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WE WELCOME MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS!

At the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, we believe “military-friendly” refers to the faculty, staff, student government, and the general student population
having an attitude of openness, care, and concern for both the academic success and emotional health for those who have served our country. We are here to help veteran students succeed.

Veterans Club students in a group photo with service dog

WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU

The Financial Aid and Veteran Services Office helps students navigate and understand the process of applying for Federal and State VA benefits, connects students with resources on campus and other student veterans and reaches out to faculty and staff on campus to support their efforts in serving our students. The Veteran Coordinator’s main role is to explain educational benefit options, assist with the application for benefits, and to provide campus and community resource information that will contribute to the academic success and well-being of all military-affiliated students.

MILITARY STUDENT PRIORITY REGISTRATION

UW-Stevens Point provides service members, veterans, and ROTC students priority registration each semester in compliance with Wisconsin Act AB201 and Section 303 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017. Registration appointment times are based on student status or credits earned. Military students are given appointment times for the next level greater than their current status. For example, a freshman will receive appointment times based on sophomore status.

Deciding to attend a college or university can come with many questions. We are here to help you through the process and look forward to having you join the Pointer family.

Here are some steps to take to help you start:

  • Apply for Admission – As a future student at UW-Stevens Point please visit our Admissions and Recruitment office for application information and to learn more about what UW-Stevens Point has to offer! Be sure to visit our beautiful campus, request additional information, and contact our friendly admissions staff to get all your questions answered. Please call 715-346-2441 for more information.
  • Contact our Veterans Coordinator – Contact the Veterans Services Coordinator – at this time we can be reached via email at veteran.services@uwsp.edu, by phone at 715-346-4771, or we can schedule a meeting (on campus or Zoom). We will explain and help you apply for your veterans’ educational benefits. You’ll want to bring your DD214 and/or Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE), and kicker contract with you.
  • Apply for Financial Aid – We highly recommend that all students apply for financial aid. Financial aid can help bridge the fiscal gap between semesters. In addition to military or veteran education benefits, many of our student veteran and military students have received grants to attend school. Please visit the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services at UW-Stevens Point for additional information.
  • Send us your military transcripts – You may be eligible to receive credit for your military service.
  • Purchase a parking permit – There are various parking lots on campus for students to use once a permit has been purchased.  Student parking permits are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Permits are virtual, so your license plate is your permit. Parking permits may be ordered through Parking Services.
  • Look into housing – You can explore off-campus housing availability or on-campus housing options through the Residential Living office.  Note: All of the residence halls at UWSP are designed to accommodate individuals; we do not have family or married couple housing.  The information above regarding off-campus housing will offer you the most up-to-date information available on housing within the Stevens Point community.

We are happy to provide prospective veteran and military students with the following tools to assist in your evaluation of a potential college or university. Below are links to resources that provide unbiased data and consumer information about UW-Stevens Point.

  • The College Scorecard is a planning tool and resource to assist prospective students and their families as they evaluate options in selecting a school.
  • The College Navigator is a consumer tool that provides school information, including tuition and fees, retention and graduation rates, use of financial aid, student loan default rates and features a cost calculator and school comparison tool.
  • The ‘Paying for College‘ webpage can be used by prospective students to enter the names of up to three schools and receive detailed financial information.
  • The Financial Aid Shopping Sheet is a sample aid award letter designed to simplify the information that prospective students receive about costs and financial aid so they can easily compare institutions and make informed decisions about where to attend school. As a prospective UW-Stevens Point student, you can complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and then request the Financial Aid Shopping Sheet.

Continuing Students can follow the steps below:

Checking your UWSP Email Regularly
Your UWSP email is our primary means of communication with students. We do not send emails to personal email accounts (i.e. Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo, etc.). If you are not checking your UWSP email regularly, you may not get paid on time, or at all. The emails we send are to help you keep your benefits going as smoothly as possible. We will not send junk mail.

“Schedule Set” Emails
Thirty days before each semester, our office will send out an email to every student explaining how they can get their enrollment certifications sent to the VA as early as possible (meaning you get paid as early as possible). Be sure to check your UWSP email regularly so that you do not miss this important email. The email roughly states that you will need to email us stating your schedule for the semester is set and that you do not plan to add/drop any more classes for that semester. Once we receive your response, we will send everything to VA to get your benefits moving for that semester. If we do not receive a response, we will wait until the last day to add/drop courses for the semester (which is usually 2-3 weeks after the semester has already started) and we will automatically submit everything for you at that time.

