Veterans Educational Benefits

SVSU certifies enrollment for students eligible for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefits. Students must be admitted to SVSU as a degree-seeking or guest student. Students using veterans’ educational benefits for the first time should contact the VA to obtain a certificate of eligibility. Students transferring from another institution may complete the appropriate forms in the Military Student Affairs Office. Students eligible for veterans’ educational benefits should contact the Military Student Affairs School Certifying Official when registering for each term.

The following applies to any student who is currently serving as an active duty servicemember or drilling reservist, veteran of a U.S. military branch, or is a spouse/dependent of a U.S. military branch:

• Application and orientation fees will be waived.
• In-state tuition rates will be granted with official documentation of military service.

In addition, in-state tuition will be granted to:

Any individual using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty Program), Chapter 33 (Post-9/11® GI Bill ), of title 38, United States Code, and/or the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in the State of Michigan while attending Saginaw Valley State University (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).

Students receiving veterans educational benefits are expected to maintain academic progress according to the criteria listed below.

1. Undergraduate degree students receiving veterans educational benefits will be checked for academic probation, for certification purposes, based on a 2.00 cumulative GPA instead of the sliding scale normally used to determine academic probation and dismissal. A student on VA academic probation has two semesters to achieve a 2.00 cumulative GPA before certification is denied. Certification will remain denied until cumulative GPA is raised to a minimum of 2.00.
2. If a student receives a failing (“F” or “WF”) or no pass (“N”) grade for a course that has been certified for veterans educational benefits, the student must report in writing to the School Certifying Official the final day of attendance in the course. If this is not done, SVSU is required to report to the VA that the last day of attendance was the first day of classes for that semester.
3. If a student withdraws from a certified course, officially (completing withdrawal form at Registrar’s Office) or unofficially (walks away without notifying the Registrar’s Office), the student must report in writing to the School Certifying Official the final day of attendance in the course. If this is not done, SVSU is required to report to the VA that the last day of attendance was the first day of classes for that semester.

When a student using veterans educational benefits transfers to SVSU, we will inform the student and the VA of the “credit for previous training.” In addition, the student will be informed of the number of credits necessary to complete the program to which she/he is admitted.