Helping veterans keep their benefits

In accordance with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and State of Illinois regulations, Waubonsee Community College has established minimum academic progress guidelines for all educational benefit recipients. These standards apply to all students receiving federal and state educational benefit funding, and must be met in order for military affiliated students to continue receiving educational benefits.

Grade Point Average Requirement

A benefit recipient must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Their total academic performance at Waubonsee Community College will be reviewed to determine the cumulative GPA after each academic term. Note: The complete failure of a semester of full-time enrollment resulting in a 0.0 term GPA will cause the immediate suspension of all benefit usage at Waubonsee.

Evaluation and Academic Progress Statuses

A veteran student is evaluated for academic progress when the veteran applies for benefits and at end of each academic term. This evaluation includes all coursework taken at Waubonsee.

A benefit recipient is evaluated for academic progress when they apply for benefits and at the end of each academic term. This evaluation includes all coursework taken at Waubonsee.

  • VAPASS - Student is meeting the 2.0 GPA standard. A student not meeting the standard who improves their cumulative GPA will automatically go to VAPASS.
  • VAWARN - First term the student is not meeting the GPA standard. The student can be certified for benefits while on VAWARN.
  • VAFAIL - Student is not meeting the GPA requirement after the end of the VAWARN term OR the student attempted a full-time course load and failed ALL courses receiving a term GPA of 0.0. Processing of benefits is suspended.
  • VAPEAL - Student has appealed their VAFAIL status and the appeal was approved. The student is placed on VAPEAL and must meet a term GPA of 2.0 to retain this status. If the student fails a course while on VAPEAL, the academic progress status will revert back to VAFAIL for the following semester.

Appeal Procedures

A student may submit an Appeal/ Reinstatement Request if their benefits have been suspended because they are not meeting Academic Progress Standards. To be approved, the student must meet one of the following: Appeal – There must be documentable mitigating circumstances, like medical, that affected the academic performance. Failure to provide the required documentation for mitigating circumstances will result in a denial. Reinstatement – The student can request reinstatement based on a review of their last term of attendance.

Students must have completed all courses attempted (no withdrawals or grades of F) earning a minimum of 6 credit hours with a semester GPA of 2.0. Appeals must be submitted before the semester deadline at the top of the appeal form. The committee will evaluate appeals individually.

Students will receive notification of the committee’s decision via email within 14 calendar days after the committee receives a fully completed appeal, including any required documentation. The appeals committee’s decision is conclusive and final.

Help from academic advisors

If you're concerned about your classes, our academic advisors can lend a hand. Stop in and start a conversation!