Veteran/Military Student Policies

Delayed Payment of GIBill®

Effective August 1, 2019, and per Section 103 of Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 (section 3679 of title 38), students using Ch. 31 (VR&E) or Ch. 33 (Post 9/11 GIBill®) benefits:

Covered individuals that are currently enrolled cannot be denied the right to attend courses if the following documentation is provided:
1. Certificate of Eligibility (COE), prior to the first day of session
2. Written request to use such entitlement.
3. Additional information as required to submit proper certificate of enrollment, including but not limited to, domiciliary documentation, social security number, etc.
Will not receive penalty, including late fees, denial of access to classes, libraries or school facilities, or be required to borrow additional funds due to his or her financial obligations to Laurel Ridge Community College as a result of delayed payments by VA for education assistance under Chapter 31 or 33. This period will begin on the date student provides the COE (or statement of benefits from eBenefits) and will end on the earlier of the following dates:
1. The date on which payment from VA is received by Laurel Ridge Community College
2. 90 days after the date Laurel Ridge Community College certified tuition and fees in VA Once

Will not be denied access to any school resource available to any current student.
Will be required to pay tuition and fees minus the anticipated VA payment, if they have less than 100% eligibility

To see the full policy, please go here.

Eligibility for In-State Tuition

Anyone not eligible through his or her own domicile or that of a parent or legal guardian, or spouse, may be eligible under the military exception, the military spouse or dependent exception, or a special arrangement contract. Those interested should contact the Enrollment Services Office for additional information. Domicile guidelines may be referenced at State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and at Domicile for Veterans, Military, and Dependents.

State Military Domicile Exceptions - SCHEV (State Council on Higher Education for Virginia)

Domicile Exceptions for Active-Duty Members. Family of Active-Duty Members, or Veterans and Family Members

Federal Military Domicile Exceptions

Laurel Ridge Community College, in compliance with title 38 United States Code Section 3679(c), shall provide in-state tuition rates in accordance with the following qualifying exceptions:

A veteran using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill® - Active-Duty Program) or Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 G.I. Bill), of Title 38, United States Code, who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of their formal state of residence).
Anyone using transferred post-9/11 GI Bill benefits who lives in the state where the IHL is located, and the transferor is a member of the uniformed service serving on active duty.
A spouse or child using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9) who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of their formal state of residence).
A spouse or child using benefits under Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance (Chapter 35) living in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of their formal state of residence).
An individual using educational assistance under chapter 31, Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of their formal state of residence) effective for courses, semesters, or terms beginning after March 1, 2019
Anyone described above remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same institution. Therefore, the described person must be enrolled in the institution and use educational benefits under Chapters 30, 31, 33 or 35 of Title 38, United States Code.

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 http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Domicile Appeal Procedures

Any applicant denied in-state tuition has the right to appeal according to the following procedures:

A member of Enrollment Services will make the initial determination.
Upon appeal, an intermediate review will be conducted by the Registrar.
Final administrative review will be made by a domicile appeals committee.

Additional information regarding the domicile appeal procedure is available in the Student Handbook and from the Enrollment Services Office.

GIBill® Beneficiary Grievance Procedure

The Virginia State Approving Agency (SAA) is the approving authority of education and training programs for Virginia. Our office investigates complaints of GI Bill® beneficiaries. While most complaints should initially follow the school grievance policy, if the situation cannot be resolved at the school, the beneficiary should contact our office via email saa@dvs.virginia.gov.

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 http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Refunds, Credits, and Reinstatement as a Result of Military Service

Laurel Ridge Community College shall provide tuition relief, refund, and reinstatement of students whose service in the uniformed services has required their sudden withdrawal or prolonged absence from their enrollment. For more information, please visit here.

Return of Unearned Department of Defense Tuition Assistance

Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded. To comply with Department of Defense policy, Laurel Ridge Community College will return any unearned TA funds to the Department of Defense (DOD) on a prorated basis through at least the 60% portion of the period for which the funds were provided.

TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned to the DOD based upon when a student stops attending. Return of funds to the DOD may result in student debt, for which the student will be responsible.

Unearned TA funds will be returned to the DOD on a prorated basis, depending on the length of the course. If a service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, Laurel Ridge Community College will identify solutions that will not result in a student debt for the returned portion.

Any student may drop a course(s) without financial encumbrance within the College’s established last date to drop and qualify for a refund period. During the refund period, Laurel Ridge Community College will return 100% of tuition assistance paid funds to DOD on behalf of the student. After the allowable drop period and when a student receiving tuition assistance funds from DOD withdraws or ceases attending, Laurel Ridge Community College will return unearned tuition assistance funds to the DOD on a proportional basis through the 60% portion of the period for which tuition assistance funds were provided. The returned amount of unearned tuition assistance will be added to the student’s Laurel Ridge Community College financial account. This is in accordance with Laurel Ridge Community College’s tuition processes. Within 45 days, the student will be notified by Laurel Ridge Community College as to the portion of the funds to be returned to DOD and to Laurel Ridge Community College. For more information, please visit here.

Transfer Credit for Military Experience

Laurel Ridge Community College awards credit for military experience/schooling. Those interested should contact the Records Office.

Tuition Refund Exception (Military Students)

It is the policy of Laurel Ridge Community College to provide for the tuition relief, refund, and reinstatement of students whose active military duty during a time of national emergency has required their sudden withdrawal or prolonged absence from their enrollment. For more information, please visit here.

Veterans Educational Benefits

Veterans who have served in the military or children, spouses, or widows/widowers of veterans may be eligible for educational assistance through the U.S. Department Veterans’ Affairs (VA) or the Virginia Department of Veteran Services (DVS). For information concerning the VA and educational assistance, contact Laurel Ridge Veterans Services, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. The Veteran Services Office at Laurel Ridge provides information about VA educational benefits to veterans, service members and eligible dependents. The office also certifies student enrollment with the VA, VANG, VMSDEP and Federal TA. This institution is approved to offer GI Bill® educational benefits by the Virginia State Approving Agency.