Veterans' Educational Benefits Progression Standards

Note: The department of veterans' benefits approved the following, new Veterans Administration (VA) progression standards as noted in Appendix E of the Truckee Meadows Community College catalog.

Progression standards for students receiving veterans' benefits

To be eligible for veterans' assistance, veterans must meet the following grade point average, credit completion and attendance requirements in order to maintain eligibility. These progression standards in no way affect a student's eligibility to continue attendance at TMCC without veterans' benefits.

If the student feels that, because of extenuating circumstances they have not been able to meet their progression standards, they may request a hearing before the Student Policies and Appeals Board. Requests to appear before the appeals board should be made to the acting associate dean of strategic enrollment management. Satisfactory progress is defined below:

1. Grade point average – Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00. As the "W" grade has no impact in determining the grade point average, it is interpreted as no credit or as if the class were never taken. A veteran who receives a W grade will therefore be given a credit load reduction and may be required to pay back a portion of the veterans' benefits received for that semester.
   
   Students who are receiving veterans' benefits and whose cumulative grade point average is less than 2.00 will be placed on veterans' benefits probation for the following semester of enrollment. The student will be released from probation when their cumulative grade point average equals 2.00 or above. Failure to obtain the minimum 2.00 grade point average during the probationary semester will result in suspension of veterans' benefits. To reestablish eligibility, students may take courses paid for with their own funds until the minimum 2.00 grade point average is achieved.
2. Credit completion – Veteran students must carefully review their courses and degree program to assure that no more than the number of credits required for the degree have been earned; and all such credits are directly applicable to the degree objective.
   
   To ensure that all courses are applicable, veterans must report all previous education and training to the college. It is the students' responsibility to order transcripts from institutions previously attended. After two semesters of enrollment, the department of veterans affairs will be notified if the student has failed to order transcripts. This may cause a stop in veterans' benefits. This includes any work done, without veterans' benefits received, for credit earned in excess of their degree requirements. Persons having questions regarding withdrawal from courses are encouraged to visit the Veterans' Educational Benefits Office, in Financial Aid RDMT 315, for assistance in reporting all facts to the VA upon which a decision should be based. This will ensure timely responses from the VA on payment status and prevent delays of possible payment due.
3. Attendance – Students are expected to attend all classes for which they have registered. A form will be mailed to all current DVA students for instructors' signatures verifying regular attendance.