Southwestern Oklahoma State University Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024
Section 103 of Public Law (PL) 115-407, ‘Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018,’ amends Title 38 US Code 3679 by adding a new subsection (e), which beginning August 1, 2019, requires disapproval of courses of education at any educational institution that has a policy in place which denies an individual from attending or participating in a course of education or accessing libraries, or other institutional facilities, pending VA payment, providing the individual submits a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under Chapter 31 or 33. In accordance with Section 103 of Public Law 115-407, SWOSU students receiving VA education or Veteran Readiness & Employment benefits will not be subject to the following restrictions, while payment to the institution is pending from VA: • prevented from enrolling • assessed penalty or late fees • required to secure alternative or additional funding, or • denied access to any resources (such as classes, libraries or other institutional facilities) otherwise available to other students who have satisfied their outstanding balance To qualify for this provision, students are required to provide a VA certificate of eligibility (COE) or other proof of benefit eligibility, submit a SWOSU VA Approval Form (to notify SWOSU of the student’s intention to use VA benefits) and any other information needed for proper enrollment certification. Veterans Active Duty/Leave of Absence: pursuant to Title 70, O.S., Section 3248 and OSRHE policy (3.12.3.B), State System institutions shall grant a leave of absence, which shall not exceed a cumulative five (5) years, to a student who is a member of the active uniformed military services of the United States and called to active duty. The student shall be eligible to: 1. Withdraw from any or all courses for the period of active duty service without penalty to admission status or GPA and without loss of institutional financial aid (4.18.4.I); or 2. Receive an “I” for any or all courses for the period of active duty status irrespective of the student’s grade at the time the “I” is awarded; provided, however, that the student has completed a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of all coursework prior to being called to active duty and the student completes all courses upon return from active duty. The student’s admission status and GPA shall not be penalized and the student shall not experience loss of institutional financial aid. The student has the choice of “I” or “W” (student should communicate with the instructors if he/she wants an “I”); however, they must provide a copy of their active duty orders to the Academic Records Office to initiate the process. The student will not receive a refund for courses in which he/she chooses an “I”. If the student chooses a “W”, the Bursar will refund tuition and fees. If the student received federal aid and is withdrawn with a “W”, the Student Financial Aid Office must do a “return to title IV calculation”. If aid needs to be returned to the Federal government, the Bursar and Financial Aid Director will work together to reconcile the student’s bill. Students that received the Oklahoma National Guard Education Assistance Program (EAP) will only be refunded tuition and fees paid over 18 hours and other fees not covered by EAP. If the “W” brings the student’s completion rate below 67%, he/she will need to complete a Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal to be eligible to receive federal financial aid. The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will review the student as a special case. Section 1005 of PL 116-315, ‘Isakson and Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020,’ removes the requirement for covered individuals to enroll in a course at a public institution of higher learning within three years of being discharged to receive in-state tuition. Also, VA will make publicly available on the VA website a database explaining any public institution’s requirements for beneficiaries to be charged in-state tuition. Students receiving VA education benefits, under most circumstances, will be charged in-state tuition. Military-connected students (service members, veterans, and dependents), even if not receiving VA education benefits, should contact the VISS office to ensure they are charged the correct tuition.
Organizational Leadership courses are available in an online format in eight-week durations. If a student wants to gain admission into the Reach Higher Program, he/she must select a home institution where they will take the majority of their coursework and ultimately be awarded their degree. In addition to taking courses at their home institution, Reach Higher students are also eligible to take other courses at different regional universities that are participating in the program. For more information about the Reach Higher Program, please visit https://www.swosu.edu/undergraduate/reach-higher/ or the following website: www.okhighered.org/reachhigher. STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES The Student Financial Services Office coordinates, monitors and records scholarship data from all sources. The office also evaluates the results of the student's application for federal financial assistance (FAFSA), establishes eligibility to participate in the various loan, grant, and work study programs, and awards to students from each source any aid for which they qualify in an amount not to exceed each student's demonstrated need and cost of attendance. Questions relating to the application process for scholarships or federal financial aid should be directed to Student Financial Services at 580- 774-3786. STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS All students are encouraged to become active in one or more of our campus organizations which are listed at the following website: https://swosu.presence.io/ TESTING SERVICES The Assessment and Testing Center serves as a clearinghouse for students wishing to take admissions tests, course placement exams, various state and national tests and advanced standing exams. The advanced standing plan at Southwestern was established to give students an opportunity to begin college work on the level commensurate with their demonstrated achievement. With certain limitations, all such achievement, once certified to be at the college level by this institution, receives appropriate academic credit. UPWARD BOUND The Upward Bound Program prepares low-income, first generation students within target area high schools for post-secondary education. Services provided to qualifying participants include a six-week summer residential program, tutoring, ACT test preparation classes, academic and career counseling, cultural and educational enrichment field trips, community service activities, college campus visits, exposure to professional careers and mentors, and assistance with financial aid, scholarship, and college admission applications. VETERAN AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES The Veteran and International Student Services (VISS), located in the John Hays Administration Building (HAB) room 102, provides services to both veteran and international students at SWOSU. All students attending the University and using or interested in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits (GI Bill ® ) may obtain application and benefit information in the VISS office. For additional assistance, students can visit www.gibill.va.gov or contact the GI Bill Helpline at 888-GIBILL-1 (888-442-4551). An application for benefits may be submitted at www.va.gov. Students at the Weatherford campus with questions about VA education benefits may contact the VISS office by phone at 580-774-3004 or by email at veteransaffairs@swosu.edu. Students at the Sayre location may call 580-928-5535 extension 2101 for questions related to VA education benefits. Per Title 38 CFR 21.4253(d)(3) and 21.4254(C)(4), VA law requires that every student utilizing VA Education benefits provide all prior credit, transfer coursework, and other prior learning experience for evaluation prior to enrollment in their planned program of study including post-secondary and military transcripts. All transcripts must be submitted to the Academic Records office and to the VISS office before student enrollment will be certified with the VA. SWOSU will evaluate all prior learning and award degree-relevant credit. This includes credit toward the student’s major, minor, and free electives (if applicable). Students will be notified when evaluation of prior training is complete.
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