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Veteran's Services

The Office of Veteran's Services, located in the Admissions and Records Office on the main campus, provides a one-stop, centrally located area for the student to deal with veteran-related problems.

Beginning Fall Term 2005, Intake hours are from 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon and 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

If these times are not convenient, you may call for an appointment at 503-491-7346.

The office handles VA educational paperwork, changes in program, address, dependency status and problems with late or in-appropriate benefit checks. The office also can refer students to agencies specializing in discharge upgrading, military-related problems and psychological and drug counseling. Eligible students should contact the veterans' clerk for certification. The Veterans' Administration Regional Office keeps a central file on each person receiving benefits and all enrollment information must first be processed by the college before any award is made.

The veteran's office continually audits the transcripts of each student receiving VA benefits to ensure that the veteran's work leads toward the stated degree. Any class or grade which does not lead toward that degree will not apply to VA benefits.

Veterans registering for classes which meet for less than the standard 10-11 week session will be certified by the number of credits for the class and the class dates and paid accordingly.

Other Veterans' Services

Deferred Tuition:

Initiating VA educational benefit checks generally takes six to eight weeks. Because of this, many veterans are unable to pay tuition at the time of registration. A note deferring tuition must be signed by the veterans' clerk stating that the veteran will be receiving benefits. This note is an I. 0. U. between the individual and the business office to register for and attend classes, and pay tuition once the VA check comes.

Tutorial Assistance:

Veterans and dependents needing extra help with class work, and unable to receive tutoring through the Learning Assistance Center may have the cost of hiring a tutor reimbursed by the VA.

Veterans' Satisfactory Progress Standards

1. All veterans or other eligible persons who receive veterans' benefits must demonstrate satisfactory progress toward their educational degree/certificate goals to remain eligible to receive such benefits.

2. Students should enroll for and successfully earn credit for only those credit hours for which they have been certified to the Veterans Administration. A 2.00 GPA must be maintained.

   Full-time	12 credits
   3/4 time	9-1 1 credits
   1/2 time	6-8 credits

   Less than 1/2 time under 6 credits. Full-time equivalency is defined as regularly enrolled for 12 or more credit hours. Students certified for less than full-time will have their eligibility proportionately extended. Upon review and approval by the Veterans' Affairs Office, a student may be allowed one additional term or its equivalent to complete the degree-certificate requirements.

3. Eligible students who fail to make satisfactory progress will be so notified. They will be granted one term of probation unless notified to the contrary. Students not achieving satisfactory progress during the probationary term will be reported to the Veterans Administration at the end of said term except in the case of extenuating circumstances. Students placed on probation may have their certification extended beyond one term due to extenuating circumstances. See No. 12.

4. Students transferring to MHCC from any post-secondary educational institution or who have otherwise been granted college credit must submit a transcript of all prior credit records for evaluation and determination of prior credit granted as substitutions for MHCCD curriculum requirements prior to the end of the first term in residence. Appropriate reduction in the time allowed for completion of the student's educational objectives will be noted on the transfer transcript evaluation.

5. Since the permanent record must reflect a withdrawal and re-enrollment in any course for which there was a withdrawal or no show (W or N) these marks will not be replaced by a subsequent grade. Subsequent grades will be entered on the transcript at the time the grades are achieved. W or N grades may not be changed or erased for any reason. The date of receipt of these non-punitive grades will be reported to the VA Regional Office.

6. A written statement signed by both the student and the instructor must be on file with the veterans clerk in order for the student to repeat a course.

7. A veteran student who fails all classes is deemed not to be making satisfactory progress.

8. MHCCD will make available to the VA records that will substantiate whether the student is progressing satisfactorily at the rate for which he is certified.

9. Within restrictions imposed by the VA, students may be allowed to enroll in and receive benefits for a given deficiency course for a period not to exceed one academic term including summer session. Exceptions may be allowed when the course instructor recommends in writing that the student repeat.

10. All students covered by this regulation will be apprised of the MHCCD Satisfactory Progress Standards at the time of their initial certification for benefits.

11. All veteran students who drop or withdraw from any class after the fourth week and their credit-clock hour load is reduced to a lesser category (three-quarter time, quarter-time, etc.) than the one for which they were certified will be liable for repayment of funds.

12. Extenuating Circumstances. Veteran students who fail to meet the Satisfactory Progress Standards may be partially or totally excused by filing documentation for one of the following reasons:
    1. Death in the immediate family.

    2. Serious illness extending over a period of three weeks or more must be documented by physician's statement.

    3. Clerical error determined by the registrar to be an institutional error.

    4. Student improperly placed according to placement and/or diagnostic testing.

13. The Registrar will review and make disposition of any appeal for reinstatement or modification of benefit reduction.

14. Students and the VA Regional Office will be notified in writing within 30 days of the date unsatisfactory progress has been determined.

15. Students are expected to maintain a cumulative 2.00 grade point average to meet graduation requirements for degrees and certificates.

NOTE-- Veterans must notify the VA clerk of any changes in their enrollment status (adds, drops, etc.) in addition to processing through the registration office. Failure to do so may result in overpayment of benefits.

Links of Interest

GI Bill Information - https://www.gibill.va.gov

GI Bill WAVE - Web Automated Verification of Enrollment - https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/

Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs ODVA - http://www.oregon.gov/ODVA

ODVA Educational Aid for Veterans - http://www.oregon.gov/ODVA/docs/PDFs/Education.pdf