As a military Veteran, service members have received significant training and education. This training may be equivalent to required courses in Ascent College degree plans, and may be considered as transfer credits to reduce the overall number of required credits in an academic program. To navigate this opportunity, please explore the steps outlined here to request official JST or CCAF transcripts. 

Veterans may also request assistance in improving academic and study skills. Many prospective students may need help brushing up on basic math and writing skills as they seek to understand and prepare for the expectations of college-level programming. Ascent College has courses and other assistance to help military Veterans transition into college life. Please contact our Veterans Assistance Office and Registrar at info@ascent.edu for more information. We are here to help! 

Ascent College also has faculty and staff that understand the special needs of our military students. The following faculty members have past military experience and welcome your contact: 

• Lt. Colonel Robert McDowell, USAF, Retired
• Colonel Paul Thee, USAF, Retired
• Major Kevin D. Willis, USA, Retired
• Chaplain (MAJ) Donald W. Kammer, USA, Retired

Please contact our Registrar, Sonji Thee, at sthee@ascent.edu to request an introduction.

A covered individual is any individual entitled to educational assistance under Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or Chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Covered individuals will be permitted 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 – eBenefits, 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. Ninety (90) days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

Ascent College will not impose any penalty, including assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow 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.

Pursuant to 23-9.6:2 of the Code of Virginia, and corresponding State Council on Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) guidelines, Ascent College has developed this policy providing for the tuition relief, refund, and reinstatement of students whose service in the uniformed services has required their sudden withdrawal or prolonged absence from their enrollment. Service in the uniformed services is defined as service (whether voluntary or involuntary) on active duty in the Armed Forces, including such service by a member of the National Guard or Reserve, for a period of more than thirty (30) days under call or order to active duty of more than thirty (30) days. Ascent College shall provide for the following:

1. Tuition and Required Fees
   Should a student be ordered to active duty (for reservists) or be mobilized (active military) as described in the Code of Virginia, Section 23-9.6:2 and the State Council’s Virginia Tuition Relief, Refund, and Reinstatement Guidelines and he/she requests to be withdrawn from the college after the Add/Drop date, the student may elect either to be deleted from the registration file and be awarded a full refund or to be administratively withdrawn with no refund and assigned a grade of “W.” This policy also applies to refunds of Student Activity fees and other fees to students. Ascent College shall provide, at the option of the student, refunds of deposits to be retained and to be applicable to tuition and fees charged in the semester or term in which the student returns to study.
2. Textbooks
   Ascent College shall process refunds for textbooks according to contractual arrangements with vendors.
3. Academic Credits and Grades
   Students who are called to active duty or are mobilized, meaning serving in the uniformed services, as described in Virginia Tuition Relief, Refund, and Reinstatement Guidelines, will have the opportunity to receive an incomplete grade (“I”) until released from active duty (for reservists) or mobilization (for active military personnel). All course requirements shall be completed within one (1) year from the date of release from active duty or mobilization. Students may be given the option of taking their examinations prior to regularly scheduled times as an exception to Ascent College policy in accordance with the Virginia Tuition Relief, Refund, and Reinstatement Guidelines. Careful consideration will be given and special options are available for students who receive student financial aid or Veterans Administration benefits.
4. Deposits
   Ascent College shall provide, at the option of the student, deposits to be retained and to be applicable to tuition, or fees charged in the semester or term in which the student returns to study.
5. Reinstatement
   Students who are called to active duty or are mobilized will be provided a reasonable opportunity to be reinstated in the same programs of study without having to reapply for admission if they return to Ascent College after a cumulative absence of not more than five (5) years so long as the student provides notice of intent to return to the institution not later than three (3) years after the completion of the period of service.
6. Dissemination of Information
   In accordance with the requirements of the Code of Virginia, Section 23-9.6:2, and the Virginia Tuition Relief, Refund, and Reinstatement Guidelines, Ascent College will make every effort to ensure that the aforementioned policies relative to tuition relief, refund, academic credit, and reinstatement are well disseminated and carefully explained. Ascent College has designated the Office of Student Services as the office to ensure that these policies are properly disseminated and administered.