Your Benefits are Your Responsibility
Be proactive; don’t wait until the last minute. We will do our best to help you keep them running smoothly by sending out notifications if there are things you need to do (such as filling out a new request for benefits, or if you have registered for courses the VA will not pay for) but it is your responsibility to make sure you have done everything you need to do and that nothing else is required each semester. DO NOT wait until the first day of classes to check with us about what else you need to do. It can take the VA up to 8 weeks to process enrollment certifications each semester. If you are dependent on the funds for rent, living expenses, etc., then it is in your best interest to take care of things as early as possible.

Attending Classes
The VA pays you for attendance, not just registering for a class. If you stop attending you may receive an unofficial withdrawal grade (an unofficial withdraw) which may create a debt with the VA.

Nonresident veterans may qualify to have the nonresident portion of your tuition charges waived through either the Veterans Access, Choice & Accountability Act of 2014-Section 702 or through the Yellow Ribbon program.

If you are…

  • A Veteran who lives in the state where he or she is attending school(regardless of his/her legal state of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of discharge from a qualifying period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
  • Anyone using transferred Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits who lives in the state where he or she is attending school (regardless of his/her legal state of residence)
  • A spouse or child using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship who lives in the state where he or she is attending school (regardless of his/her legal state of residence)

…then UW-Stevens Point will waive the nonresident portion of the tuition charges.

Nonresident veterans that discharged from the military more than 3 years prior to attending school may qualify for the Yellow Ribbon program. This means UW-Stevens Point and the VA agree to pay/waive your nonresident tuition as long as you have Post 9/11 benefits to use.

For additional details, see the “Benefits Available” tab on the left hand side of this page or call 715-346-4771.

BENEFITS AND CREDIT FOR SERVICE MEMBERS

Students should first research the available federal and state benefits and apply for them through the individual programs. Once you have received approval for veteran education benefits, you will need to bring the following documentation to the Veterans Coordinator in the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services at UW-Stevens Point. We will then notify the VA of your status as an enrolled student.

Remember, by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you may be eligible for additional federal or state assistance.

The Department of Veterans Affairs administers a variety of GI Bill® education benefit programs. Veterans and service members may be eligible for more than one chapter. Consider each chapter carefully before selecting one. A description and application process is included on each of the benefit information pages. If you have questions, please contact our Veterans Coordinator.

Veterans and military service members may be able to earn college credit for what they already know by earning qualifying scores on any of 33 introductory-level college subject exams. For more information, please visit the CLEP for Military site at http://clep.collegeboard.org/military. In addition to the GI Bill, Reserve Tuition Assistance may be available through ArmyIgnigtED.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Chapter 30 Active Duty GI Bill®

The Montgomery GI Bill Chapter 30 program provides up to 36 months of education benefits to service members on active duty or separated from the military with an honorable discharge. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs. Remedial, deficiency and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. The benefit is paid directly to the student and the student is responsible for paying any tuition and fees to the school.

Application Process

Veterans applying for Chapter 30 should apply online through the VONAPP system at www.gibill.va.gov. Applicants will be given the opportunity to upload and attach Copy 4 of their DD214 (Certificate of Discharge) and kicker paperwork. Please bring a copy of your completed application, DD214, and kicker to the Veterans Coordinator in the Financial Aid and Veteran Services Office at UW-Stevens Point who will then certify your enrollment to the VA.

Payment Information

Students are required to verify their student attendance each month to receive their Chapter 30 payment. You can go online at www.gibill.va.gov or call 1-877-823-2378. Each payment you receive is for the previous month. For example, you will receive a check the first week in October for attendance during September. It takes eight to ten weeks for new students or transfer students to receive their initial payment. The VA does not pay for the breaks between semesters.

Chapter 1606 Selected Reserve GI Bill®

The MGIB-SR program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, the Army National Guard, and the Air National Guard. You may use this education assistance program for degree programs, certificate or correspondence courses, cooperative training, and independent study programs. Remedial, refresher, and deficiency training are available under certain circumstances. Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components. VA makes the payments for this program directly to the service member and the service member is responsible for paying tuition and fees to the school. Eligible applicants may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits.

