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    Student Services

    Miltary Friendly College

    Veterans Services

    photo of students chatting in veterans center with sign on door reading 3340 Veterans Resource Center
    Miltary Education Benefits
    Miltary Credits
    Beyond the Yellow Ribbon

    Veterans Center

    The Saint Paul College Veterans Center is located in Room 3340 and is available for use by students, faculty and staff who are service members or enrolled spouses or dependents of service members. The center is staffed during posted office hours and contains veteran resources, computers, and a study area.

    The Veterans Center is now open when school is in session during these hours:

    • Monday: 12:30pm to 6pm
    • Tuesday: 10am to 2pm & 3pm to 6pm
    • Wednesday: 8:30am to 11:30am & 12:30pm to 6pm
    • Thursday: 10am to 2pm & 3pm to 6pm
    • Friday: 10am – 2pm

    MDVA Central Metro Regional Coordinator, Duane Bauer II is available to answer questions and assist service members in the Veterans Center every other Tuesday afternoon. Walk-ins and appointments are welcome. Check out Duane’s schedule.

    Applying to Saint Paul College

    Saint Paul College is approved for the instruction of service members and dependents of service members who have training needs and who are entitled to participate in federal financial assistance programs.

    You must apply to and be accepted into a program major at Saint Paul College in order to be eligible to receive veterans education benefits. Your educational objective at the college must be the same as the objective you reported to the VA. 

    For helpful information about the enrollment process, use the New Student checklist for Veterans (PDF).

    If you need assistance applying to Saint Paul College and/or determining your educational objective, please contact admissions@rajcmmementos.com or call 651.846.1555.

    Military Education Benefits

    Service members can receive up to 48 months of combined VA education benefits through the GI Bill® when enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis in a VA approved program. Students who are eligible to receive VA education benefits may fall into one of the following categories (chapters):

    You must apply to and be accepted into a program major at Saint Paul College in order to qualify for veterans education benefits. Your educational objective at the college must be the same the objective you reported to the Veterans Administration (VA).

    Students receiving veterans education benefits are responsible for reporting ALL changes in credit load, program major, and address to the VA School Certifying Official (SCO). The SCO will certify enrollment and report changes in enrollment to the VA.

    If you have NEVER received education benefits

    1. Apply online for education benefits by visiting the VA website.
    2. The VA will more than likely send you an electronic Certificate of Eligibility (COE) showing you applied. To obtain a hard copy of your COE (outlining the terms of your benefits) make a request via the “ask a question” feature.
    3. Once you have registered for classes, notify the SCO and provide the following documents:
      • Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
    4. The SCO will review your course registration and certify enrollment with the VA.

    If you HAVE previously received VA education benefits at another institution

    1. Complete and send a Request for Change of Program or Place of Training form to the VA. Service members who submit this form online through eBenefits, must provide proof of submission to the SCO.
      • Chapters 30, 33, and 1606 must complete VA Form 22-1995
      • Chapter 35 must complete VA Form 22-5495
      • Chapter 31 must contact your Case Manager
    2. Once you have registered for classes, notify the SCO and provide the following documents:
      • Copy of your completed 22-1995 or 22-5495 (referenced above)
      • Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
    3. The SCO will review your course registration and certify enrollment with the VA.

    If you HAVE previously received VA education benefits at Saint Paul College

    Once you have registered for classes, notify the SCO to determine whether documentation needs to be submitted in order to certify enrollment.

    If you are receiving VA education benefits at another institution and plan to attend Saint Paul College as GUEST student

    You will need to contact the SCO at your home school to request that a Parent Letter be sent to the Saint Paul College SCO.

    Applying for Military Tuition Assistance (TA)

    Military tuition assistance is an education benefit paid to qualifying service members of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Navy. Each service area has established its own application process, criteria for eligibility, and restrictions. Service members eligible for military TA should apply as follows:

    Service members approved to receive military TA must submit the following documents to the Saint Paul College VA School Certifying Official (SCO)

    • TA Authorization Form/Voucher

    Return of Tuition Assistance (TA)

    Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded. To comply with the new Department of Defense policy, Saint Paul College will return any unearned TA funds on a prorate basis through at least the 60% portion of the period for which the funds were provided. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending.

    Return of unearned Tuition Assistance

    16-Week Course Withdraw submitted

    • Before or during weeks 1-2: 100% return
    • During weeks 3 – 4: 75% return
    • During weeks 5 – 8: 50% return
    • During weeks 9 – 10: 40% return (60% of course is completed)
    • During weeks 11 – 16: 0% return

    8-Week Course Withdraw submitted

    • Before or during week 1: 100 % return
    • During week 2: 75% return
    • During weeks 3 – 4: 50% return
    • During week 5: 40% return (60% of course is completed)
    • During weeks 6 – 8: 0% return

    5-Week Course Withdraw submitted

    • Day 1-7: 100% return
    • Day 8: 77% return
    • Day 9: 74% return
    • Day 10: 71% return
    • Day 11: 69% return
    • Day 12: 66% return
    • Day 13: 63% return
    • Day 14: 60% return
    • Day 15: 57% return
    • Day 16: 54% return
    • Day 17: 51% return
    • Day 18: 49% return
    • Day 19: 46% return
    • Day 20: 43% return
    • Day 21: 40% return (60% of course is completed)
    • Day 22: 0% return

    8-Week Online Classes

    • 100% of Tuition Assistance (TA) received will be returned if the student withdraws within the first week of class, but before submission of the first assignment. The student’s request will be processed as a drop for the purpose of returning TA funds only, not for financial aid attendance or recalculating of aid.
    • 75% of TA received of TA received will be returned if the student withdraws after submitting the first assignment and through the end of the second week of classes.
    • 50% of TA received will be returned if the student withdraws after the second week of classes, but before the end of the fourth week of classes.
    • 25% of TA received will be returned if the student withdraws after the fourth week of classes, but before the end of the sixth week of classes. (60% of course is completed)
    • No TA received will be returned if the student withdraws after the sixth week of classes.

