Military Student Scheduling

  1. Offices and Departments
  2. Military and Veteran Resources
  3. Military Student Scheduling

Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018

On December 31, 2018, the President signed into law the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018. It contains a provision (Section 103) which takes effect on August 1, 2019.

Beginning August 1, 2019, for any student using Ch. 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill or Ch. 31 Voc-Rehab benefits, even if the VA has not yet paid tuition and fees, no institution (public, private, for profit, not for profit), may have a policy in effect which:

  • prevents enrolling,
  • assesses a late penalty fee,
  • requires securing alternative or additional funding, or
  • denies access to any school resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) that are available to other students that have paid.

However, an institution can require that such students be required to:

  • produce the VA’s Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class,
  • provide written request to be certified, and
  • provide additional information needed to properly certify (many of you have your own form that must be completed each term and that’s still allowed).

A late or delayed VA payment will not negatively impact students or their ability to register. However, factors unrelated to VA funding (which include but are not limited to, balances which exceed anticipated VA pay, Dean of Students holds, department holds, etc.) may still result in holds which prevent enrolling, as they would for all students. Additionally, the same criteria applies regarding negative actions from delayed or late VA pay as they relate to assessing late fees, requiring alternate or additional funding, or being denied to school resources.

Veteran Priority Registration Policy, Act 46

Act 46 of 2014 requires public institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania to provide Military Students, as defined in the Act, with preference in course scheduling. Non-compliance may be reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Education by submitting the Higher Education Student Complaint form found at passhe.edu/student-complaint-form.

Effective for the spring 2015 registration period, which begins in October 2014, Bloomsburg University Military Students are given preference registration.

Military Students (not including dependents) are defined as those students in the following categories:

  • The student has served in the United States Armed Forces, including a reserve component and National Guard.
  • The student was discharged or released from such service under conditions other than dishonorable.
  • Active duty service members.

Veterans Course Registration Preference: Students who are given Military Students preference privileges are permitted to start registering for courses two days prior to the start of the regular registration windows as defined by the Office of the Registrar. If a student misses their initial priority registration window, the student will have another opportunity to register during their regular timetable as defined by their earned credits and continues until the add/drop period in the next semester.

Process: Students receiving VA benefits through the university’s Office of Veteran Services will automatically be coded within the registration system to receive priority registration. Students who qualify, based on the definition provided in this policy, but are not receiving VA benefits through the university’s Office of Veteran Services must visit this office and submit proof of military status (e.g. DD214, military ID, etc.). Upon receipt of proof, students will be coded within the registration system to receive priority registration. This coding will be used to select qualifying students for priority registration. Students will be notified approximately 2 ½ weeks prior to the start of their registration period.

The registration window for Military Students is assigned by the Office of the Registrar and communicated prior to the beginning of the registration period for the next semester. Military Students are sent email notification with instructions on how to access their registration windows through the Bloomsburg E-mail system. The University registration system is configured to allow course registration for students who are given preference registration privileges. Prior to being able to register, the so designated student must meet with his/her academic advisor for advisement.

Awareness and Accessibility: Information concerning this policy is available on the

Military Students with questions may contact the following individuals: