Veterans and Active Duty Military

It's our great honor at World Campus to serve our military service members. Eighteen percent of our student population is made up of active-duty and veteran service members, so we're well versed in the special needs of military students. You will find that we have specialists in place throughout World Campus who are ready to help you with any questions that you might have that deal with your benefits or the unique situations that military students sometimes encounter.

Financial Aid

One of the topics that service members most frequently have questions about is financial aid and how it's applied. We invite you to check out our sites dedicated to paying for your education Links to an external site. and grants and scholarships Links to an external site. to see if your questions are addressed there. If you have further questions, you can always ask a member of our military team.

Advising

You may be concerned that your obligations will stand in the way of your academics. We understand your concern, and it's for this reason that all members of the military are assigned to an academic adviser on our military team. Your adviser understands the strains and constraints that you face and is here to help you in any circumstance that might arise.  

Military Withdrawal Process

If you are deploying, participating in an extended training exercise, or making an unexpected change of duty station, you may request a withdrawal. You won't be charged tuition for the semester of withdrawal, and you'll be eligible for "military re-enrollment" to the University, which allows you to stay enrolled in the same major upon resuming your studies. 

To request a withdrawal, complete the following two actions:

  1. Present a copy of your military orders with formal correspondence on unit letterhead to the World Campus Registrar's Office. The correspondence must include your unit commander’s contact information and the duration and location of your pending assignment.
  2. Complete a Withdrawal Form Links to an external site., citing "military" as your reason.

For more information about the military withdrawal process, please visit the Penn State Office of the University Registrar website Links to an external site.. 

Priority Registration for Veterans

Veterans who have been honorably discharged from any branch of the U.S. military are eligible for priority registration for Penn State classes through World Campus.

Eligibility

The term veteran refers to an individual who

  1. has served in the United States Armed Forces, including a reserve component and the National Guard, and
  2. was discharged or released from such service with a condition other than dishonorable.

To exercise this benefit, submit a Priority Registration Form, along with a copy of the Member 4 section of your DD Form 214 (indicating character of discharge). Active-duty service members should send a letter from their command validating their dates of service. Documents should be sent to the Office of Veterans Programs:

Office of Veterans Programs
325 Boucke Building
University Park, PA 16802
Email: ovp@psu.edu
Fax: 814-865-3815

Services for Military and Veteran Students

The services that we've looked at so far are just a sampling of what we offer to our military students. You can follow this link to the Military-Affiliated Programs and Services Module to find a more comprehensive description of the services that are available to you.  You can also reach out to our military team at any time with your questions—we're here for you!