Veterans Affairs

Butler County Community College has established a Veterans Affairs Office to provide a wide variety of services and information to veterans and their dependents. The Veterans Affairs Office is run out of the Office of Financial Aid and is located in the Student Success Center. The Financial Aid staff is available to assist eligible persons in applying for veterans’ educational benefits. Veterans should notify the Associate Director of Financial Aid at the time they apply for admission to ensure timely receipt of benefits. The staff is prepared to help veterans in the areas of financial aid, academic advisement, tutoring, and counseling.

Benefits and Transition for Veterans

The Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, section 3679 of title 38, United States Code School Compliance ensures that Butler County Community College will permit any covered individual to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits “obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website, www.va.gov. or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates: 

1. The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
2. 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt ofthe certificate of eligibility.

Butler County Community College will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrows additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

Butler County Community College does require a covered individual complete, sign, and return the “Enrollment Verification Form” to a School Certifying Official (SCO) each semester in order to authorize the SCO to submit the covered individual’s certification. NOTE: A Covered Individual is any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.

Priority Registration for Veterans

Act 46 of 2014 requires public institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania to provide veteran students, as defined in the Act, with preference in course scheduling. Non-compliance may be reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Education by submitting the Higher Education Student Complaint form found at www.education.state.pa.us.

A veteran student:

• Has served in the United States Armed Forces, including a reserve component and National Guard
• Was discharged or released from such service under conditions other than dishonorable
• Has been admitted to BC3
• Resides in Pennsylvania while enrolled at the College

Course scheduling preference means that veteran students are able to start registering for courses sooner than students with the same class standing. The course schedule is available on the College’s website (www.BC3.edu) in advance of the start of registration.

An email will be sent to identified veteran students indicating the dates, times and campus locations. Veteran students must bring proof of service.

This policy will also be on the College website, in the online catalog, student handbook and advising materials distributed to students and advisors before registration begins for fall and spring.

“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 website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Academic Progress for Veterans Receiving Educational Benefits

Veterans will be held to the standards regarding academic standing that is listed below. Preparatory and/or developmental coursework will be used to determine academic standing. However, these courses are NOT included in the GPA displayed on the official transcript or grade mailer.

Academic Alert - Veterans will be placed on Academic Alert if their cumulative GPAs fall below 2.0 (provided their semester GPAs do not fall below 1.5). Veterans on Academic Alert will receive a letter with a listing of various campus resources for improving their academic performance. In addition, it is recommended that these Veterans work with their academic advisors to improve their progress toward graduation.

Academic Probation - Veterans will be placed on academic probation for one semester if their cumulative GPAs fall below 2.0 and their semester GPAs below 1.5 (provided the cumulative GPA does not fall below the requirement for enrollment). Veterans on academic probation must obtain a counselor’s signature in order to register and will be limited to a maximum of 13 credits. Any student registered for the upcoming semester that is placed on academic probation for the current semester, must attend a mandatory group advising session. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the student’s schedule.

Academic Suspension - Veterans will be placed on academic suspension for a semester if their semester GPAs are below 2.0 and their cumulative GPAs are in one of the following categories:

Academic suspension will prevent the Veteran from registering at the College until the end of the next fall or spring semester. Veterans who are academically suspended may appeal in writing to the Dean of Admissions and College Registrar and the Financial Aid Appeals Committee to continue their studies and receive their education benefits. All appeals are subject to review by the Committee on Readmission. Veterans are eligible for priority registration.