to remain eligible to use VA benefits
• Back-to-back term failures will lead to ineligibility to use VA benefits until SAP is met
• Contact the Department of Veteran Affairs at 1-888-442-4551 BEFORE you withdraw
• Follow up with TESU Office of Military and Veteran Affairs (OMVE) at 609-777-5696

Veteran students enrolled in Thomas Edison State University must demonstrate academic activity by attempting a minimum of 3 semester hour credits over the course of the 12-month period for which they are enrolled.

For example, a student whose course or other credit earning option began on Sept. 1, 2010, must register for another 3-credit course before Sept. 1, 2011, to be considered an enrolled Thomas Edison State University student for the following year. Students who do not attempt 3 credits in an academic year will be deemed "Inactive".

An "Inactive" veteran student may receive the following College services:

• Register for classes online. Veteran students will pay the current tuition rate.
• View grades and current financial aid award status.
• Submit changes to mailing or email addresses.
• Receive academic advising for only current or potential Thomas Edison State University degree programs.

Evaluation updates, review of new transcripts, degree program changes and access to myEdison® account will not be available. "Inactive" students (those who were previously enrolled in the University but who have not demonstrated academic progress as described above) can reactivate their enrollment by registering for a minimum of 3 semester hours in a course or other credit-earning option. Students will be governed by the academic policies in place at the time they began their program.

Veteran students who remain in "Inactive" status for three consecutive years, must reapply for admission to return to the University and will be governed by the academic policies and degree programs in place at the time of their readmission.