Military

Credit for Military Service

Up to four semester hours of credit can be granted to individuals who present a copy of their DD214 after completing a minimum of one year of active duty. Such credit will be recorded on the student’s record after one year of attendance at WLU and the completion of a minimum of 24 hours of credit. These hours will be counted as general electives and will not replace any required courses; the credits will count toward graduation.

In addition to the four credit hours granted, students may be granted specific university credit for coursework completed in the military, if credit is recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE). Students completing university credits need to submit a military transcript to the Registrar’s Office.

Military Leave/Attendance Policy

WLU supports its students who are also members of the United States armed forces, reserve units, and National Guard. Absences of less than three weeks of course work for military obligation (i.e. drill or training) are university sanctioned absences. Official military orders must be submitted to the WLU School Certifying Official in the Enrollment Services Center.

University sanctioned absences are absences in which instructors provide opportunities to make up missed substantial class work or activities (e.g., assignments, exams) and will not penalize students for those absences. University sanctioned absences include mandatory military obligation, mandatory court appearances, and participation in university activities at the request of university authorities. Instructors are expected to be flexible in allowing students to make up work missed due to university sanctioned absences. Instructors and students may consult with their Dean’s Office on events that constitute official university sanctioned events.

Students have an obligation to inform their instructor as soon as possible by providing an email attachment with a copy of orders showing your military obligation.  If there are any issues, questions, or concerns by instructor or student, please contact our office for more information.

Readmission

West Liberty University adheres to the Department of Education requirements outlined in section 484C of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended and effective July 1, 2010, regarding the readmission of service members. Service members who withdraw from the university to fulfill their service obligations will be readmitted with the same academic status they previously held upon their return. For more details on readmission policies, please visit: https://www2.ed.gov/policy/highered/guid/readmission.html.

To initiate your return, please reapply for admission at westliberty.edu/apply.

Veterans Certification

Despite any policy to the contrary, for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA, we will not: Prevent their enrollment; Assess a late penalty fee to; Require they secure alternative or additional funding; Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution. However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to: Produce the VA’s Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class; Provide written request to be certified; Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies (see our VA School Certifying Official for all requirements). Students needing certification should contact the Enrollment Services Center. 

GI Bill® and Probation Policy

Students who are using GI Bill® benefits will follow West Liberty University defined SAP policies. If a student who is using GI Bill® benefits does not meet satisfactory academic progress, the certification of enrollment will be terminated, and the VA will be notified of the termination. The student will not be permitted to use GI Bill® benefits until they meet academic standing. A student may appeal their Suspension and will be required to make an academic plan with the College Dean where their major resides. A copy of the Academic plan will need to be returned to the Veteran Coordinator prior to the completion of their certification of enrollment. West Liberty University may terminate benefits due to unsatisfactory progress if a student remains on academic probation beyond two terms, quarters, or semesters. Please see the SAP Policy under the Academic Section of the catalog.