Students withdrawing from courses may submit mitigating circumstance for the withdrawal which would be reported to the VA. Mitigating Circumstances are circumstances beyond the students control that prevent the student from continuing in school or that cause the student to reduce credits. Documentation is required.
Examples are:
An illness or death in the student’s immediate family.
An illness or injury afflicting the student during the enrollment period.
An unavoidable change in the student’s conditions of employment.
An unavoidable geographical transfer resulting from the student’s employment.
Immediate family or financial obligations beyond the control of the claimant that require him or her to suspend pursuit of the program of education to obtain employment.
Discontinuance of the course by the school.
Unanticipated active military service, including active duty for training.
Unanticipated difficulties with childcare arrangements the student made for the period during which he or she is attending classes.
Be advised, that even if mitigating circumstances are provided, you will still have a debt with UWF. You will also need to submit a fee appeal with UWF which is a separate process.
For any assistance on the withdrawal or questions regarding withdrawal contact our Mentor Coordinator at 850-474-2550 or email them at militaryadvisor@uwf.edu.
Our Mentor Coordinator will create a Jira ticket which will be sent to your student email. This withdrawal ticket will provide instructions on how to submit for mitigating circumstances. If we do not hear from you, we will process the withdrawal without mitigating circumstances. In this case, the VA will send you a letter regarding your withdrawal and any debt. This letter will provide instructions on how to provide mitigating circumstances to the VA.
Students may still submit mitigating circumstances to our Mentor Coordinator even if we have already processed the withdrawal, we can submit mitigating circumstances to the VA on your behalf.
Example of Jira ticket email:
"VET" "Term date"
If mitigating circumstances were approved, the VA will only cover tuition and fees up until the date of the withdrawal. The remaining fees will be your responsibility to cover. A fee appeal with UWF will also need to be completed for any debt with UWF.
Another reason for a debt with UWF, may be the VA not approving of the mitigating circumstances. Contactour Mentor Coordinator at 850-474-2550 or email them at militaryadvisor@uwf.edu so we may look into your account.
The submission of a fee appeal does not guarantee approval. In addition, the submission of an appeal does not extend the due date for outstanding tuition and fees or other charges while awaiting a decision by the Fee Appeals Committee. Charges not paid by the due date will be assessed the late payment fee.
All appeals must be submitted in writing or by email utilizing theFee Appeal Formin MyUWF:
The appeal form with supporting documentation should be submitted to Student Accounts in Building 20E or emailed to feeappeal@uwf.edu.
NOTE: Failure to provide adequate supporting documentation will result in a delay in reviewing the appeal. An appeal for a refund of tuition and fees requires that the student be officially withdrawn from the course(s) prior to being reviewed by the Fee Appeals Committee.
Students may also contact our office for assistance in completing and submitting the Fee Appeal Form by connecting with our Mentor Coordinator at 850-474-2550 or email them at militaryadvisor@uwf.edu.
Our Mentor Coordinator is available for guidance on how to complete this form, contact our office at at 850-474-2550 or email them at militaryadvisor@uwf.edu
Six-Credit Hour Exclusion
If this is your first time ever withdrawing while using VA Education benefits the VA automatically grants mitigating circumstances for up to 6 credits the first time a student reduces or terminates and mitigating circumstances must be considered. This automatic grant is called the 6-Credit Hour Exclusion. The exclusion is a one-time grant made the first-time mitigating circumstances must be considered for the student. Up to 6 credits can be excluded if the student has been awarded benefits for the credit.
If the student withdraws from 3 credits, the exclusion will be granted for 3 credits and the student’s one-time exclusion is used.
If the student withdraws from 12 credits, the exclusion will be granted for 6 credits, the student’s one-time exclusion is used, and the student must provide mitigating circumstances for the other 6 credits.
Important Note: The 6-Credit Hour Exclusion cannot be granted if the student completes the term and receives non-punitive grades.
Be advised, even if you are granted the six-credit hour exclusion you may still have a debt with UWF. The VA will only cover tuition and fees up until the date of the withdrawal. The remaining fees will be your responsibility to cover. A fee appeal with UWF will also need to be completed for any debt with UWF.
Before dropping courses ensure to meet with our Mentor Coordinator to go over implications of your withdrawal while using VA Benefits. Our Mentor Coordinator is available for guidance on withdrawing and impacts it will have with your VA Benefits along with scholarships, contact our office at at 850-474-2550 or email them at militaryadvisor@uwf.edu
Students looking to drop their courses after/add drop may follow this link for step by step instructions: Withdrawing After Drop/Add
