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The Benedict College Veterans Resource Center (VRC) serves as the primary office on campus to assist veterans, active-duty members, and their dependents in supporting their educational needs; assists with educational benefit requirements; and connects them to campus resources.
Vision
To establish and sustain a nationally recognized comprehensive “military-friendly” education support program involving application, admission, matriculation, graduation, and professional placement that successfully attracts military veterans, service members, dependents and survivors to pursue their academic and professional development interests and goals.
Mission
Establish a “military-friendly” education support program that assist veterans, service members and their families with the transition from military service into a positive academic community in pursuit of professional and personal development by connecting students to expert support services and tools to enhance their academic and professional success at Benedict College.
Military Service Schools
Benedict College awards credit for military courses or training reflected on the Joint Services Transcript (JST). The transcript must be requested by the student to be sent directly to the Office of the Registrar. The student must be admitted, and the official transcript must be on file in the student’s academic record before an evaluation is completed and course credit awarded. Transfer military hours are included in the Benedict College credit hours attempted and earned but not in calculation of the Benedict College GPA.
In order to be eligible for a full monthly allowance, a veteran must be registered for twelve (12) or more credit hours per semester. Those registered for less than 12 semester credit hours are eligible for part-time compensation. Veterans are responsible for reporting any changes in enrollment status or schedules to the Veterans Resource Center. All requests for verification by veterans must be submitted by the last day to add classes in any given semester or summer session.
Veterans and Active-Duty Education Benefits
Benedict College is approved by the State Approving Agency for educating service members, veterans, dependents, and reservists under Title 38, U.S. Code for the following VA educational benefits:
- Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapter 30)
- Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31)
- Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
- Survivors and Dependents (Chapter 35)
- Selected Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1606)
A student may apply for VA Benefits online at https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/ to determine eligibility. Beginning students are urged to complete the necessary applications with the Department of Veterans Affairs at least eight weeks prior to enrollment. Upon receipt of the Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Veteran Affairs, veterans must submit a copy to the Veterans Resource Center to begin the certification process.
Benedict College requires all students who are eligible for military educational benefits to complete the following:
Specific information regarding each Veteran’s program may be obtained from the Veterans Resource Center located inside the Benedict College Business Development Center at 2601 Read Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29204. The Director of the Benedict College Veterans Resource Center can be reached at (803) 705-3258.
Veterans’ Affairs Standards of Academic Progress
Academic progress will be measured at the end of each semester. Failure by a student to maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) will result in that student being placed on academic probation for the following term. Failure by the student to maintain SAP during the probation term will result in academic suspension (termination of veteran’s benefits) for one term. A student who failed to maintain SAP may present documentation of mitigating circumstances. The interruption will be reported to the Veterans Administration within 30 calendar days of the change in status using VA Form 22-1999b. (See catalogue for SAP Policy)
Mitigating Circumstances
Mitigating circumstances are those which directly hinder pursuit of a course and which are judged to be beyond the student’s control. The following are some general categories of mitigating circumstances. This list is not all-inclusive.
- Serious illness of the veteran
- Serious illness or death in the veteran’s immediate family
- Emergency financial obligations or change of place of employment or work schedule which preclude pursuit of the course
- Unanticipated changes in child-care responsibilities
- Active-duty military service, including active duty for training
Academic Load
During the regular semester, a student is considered full-time for financial aid and VA purposes if enrolled in 12 or more semester credit hours and part-time if enrolled in less than 12 semester credit hours.
Green to Gold Program
The Green to Gold Active-Duty Option Program is a two-year program that provides eligible, active-duty enlisted soldiers an opportunity to complete a baccalaureate degree or a two-year graduate degree and earn a commission as an Army Officer.
For assistance in the application process, click the U.S. Army Green to Gold Active Duty Option Program Information Booklet. The booklet provides detailed information about the program. It also has a checklist that explains what information is required, sample documents, and waiver request that can help to submit a complete packet.
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