Information for Current Students Who are Veterans or Active Military
As a veteran or current military member and Cornell student, the following policies apply to you and your degree attainment.
Educational advising
The Cornell College course catalog details the requirements for all majors, general education requirements, and degree requirements and is available to all students.
You are assigned an academic advisor and have the freedom to change that advisor. This advisor will meet with you to discuss your educational plan each term. You are also encouraged to use the Student Success Center for additional academic support and advising as well as disability services.
Military leave
If you are called to active duty, or if you have a dependent child and your spouse is called to active duty during a term, you have the following options:
- Withdraw from the current block course and receive a full refund of tuition and fees. If you received federal financial aid, the Financial Aid Office will calculate the amount of earned and unearned federal aid according to the standard federal Return of Title IV Funds as published in the Financial Aid Handbook.
- Make arrangements with an individual faculty member for a final course grade, or for an incomplete grade that shall be completed upon release from active duty. If such arrangements are made, your registration will remain intact and tuition and fees will be assessed in full.
Readmission from active service
Cornell College complies with Readmission Requirements for Service Members as outlined in the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) Section 487. The HEOA provides that prompt readmission of a previously enrolled or admitted student may not be denied to a service member of the uniformed services for reasons relating to that service. This applies to active duty in the Armed Forces; whether voluntary or involuntary, including service under federal authority as a member of the National Guard or Reserve, for a period of more than 30 days.
As a qualifying service member, you will be readmitted:
- To the same program, unless the service member requests or agrees to admission to another program;
- At the same enrollment status (for example, full-time), unless you request or agree to a different enrollment status;
- With the same number of course credits completed, unless you are admitted to a different program and the credits are not transferable;
- With same academic standing (for example, satisfactory academic progress status);
- For the first academic year, with the same tuition and fee charges as when you left, unless military benefits will pay the increase, but never more than the college is charging other students.
Postsecondary education complaint system
The Department of Defense launched the Postsecondary Education Complaint System which provides a centralized online reporting system for service members and their families to use in reporting problems with education institutions. Agency partners including the Department of Veterans Affairs and Education are also launching online feedback tools providing a centralized system for veterans, service members, and eligible family members to file student complaints.
Veterans and their families who run into problems getting access to education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and the DoD Military Tuition Assistance Program can submit a complaint. The agencies will work with the school on the veteran's behalf to find a resolution. Whether the problem is related to funding, treatment, or practices, the centralized system is designed for veterans and their beneficiaries to report bad experiences.
Section 103 Compliance Policy
Cornell College abides by Section 103 of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018. Our educational policy ensures that no penalty will be imposed including 1) the assessment of late fees; 2) the denial of access to classes; 3) libraries or other institutional facilities and/or 4) the requirements that a Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 recipient borrow additional funds to cover the individual's inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to a delayed disbursement of payment by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Local resources for veterans and active military members
- Linn County Veteran Affairs Office - 319-892-5160
- Cedar Rapids Vet Center - 319-378-0016
- Iowa City VA Health Care System
- Iowa Veteran Employment Services
- Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs
- Veterans Crisis Line
VA.gov education resources
- Education and Training Benefits
- Getting Started with VA Benefits
- GI Bill® Hotline - 888-GIBILL-1 (888-442-4551)
- Students outside the U.S. +1-918-781-5678
- VA Benefits Hotline - 800-827-1000
- eBenefits technical support - 800-983-0937
- Call MyVA311 for help - 844-698-2311
- If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 711
Cornell College resources
Financial Planning and Assistance Office
Pam Perry, Director of Financial Planning and Assistance
- VA certifying official
- Financial aid application process, FAFSA filing, Yellow Ribbon Program, GI Bill, and other financial assistance programs available to veterans
Student Accounts Office
Amy Runge, Student Accounts Manager
- Financial fees and payments
- Releases financial holds for nonpayment of bills
Office of the Registrar
Megan Hicks, Registrar
Help with course registration and answers questions about graduation requirements
The Counseling Center offers short-term, confidential individual and couples counseling for Cornell students.
The Student Success Center is a resource for all students. This is a place to go to discuss academic concerns, study plans, and finding your place at Cornell.
Disability Services and Resources
Disability Services is the designated office at Cornell College that maintains disability-related documents, certifies eligibility for services, and determines reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities.