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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​

​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.​

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 .​

Military Activation Checklist

If you receive orders for active duty or deployment:

• Submit a to the Dean of Students Office and provide your military orders.
• Notify your instructors immediately to discuss options for courses in progress (e.g., Incomplete grades).
• Contact Financial Aid and Student Billing to understand how activation may affect your aid and account balance.
• When ready to return, submit a Request to Return form at least 30 days before the semester begins.

Note: Students approved for a Leave of Absence due to military service do not need to reapply for admission and retain their merit scholarships upon return.

See our Military Activation Options guide for your full range of options.