VA ACADEMIC PROGRESS POLICY GUIDELINES
Unsatisfactory Progress:
VA students placed on “academic probation” may be reported to the VA and are advised of free counseling and tutoring services available to them at DBU as well as additional free VA Educational-Vocational Counseling services (also called Chapter 36 counseling). All students placed on “academic suspension” or “administrative withdrawal” are reported to the VA as “termination for unsatisfactory progress” which the law requires that VA educational assistance benefits be discontinued. Note that Chapter 31 (VR&E) Voc-Rehab Counselors (VRCs) may impose additional progress requirements for continuation of program approval related to GPA, academic load, and timeline for anticipated completion.
Undergraduate (UG):
See catalog section titled: Academic Probation, Suspension, and Withdrawal. (Home > Undergraduate > Undergraduate Academic Policies)
Graduate (GR):
See the catalog sections titled: Probation and Suspension for Master's Programs. (Home > Graduate > Graduate Academic Standards)
Doctoral (DR):
See the catalog section titled: Probation and Suspension for Doctoral Programs. (Home > Graduate > Graduate Academic Standards)
Other Financial Aid SAP:
See the section titled: Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP). (Home > Introduction to the University > Financial Aid > Financial Aid – Home)
Academic Probation beyond Two Semesters/Terms (Indefinite Period of Time):
“When a student has failed to maintain prescribed standards of progress, VA must be informed promptly so that benefit payments can be discontinued in accordance with the law. The termination date assigned by the school will be the last day of the term or other evaluation period in which the student’s progress became unsatisfactory. Schools that provide a period of academic probation may not continue to certify a Veteran or eligible person (who remains in a probationary status) for an indefinite period of time. It is reasonable to expect that an institution will report a termination due to unsatisfactory progress if a student remains on academic probation beyond two terms, quarters, or semesters” (VA SCO Handbook, Revision 6.3, October 29, 2021). Depending on the academic level and extenuating circumstances, certain policies or exceptions at DBU may allow a student to continue enrolling after multiple consecutive semesters/terms that earn/merit academic probation without ever actually being placed on academic probation; however, the VA School Certifying Officials (SCOs) are not allowed to continue certifying students for VA benefits beyond two consecutive semesters/terms that merit academic probation. This effectively means that even if a student is granted administrative approval to continue enrolling without enforcing consequences of academic probation/suspension, a VA student would have to accept full financial responsibility for enrolling without VA benefits.
Recertification of VA Claimant after Reinstatement from Academic Suspension:
“The law requires that educational assistance benefits to Veterans and other eligible persons be discontinued when the student ceases to make satisfactory progress toward completion of his or her training objective. Benefits can be resumed if the student reenrolls in the same educational institution and in the same program. In other cases, benefits cannot be resumed unless VA finds that the cause of the unsatisfactory attendance, conduct or progress has been removed and the program of education or training to be pursued by the student is suitable to his or her aptitudes, interests, and abilities. Both accredited and non-accredited schools are required by law to have and to enforce standards of progress and conduct in order for their programs to be approved for VA benefits. […] These standards should be stated plainly in the school's catalog or bulletin. […] If a student successfully petitions the dismissal [academic suspension], is readmitted [reinstated],” which is determined by the Registrar and the Admissions Committee to be allowed to re-enroll in courses, “a school’s standards of progress must include specific conditions a Veteran or eligible person [any VA benefits recipient] is required to satisfy to permit recertification for VA benefits after being terminated (for benefit purposes) because of unsatisfactory progress or conduct. When a school recertifies a student’s enrollment to VA after a termination due to unsatisfactory progress or conduct, it is presumed the school has established that there is a reasonable likelihood that the student will be able to maintain satisfactory progress and conduct in the future. Upon recertification to VA the school's certifying official should maintain in the student’s file a statement that describes the conditions for the student's continued certification to VA. These conditions should prescribe the minimum performance standards to be achieved by the student during the next enrollment/evaluation period” which is documented on the signed Letter of Reinstatement sent to students and is prepared by the Registrar for undergraduate students, or prepared by Graduate Affairs administration for graduate level students. “To initiate action by VA to determine whether further payments of VA educational assistance allowance should be authorized, the student must submit a specific request for resumption of VA benefits following an interruption due to unsatisfactory progress or conduct. Requests may be submitted on VA Form 22-1995 or VA Form 22- 5495” (VA SCO Handbook, Revision 6.3, October 29, 2021).
Graduation/Program Completion: In compliance with Public Law 114-315 Section 404, the VA Certifying Official reports graduation and program completion dates for all students who are in receipt of VA benefits.