All Southwestern Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Science degree programs are approved for VA benefits by the Veterans Administration. The Veterans Service Office in Dellwood Hall, Rm 19, oversees veteran students' enrollment in these programs.
Veterans Educational Benefits
Veterans Administration (VA) Mission Statement:
To assist our nation's veterans and their eligible dependents in accessing their VA education benefits, while safeguarding the G.I. Bill resources available for those educational programs. Provide consistent service, share knowledge, promote individual growth and support opportunities to access higher education.
Visit SWOCC's award-information page for more details.
Under 38 U.S.C. 3679(c). Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 the following individuals shall be charged a rate of tuition not to exceed the in-state rate for tuition and fees purposes:
- A Veteran using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill – Active Duty Program) or Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 G.I. Bill), of Title 38, United States Code, who lives in Oregon while attending a school located in Oregon (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
- Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Oregon while attending a school located in Oregon (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of the transferor's discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
- Anyone described above while he/she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same school. The person so described must have enrolled in the school prior to the expiration of the three year period following discharge or release as described above and must be using educational benefits under either Chapter 30 or Chapter 33, of Title 38, United States Code.
- Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in Oregon while attending a school located in Oregon (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).
- Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Oregon while attending a school located in Oregon (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and the transferor is a member of the uniformed service who is serving on active duty.
- The policy shall be read to be amended as necessary to be compliant with the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 3679(c) as amended.
Successful Enrollment at Southwestern
The following steps are provided as a guide to ensure veterans have a smooth transition into the academic life here at Southwestern.
- Fill out an online application for veterans benefits: gibill.va.gov and bring a printed copy to the Southwestern Oregon Community College Veterans Office along with a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4) and Disability letter (only for Chapter 31 benefits).
- Apply for admission and pay the $40 fee. This fee is non-refundable; however, it does cover the cost of placement processing.
- Any student receiving G.I. Bill education benefits while attending Southwestern Oregon Community College is required to obtain transcripts from military training and all previously attended schools and submit them to the school for evaluation of prior credit and shortening of the program proportionately.
- Talk with the Veteran’s/Financial Aid staff or email, located in Dellwood Hall, to receive all necessary applications and paperwork for processing your financial aid requests.
- Go to Educational Support Programs and Services (ESPS) located in Stensland Hall, to the Curry Campus or to the Gold Beach Center to complete the placement process and meet with a veterans counselor to schedule your classes.
- Once registered for classes, return to the Veterans Office with a printed schedule so your registration can be verified in the Veterans education database.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal regulations require approved schools to have written standards of academic progress for students receiving VA educational benefits. The following are standards for the Southwestern Oregon Community College “Satisfactory Academic Policy,” which is defined as maintaining a minimum 2.0 term GPA. Students who fail to meet the criteria for two quarters will go on “Aid Withheld Status” and failure to meet the criteria for three quarters will result in being placed on “Aid Suspension Status.”
Aid Withheld Status
If a student has an Aid Withheld Status, students must come to the Veterans Office in person, after the fourth week of the term, to receive a Blue Book for documenting progress in current classes. Students must have instructors sign and document their current grades before returning it to the Veterans Office. If students have a ‘C’ or better in all classes, the student may be retroactively certified to receive benefits.
Aid Suspension Status
Students will only be retroactively certified to receive veterans education benefits after grades are released at the end of the term and have successfully passed all classes with a term GPA of 2.0 or better. Upon successfully passing three or more continuous terms, students may request to return to the standard certification process. Blue books are not applicable if students are on Aid Suspension Status.
Dropped Class Policy
Students receiving VA education benefits must assume responsibility for notifying the Veterans Office of any changes in their schedule. Students are cautioned that a reduction in credits during the term may result in a reduction of benefit payments and possible debt to the student.
Students must have the instructors’ signatures on add/drop forms or instructor authorizations on myLakerLink to add courses after the first Wednesday of the term. Students may withdraw from a course or from all courses through the end of the second Wednesday of the term or within the course’s refund period without responsibility for a grade. Dropping after the refund period will result in “W” grades on transcripts. Students may drop courses until the Wednesday before finals week. Students are strongly encouraged to consult the instructor before dropping to ascertain their status in the course.
Training Time Management
Full Time – (12 or More Credits)
Three Quarter Time – (9-11 Credits)
Half Time – (6-8 Credits)
Less than Half Time – (6 Credits or Less)
Agency Billing
The College charges a fee for agencies that ask to be billed for tuition, fees, and/or Bookstore charges and to defer the receipt of payments. The fee is variable with a maximum charge of 10% of the total deferred charges. The agency fee is in accordance with Administrative Policy/Procedure (APP) 9.028(A) - Fee Schedule. For further information call the Business Office at 541-888-7440 or 800-962-2838, ext. 7440.