Veterans and Military Success Services

Santa Fe College welcomes veterans and military service members, and dependents, and we encourage you to continue your education with us. We are approved for the education and training of veterans and other eligible military persons under all public laws now in effect. The SF Veterans and Military Success Services office has been established to help you and other eligible persons attain your educational goals and help you in applying for educational benefits. The office provides information on programs and offerings such as work study, tutorial assistance and solving USVA related eligibility issues.

Information is also available on standards of conduct, credit for experience, deferred tuition payments and academic progress.

All veterans and other eligible persons are encouraged to visit the SF Veterans and Military Success Services office located in Building R, room 110 on the Northwest Campus, or call 352-395-5505. For more information visit the VMSS website at www.sfcollege.edu/veterans.

Veteran Education Benefits Orientation (VEBO)

The VEBO is a required orientation separate from the college's New Student Orientation/Convocation and is for the following veteran student populations: 1. Any new student utilizing VA military education benefits, including:  Chapter 33 / Post 9-11 G.I. Bill®  Chapter 30 / Montgomery G.I. Bill® Active Duty  Chapter 1606 / Montgomery G.I. Bill® Selected Reserves  Chapter 31 / Vocational Rehabilitation  Chapter 35 / Dependents Educational Assistance 2. Students utilizing VA educational benefits who have been out of college for more than one year (four semesters).

The VEBO will cover resources available both on and off campus to our veteran and dependent population, along with the federal, state and school policies and procedures associated with utilizing benefits at the college. Students must attend the required orientation in order to receive VA education benefits.

VA Payment Compliance

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), Santa Fe College adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. This school will not:  Prevent the student's enrollment;  Assess a late penalty fee to the student;  Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;  Deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution. However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:  Produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class;  Provide a written request to be certified;  Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies

Awarding Military Service/Training Credit

In accordance with Florida Statute 1004.096 "College credit for military training and education courses" and 6A-14.302 (F.A.C.) Santa Fe College will grant appropriate credit(s) for military educational experiences that are evaluated by the American Council of Education (ACE) as suitable for postsecondary credit. Credit may be granted for areas appropriate for Santa Fe College degrees or certification and approved by the appropriate academic department on campus. Acceptance of military training and the awarding of college credit is based on "The Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services." This document can be found at www.acenet.edu.

 Prospective students may request a Joint Services Transcript online at https://jst.doded.mil. The transcripts can be sent to Santa Fe College electronically from JST. For further information, students can email jst@doded.mil. For U.S. Air Force veterans, transcripts can be requested from the Community College of the Air Force - www.airuniversity.af.edu/Barnes/CCAF/Display/Article/803247/community-college-of-the-airforce-transcripts/  All transcripts and prior training documents must be submitted during the student's first term of enrollment.  If the course to which the military training or coursework is determined equivalent fulfills a general education or major course or degree program requirement, the credit will apply toward the award as such. Otherwise, credit will be granted to the extent elective credits are needed to fulfill program requirements. Credit awarded will not be removed once added to the student record.  The college may transfer in any military credit that was previously evaluated and awarded by a Florida public postsecondary institution, and that is appropriate to the student's program of study. However, the college reserves the right to review all such credit.  Credit awarded for military training and coursework shall be noted on the student's transcript.  A notification of receipt will be sent to the student's eSantaFe account once your military transcript is received.  Documents not sent electronically can be delivered to the Office Admissions located in R101 and can also be mailed to: Office of Admissions Attn: Transcript Evaluation Santa Fe College Bldg. R, room 101 3000 NW 83 Street Gainesville, FL 32606  The VMSS office will work with students to help determine what credits may be awarded to meet degree requirements.

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for eligibility of Veterans Benefits.

Students must maintain a minimum term GPA of 2.0. If the student's GPA falls below a 2.0 for two consecutive semesters, benefits will be suspended. VA benefits may be reinstated after one (1) semester is completed with a GPA above a 2.0 and without VA benefits assistance (paid for via alternate funding i.e. Financial Aid, out-of-pocket, etc.)

Appeal of benefits suspension The student veteran has the right to appeal the denial of their Veterans benefits. An appeal form may be obtained from the Veterans and Military Success Services website at www.sfcollege.edu/veterans. All appropriate supporting documentation must be provided with the appeal at least ten business days prior to the semester student is requesting VA benefits.

Criteria for appeal:  Mitigating or Extenuating Circumstances-Circumstances or situations that are unanticipated, unavoidable, or beyond a student's control that prevent the successful completion a semester. The student will be required to submit documentation to substantiate his or her claim of mitigating circumstances. For example, if the student claims a personal illness or injury significantly interfered with his or her classroom performance, a physician's statement would be appropriate documentation; if the cause was an unanticipated and unavoidable change in hours of employment, the employer's verification of the required change of work schedule would be appropriate. Other examples of extenuating circumstances may include, but are not limited to:  A serious injury or illness to the student or immediate family  Unforeseen change in the student's conditions of employment  Unanticipated difficulties with childcare arrangements. Examples of unacceptable mitigating circumstances include, but are not limited to, withdrawal to avoid a failing grade, dislike of instructor, or too many courses attempted.