VALOR Act Academic Credit Evaluation Policy
In accordance with the VALOR ACT, Massachusetts College of Art and Design evaluates credit earned for military education, training, experience, or coursework using the same standards as those applied to coursework from accredited colleges and universities. Massachusetts College of Art and Design reviews all military transcripts and discharge documents (DD214), including SMART, ACE, and AARTS, as well as CLEP Subject Standardized Tests in accordance with college policies for transferability of credit to the student’s intended major or program of study. Such evaluation shall be in accordance with existing credit transfer policies. Students shall receive accurate and complete academic counseling from the Veterans Coordinator in collaboration with the Academic Resource Center.
MassArt’s current Veterans Coordinator is Jonathan Rand, Registrar. Any questions regarding Veteran services should be directed to him. Jonathan can be contacted at 617-879-7263 or jrand@massart.edu
Veteran’s Enrollment Policy
Covered individuals may 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 of eligibility 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:
- The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
- 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.
MassArt 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.
NOTE: A Covered Individual is any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits.
Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 Policy
In compliance with Section 103 of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, Massachusetts College of Art and Design will not impose the following penalties to covered individuals* due to the delayed disbursement of funding from the Department of Veteran Affairs:• preventing nor delaying the student’s enrollment,• the assessment of late fees,• the denial of access to any resources available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fees bills to the institution, including but not limited to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities,• or require the student to secure alternative or additional fundingTo qualify for this provision, such students are required to:• Produce a Certificate of Eligibility**;• Provide written request to be certified;• Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as required by the Primary School Certifying Official.This provision ends on the earlier of the following dates:• The date on which payment from the VA is made to the institution• 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the Certificate of Eligibility*Covered individual is defined as any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or Chapter 33, Post 9/11 G.I. Bill®
Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014
The Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (codified at 38 U.S.C. 3679) has been amended by Section 1005 of Public Law 116-315, the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D., Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, which modifies 38 U.S.C. 3679(c).
The amendment requires that for all courses, semesters, or terms beginning after August 1, 2021, public institutions of higher education must charge qualifying veterans, dependents and eligible individuals tuition and fees at the rate for in-state residents.
As amended, 38 U.S.C. 3679(c) requires that the following individuals be charged the in-state resident rate:
• A veteran using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty Program), Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation) or Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 G Bill), of 38 U.S.C. who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).
• Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).
• Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same institution. The person must be using educational benefits under Chapter 30, Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 of 38 U.S.C.
• Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).
“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 website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
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