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Santa Fe College welcomes veterans and military service members, and dependents, and we encourage you to continue your education with us. We are approved for the education and training of veterans and other eligible military persons under all public laws now in effect. The SF Veterans and Military Success Services office has been established to help you and other eligible persons attain your educational goals and help you in applying for educational benefits. The office provides information on programs and offerings such as work study, tutorial assistance and solving USVA related eligibility issues.
Information is also available on standards of conduct, credit for experience, deferred tuition payments, and academic progress.
All veterans and other eligible persons are encouraged to visit the SF Veterans and Military Success Services office located in Building R, room 110 on the Northwest Campus, or call 352-395-5505. For more information visit the VMSS website at www.sfcollege.edu/veterans.
Veteran Education Benefits Orientation (VEBO)
The VEBO is a required orientation separate from the college’s New Student Orientation/Convocation and is for the following veteran student populations:
Any new student utilizing VA military education benefits, including:
- Chapter 33 / Post 9-11 G.I. Bill®
- Chapter 30 / Montgomery G.I. Bill® Active Duty
- Chapter 1606 / Montgomery G.I. Bill® Selected Reserves
- Chapter 31 / Vocational Rehabilitation
- Chapter 35 / Dependents Educational Assistance
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
The VEBO will cover resources available both on and off campus to our veteran and dependent population, along with the federal, state and school policies and procedures associated with utilizing benefits at the college. Students must attend the required orientation in order to receive VA education benefits.
VA Payment Compliance
In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection I, Santa Fe College adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. This school will not:
- Prevent the student’s enrollment.
- Assess a late penalty fee to the student.
- Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding.
- Deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.
However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:
- Produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class.
- Provide a written request to be certified.
- Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies
Awarding Military Service/Training Credit
In accordance with Florida Statute 1004.096 “College credit for military training and education courses’ and 6A-14.302 (F.A.C.) Santa Fe College will grant appropriate credit(s) for military educational experiences that are evaluated by the American Council of Education (ACE) as suitable for postsecondary credit. Credit may be granted for areas appropriate for Santa Fe College degrees or certification and approved by the appropriate academic department on campus. Acceptance of military training and the awarding of college credit is based on “The Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Service’s.” This document can be found at www.acenet.edu
- Prospective students may request a Joint Services Transcript online at https://www.military.com/education/timesaving-programs/the-joint-services-transcript.html. The transcripts can be sent to Santa Fe College electronically from JST. For further information, students can email jst@doded.mil. For U.S. Air Force veterans, transcripts can be requested from the Community College of the Air Force at www.airuniversity.af.edu/Barnes/CCAF/Display/Article/803247/community-college-of-the-air-force-transcripts/
- All transcripts and prior training documents must be submitted during the student’s first term of enrollment.
- If the course to which the military training or coursework is determined equivalent fulfills a general education or major course or degree program requirement, the credit will apply toward the award as such. Otherwise, credit will be granted to the extent elective credits are needed to fulfill program requirements. Credit awarded will not be removed once added to the student record.
- The college may transfer in any military credit that was previously evaluated and awarded by a Florida public postsecondary institution, and that is appropriate to the student’s program of study. However, the college reserves the right to review all such credit.
- Credit awarded for military training and coursework shall be noted on the student’s transcript.
- A notification of receipt will be sent to the student’s eSantaFe account once your military transcript is received.
- Documents not sent electronically can be delivered to the Office of the Registrar located in R112 and can also be mailed to:
Office of the Registrar
Attn: Transcript Evaluation
Santa Fe College
Bldg. R, room 112
3000 NW 83 Street
Gainesville, FL 32606
- The VMSS office will work with students on questions about this process.
Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for eligibility of Veterans Benefits
Students must maintain a minimum term GPA of 2.0.
If the student’s GPA falls below a 2.0 for two consecutive semesters, benefits will be suspended. VA benefits may be reinstated after one (1) semester is completed with a GPA above a 2.0 and without VA benefits assistance (paid for via alternate funding i.e., Financial Aid, out-of-pocket, etc.)
