Military and Veteran Information

At Bethel, we honor those who are currently serving and have previously served our country. We are committed to helping military-affiliated students succeed academically and utilize their military-benefits efficiently as they pursue meaningful life and work. 

Unique Course Policies Applicable to Active Military Duty Students:

Academic Progress

Class sessions students miss due to performance of active military service are counted as excused absences and will not be used in any way to adversely impact the students’ grades. Any student who selects this option is not, however, automatically excused from completing assignments due during the period the student is performing active military service. A letter grade or a grade of pass will be awarded only if, in the opinion of the faculty member teaching the course, the student has completed sufficient work and has demonstrated sufficient progress toward meeting course requirements to justify the grade. Payment during an enrollment period in which continuation is elected as a result of call to duty may be delayed until course completion at no additional cost.

Incompletes

Students who accept a grade of incomplete in a course must complete the course within six months of the date they are released from active duty. Payment during an enrollment period in which an incomplete is elected as a result of call to duty may be delayed until course completion at no additional cost.

Withdrawing from a Course

If the student drops all courses during the Add/Drop period he/she will have their net tuition bill reduced to zero (additional gift aid from Bethel will be added to the school bill so the total gift aid from Bethel covers 100% of tuition and fees for the dropped course(s)). Non-Bethel sources of financial aid are subject to federal and state refund policies and may be used to cover non-tuition educational expenses (e.g. room and board). 

If the student withdraws after the end of the Add/Drop period, a grade of “W” and a notation that the student was called to active duty will be recorded on the transcript and other pertinent academic records. Students who choose to withdraw may be readmitted and re enrolled, without penalty or redetermination of admission eligibility, within two years following release from the state or federal active military service.

Late Arrival to Campus due to Active Military Duty:

Throughout the course of military service, there may be times when deployment, duty, or training makes it necessary for a student to be delayed in returning for the beginning of the fall or spring semester. In order to facilitate and encourage academic success and preparedness, students and faculty must follow these guidelines:

  1. Students are to contact professors and the Office of Financial Aid at least two weeks prior to the start of the term to indicate that military service is delaying their return for the semester. Students and faculty should discuss a plan and deadlines for completing missed work.
  2. When coursework is available online and accessible, military students are expected to complete coursework during their absence.
  3. Military students arriving late must arrive on campus no later than the 10th business day of the semester.
  4. During the period of time prior to the student arriving on campus, and when the above guidelines are followed, there will be no academic penalty given for attendance or late work, including quizzes and exams.
  5. Late fees will be suspended during the period of late arrival.

Resources and Benefits Bethel Offers to Military-Affiliated Students and Their Families:

Office of Financial Aid:

www.bethel.edu/military-veteran-students

651-638-6241

2023-2024 Military Benefits Verification Form:

Students who will receive military benefits for tuition and fees and/or books and supplies should use this form to report these amounts. At Bethel, students are required to submit a written request to use entitlement for military benefits, and the submission of this form completes this requirement.

Students are also required to submit a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance before the second term of certification.

Military Partnerships:
  • Membership in the Yellow Ribbon Program
  • Acceptance of many AARTS credits
  • Partnership with the Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC)

For more information on Bethel's military partnerships, visit:  www.bethel.edu/military-veteran-students/

Financial Aid and Military Benefits:

Beyond Bethel’s membership in the Yellow Ribbon Program, there are a number of other sources of aid given to military-affiliated students. A few examples of military benefits given to Bethel students are listed below:

  • Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) – Air Force
  • Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) – Army
  • Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) – Coast Guard
  • Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) – Marine Corps
  • Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) – Navy
  • Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) and Top Up
  • Minnesota GI Bill
  • Minnesota State Tuition Reimbursement (STR)
  • VA Chapter 1606 – Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB – SR)
  • VA Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)
  • VA Chapter 31 - Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR & E)
  • VA Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill
  • VA Chapter 35 - Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEAP)
  • VA National Call to Service

If students are awarded military benefits, Bethel-controlled grants and scholarships will be reduced if students' total military benefits, grants and scholarships exceed the financial aid budget for tuition, fees, room, board, books and supplies. For more information on military benefits, visit: www.bethel.edu/undergrad/financial-aid/types/military-benefits/

Active Military Duty students will receive a refund of amounts paid for room and board attributable to the time period during which the students were serving in active military service and were unable to use the facilities or services for which the amounts were paid. Any refund of room and board is subject to the requirements of state and federal financial aid programs.

ROTC:

The resources and programs of ROTC are available to Bethel University students. These resources include scholarships and other forms of financial aid. All credits earned in the program will transfer to Bethel. For full information contact:

ARMY
University of Minnesota
Department of Military Science (Army ROTC)
101 Armory Building
15 Church Street S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612.626.1584

AIR FORCE
Air Force ROTC Det. 410
University of St. Thomas, #5016
2115 Summit Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105-1096
651.962.6320

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