Veterans

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has approved Susquehanna to provide education under the public laws pertaining to veterans, reservists and the children of armed forces personnel who lost their lives in the service of their country. Candidates should present certificates of eligibility and entitlement before registration. Veterans who come to the university without the appropriate certificates may apply after arrival through the Veterans Affairs webpage at www.benefits.va.gov.

Students who are eligible for Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) or Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill®)1 benefits, and who have provided a Certificate of Eligibility or Statement of Benefits to the VA Certifying Official, will not be penalized for any delayed disbursement of funds from the VA. Students will not be assessed late fees, denied access to institutional facilities, or be required to borrow additional funds. Eligible students must provide a Certificate of Eligibility or Statement of Benefits. In addition, a written request must be submitted each semester in which the student wants to have their enrollment verified with the VA.

To be eligible for full veterans’ benefits, a student must be a degree candidate in good academic standing and must be actively enrolled in at least 12 semester hours at any point during the semester. Veterans must notify the associate registrar of re-enrollment at the beginning of each semester and of any course dropped later.

Susquehanna is a participant in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program. The Yellow Ribbon program is a provision of the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the Veterans Administration (VA) to fund expenses up to the annual cap as determined by the VA each academic year. The institution can contribute up to 50 percent of any remaining tuition, and the VA will match the same amount as the institution. Contact the Office of the Registrar for information on Susquehanna’s participation in the Yellow Ribbon program.

1 “GI Bill®” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Services for Students with Disabilities

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the university makes efforts to provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. To be considered for disability accommodations, students should forward recent documentation of their condition to the director of disability services. Full information about the required documentation and steps for obtaining accommodations is discussed in the disabilities policy available www.susqu.edu/academics/academic-resources/disability-services/.

The director of disability services coordinates the programs. The director of facilities management is responsible for physical facilities compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The director of human resources is responsible for employment compliance.

Accommodations for the World Languages Requirement

Accommodations for the World Languages Requirement of the Central Curriculum are approved by the Office of Disability Services (ODS) on an individual basis through an interactive process between ODS and the student. It must be supported by documented effects of the student’s disability. If a student is determined to be eligible, a world languages accommodation is approved by the ODS, which notifies the Registrar’s Office and the student’s academic advisor(s).

Once the World Languages Requirement Accommodation has been approved, students can substitute coursework related to cultural diversity in place of the University’s world language requirements. The world language requirement is not simply waived. Students must still complete the same number of credits required to fulfill the University’s world language graduation requirement. Therefore, students must complete two substitute courses.

Courses approved to meet the “Diversity” or “Diversity-Intensive” requirements of the University’s Central Curriculum may be used as a substitute. Students should work with their academic advisers to determine which approved courses are most appropriate to complete.

The Registrar’s Office will update the student’s academic records audit upon completion of an approved course to reflect the course substitution. If a substitute course is currently approved as a “Diversity” or “Diversity-Intensive” for the Central Curriculum, it may double count toward both the “World Language” and either the “Diversity” or “Diversity-Intensive” requirement. However, if the course fulfills other areas of the Central Curriculum in addition to “Diversity” or “Diversity Intensive,” it may not be used to fulfill any other Central Curriculum requirements. A “Diversity” or “Diversity Intensive” course that fulfills the requirements of a student’s major(s) and minor(s) cannot be used as a substitute course.

Transfer courses approved as “Diversity” or “Diversity Intensive” may be used as language substitution courses in keeping with the same standards outlined above.

Nondegree Students

Students not formally admitted as degree-seeking candidates may enroll in courses as nondegree students with the permission of the registrar. The registrar must approve the nature and amount of coursework based upon the student’s prior academic record. Nondegree students may be required to provide a transcript of all previous academic work, and they must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher in their Susquehanna courses. If the cumulative GPA falls below this point, the university may refuse permission to pursue further coursework. Enrollment will be on a space-available basis only.

Nondegree students planning to attend the university later as degree candidates should consult the admission staff. This should be done as early as possible to assure proper guidance and to complete the admission process. Nondegree students who have completed 12 semester hours of coursework and who intend to become degree candidates must declare their intention and be properly advised before continuing to enroll in courses at Susquehanna. Students planning to transfer Susquehanna credits elsewhere should obtain prior clearance from the academic dean or registrar of the receiving institution.

Nondegree students are subject to all rules and regulations of the university. They will be graded on the same basis as degree candidates, and the Office of the Registrar will maintain a permanent academic record of all courses attempted or completed. If a student enters the university as a nondegree student and later becomes a degree candidate, the grades earned as a nondegree student are included in the GPA.