FAQs for Veteran Students
Below you will find frequently asked questions regarding veteran student benefits and other general questions.
I am a Veteran and would like to take classes during the day. Is this possible?
Yes. Veteran students will be allowed to attend day classes if eligible. Admissions requirements for the Non-Cadet Day Veterans program include but not limited to at least 90 days of active duty (other than training), DD-214 with an honorable discharge. For more information on admissions requirements, please contact The Citadel’s Office of Admissions.
How long does it take to receive GI Bill® payments if I’m a new student?
The VA needs a minimum of 12 weeks to process a new request for pay. To speed up the process, new students should apply for their VA Educational Benefit approval as early as possible. Once they receive the approval, Certificate of Eligibility (COE), and they have registered, processing time is the same as a returning student.
Does The Citadel defer tuition for veteran students until they receive their benefits?
Yes, only for students receiving Post 9/11 Benefits. Our policy is to report tuition and fees after drop/add. Only the tuition portion of the Post 9/11 GI Bill® will be deferred. Students are still responsible to pay by bill due date the portion of their bill that is NOT covered by the Post 9/11 GI Bill®. Financial Aid and payment plans are available. For more information, visit the Financial Aid Website or the Treasurer’s Office website.
How do I get in-state tuition?
Residency status for tuition purposes can be complex. We encourage you to contact the Office of the Registrar for further details.
Why did I receive a letter from the VA stating that The Citadel reported $0 for tuition and fees?
The Citadel will report your hours of enrollment as soon as possible with $0.00 reported for your tuition and fees. We will report tuition and fees after the drop/add date. This is done to ensure that you receive your BAH and book allowance on time. Once drop/add has passed, we will then report tuition and fees to the VA. This process prevents over awards to the student.
What do I need to do to take classes at another school to receive benefits?
In order to take classes at another school, the classes taken must be transferred back to The Citadel as credit toward your degree program. You must fill out the “Permission to take classes at another school” form as soon as possible and return it to The Citadel Veterans Services Office. You will also need to contact the Certifying Official at the school where you are taking your transient classes in order for them to submit that enrollment to the VA.
Is there a website where I can ask questions directly of the VA?
Yes. The VA has two online question/answer options. The first is a searchable database, and the second is an email address. They can be found at www.gibill.va.gov “Questions & Answers.”
How do I contact the Department of Veterans Affairs?
Students may inquire about the status of pending claims through the VA. The contact phone number is 1-888-442-4551. Students may also access their current entitlement online through va.gov or eBenefits.
How many credit hours must I take to receive my full benefits?
The Dept. of Veterans Affairs determines credit hour conversions. The Citadel only reports actual credits along with start and end dates of enrollment. You can view the Credit Hour Equivalencies as a guide to determining how many hours you must take to receive your full entitled benefits.
Policy for students called to active duty.
Citadel cadets and students in the National Guard and Reserves and with some prior active duty personnel may be called/recalled to active duty.
The Citadel recognizes and appreciates the important contributions made by these men and women to our country. In support of these students, The Citadel has developed the following procedures to provide each college with maximum flexibility in assisting these students. Students who are activated for full time military service during a time of national crisis (SC Code of Law 59-101-395), with activation orders or other official documentation will be provided the following options:
- Withdraw from all classes and 100% of the tuition and mandatory fees would be refunded and the students will be awarded “W” grades for each course. In addition, cadets would be given a pro-rated refund of all auxiliary fees.
- Student arranges with his/her instructor(s) for a grade and/or an incomplete (to be made up in the specified time period) in the course(s). The registration would remain intact and tuition and mandatory fees would be assessed in full.
If arrangements are made with only some of the student’s instructors for a grade and/or an incomplete, the registration for those courses would remain intact and tuition and mandatory fees would be assessed for those courses. Any courses for which arrangements cannot be made for a grade and/or an incomplete could be dropped and the tuition and mandatory fees for those courses would be refunded.
To be eligible for any of the above options, a copy of activation orders or other official documentation must be provided to the Office of the Registrar.
Financial aid is refunded in accordance with existing Citadel and Federal policies for each of the above situations. Inquiries should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid.
These procedures do not apply to national guardsmen or reservists who are fulfilling their annual two-week active duty training, or to students that enlist into active duty during the semester/term.
Questions regarding this policy or for assistance in withdrawing may reach out to the Office of the Registrar or the Veteran Student Success Center.
Please contact us if you have additional questions!
Phone and Email:
Phone: 843-953-9824 or 843-953-8405
Fax: 843-953-7578
Email: va_benefits@citadel.edu