Withdrawal and Readmission Procedures for Students Called to U.S. Military Active Duty
Withdrawal
Students who are called to active duty should bring a copy of their activation orders and submit the Institutional Withdrawals forms to their Student Success Advisors, who will then review and submit them to the Office of the Registrar.
- If students are called to active military duty before the end of the second week of instruction, no course entries will appear on their transcripts for that semester and they will be eligible for a full tuition refund.
- If students are called to active military duty after the end of the second week of instruction and before the end of the eighth week of instruction, they will receive a “W” for each course enrolled, and they will be eligible for a full tuition refund.
- If students are called to active military duty after the end of the eighth week of instruction, they will receive a “W” for each course enrolled, and they will be eligible for a full tuition refund. Students who have completed a substantial amount of their course work may request an “I” grade. An “I” will revert to a “W” if the student’s active duty period is extended beyond the agreed-upon length of the original agreement.
VA Priority Registration
Students with VA benefits will have priority registration each semester (five days before normal registration starts).
Financial Aid
If students are receiving financial aid during the semester in which they are called to active duty, financial aid must be repaid according to federal and state guidelines before a refund will be issued by DigiPen. The rules regarding financial aid are not necessarily within the control of the Institute. Students should consult with the Office of Financial Aid concerning the impact of military call-up on financial aid conditions and eligibility. The U.S. Department of Education has directed the Direct Loan Program and colleges to provide relief from student loan obligations by postponing student loan payments for borrowers during the period of the borrower’s active duty service.
If a veteran receiving Post 9/11 benefits withdraws before the semester is completed, all funding received from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs would be returned to the student, and it is the student’s responsibility to pay any balance owed to DigiPen.
Readmission
IIn compliance with the Higher Education Authorization Act, matriculated/active students who are called to active duty shall be entitled to readmission provided that the student followed the appropriate steps as outlined in the Withdrawal and Readmission Procedures for Students Called to U.S. Military Active Duty section. This is provided that the cumulative length of the absence and of all previous absences from the Institute, by reason of service in the uniformed services, does not exceed five years, and, except as otherwise provided in this section, the student submits a notification of intent to re-enroll in the Institute.
The readmission fee is waived for students returning to DigiPen from United States military active duty.
Withdrawal Procedures for Students Who Are Military Dependents Whose Families Must Move Due to Redeployment/Relocation
Withdrawal
Students who are military dependents and whose families must move due to redeployment or relocation must provide a copy of their family members’ deployment/relocation orders and submit the Institutional Withdrawal forms to their Student Success Advisors, who will then review and submit them to the Office of the Registrar.
- Students who must move before the end of the second week of instruction shall receive no course entry on their transcript and will receive a 100% refund.
- Students who must move after the end of the second week of instruction and before the end of the eighth week of instruction shall receive a “W” for each course enrolled and receive a 100% refund.
- Students who must move after the end of the eighth week of instruction will receive a “W” for each course enrolled and receive a 100% refund.
Financial Aid
Military redeployment/relocation may also affect a student’s financial aid. Military dependents receiving financial aid during the semester in which they are required to move must repay their financial aid according to federal and state guidelines before a refund will be issued by DigiPen. The rules regarding financial aid may not necessarily be within the control of the Institute. Students should consult with the Office of Financial Aid concerning the impact of military redeployment/relocation on financial aid conditions and eligibility.