Veterans Education Benefits
Nexford University is approved to participate in educational benefits programs administered by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Eligible learners may use VA education benefits, including those available under Chapter 31 (Veteran Readiness and Employment) and Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®), to support their enrollment.
Learners intending to use VA education benefits must submit all required documentation and coordinate with Nexford’s School Certifying Official (SCO) at va@nexford.edu to initiate and maintain certification of enrollment.
Transfer Credit
All prior coursework must be evaluated prior to enrollment certification. Learners are required to complete the transfer credit evaluation process before VA certification can be submitted.
Courses previously completed, including those accepted as transfer credit, will not be certified for VA benefits to prevent overpayment.
Enrollment and Course Certification
The University will certify only those courses that are required for the learner’s current program of study.
Any changes in enrollment, including course drops, withdrawals, or program changes, must be reported promptly to Nexford’s SCO at va@nexford.edu, as these may impact VA benefits and may result in adjustments or overpayments.
Course Load
Undergraduate Programs. Learners may enroll in one course in their first term. Beginning in the second term, learners may enroll in up to two courses per term.
Learners who achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 may request approval to enroll in up to three courses concurrently. Approval is granted at the institution’s discretion.
Graduate Programs. Learners may enroll in up to two courses per term. Beginning their second term, learners may enroll in up to seven (7) credits per term when a one-credit course, where applicable within the program, is taken concurrently with two three-credit courses.
The capstone course must be taken as a standalone course. If elective courses remain, one elective course may be taken concurrently with the capstone.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Learners utilizing VA education benefits must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to remain eligible for continued certification.
If a learner fails to meet SAP requirements and is no longer eligible to continue enrollment under the University’s SAP policy, the University will report the change in enrollment status to the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which may result in the discontinuation of benefits.
The effective date of termination will be reported as the last date of the term or evaluation period in which SAP was not met. Learners remain financially responsible for any tuition or fees not covered following the discontinuation of VA benefits.
Learners readmitted after dismissal for failure to meet SAP may be placed on a SAP plan; however, VA certification will not resume while the learner remains below SAP standards. Certification will be reinstated only after the learner has re-established satisfactory academic progress, including meeting minimum CGPA requirements.
To resume VA benefits, learners must request re-certification through the Nexford SCO at va@nexford.edu.
Course Failure and Repetition
Repeated courses may be certified for VA benefits only where repetition is required to successfully complete the program and remains consistent with University policies.
If a learner is dismissed due to repeated course failures, VA certification will be terminated. Certification will not resume upon readmission until the learner has met all conditions required to regain satisfactory academic standing.
Leave of Absence
A Leave of Absence (LOA) or any interruption in enrollment may affect VA certification and benefit payments.
The University is required to report changes in enrollment status, including approved LOAs, to the VA. Such changes may result in adjustments to benefits, including potential overpayments.
Learners requesting an LOA must follow the University's LOA policy by submitting a request to the Learner Success Team at success@nexford.edu for review and approval. Once an LOA is approved, the Learner Success Team will coordinate with the Nexford SCO to update the learner’s VA certification, as applicable.
Financial Responsibility
Learners utilizing VA education benefits remain responsible for any fees not covered by VA funding, including amounts resulting from enrollment changes, overpayments, or loss of eligibility.
Readmission following Military Service
Learners whose absence from the University is necessitated by service in the uniformed services are entitled to readmission in accordance with applicable federal regulations. The University will not deny readmission based on a learner’s membership in, application for, performance of, or obligation to perform service in the uniformed services.
Eligibility and Limitations
A learner is eligible for readmission under this policy if all of the following conditions are met:
The learner (or an appropriate military officer) provides advance oral or written notice to the University of the learner’s military service prior to withdrawal. If advance notice is not possible due to military necessity, including classified or time-sensitive operations, the learner may provide an attestation of service at the time of readmission.
The cumulative length of all absences due to military service does not exceed five (5) years, excluding service that is exempt under applicable federal law.
The learner provides oral or written notice of intent to return to the University within:
Three (3) years after completion of the period of service; or
Two (2) years after recovery from a service-related illness or injury.
Failure to provide timely notice does not automatically eliminate eligibility for readmission but may subject the learner to standard University policies.
A learner’s eligibility for readmission may be terminated in cases including, but not limited to:
Separation from military service with a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge
Dismissal or separation under conditions specified by applicable federal law
Documentation
Upon request, learners may be required to provide documentation to establish eligibility for readmission. Acceptable documentation may include, but is not limited to:
DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
Military orders or endorsements confirming completion of service
A letter from a commanding officer or appropriate military authority
Official military training or service records
The University will not delay or deny readmission solely because documentation is not immediately available at the time of the learner’s request.
Timeline
The University will promptly readmit eligible learners into the next available term in their program following receipt of the learner’s notice of intent to return, unless:
The learner requests a later return date; or
Unusual circumstances require a later readmission date.
Academic Status and Tuition Assessment
Learners readmitted under this policy will be reinstated with the same academic status they held at the time of their last attendance or admission, including:
The same academic program (or the most similar program if the original is no longer offered)
The same enrollment status
The same number of completed credits
The same academic standing
Learners are not required to repeat previously completed courses, except where program changes necessitate adjustments. If a learner withdraws in the middle of a course, the course must be repeated. However, previously completed assignments and assessments may be repurposed upon resumption of the program.
Learners returning from military service will pay the same tuition rate they were paying when they last attended the University.
Academic Support
Learners returning from an interruption in enrollment due to military service will be permitted to resume their program at the point where they left off, provided they remain able to complete the program within the maximum timeframe.
Upon return, learners who are not in good academic standing will be placed on a SAP plan, which establishes defined academic requirements to support successful continuation in the program. As part of this process, learners may repeat coursework in accordance with the University’s SAP policy. Learners who failed a course three times are allowed to return to their program through external transfer credits.
The University considers these measures to constitute reasonable efforts to support a learner’s successful return and program completion. A learner will only be determined ineligible to return or continue in the program if the learner is unable to complete the program within the maximum timeframe or no longer has a viable path to complete required coursework.
Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018
In accordance with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, Nexford University ensures that any covered individual entitled to educational assistance under Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 is allowed to attend and participate in their course of education upon submission of appropriate documentation of eligibility.
This eligibility period begins on the date the learner provides a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE), Statement of Benefits, or other approved authorization, and continues until the earlier of:
The date the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) remits payment to the University; or
Ninety (90) days after the University certifies tuition and fees to the VA following receipt of the required documentation.
The University will not take adverse action against a covered individual due to delays in VA funding. This includes restricting access to courses, learning platforms, or institutional services, or requiring the learner to obtain alternative funding during the applicable period.
A covered individual is any person eligible for educational assistance under Chapter 31 (Veteran Readiness and Employment) or Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®). Acceptable documentation may include a Certificate of Eligibility, a Statement of Benefits obtained through the VA, or, where applicable, VA Form 28-1905.
Learners remain responsible for submitting required documentation in a timely manner and for any portion of tuition and fees not covered by VA benefits.
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 https://www.va.gov/education/.