Military Service Member Enrollment

Purpose:

The University is committed to supporting military service members in making informed educational decisions and ensuring compliance with DoD regulations governing Tuition Assistance (TA) and voluntary education. To maintain eligibility and partnership under the DoD Voluntary Education Partnership and DOE standards, the University requires that all prospective military students speak with their Education Services Officer (ESO) or Military Education Counselor prior to enrollment in any program using military educational benefits.

Policy Overview:

As part of the University’s commitment to compliance with Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Education (DOE) regulations, all prospective students who are active-duty military service members are required to consult with their Education Services Officer (ESO) or military counselor prior to enrolling in any program. This policy ensures that service members receive appropriate guidance regarding their educational options and use of military Tuition Assistance (TA) or other federal education benefits. The University incorporates this requirement into its admissions process, application platform, employee training, and compliance reviews to support informed enrollment decisions and maintain eligibility for federal and military educational funding programs.

Regulatory Requirements

• DoD Instruction 1322.25 mandates that Service members engage in educational counseling through their ESO before TA approval and enrollment.
• As part of Executive Order 13607 (“Principles of Excellence”), institutions are required to provide transparency and direct service members to their ESO or similar counselor before enrollment.

Scope

This policy applies to:

• Active-duty, Guard, and Reserve service members.
• Any military-affiliated student seeking to use DOE Title IV, DoD Tuition Assistance, or VA educational benefits.

Policy Requirements & Institutional Evidence

1. Admissions Webpage / Student Guide
   • Institutional webpages and admissions materials will clearly state:
     1. “Service members must first consult their Education Services Officer or military counselor before enrolling.”
         
2. Employee Manual / Training for Admissions Staff
   • Admissions and Registrar staff will be trained via the Employee Handbook to ask:
     1. “Have you consulted your ESO or military counselor regarding TA eligibility and approval?”
   • This question must be logged during intake for any applicant indicating military affiliation or use of TA.
   • The following attestation is required before any military TA enrollment is processed.
     1. “I confirm I have consulted with my ESO or military counselor prior to enrolling.”
3. Enrollment Documentation & Auditing Procedures
   • Enrollment submissions for military-funded courses must include either ESO approval documentation or the student’s attestation.
4. Institutional Agreements & Banner Systems
   • VA and DoD TA forms received by Student Accounts or the Registrar will be systematically reviewed.
   • Situations lacking documented consultation will trigger a hold until the issue is resolved.

 Compliance Monitoring:

To monitor compliance:

• Admissions & Registrar: Validate consultation before enrollment.
• The Office of Regulatory Compliance will monitor compliance with this policy.