Military

Additional Resources

Service Members

1. Readmission of Service Members Policy
   1. Berklee College of Music complies with Readmission Requirements for Service Members as outlined in Section 484C of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 1965 (HEOA). The HEOA provides that an institution may not deny readmission to a service member of the uniformed services for reasons relating to that service. In addition, a student who is readmitted under this section must be readmitted with the same academic status the student had when they last attended the institution. Academic status is defined by a student’s grade level, and whether or not the student was in a degree or non-degree/certificate program at the time of separation.
   2. This policy applies to service in the military branches, whether voluntary or involuntary, on active duty in the Armed Forces, including service as a member of the National Guard or Reserve, for a period of more than 30 days under a call or order to active duty of more than 30 days. Berklee College of Music will readmit such a student as long as the following conditions are met:
   3. The student gives advance notice (written or verbal) of the call to active duty or, upon seeking readmission, submits a written verification that such service was performed, requiring their absence.
   4. Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory students should provide this verification to the Berklee Financial Aid Department via email at onestop@berklee.edu.
   5. Berklee Online students should provide this verification to the Berklee Online Military Affairs Team via email at military@online.berklee.edu.
   6. The absence from school for active duty does not exceed five years.
   7. The student submits a notification of intent to reenroll within three years after the completion of service or within two years after recovery from an illness or injury incurred during service.
   8. The student’s separation from service was not dishonorable.
   9. Tuition and Fees
   10. A returning student will be charged the same tuition and fees in effect during the last academic year the student attended Berklee College of Music, unless veterans’ education benefits or other service member education benefits will pay the amount in excess. Returning students lock in their old rate for the year they return only. For subsequent academic years, the returning student may not be charged tuition and fees in excess of what other students in the program are charged.
   11. Readmission Requirements
   12. A returning student will be permitted to reenroll in the next class(es) scheduled in the same academic program, unless the student requests a later date of reenrollment or agrees to 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 Berklee College of Music program no longer exists, the student must 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 reenrolled with the same enrollment status, number of completed credit hours, and academic standing as the last academic year of attendance.
   13. If Berklee College of Music determines that a returning student is not prepared to resume the program or is unable to complete the program, Berklee College of Music must make reasonable efforts to enable the student to resume or complete the program at no additional costs to the student. If such efforts are unsuccessful or place an undue hardship on Berklee College of Music, the college is not required to readmit the student.
   14. In accordance with federal regulations, returning students who receive a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge from the Armed Forces (including the National Guard and Reserves) are not eligible for readmission under this policy. However, service members who receive dishonorable or bad conduct discharge may remain eligible for readmission even though they will not be entitled to the benefits outlined in this policy. The returning student may be required to provide supporting documentation

Veterans Benefits and Transition Act

Berklee Online will adhere to the requirements of and comply with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, specifically S2248 PL 115-407 Section 103.

Berklee Online permits any covered individual utilizing VA Chapter 31 or 33 to attend or participate in their course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance.

Berklee Online does not impose any penalties due to the delayed disbursement of funding from the VA under chapter 31 or 33. Students with payment delays will not be charged late fees, prevented from enrolling, or denied access to courses, libraries, or other institutional facilities. Nor are students required to borrow additional funds due to the delayed disbursement of funding from the VA under chapter 31 or 33.

The resources below contain helpful information for both prospective and current students. If you have any questions or would like assistance in navigation, please contact our Veterans Affairs Coordinator at military@online.berklee.edu.

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