Ramapo College of New Jersey || Financial Aid

Ramapo College Veterans Program

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Can I audit a course and get paid for it?
No. When you audit a course, you take the class as a refresher for skills you already have. The VA will not pay for audited courses. Educational benefits are paid only for classes in which you earn credit. Since you do not get credit for audited courses, the VA will not pay for them as part of your educational benefits.

Must I maintain a certain GPA in order to keep my VA educational benefits?
All students utilizing VA educational benefits must maintain certain standards of progress as detailed in the Ramapo College catalog. VA regulations allow students to attend school under a probationary status for two consecutive terms while they continue to receive educational benefits. However, benefits will be terminated following the second consecutive term of attendance under probationary status if the student’s cumulative GPA does not meet the College’s published standards of progress.

However, even if a student is on probation but his/her cumulative GPA is less than 2.0, they will not be eligible to receive the NJ National Guard tuition waiver until they improve their cumulative GPA to at least 2.0.

How do I drop/withdraw from a course?
If you need to drop or withdraw from a course, you need to complete a form from the Registrar’s Office and obtain the appropriate signatures. There are two types of grades you can get from dropping a course; punitive and non-punitive.

The college establishes the last date to withdraw for each semester and/or session. If you drop a class or withdraw from a class or all classes, you are assigned a non-punitive grade. Remember, this means your GPA will not be penalized. However, the Department of VA (DVA) treats a non-punitive grade as if you never attended that class. If the drop changes your attendance status, the DVA will require repayment of any amount you have received for attendance in that class unless you have mitigating circumstances. If you feel you have a valid reason for dropping the class or withdrawing from all classes, you can write to the DVA and ask that you be allowed your prevailing rate of pay up to the last date of attendance in the course(s). The new rate of pay would be effective the day after your last date of attendance.

If you claim mitigating circumstances, the DVA will require in-depth statements and documents before allowing payment for a course from which you dropped. Mitigating circumstances the DVA accepts include:

1. Illness or injury of the veteran
2. Death, illness or serious injury of a family member
3. Relocation due to employment
4. Work schedule conflict
5. Hardships

If you have other reasons for dropping or withdrawing, you may also write to the DVA and provide them with the reasons.

If you drop a course or withdraw from all courses after the last day to withdraw, you may be assigned a punitive grade that will be figured into your GPA as an ‘F’. The DVA will, in this case, allow payment at the prevailing rate of pay up to the last date of attendance as reported by the instructor. The new rate of pay, will begin the day after the last date of attendance. You should try to avoid dropping courses after the last date to drop/withdraw as it does affect your GPA.

Can I take an independent study course and receive payment for it?
Yes. Independent study courses, as long as they pertain to your major, are eligible for certification.

How can I determine what classes I should take?
The Ramapo College catalog describes all majors and minors available and what courses are required for graduation in each. The on-line catalog will outline requirements. The Advisement Center has individual sheets available describing the requirements for each major/minor. All courses must be drawn directly from the outline as it appears in the catalog in effect at the time of your enrollment into the College. You will be certified only for those courses required for your degree.

A student who is not in continuous attendance must graduate under the provisions of the catalog in effect at the time of re-entry or a subsequent issue if elected. Summer session attendance is not considered in continuous attendance.

A counselor may be assigned to you to assist you in maintaining academic progress towards earning your degree.

Can I take a remedial or deficiency course and still get paid for it?
Most VA educational benefit programs allow students to take remedial or deficiency courses. Students utilizing Chapter 1606 (Selective Reserves) benefits are allowed compensation for remedial/deficiency level courses only if they have signed a six year enlistment contract on or after November 1, 1990.

Remedial courses can only be certified if a need for the course is proven by a placement test or if the course is required as a prerequisite for another course in your major.

How can I tell which courses count as electives?
Typically each student has some credits of "Free Electives," courses that do not meet particular requirements, but are needed to reach 128 credits to graduate. Free Electives can be used for internships, co-operative education, minors, or simply any course you find interesting.

Will I receive credit for Military Training?
You may receive credit for attendance at military service schools, including basic training, provided that the training is applicable to your current program. To receive credit, you must supply documents with your name, date and location of each course and indicating evidence of completion. Documents may include, but are not limited to:

Military Transcripts including those from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), Army/ACE Registry Transcript System (AARTS), Sailor-Marine-ACE Registry Transcript (SMART) and Coast Guard Institute (CGI)
A certificate of completion or diploma for each course for which credit is sought
A copy of your DD-214 (long version)

What if I am called to Active Duty?
If, as a member of a National Guard unit, Reserve Component, or as a discharged veteran, you are called to active duty, immediately contact your academic advisor and your Veterans Administrator. These offices will assist you with notifying other relevant offices and will explain the effect of your withdrawal academically and for financial aid and veterans benefits.

Other answers to issues related to student financial aid may be found from the links section.

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