Policies and Procedures

5400 Veteran’s Services

Initial Date of Approval: 4/22/09, Temp Approval 10/16/2026

Revision Date(s): 10/16/2026

Administrative Responsibility: Vice President of Student Services

PURPOSE

To provide assistance to persons eligible to use Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits and to establish institutional requirements for Veterans, service members, and eligible dependents in accordance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and Department of Veterans Affairs requirements. 

REFERENCES

  • Title 38 U.S.C., including applicable provisions governing Veterans education benefits  
  • Title 10 U.S.C., as applicable  
  • 20 U.S.C. § 1091c  
  • 34 CFR § 668.18, Readmission requirements for servicemembers  
  • 38 U.S.C. § 3679(e)  
  • 38 U.S.C. § 3696  
  • WAC 250.50, Veterans Education Program Unit  
  • U.S. Department of Education, Frequently Asked Questions: Institutional Readmission Requirements for Servicemembers  
  • SVC Policy 5315, Official Withdrawal from Courses  
  • SVC Policy 5345, Tuition Payment and Refunds  
  • SVC Policy 5350, Student Fees Charges 

 

POLICY

Skagit Valley College (SVC) complies with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) requirements, Department of War, and State Approving Agency requirements governing the provision of educational opportunities and benefits to Veterans, service members, and eligible dependents.

 

Recruitment and Enrollment Practices 

SVC prohibits the use of high-pressure recruitment tactics to secure the enrollment of service members or other individuals eligible for Veterans' education benefits. 

High-pressure recruitment practices include, but are not limited to, misrepresentation, threats, intimidation, excessive or repeated unsolicited contacts, time limitations designed to pressure enrollment decisions, financial inducements, and false comparisons or disparagement of other educational institutions. 

SVC does not provide any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollment or financial aid to persons or entities engaged in student recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance, except as permitted by applicable law. 

 

Admission and Enrollment 

SVC maintains an open admission policy consistent with applicable College policies and program requirements. Veterans, service members, and eligible dependents have access to the College's admission and enrollment processes consistent with applicable federal and state requirements. 

Certain programs may have additional admission requirements or selective entry processes. 

 

Veterans Education Benefits 

SVC provides assistance to eligible students seeking to use Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits. 

Programs and courses may be certified for VA education benefits when approved and eligible under applicable federal and State Approving Agency requirements. 

Students seeking to use VA education benefits are responsible for providing required documentation and notifying Veterans Education of changes that may affect their benefits, including changes in enrollment, program of study, address, or other information required for certification. 

SVC will certify eligible students in accordance with applicable VA requirements and will report changes in enrollment or other circumstances affecting certification as required. 

Eligibility for and payment of VA education benefits are determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

 

Military Service Withdrawal 

Students whose enrollment is interrupted because of military service may withdraw from courses in accordance with SVC Policy 5315, Official Withdrawal from Courses, and applicable state and federal requirements. 

Policy 5315 establishes the College's procedures and exceptions relating to withdrawal and refunds for qualifying military service. Nothing in this policy is intended to replace or modify the withdrawal, refund, transcript, or documentation requirements established in Policy 5315. 

 

Readmission of Service Members 

SVC will promptly readmit a service member whose enrollment was interrupted due to qualifying military service. 

A service member who was previously admitted to SVC but did not attend, or who was unable to continue attendance because of qualifying military service, will be readmitted with the same academic status the student had when the student last attended SVC or was last admitted to SVC, as applicable. 

This requirement applies to students who are unable to attend or continue their enrollment at SVC because of qualifying service in the uniformed services. Federal requirements define qualifying military service and establish the conditions under which the readmission protection applies.  

For purposes of this policy, same academic status includes, as applicable: 

  • admission to the same academic program, or the most similar program if the original program is no longer offered;  
  • the same enrollment status, unless the service member requests or agrees to a different status;  
  • the same number of credit hours previously completed, unless the student is admitted to a different program and the hours are not transferable; and  
  • the same academic standing, including satisfactory academic progress status.  

SVC will make reasonable efforts, at no additional cost to the service member, to assist the student in becoming prepared to resume the program at the point where the student left off when such assistance is required under applicable federal requirements.  

SVC will administer readmission requests for service members in accordance with applicable federal requirements and U.S. Department of Education guidance. 

The Veterans Education Office will coordinate with Enrollment Services and other appropriate College offices to facilitate the readmission of eligible service members. 

Reference: U.S. Department of Education, Frequently Asked Questions: Institutional Readmission Requirements for Servicemembers: 

Institutional Readmission Requirements for Servicemembers 

 

Protection for Certain Chapter 31 and Chapter 33 Students 

In accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 3679(e), SVC will not impose penalties or deny access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities on a covered individual because of the individual's inability to meet financial obligations to the College due to the delayed disbursement of education assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs under Chapter 30,31, 33, and 35.  

SVC will administer these protections in accordance with applicable federal law and VA requirements. 

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill. 

 

Institutional Responsibilities 

The Veterans Education Office, in collaboration with Enrollment Services, Financial Services, Financial Aid, academic departments, and other appropriate College offices, will maintain procedures necessary to administer Veterans education benefits and comply with applicable federal and state requirements. 

These procedures may address: 

  • eligibility documentation;  
  • enrollment certification;  
  • changes in enrollment;  
  • readmission following qualifying military service;  
  • tuition and fee requirements;  
  • VA reporting requirements;  
  • records retention;  
  • State Approving Agency requirements; and  
  • communication with students regarding Veterans education benefits.  

 

Compliance 

Where applicable federal or state law or regulation establishes a requirement or protection that differs from this policy, the applicable law or regulation will govern.