Tuition Assistance Program (TA)

General Information 

Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is exclusive to currently serving members of the Armed Forces. If your ETS date falls during the academic semester you will not get TA for that semester. TA is requested on a course-by-course basis and each course must be part of an approved degree program. TA cannot be used for a lateral degree (you cannot use TA to earn a 2nd associates degree, certificate, or short certificate respectively)

TA can be reimbursed for up to 100% of the course cost, not to exceed $250 per credit hour; up to $4500 per fiscal year applies for Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. Army cannot exceed $250 per credit hour; up to $4000 per fiscal year and Coast Guard cannot exceed $250 per credit hour; up to $2250 per fiscal year. (Fiscal year resets on October 1). TA may NOT cover all course fees. TA can be used in conjunction with the MGIB 1606 GI Bill®, but with some restrictions; contact the Jefferson State Community College Office of Veterans Affairs for guidance at 205-856-7951 or email [email protected].

TA is a tuition reimbursement program; you will not receive an up-front payment. Payments are made directly to the college and may be applied later in the semester. You must pay all tuition due on your account when viewable. Payments not made by the provided deadline may result in schedule cancellation. TA requests should be completed PRIOR to the start of the semester. Each military service branch has its own deadline. You must clear all prior balances and holds with the college to confirm your schedule each term.

For additional information or assistance contact the Business Office at (205) 856-7779 or [email protected].

To Apply for Tuition Assistance: 

  1. Speak with your education officer, career counselor, or benefits incentive specialists with your respective branch of service to ensure you are eligible for Tuition Assistance.
  2. Gain approval from your commander to attend classes at Jefferson State Community College prior to enrollment.
  3. See your base Education Services Officer (ESO) prior to enrolling for classes at Jefferson State Community College.
  4. Follow specific instructions for your military service branch regarding how to request Tuition Assistance for your course(s). Take note of the TA application instructions/deadlines specific to your branch and Jefferson State Community College academic calendar to ensure your request is processed in a timely manner. Links to apply for TA for each military branch can be found below:

Contacts for TA/VA Students 

Tuition Assistance

Academic Advising

  • The POC for general academic advising for VA students at all campuses is Rose Marie Cobb. 205-856-7951  [email protected].
  • The alternate POC for the Jefferson Campus is Brandy Thomas. 205-856-6068 [email protected].
  • The alternate contact at the Shelby Hoover campus is Cindy Bobo. 205-983-5915 [email protected].

For programmatic advising for AAS, Certificate, and Short Certificate Career/Professional Programs, students are recommended to contact the assigned department advisors/head/dean. Contacts for individual programs can be found by visiting programs, choosing the appropriate program, and select the option for Faculty/Staff/Advisors among the menu options.

Job Search Support

  • The POC is Tracy Campbell.  205-856-8024  at [email protected].
  • More information regarding the JSCC Career Coach Center can be found at here

Student Accounts/Business/Cashiers Office

  • The POC is Debra Fisher. 205-856-7777  [email protected].
  • The alternate POC is Mandy Holderfield.  205-983-5256 [email protected].
  • More information regarding the JSCC Business/Cashier’s Office can be found at here.

Financial Aid Office

Title IV Funding is handled in the Financial Aid Office.

  • The POC for Financial Aid is Robert Douglass. 205-856-7803 [email protected].
  • The alternate POC is Brett Reach. 205-856-6068 [email protected].
  • More information regarding the JSCC Financial Aid Office can be found at here.

Disability Services

  • The POC is Anne Sherman, 205-856-6077  [email protected].
  • More information regarding the JSCC ADA Office can be found at here.

 

Return of Unearned Military 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 awarded at the start of the semester in question. To comply with the Department of Defense policy, Jefferson State Community College will return any unearned Military TA funds on a proportional basis through at least the 60% portion of the term for which they were provided.

The Department of Defense memorandum (DoD Mou) of understanding return policy for Veteran Tuition Assistance funds rules aligns with the return of unearned student aid rules applicable to Federal student aid as required under section 484B of the Department of Education Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

Schedule for Returning Unearned Tuition Assistance (TA)

16-Week Course Withdrawal

Week of Class Return Amount
Before or During Week 1 100% return
During Week 2 90% return
During Week 3 80% return
During Week 4 70% return
During Week 5 60% return
During Week 6 50% return
During Week 7 40% return
During Week 8 30% return
During Week 9 20% return
During Week 10 10% return (60% of course is completed)
During Weeks 11-16 0% return

8-Week Course Withdrawal

Week of Class Return Amount
Before or During Week 1 100% return
During Week 2 80% return
During Week 3 60% return
During Week 4 40% return
During Week 5 20% return (60% of course is completed)
During Weeks 6-8 0% return

5-Week Course Withdrawal

Days of Class Return Amount
1-7 Days 100% return
8 Days 77% return
9 Days 74% return
10 Days 71% return
11 Days 69% return
12 Days 66% return
13 Days 63% return
14 Days 60% return
15 Days 57% return
16 Days 54% return
17 Days 51% return
18 Days 49% return
19 Days 46% return
20 Days 43% return
21 Days 40% return
22-35 Days 0% return

Any unearned Military TA funds will be returned directly to the military service, not to the service member. The calculation of the return may result in the service member owing a balance to the 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. If a service member withdraws after the 60% portion of the term, all military TA will be considered earned.