Application Process

Veterans applying for Chapter 1606 should apply through the VONAPP system at www.gibill.va.gov. Applicants will be given the opportunity to upload and attach Copy 4 of their DD214 (Certificate of Discharge) kicker and Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) paperwork. Please bring a copy of your completed application, DD214, kicker and NOBE to the Veterans Coordinator in the Financial Aid and Veteran Services Office at UW-Stevens Point who will then certify your enrollment to the VA.

Payment Information

Students are required to verify their student attendance each month to receive their Chapter 1606 payment. You can go online at www.gibill.va.gov or call 1-877-823-2378. Each payment you receive is for the previous month. For example, you will receive a check the first week in October for attendance during September. It takes six to ten weeks for new students or transfer students to receive their initial payment. The VA does not pay for the breaks between semesters.

Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill®

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Approved training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill includes graduate and undergraduate degreeslicensing, and national testing programs. All programs must be approved for GI Bill benefits. This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits, generally, benefits are payable for 15 years following your release from active duty.

Some of the benefits the Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay may include:

  • Your full tuition & fees directly to the school for all public school in-state students.
  • For those attending UW-Stevens Point as a non-resident out-of-state student, a program exists which may help to reimburse the difference. This program is called the “Yellow Ribbon Program”. Please contact the Veterans Coordinator in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at UW-Stevens Point if you believe you are eligible for Yellow Ribbon as a non-resident student.
  • A monthly housing allowance (MHA) based upon the School zip code
  • An annual books & supplies stipend
  • A one-time rural benefit payment

Application Process

Veterans applying for Chapter 33 should apply through the VONAPP system at www.gibill.va.gov. Applicants will be given the opportunity to upload and attach Copy 4 of their DD214 (Certificate of Discharge) paperwork. Please bring a copy of your completed application and DD214 to the Veterans Coordinator in the Financial Aid and Veteran Services Office at UW-Stevens Point who will then certify your enrollment to the VA.

Payment Information

Students are NOT required to verify their student attendance each month to receive their Chapter 33 payment. Payments are processed automatically. Each payment you receive is for the previous month. For example, you will receive a check the first week in October for attendance during September. It takes six to ten weeks for new students or transfer students to receive their initial payment. The VA no longer pays for the breaks between semesters.

Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Dependents)

The Post-9/11 GI Bill allows service members (officer or enlisted, Active Duty or Selected Reserve), on or after August 1, 2009, to transfer unused education benefits to immediate family members (spouse and children). The service member must have at least six years of service and commit to an additional four years of service in order to transfer benefits to a spouse or child. Because of the potential impact of this benefit on recruiting and retention, transferability policy is determined by the Department of Defense (DoD) and the military services.

Eligibility for the Service Member

The Department of Defense determines whether or not you can transfer benefits to your family members. To apply to transfer your benefits, please visit www.defense.gov/home/features/2009/0409_gibill/. The website is only available to military members.

Application Process for Dependent

Upon approval, family members may apply to use transferred benefits by completing VA Form 22-1990e electronically at www.gibill.va.gov. Applicants will be given the opportunity to electronically upload approval documentation from the service member.

Important to note:

  • VA Form 22-1990e should only be completed and submitted to VA by the family member after DoD has approved the request for TEB.
  • Do not use VA Form 22-1990e to initially apply as the service member for Transfer of Eligibility.

Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation GI Bill®

In some cases, a veteran requires additional education or training to become employable. VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR & E) Program helps service-connected disabled veterans

  • go back to jobs held prior to active duty
  • find jobs related to their skills
  • prepare for self-employment
  • find suitable employment through education or training
  • learn independent living skills

The VR & E program pays a monthly living allowance or a subsistence allowance.

Application Process

Applicants should complete VA Form 28-1900, “Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation,” and bring it to the county veteran services office. A VA counseling psychologist or vocational rehabilitation counselor will schedule an individual meeting with the applicant. The purpose of this meeting is to decide which career path is best suited for the student and to determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation and employment services. If you’re found eligible, a rehabilitation plan is developed which lists the services to be provided. You will begin receiving the services outlined in your plan. Any evidence regarding the disability will come directly from VA records. They will also ask you about any work experience you’ve had since leaving military service.

