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VA Course Withdrawal Policy

This policy applies to any student using VA educational benefits at Thomas Edison State University.  Due to the complex nature of this policy we urge all students to contact the U.S Department of Veteran Affairs at 1-888-442-4551 before you withdraw from a course to determine the impact on allowances, book stipend, and tuition and fees. It is also highly recommended that you follow up with the TESU Office of Military & Veteran Affairs (OMVE) at 609-777-5696 to develop a game plan to minimize the financial impact.

VA One-Time Exception (OTE) for Mitigating Circumstances

  • One-time exception intended to lessen the financial impact on a student withdrawing from a course
  • Does NOT eliminate all debt to the student
  • Debt will be based on the time student was NOT enrolled in the course
  • Students with legitimate mitigating circumstances must let TESU school certifying official know and will be treated the same as students using OTE

Scenario 1: Full-time Post-9/11 student reduced to ¾ time due to withdrawal (under OTE)

  • Student has NOT previously used the one-time exception
  • Withdraws from 3-credit course going from full-time to ¾ time
  • Term dates January 1st to March 21st; student withdraws February 10th
  • Student should be entitled to tuition and fees for dates enrolled
  • Student should be entitled to full BAH for January, but BAH rate would drop to ¾ time rate for February and March

Withdrawing Without Mitigating Circumstances or One-Time Exception

  • Enrollment changes any time during the term are retroactively changed to beginning of term impacting payment of tuition and fees (resulting in student debt)
  • Enrollment changes any time during the term are retroactively changed to beginning of term impacting payment of allowances and stipends (resulting in student debt)
  • No credit is given for the time attended within applicable courses before withdrawal

Scenario 2: Full-time Post-9/11 student reduced to ¾ time due to withdrawal (without OTE)

  • Student not eligible for one-time exception (or previously used the OTE)
  • Withdraws from 3-credit course going form full-time to ¾ time
  • Term dates June 1st to August 21st; student withdraws July 10th
  • Tuition and fees retroactively changed to ¾ time from the beginning of term (resulting in student debt)
  • BAH retroactively changed to ¾ time from the beginning of term (resulting in student debt)

Punitive Grades

  • Consider the cost of withdrawal vs. continuation within a course
  • Failed courses during one term at TESU will not necessarily result in student debt
  • Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is required to remain eligible to use VA benefits
  • Back-to-back term failures will lead to ineligibility to use VA benefits until SAP is met
  • Contact the Department of Veteran Affairs at 1-888-442-4551 BEFORE you withdraw
  • Follow up with TESU Office of Military and Veteran Affairs (OMVE) at 609-777-5696