DOD MOU

Department of Defense MOU

Suffolk County Community College has entered into a Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the DoD Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. The MOU underscores the College commitment to comply with DoD requirements regarding institutional practices to accept tuition funds through each Military Service Tuition Assistance Program in exchange for educational services. Some of the key commitments of the College as required by the DoD MOU are described below.

No Incentive Payments for Student Enrollments or Securing Federal Financial Aid

Suffolk County Community College does not provide any commission, bonus, or other incentive payments based directly or indirectly on securing enrollments, or federal financial aid (including Tuition Assistance funds) to any of its employees, vendors or agents who are engaged in any student recruiting, admission activities, or who make decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance.

No High-Pressure Recruitment Tactics

Suffolk County Community College refrains from using high-pressure recruitment tactics, such as making multiple (three or more) unsolicited contacts with prospective students, including contacts by phone, email, or in-person, and does not engage in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing Service member enrollments.  At SCCC, we firmly believe that enrollment decisions are to be made by the applicant and their family.

Points of Contact

The DoD MOU requires the College to designate a Point of Contact or office for academic and financial advising, including access to disability counseling, to assist Service members with completion of studies and with job search activities. The Point of Contact will assist Service members seeking information about academic counseling, financial aid counseling, and student support services, or will refer Service members to the appropriate individual/office on campus, and will have a basic understanding of the military tuition assistance program, Title IV Funding, educational benefits offered by the VA, and other institutional services available to Service Members.

Point of Contact for Veteran Services:
Director of Veteran Services
Shannon O'Neill
(631) 451-4869
oneills@sunysuffolk.edu

Point of Contact for Title IV Financial Aid:
Director of Financial Aid
Nancy A. Brewer
(631) 451-4064
brewern@sunysuffolk.edu

Return of Unearned Tuition Assistance Funds

Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded. In compliance with the DoD MOU, Suffolk County Community College will return any unearned TA funds on a prorated basis through at least 60% portion of the period for which the funds were provided. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending.

Therefore, if the student officially withdraws from the courses, the amount of unearned TA funds is calculated from the day the student withdrew. If the student receives a grade of W (administrative withdrawal), that is an unofficial withdrawal and the amount of unearned TA funds is calculated from the date of the student’s last participation in the courses. In cases where some or all of the Tuition Assistance must be returned to the DoD, the Service member will be responsible for all balances remaining on their Suffolk County Community College student account.

Any unearned Military TA funds will be returned directly to the Military Service, and not to the Service member. The calculation of the return may result in the Service member owing a balance to Suffolk County Community College. If the Service member withdraws due to a military service obligation, the College will work with the Service Member to identify a solution that will not result in a student debt for the returned TA portion.

Transfer Credit Policies and Procedures

The DoD MOU requires the College to disclose to Service members our credit transfer agreements and policies regarding transfer credit to Service members before Service members’ enrollment.  Suffolk County Community College proudly accepts military training credits that are recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE), which helps service members and veterans obtain college credit for their military training and experience.  All Service members are required to request their Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript upon admission. Transcripts are reviewed on an individual basis and credit is applied based upon course equivalency.

Activations and Readmission of Service Members Returning to the College After Active Duty

If a student is activated during a semester, there are a number of options available depending upon the time and length of the activation. Students should first discuss their activation with the Office of Veteran Services, as well as with their instructors, who in turn will consult with the Office of Academic Affairs in order to determine the best course of action. The options available range from special arrangements for make-up work, to an incomplete grade, to withdrawal from a course or semester.

Unless precluded by military necessity, a student must provide oral or written notice of a uniformed service obligation to the Office of Veteran Services as far in advance of their activation day as possible.

A returning student will be permitted to re-enroll in the next class(es) scheduled in the same academic program, unless the student requests a later date of re-enrollment or agrees to enroll into a different program. A returning student will be readmitted into the same academic program the student was enrolled in prior to the military service obligation. If the exact program no longer exists, the student will be admitted to the program that is most similar, unless the student requests or agrees to admission to a different program. Returning students will be re-enrolled with the same enrollment status, number of completed credit hours, and academic standing as they had during their last academic year of attendance.

Financial Aid Process

For information on the financial aid process, including the timeline for the application process, please review the Financial Aid Application Process.

Please note that Suffolk County Community College is a commuter school and therefore does not charge for room and board.