Students who are eligible for chapter 31 Vocational Rehab will meet with their Vocational Rehab Counselor during the semester to make sure they are on track.

Payment Information

Students are NOT required to verify their student attendance each month to receive their Chapter 31 payment. Payments are processed automatically. Each payment you receive is for the previous month. For example, you will receive a check the first week in October for attendance during September. It takes six to ten weeks for new students or transfer students to receive their initial payment. The VA no longer pays for the breaks between semesters.

Contact the County Veteran Services office with your completed application: https://wicvso.org.

Chapter 35 Survivors & Dependents Assistance GI Bill®

Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Application Process

Obtain and complete VA Form 22-5490, Application for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance. You can get this form from UWSP’s Veterans Coordinator or your County Veteran Services Office. Send it to the St. Louis VA regional office. If you are a son or daughter, under the legal age, a parent or guardian must sign the application.

Payment Information

Students are NOT required to verify their student attendance each month to receive their Chapter 35 payment. Payments are processed automatically. Each payment you receive is for the previous month. For example, you will receive a check the first week in October for attendance during September. It takes six to ten weeks for new students or transfer students to receive their initial payment. The VA no longer pays for the breaks between semesters.

Contact the County Veteran Services office at https://wicvso.org/.

Military Tuition Assistance

Service Members need to speak with their Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within their Military Service prior to enrolling in the institution.  The Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance (TA) program provides financial assistance to Service members for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of professional and personal self-development goals. TA is available for courses that are offered in the classroom or by distance learning and are part of an approved academic degree or certificate program. The courses must be offered by schools that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and are signatories to the current DoD Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (DOD MOU).

Each branch offers a tuition assistance program.
Army: https://www.armyignited.mil/student/public/welcome
Navy:  https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/
Air Force:  https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Barnes/CCAF/
Marines:  https://usmc-mccs.org/articles/how-do-i-apply-for-tuition-assistance/
Coast Guard:  https://www.forcecom.uscg.mil/Voluntary-Education

UW-Stevens Point Required Documents

Students should first research the available federal and state benefits and apply for them through the individual programs. Once you have received approval for veteran education benefits, you will need to bring the following documentation to the Veterans Coordinator in the Financial Aid and Veteran Services Office at UW-Stevens Point. We will then notify the VA of your status as an enrolled student.

Federal Benefits
Veteran –
Certificate of Eligibility (COE) -DD214
Spouse – Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Child – Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

Remember, by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you may be eligible for additional federal or state assistance.

The State of Wisconsin provides a number of educational programs for veterans. State benefits can affect your federal veteran benefits and your Federal financial aid (FAFSA) award. A description and application process are included on each of the benefit information pages. If you have questions, please contact the Veterans Coordinator in the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services at UW-Stevens Point.

You can find more information on state education benefit programs at http://dva.state.wi.us/pages/educationemployment/education.aspx.

Table of Contents

Wisconsin GI Bill

The Wisconsin GI Bill provides a waiver of tuition and fees for eligible veterans and/or their dependents for up to 8 full-time semesters or 128 credits (whichever is greater) at any University of Wisconsin System or Wisconsin Technical College System institution for any degree-seeking courses or for study at the undergraduate, master or even doctorial level at the UW System. NOTICE: The Wisconsin GI Bill does not cover all educational costs

Application Process

Please visit the state website for the application packet with eligibility criteria and statutory citations for the program.

Payment Information

The Wisconsin GI Bill is a remission of tuition and fees. It is applied to the eligible student’s account at the start of the semester.

Vet Ed Grant

The Veterans Education (VetEd) grant program provides a reimbursement grant for tuition and fees following successful course completion.

Eligible Wisconsin veterans who have not yet been awarded a bachelor’s degree may use VetEd to pursue education up to a bachelor’s degree at an eligible UW, technical college, or approved private institution of higher education. Reimbursement is currently up to 100% of the tuition and fees not covered by other grants, scholarships, or remissions. The maximum reimbursement is the equivalent of the UW–Madison rate for the same number of credits, up to the full-time rate. The reimbursement percentage may be adjusted periodically to reflect demand and available funding. Veterans must receive a 2.0 in the semester for which reimbursement is requested to be eligible for reimbursement.

