ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY AND VETERANS

Southern Adventist University welcomes active-duty and veteran U.S. Service members. We recognize that there are unique considerations in this return to civilian life and pursuit of professional and personal development. The following information is provided to assist the research, application and enrollment processes. Please reach out to us with any questions whether you are thinking about enrolling, already have applied, or are an existing student. We welcome the opportunity to partner with you as you chart your path to graduation.

Selecting the right program

Our degree and certificate programs prepare you for a variety of careers while also building a skillset to help you navigate life’s surprises. Graduation requirements are provided on this website, and we also have academic advisers and career counselors ready to share helpful information as you compare and choose your preferred program. These individuals are familiar with the Tuition Assistance (TA) program and consider your unique circumstances as they provide guidance. Specific resources include:

• The academic catalog gives specific degree requirements for each program of study.
• The Advising and Retention office welcomes the opportunity to help you evaluate your academic options and pick classes. We will help you review your academic options before you apply if you wish and remain available to assist you throughout your time as a student.
• The Career Services office offers valuable assistance in choosing a program of study and as you transition to your career after graduation.

Is Southern affordable?

Cost and financial aid information is available in the finance section of this website and through speaking with our finance counselors. We are eager to help you determine what the cost of attendance will be and to compare ways to meet these obligations.

• The Financial Help Booklet explains the financial process and provides details about costs and the types of scholarships, loans, and other funding options that may be available. You can also learn how to apply for financial aid.
• There is an extensive amount of information on our website to provide you with the latest information on tuition and fees, grants and scholarships, loans, FAQs and other useful information that will help you over the course of your studies at Southern Adventist University.
• The Net-Price Calculator provides an estimate of the cost of attendance, including common scholarships and grants you may be eligible to receive.
• We are eager to provide a more accurate financial plan and encourage you to speak with Fred McClanahan, Senior Student Finance Counselor and VA School Certifying Official, by calling 1.800.SOUTHERN or emailing studentfinance@southern.edu. Financial planning information is available before you apply to help you identify the full range of assistance you are likely to receive and we encourage you to learn about the costs and resources before you consider or are offered any loans.

Other important information

A range of useful information about graduation statistics, campus safety, and applicable policies has been linked to one helpful summary location. Please review the consumer information and browse the Southern website for additional information for specific questions you have. Our Admissions counselors are also ready to assist you (email admissions@southern.edu or call 1.800.SOUTHERN). There are a few other facts you may want to know, which are summarized below. We will gladly provide you with the full details for any item that interests you.

• Our Admissions counselors are here to help you. We abide by strict ethical guidelines and regulations in our recruiting to ensure we accurately and fairly represent information to you and we do not compensate recruiters directly or indirectly based on whether or not you apply or enroll. We also do not provide you or other individuals with prohibited gratuities or other inducements to try to get you to enroll. We want you to choose the institution where you are best positioned to succeed and we will be as transparent as possible to provide you with all the information you need to make your choice.
• We will attempt to contact you about your interest after you provide us with contact information but we will not repeatedly make unsolicited contacts to you in a single day (three or more) or pressure you to apply and register in the same day.
• We encourage you to speak with your Educational Services Officer or counselor within your Military Service prior to enrollment to ensure you understand your benefits and the impact your enrollment may have on your other obligations and to obtain any other helpful information you may need for your decision.
• If you must suspend your studies due to service requirements we will work with you to provide for readmission and we will comply with Department of Education guidelines regarding readmission.
• If you withdraw before your course is 60 percent complete we will refund a portion of the TA funds (as well as any other applicable Federal student aid) to the U.S. government, following Federal Title IV guidelines, and you will be responsible for any remaining balance due. If your withdrawal is due to fulfilling a military service obligation Southern will work with you to find a solution that does not require you to incur debt to cover the refunded TA funds.
• Southern Adventist University is fully accredited at the institutional level and also for degrees where specific program accreditation is beneficial. The next reaffirmation of our institutional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is scheduled for 2022. Full accreditation details are available here.
• Southern Adventist University is a participating institution under the Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding. Please visit www.dodmou.com if you would like more information from the DoD on this program.
• Southern's graduation rates are listed here. 

  
  
  Any individual covered by Veteran's Benefits will be able to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate ofeligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website – eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:

  1. The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
  2. 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

  Southern will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.