Criteria for appeal
Any student utilizing VA Educational benefits has the right to apply for a late withdrawal or a drop with refund through the Office of the Registrar. Should however either one of these processes be approved by the college, a debt may be incurred with the Department of Veteran Affairs. The appeals process for VA debts differs from that of the college and students should contact the VA directly if they have any questions regarding that process.
Cooperative Training (38 CFR § 21.4233)
1. Overview: The Cooperative Training program at Santa Fe College is designed to provide students with a holistic educational experience, combining classroom instruction with practical on-the-job training. This program aligns with the requirements set forth in 38 CFR § 21.4233.
2. Program Structure: The program consists of alternating phases of classroom instruction and on-the-job training in a business or industrial establishment. These alternating periods can be structured as half-days of classroom instruction and half-days of on-the-job training or can alternate on a daily, weekly, monthly, or term basis.
3. Approval Requirements:
a. Duration of Training Periods: The in-school instruction periods must be at least as long as the on-the-job training periods in the business or industrial establishment. Training received during vacation or officially scheduled school break periods will not be included in this calculation. If the course is approved as continuous part-time work and part-time study in combination, the institutional portion must be at least equivalent to one-half time training. This should be combined with job training sufficient for the combined training to equal full time.
b. Course Documentation: The cooperative course must be clearly identified as such in the Santa Fe College catalog or other official school literature.
c. Arrangement with Employers: Santa Fe College is responsible for arranging the on-the-job training periods with the employer’s establishment. This arrangement ensures that the on-the-job training is meaningful, substantial, and complements the in-school instruction.
d. Placement and Supervision: Santa Fe College will directly coordinate with the employer’s establishment for student placement. The college will also exercise supervision and control over the student’s activities at the establishment to ensure genuine training.
e. Credit Granting: Santa Fe College will grant academic credit for the on-the-job portion of the course, contributing to the requirements for granting a degree or diploma.
4. Compliance: This policy is in compliance with the authority provided by 38 U.S.C. 3482(a)(2) and 3532(b).
Military Science
Air Force ROTC
The Air Force Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) was established to select and prepare students to serve as officers in the United States Air Force. The Air Force ROTC program is divided into two phases. The first two years constitute the General Military Course and the last two the Professional Officer Course. Full-time Santa Fe College students are eligible to enroll in the General Military Course taught at the University of Florida. Transferring at a later date to one of the more than 140 colleges and universities offering Air Force ROTC can lead, upon completion of that course, to a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
The General Military Course examines the role of U.S. military forces in the contemporary world with particular attention to the United States Air Force, its organization and mission. The functions of strategic offensive and defensive forces, general purpose and aerospace support forces are covered. The development of air power over the last 200 years is examined by tracing the various concepts of employment of air power, and by focusing on factors which prompted research and technological change. A variety of events and elements in the history of air power are stressed, especially where these provide significant examples of the impact of air power on strategic thought.
To learn more or to enroll in the General Military Course, contact the Air Force ROTC Detachment at UF, 352-392-1355.
Army ROTC
Santa Fe College offers the Army Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) Basic Course. Students incur no military obligation by taking this course of instruction and are eligible to compete for two- and three-year scholarships. These scholarships can be used at any four-year institution that offers Army ROTC. The scholarships pay all tuition, textbook, laboratory fees and other purely educational expenses.
Students who successfully complete two years of college and the basic course will be given a certificate of training allowing them, upon transfer, to enroll in the Army ROTC Advanced Course. This leads to a reserve or regular commission as a second lieutenant in the Active Army, Army Reserve or National Guard. Students who do not transfer to an upper division college and who desire to enlist in the Army may be able to do so at a higher pay level.
To learn more or to enroll in the General Military Course, contact the Army ROTC Detachment at UF, 352-392-1395.
Navy ROTC
Santa Fe College offers the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Program through the NROTC unit at the University of Florida. Santa Fe College students are a eligible to be selected for scholarships and to pursue a course of study to qualify for appointment as commissioned officers in the Navy or Marine Corps. Santa Fe College students enroll in courses offered by the University of Florida NROTC program on the same basis as students enrolled at the University of Florida. Eligibility for scholarships and enrollment is determined by the Professor of Naval Science at the University of Florida.
To learn more or to enroll in the General Military Course, contact the Navy ROTC Detachment at UF, 352-392-3069.
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