Time Limitations – Veterans may use VetEd for full-time or part-time study up to their 10-year anniversary of leaving active duty (delimiting date). Once a veteran reaches the 10-year delimiting date, he or she may be enrolled as a full-time student but will be reimbursed up to eleven credits for academic periods that begin after May 27, 2010. Also, after the delimiting date, the department will bank a maximum of 60 unused credits and track the credits as they are used.

Income Limitations – To be eligible for VetEd, the veteran’s household income must be below $50,000 plus $1,000 for each dependent in excess of two dependents. The department may request a veteran’s current income tax records to ensure that the applicant does not exceed the income cap. If your employment status has changed since you last filed your taxes, and the change will have an impact on your eligibility for a grant, please contact the department.

Application Process

Veterans can apply online. The application must be received by the state department no later than 60 days after the start of the semester for which the reimbursement is being sought, or the grant will be denied.

Payment Information

Once final grades are turned in and UWSP’s Veterans Coordinator has reviewed and submitted the application to WDVA, checks are normally issued within 5-10 business days—if the application is complete.

National Guard Reimbursement Grant

The National Guard Tuition Grant is a program whereby an eligible guard member, upon satisfactory completion of the course(s) at a qualifying school, can apply for tuition reimbursement (does NOT include reimbursement of segregated fees). Reimbursement is based on 100% of the tuition charged at the student’s qualifying school or the maximum resident undergraduate tuition charged by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, whichever is less. Eligible students need to meet the required G.P.A. of 2.0 for the semester they are requesting reimbursement. The grant cannot pay for any room & board, books, fees or continuing education credits (CEUs). The grant program reimburses up to eight semesters.

Application Process

The application must be submitted to UWSP’s Veterans Coordinator and received at DMA HQ no later than 90 days after the completion of courses. You may access a copy of the form online.

Payment Information

After grades are reported for the semester, the Veterans Coordinator at UW-Stevens Point will process the application and students will receive a reimbursement check to the address listed on the application. Eligible students need to meet the required G.P.A. of 2.0 for the semester in which you are requesting reimbursement.

UW-Stevens Point Required Documents

Students should first research the available federal and state benefits and apply for them through the individual programs. Once you have received approval for veteran education benefits, you will need to bring the following documentation to the Veterans Coordinator in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at UW-Stevens Point. We will then notify the VA of your status as an enrolled student.

State Benefits
Veteran –
DD214, WDVA 2031, Current WDVA 2029
Spouse – ​Marriage certificate, WDVA 2031, Current WDVA 2029
Child – Birth certificate, WDVA 2031, Current WDVA 2029, Stepchild – Marriage license

Remember, by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you may be eligible for additional federal or state assistance.

UW-Stevens Point’s Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services is committed to helping students and their families meet the rising cost of education. Our staff administers a variety of financial aid funding services, from federal, state, and private sources. Experienced staff can assist you in the process of applying for financial aid and provide you with information to help you make thoughtful decisions. For more information, visit the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services.

Please note, you are required to inform the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services of any outside scholarship assistance and certain veteran’s benefits. Please complete the Scholarship/Outside Resource reporting form on our scholarships webpage to notify our office of any outside resources. This includes any names, amounts, and what term you are expecting the aid. Failure to notify the financial aid of outside educational assistance may result in total loss of aid from the University.

Fulfillment of Wellness General Education Program Requirement:
If you have completed Basic Training in any branch of the U.S. military, you may provide your DD214, NOBE or Joint Services Transcript to veteran.services@uwsp.edu. Upon satisfactory review, credit will be granted for the following UW-Stevens Point courses:

  • Wellness, 2 credits. Meets General Education Program requirement for Wellness (GEP: WLN).
  • Elective, 2 credits.

If you have completed Basic Training and also meet the following criteria, you may receive additional credit as indicated below:

  • For completion of Basic Life Support Training and possession of current CPR certification, credit will be granted for HS 123: Standard First Aid and CPR, 1 credit. You must submit your current CPR card as well as your DD 214, NOBE or Joint Services Transcript.

