Referral of Service Members to Educational School Officers or Military Service Counselors

Purpose:

Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) is committed to supporting service members in navigating their educational opportunities. Pursuant to the Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding (DoD MOU) paragraph 4.d, PHSU personnel will direct service members to either their designated Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within the Military Service for assistance related to their educational pursuits prior to enrolling.

Policy Overview:

Ponce Health Sciences University is dedicated to supporting our service members in their educational journeys. As part of our commitment, all university personnel are directed to refer service members to their designated School Official (DSO) or Military Service branch for assistance with educational benefits and related matters. This policy ensures that service members receive accurate guidance and support tailored to their unique needs.

Responsibility:

It is the responsibility of all PHSU personnel, including faculty, staff, and administration, to guide service members appropriately when seeking educational advice or administrative support.

Referral Process:

• Service members seeking assistance related to their educational benefits or other educational matters should be directed to their designated Educational Services Officer (ESO).
• In cases where the issue pertains to military service-specific concerns, service members should be referred to their respective Military Service branch for guidance.
• The student must present evidence of having received orientation by the ESO or Military Service Counselor before he/she can proceed with enrolling in a program.
• The accepted evidence is a letter from the ESO or military service counselor or a summary of benefits certification.

 Training and Awareness:

• PHSU personnel involved in student services and academic advising will receive training on the policies and procedures outlined in the DoD MOU.
• Regular updates and refresher courses will be provided to ensure compliance and effective support for service members.

Publication and Accessibility:

• This policy shall be published on the PHSU Catalog and on the website under the Financial Aid section.
• It will be easily accessible to all stakeholders, including current and prospective service member students, faculty, and staff.

Compliance Monitoring:

• Compliance with this policy will be monitored by the Office of Student Affairs in coordination with the Vice President of Regulatory Compliance and Program Innovation.