    Applying for State Tuition Reimbursement (STR)

    State tuition reimbursement is an education benefit paid to qualifying soldiers and airmen in the Minnesota National Guard. Individuals eligible for this benefit must meet with their unit to complete and submit their STR Obligation Request Form. Effective Fall 2017, service members must apply for and use Tuition Assistance before they can be considered for STR.

    Applying for Minnesota GI Bill

    The Minnesota GI Bill provides postsecondary financial assistance to eligible Minnesota service members and their spouses and children. Students interested in applying for this benefit should contact MDVA Central Metro Regional Coordinator, Duane Bauer at duane.bauer@state.mn.us.

    Apply for Financial Aid

    Most Financial Aid funding can be used with military benefits. For more information about applying for Financial Aid, please visit our financial aid page.

    Military Credits

    Recent legislation in Minnesota requires Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to review military academic transcripts and give appropriate credit based on the American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations. The transcript evaluator will review your military training based upon the American Council of Education standards for Military Programs and provide you a copy of your Degree Audit Report (DARS) indicating what was accepted in transfer.

    Obtaining credits

    Credit for Army training may be obtained by submitting an Army/American Council on Education Registry System transcript from the Army directly to the college or university. ACE (American Council on Education) translates military courses and occupations into academic credit and provides guidelines to interpret and recommend credit for formal service-school courses, demonstrated proficiency in military occupations and college-level tests. Service members must have separated or retired by 1981.

    Credit for Sailor and Marine training may be obtained by submitting a Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART). Service members must have separated or retired from active duty on or after October 1, 1999.

    Credit for Air Force training may be obtained by submitting a request to the Community College of the Air Force or going to the nearest Air Force base education office. Service members with credits/training for the Army pre-1981 and Sailors/Marines pre-1999 must request a DD295 and submit it for college credit award review. Saint Paul College uses A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services as a guide to award credit for military learning.

    Joint Services Transcript

    For evaluation of military credits, students will need to order an official Joint Services transcript to be sent to Saint Paul College. Transcripts can be ordered at http://jst.doded.mil/official.html

    Community College of the Air Force

    For an evaluation of Air Force credits from CCAF, students will need to order an official transcript and have it sent to Saint Paul College. Transcripts can be ordered at http://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Barnes/CCAF/Display/Article/803247/community-college-of-the-air-force-transcripts/

    DANTES—Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support

    The DANTES program supports the voluntary educational program for active military personnel and members of the National Guard and Reserves. The DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs), however, are now available for use by civilians at universities and colleges throughout the country. The DSSTs are a series of examinations in various college and technical subjects. The DSST program allows students the opportunity to demonstrate college-level learning acquired outside the classroom. All tests carry ACE (American Council on Education) credit recommendations. Saint Paul College will honor the ACE recommendation and accept courses applicable to a program or course of study. A list of DSST exams and how they transfer to Saint Paul College is available at http://www.transferology.com/school/saintpaul.

    Beyond the Yellow Ribbon

    Over 100 Programs

    Saint Paul College offers over 100 programs. These programs include Business, Career & Technical, STEM, Health Science, Liberal Arts, and Transfer options. A full list of programs can be viewed at Academic Programs at Saint Paul College.

    Veteran-Friendly Culture

    We strive to make all students feel welcome on our campus. Special efforts in place for service members, veterans, and their families include:

    • Recognition as an active Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization that proactively serves veterans and their families
    • Instructors and staff training in understanding how military culture impacts students
    • A dedicated Veteran Center on campus
    • Distant learning options available for mobilized service members
    • Active military recognition throughout the year (i.e., dedicated parking, graduation recognition, and special veteran celebration events)
    • Accommodations for both physical and mental disabilities Access & Disability Services
    • Rich history of military-affiliated alumni making positive impacts around the world

    Financial & Education Benefits Support

    GI Bills (Federal & State) Apply at Federal GI Bill or Minnesota GI Bill

    • The Federal GI Bill is a program that provides up to 36/48 months of benefits to be used to pay for college degrees, certificates, and diplomas in trades or for transfer to a university.
    • The MN GI Bill is a state program that provides post-secondary financial assistance to all eligible MN veterans attending an MN college.

    Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) Application Details.
    FTA is a federal program for active duty and reserve service members that pays for tuition only within a fiscal year with career caps and limits.

    Credentialing Assistance More Details.
    Credentialing Assistance is financial assistance to help service members pursue licensure, certification, or apprenticeship credentials.

    State Tuition Reimbursement (STR) Contact your Unit Administrator for more Details.
    STR is a state program for MN National Guard members that reimburses you for tuition costs after successful course completion

    Transition Support

    We recognize that the transition from military to civilian life can be challenging. Saint Paul College provides critical resources to help veterans with these transitions. Our on-campus resources include Mental Health counselors with access to service dogs, veteran staff and faculty members, and support resources in our Veterans Center. We also work closely with off-campus organizations, including:

    Beyond the Yellow Ribbon