Also,

  • For completion of Basic Life Support Training, possession of current CPR certification and completion of Combat Lifesaver Training, credit will be granted for P ED 101: Responding to Emergencies – CPR/First Aid, 1 credit and HS 123: CPR for the Professional Rescuer – Instructor, 1 credit, HS 124. You must submit your Combat Lifesaver training certificate and current CPR card as well as your DD 214, NOBE or Joint Services Transcript.

Credit for Other Military Course Work:

You may submit your military transcripts (JST, AARTS or SMART) to the UW-Stevens Point Admissions Office. Request your JST transcripts here: https://jst.doded.mil/official.html

Wisconsin Act 59

36.31 (title) Coordination with other educational agencies; credit for military education.

SECTION 623m. 36.31 (4) of the statutes is created to read:

36.31 (4) Upon receiving from the federal department of defense a student’s official joint services transcripts or Community College of the Air Force transcripts, the institution or college campus in which the student is enrolled shall do the following:

  1. Accept all American Council on Education credit recommendations included in the official joint services transcript and award academic credit to the student in accordance with these recommendations.
  2. Accept all credits included in the Community College of the Air Force transcript and award academic credit to the student accordingly.

Institutions will award credit according to these guidelines:

  • The educational quality of the learning experience the student seeks to transfer;
  • The comparability of the nature, content and level of the learning experience to that offered by the receiving Institutions; and
  • The appropriateness and applicability of the learning experience to the programs offered by the receiving institution, in light of the student’s educational goals.

2019 WI Act 147

Students should be aware that you have a choice whether or not to accept the credits from your Joint Service Transcript (JST) or your Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript offered to you by UW-Stevens Point.  The 2019 WI Act 147 provides flexibility to veterans in determining whether they would like their credits transferred from military transcripts to the University of Wisconsin System or technical colleges. Specifically, it contains this language:

SECTION 2.  36.31 (4) (bm) of the statutes is created to read: 36.31 (4) (bm)  An institution or college campus may not award academic credit to a student under par. (am) for each course for which the student, upon consultation with the institution’s or college campus’s staff, objects to the awarding of credit for that course.

Students who are given credits that may not pertain directly to their program could be disadvantaged for financial aid purposes or other professional groups or designations.

It is important to make your determination regarding acceptance of these credits, in consultation with your advisor, in your first semester.

Experiential Learning for Veteran Students

Veteran students may satisfy the Experiential Learning requirement by working with an ELA Mentor to reflect upon the connections between their military service and their coursework at UW-Stevens Point. To satisfy the Experiential Learning requirement in this way, veterans must:

  • have earned at least 24 credits from UW-Stevens Point;
  • meet their ELA Mentor at least once before formally reflecting upon the connections between their military service and their coursework at UW-Stevens Point; and
  • reflect upon the connections between their military service and their coursework at UW-Stevens Point through written communication with their ELA Mentor.
Student veteran smiling outside of Old Main.

UWSP VETS CLUB

UWSP is committed to creating a welcoming environment for our student veterans. Our student veteran experience has been featured by Wisconsin Public Television as part of Veterans Coming Home, a national initiative that explores themes common to veterans reintegrating to civilian life to help bridge the military-civilian divide.

Located in the Dreyfus University Center (DUC), room 070H
Phone: 715-346-4957

RESOURCES

Military Call-Up Instructions for Students

Cancellations of Enrollment:

If the student is called up before the start of the semester, a cancellation form must be filled out or a letter sent notifying us of the cancellation with the reason indicated. If the semester has already started, a withdrawal form must be filled out by the student. The withdrawal form must indicate the current date as the “date of withdrawal”. The reason for the withdrawal or cancellation must state “called to active military duty for wartime service” OR “withdrawing from the university due to active training requirement with the military”. NOTE: The student must officially withdraw from the university.

If you are living in a residence hall, you will need to notify the Residential Living Office at 715-346-3511. If you are receiving financial aid, let our Veterans Coordinator know in the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services at 715-346-4771.

You will need to provide UW-Stevens Point with a copy of the orders. We will cancel any benefits you were receiving while attending class.  If the orders are not available at the time of the withdrawal, they may be faxed to 715-346-3526 at a later date.

