Office of Veteran Services

The Office of Veteran Services at Centenary University has been established on firm ground to provide valuable services and resources to student veterans, veteran dependents, active military, and reservists in the Centenary community. It is designed as a One‐Stop location where you can ask questions and get answers. We are dedicated to assisting you in navigating internal and external systems, obtaining educational goals, developing initiatives, and helping to facilitate a seamless transition to the academic arena and successful integration to the campus community.

Orientations for new student veterans and veteran dependents are held in August of each year before the start of the fall semester and in January of each year prior to the start of the spring semester. Sessions are held in the Veteran Resource Center (VRC) and hosted by the Director of Veteran Services. Sessions may be held virtually if circumstances warrant. Orientations are designed to be informative with the intent of acclimating students to the campus as well as providing information about services and resources. Representatives from various external support services, i.e. VA Healthcare Outreach, the VetCenters, etc. are on‐hand to answer questions, to provide information, and to help with the application processes, if required.

VA Pending Payment Compliance

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection €, Centenary University adopts the following additional provisions for any student using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 G. I. Bill® (Ch 33) or Veteran Readiness and Employment (Ch 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. This university will not:
1. Prevent the covered individual’s enrollment;
2. Assess a late penalty fee to a student;
3. Require a covered individual to secure alternative or additional funding; or
4. Deny a covered individual access to any resources (classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other tuition-paying students.

However, to qualify for this provision, such covered individuals may be required to:
1. Provide Chapter 33 Certificate of Eligibility (or its equivalent) or for Chapter 31, VR&E’s contract with the institution on VA Form 22-1905 by the first day of class.

Deployment/Readmit Policy

Called to Active Duty

If you are called to active duty or receive emergency activation/full deployment orders to active duty during a semester in progress or after admission but prior to the start of the semester for which you are admitted, please notify the Director of the Office of Veteran Services. This can be done in person or via email. The active duty orders must include the date you are to report for duty and the length of time of service. The official documentation is required in order to receive a military withdrawal. A military withdrawal results in the assignment of “MW” for all classes, which does not factor into the GPA and allows for a full refund of tuition and fees. Military withdrawal may impact Satisfactory Academic Progress and may adversely affect federal and state financial aid. You cannot receive a military withdrawal or a refund for semesters that have already been completed. Standard or scheduled military training exercises do not qualify or meet the above established policy guidelines for obtaining a military withdrawal during any semester. Please contact the Office of Academic Success to initiate the process to formally withdraw from the University.

Centenary University will waive the advance notice requirement if such notice is precluded by military necessity (classified mission, operation, or exercise, etc.). If you did not submit advance notice previously you can, subsequently, submit it at the time of readmission. Documentation must attest to uniformed service that necessitated absence from the University.

Returning Service Member

If you are returning to Centenary University following Active Duty in the military you are eligible for readmission into the same degree major, dependent upon whether that degree and/or major is still active, you were pursuing or admitted to pursue at the time you were called to active duty. You will be assigned an academic advisor to ensure completion of degree requirements. You must notify the Office of Transfer Admissions (Undergraduate Students) or the Office of Graduate Admissions (Graduate Students) at least 20 business days prior to the beginning of the semester for which you intend to enroll. It is recommended that you begin the readmission process at your earliest convenience.

Please contact the Office of Veteran Services and be prepared to submit a copy of your DD214 Member‐4 reflecting honorable discharge. If you fail to apply for readmission within five (5) years after completion of your Active Duty requirement, then you will be subject to the institution’s established readmission policy and general practices in effect at the time. Centenary University will make a concerted effort to work with you on readmission to the institution when circumstances deviate from the norm.

Contact information for the Office of Veteran Services is noted below:

Margie Pavlichko

Director of Veteran Services

Phone: (908) 852‐1400, ext. 2318

Fax: (908) 979‐4277

pavlichkom@centenaryuniversity.edu

Hours of Operation

Monday to Friday 8:30am ‐ 4:30pm EST

http://www.centenaryuniversity.edu/cms/en/military‐education‐benefit/