Veteran and Active Duty Educational Benefits

Welcome to Converse University – a place where we honor and appreciate the invaluable contributions of our veterans. We understand the unique experiences, skills, and perspectives veterans bring to our campus community, and we are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for all.

At Converse, we deeply respect and thank veterans for their selfless service to our nation. Your dedication and sacrifices have not gone unnoticed, and we are grateful for the wealth of experience and leadership you bring to our campus. We recognize that veterans have a lot to offer beyond the classroom, and we encourage you to share your insights and experiences with the campus community.

Veterans enrich our campus in many ways. Your unique experiences, discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills greatly benefit both your fellow students and the university as a whole. Whether it’s through student organizations, volunteer work, or in the classroom, veterans play a vital role in fostering diversity, inclusivity, and a sense of community at Converse.

Admissions Requirements for Veterans

To ensure a smooth transition for veterans into our academic community, we have established admissions requirements tailored to your unique circumstances. We are committed to making the application process as straightforward as possible while considering your service and experiences. Here are the key admissions requirements for veterans:

Application Process: Veterans are encouraged to apply through our standard admissions process, following the instructions provided on our application portal.

Transcripts and Academic Records: Please submit all transcripts and academic records from previously attended institutions, including high school if you do not have an associate degree or higher. If you have military training or coursework, we will evaluate it for potential transfer credit with a copy of your DD214 and official evaluation from ACE.

Military Experience Evaluation: We recognize the educational value of military service. If you have completed military training or have relevant experience, please provide an official evaluation through ACE (American Council on Education). If appropriate, we will consider for academic credit or placement.

The Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance (TA) program provides financial assistance to Service members for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of professional and personal self-development goals. TA is available for courses that are offered in the classroom or by distance learning and are part of an approved academic degree or certificate program. The courses must be offered by schools that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and are signatories to the current DoD Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (DOD MOU).

The Tuition Assistance (TA) program pays the cost of tuition and some additional fees. Nearly all active duty military service members are eligible for TA. However, each service branch determines eligibility criteria that often reduce access. Tuition Assistance covers up to 100% Tuition and Fees, not to exceed $250.00 per semester credit hour or $4500.00 per fiscal year.

The process for requesting Tuition Assistance is generally the same for all branches of the military. However, please see the additional links at the bottom of this web page for more information regarding the specific type of military Tuition Assistance for each respective branch of service.

Follow the steps below.

1. Speak with your local Education Office, military counselor to ensure your eligibility for Tuition Assistance.
2. Follow their instructions on how to request Tuition Assistance for your course(s). Take note of the timeframe in which you are able to request your TA indicated in the chart below.
3. The military approves your TA request.
4. Once you are accepted to Converse, you should notify the Director of Adult Learning & Veteran Services that you are eligible for TA.

TA Request Timeframes

Army

• Start: 60 days before term starts
• End: 1 day before term starts

Air Force

• Start: 45 days before term starts
• End: 7 days before term starts

Navy

• Start: 120 days before term starts
• End: 14 days before term starts

Marines

• Start: 60 days before term starts
• End: 1 day before term starts

Coast Guard

• Start: 90 days before term starts
• End: 16 days before term starts

Converse University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. This program can help you pay for higher out-of-state, private school, foreign school, or graduate school tuition and fees that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t cover.

Read about Yellow Ribbon Program eligibility requirements on the VA website.

Converse has earned the Military Friendly® School designation at the Silver level for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 academic years, an honor given to colleges, universities and schools that are doing the most to embrace military students and to dedicate resources to ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation.

This program was established to provide financial assistance to members of the South Carolina Army and Air National Guard. NGCAP covers the cost of attendance, as defined by federal regulations, up to a maximum amount each award year. The maximum amount will be determined annually by the S.C. Commission on Higher Education (CHE). Students who have earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree are not eligible. To qualify, you must be in good standing with the active National Guard at the beginning of each academic year and remain a member in good standing throughout the entire academic year, maintain satisfactory academic progress, be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident and satisfy additional eligibility requirements as may be promulgated by CHE. The S.C. National Guard is responsible for providing a list of all eligible Guard members to CHE which will in turn notify the College. To be awarded, you must be on the list from CHE.

The CAP application and additional details are available on the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education website.

Converse students may cross-enroll in the Southern Guards Battalion, Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) hosted at Wofford College. Students in Army ROTC take courses in Military Science. Military Science offers a basic program and an advanced program. Satisfactory completion of six semester hours in the basic program, or completion of a one-month Leaders Training Course qualifies the student for the advanced program.

Successful completion of the Bachelor degree, including the 12 credit hour Advanced Program, a military history course and computer and mathematics literacy courses, and the advanced camp in the summer between the junior and senior years qualifies the graduate for either a National Guard, a Reserve or a Regular commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.

Advanced program Cadets and contracted basic program Cadets are required to participate in a weekly laboratory where leadership, critical thinking and team building training occurs. Cadets also meet three to five times weekly for physical training enhances their endurance, strength and flexibility.

There is no military obligation associated with any of the basic program courses. Converse students may compete for two- and three-year full scholarships. Army scholarships 100% pay all tuition and fees for full-time students during the Fall and Spring semesters. Additionally, the scholarship provides $1200 per year for books and a monthly stipend up to $500 per month.

For more information, please visit the Wofford ROTC page, call 864.597.4338, or email stricklenws@wofford.edu at Wofford College.

• Undergraduate, freshmen & transfer students cost and aid
• Graduate students cost and aid
• Adult Converse II students cost and aid

Converse University may award academic credit from military service only after an official transcript from ACE (American Council on Education) is sent for evaluation. Credit is awarded on a case by case basis.

VA students may receive monetary assistance from the VA to pay for a tutor, if one is required.

• Academic Support and Success at Converse

Service members who leave for active duty will be readmitted to Converse University with the same academic status achieved when last attending or when last admitted. A leave of absence (LOA) will pertain to service members if they depart while enrolled in classes. This applies to any student who cannot attend due to military service.

Service members whose education is disrupted for more than 30 consecutive days will be withdrawn from courses.

Undergraduate service members will be eligible to re-enroll into their program and academic catalog so long as they return within that academic year. Students who are away from the University longer than that one academic year are eligible for re-enroll, but under a new catalog up to three years after their departure. After this time period, a service member must reapply to the University.

Graduate service members may re-enroll in classes once they notify the Dean of the School of Education and Graduate Studies of their intention to return. Service members have five years to complete their degrees under the same catalog.