Individual Course Options

If called up early in the semester, students may choose to withdraw and re-enter when their obligation is completed. In such cases, the students would receive a full refund of their tuition and a prorated refund of any housing and food service charges. If called mid-to-late-semester, students might prefer to drop some courses and/or receive a refund for the courses dropped and a prorated refund of any housing and food service charges.

If called late in the semester, students could request incompletes or instructors might be able to consider their courses complete and assign grades.

  • A grade of “incomplete” may be awarded at the discretion of the instructor. It may be possible for you to be granted an extension of time allowed to complete the work in the course. If you are gone for an extended period of time, the department chair of the course would need to notify the Registrar’s Office of the extended time allowed.
  • In some instances, an instructor may determine that a sufficient amount of course work has been completed and therefore may choose to award a final grade. You must consult with the instructor to determine whether these requirements have been met.

We encourage all students in this situation to discuss the matter with their instructors and to be clear about their status before departing. In the event that any students have to leave abruptly and don’t have an opportunity to discuss the situation with their instructors, we will notify the instructors and appropriate officials if you ask us to do so. If students are called up due to “active military duty for wartime service”, and we have a copy of the orders to that effect, we will maintain students’ email account. This will enable the student to continued use of their university e-mail account, continue to have appointed registration times, and maintain ties to the university to ease their re-entry upon return.

  • The university will add the Veterans Coordinator as an advisor in order to better assist your return to UW-Stevens Point.
  • When returning to the university, bring a copy of your most recent DD-214 to the Veterans Coordinator in the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services, 103 Student Services Center. You can also contact the Office of the Registrar at 715-346-4301 to get information on how/when to register for classes.

Short Term Leave Policy

As stated in the UWSP Catalog:

Students shall not be penalized for class absence due to unavoidable or legitimate required military obligations, or medical appointments at a VA facility, not to exceed two (2) weeks unless special permission is granted by the instructor. Students are responsible for notifying faculty members of such circumstances as far in advance as possible and for providing documentation to the Office of the Dean of Students to verify the reason for the absence. The faculty member is responsible to provide reasonable accommodations or opportunities to make up exams or other course assignments that have an impact on the course grade. For absences due to a student being deployed for active duty, please refer to the Military Call-Up instructions for students.

Veteran-Related Campus Policies

Veteran Health Resources

Campus Departments

Whether you need support inside or outside of the classroom, these departments will provide assistance.

Cost and Income Estimates 

Financial Aid Shopping Sheet is available upon request for undergraduate and graduate service members, veterans, military spouses, and other military family members. The Shopping Sheet is a consumer tool that is designed to simplify information that prospective students can receive about costs and financial aid so that they may make informed decisions about which postsecondary institution to attend. It is an easy-to-read form that enables students to compare institutions in terms of grant and scholarship amounts, net costs, graduation rates, loan default rates, median borrowing, and estimated monthly loan payments after graduation. Contact the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services if you’ve completed a FAFSA and would like to receive a Shopping Sheet. Be sure to list your name, UWSP student ID, current address and contact information on the request.

Consumer Planning Tools

The consumer planning websites below provide resources and school information including tuition and fees, use of financial aid, and retention and graduation rates.

Quick Links

Veterans Wisconsin UW System Education Portal

WI Department of Veteran Affairs

Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant Application Form

Web Automated Verification
of Enrollment (WAVE)

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs

Troops to Teachers

UWSP’s Request for Military Benefits Form

Military-affiliated students on our campus may include veterans, current members of the National Guard or Reserves, active duty personnel, and dependents of military service members.  Veteran students may be apprehensive about college and experience adjustment challenges to civilian and academic life.

If you have questions or concerns about a student with a military background, you are encouraged to contact Veteran Services.  You can reach us at 715-346-4771 or veteran.services@uwsp.edu for general information, please start with Supporting Student Veterans, a brochure that was created specifically for faculty and staff on campus.

Campus Policies

Learn more about the ROTC program in the Department of Military Science.

Left side of the photo contains two students, male and female, dressed in military uniforms. Right side of photo contains same students wearing R.O.T.C. shirts and carrying school supplies.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The UW-Stevens Point Financial Aid and Veteran Services office can answer your questions about enrolling as a veteran student.