Veterans’& Military Benefits

In accordance with Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1322.25, Voluntary Education Programs, paragraph 1.c.(1)(b), Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, as an institution providing education programs through the DoD Tuition Assistance (TA) Program, does not use unfair, deceptive, and abusive recruiting practices. Any staff, faculty, or administrative personnel found in violation of this policy may be subject to the institution’s disciplinary policy.

In accordance with DoD Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) paragraph 3.j.(2), Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary refrains “from providing any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing enrollments or federal financial aid (including TA funds) to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting, admission activities, or making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance.” Any staff, faculty, or administrative personnel found in violation of this policy may be subject to the institution’s disciplinary policy.

In accordance with DoD MOU paragraph 3.j.(3), Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary refrains “from high-pressure recruitment tactics such as making multiple unsolicited contacts (three or more), including contacts by phone, email, or in person, and engaging in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing Service member enrollments.” Any staff, faculty, or administrative personnel found in violation of this policy may be subject to the institution’s disciplinary policy. The seminary removes any person or entity from our mailing and solicitation lists upon request.

Per DoD MOU paragraph 4.e.(2)-(3), “DoD personnel are entitled to consideration for all forms of financial aid that educational institutions make available to students at their home campus.” Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary’s financial aid officers provide information and application processes for Title IV student aid programs, scholarships, fellowships, grants, and loans to DoD TA recipients. Service members identified as eligible DoD TA recipients have their TA benefits applied to their Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary account prior to the application of their forms of funding.

Per DoD MOU paragraph 4.d.(1), “if an eligible Service member decides to use TA,” Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary “will enroll [them] only after the TA is approved by the individual’s Service.” Veterans are referred to School Certifying Officials (SCO) by staff prior to enrollment and during orientation and advising inquiries. Veterans wanting to use TA are directed to contact their Educational Services Officer or counselor within their Military Service prior to completing their enrollment. Veterans are asked to complete relevant forms before being certified by an SCO. Any student applying for Veterans benefits must provide all official transcripts. All students, including Veterans, follow the seminary’s general admissions procedures. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary focuses on supporting students who are Veterans and refrains from high-pressure recruitment tactics for the purpose of enrolling Service members. The seminary refrains from providing any incentives based on securing enrollments to any person or entity involved in student recruiting or admissions activities or in making decisions regarding financial assistance for students.

Per DoD MOU paragraph 3.h.(1) and (4), “before offering, recommending, arranging, signing-up, dispersing, or enrolling Service members for…student loans, [the seminary will] provide Service members access to an institutional financial aid advisor who will make available appropriate loan counseling, including… providing a clear and complete explanation of available financial aid, including Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended…[and] explaining that students have the ability to refuse all or borrow less than the maximum student loan amount allowed.” Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary students are encouraged to speak with a financial aid officer in order to fully understand the cost and funding of a seminary education.

Per DoD MOU paragraph 3.g, institutions are required to “designate a point of contact or office for academic and financial advising, including access to disability counseling, to assist Service members with completion of studies and with job search activities.” Students should contact their campus Assistant Registrar for academic advising, the Financial Aid office for financial advising, and their campus Dean of Students office for disability counseling. Job descriptions have been developed and are periodically reviewed to ensure staff are highly qualified for their positions.

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary’s readmission policy guarantees the prompt readmission of a service member with the same academic status they had when last attending the school or accepted for admission to the school when the student cannot attend school due to military service in compliance with Chapter 3, Volume 2 of the Federal Student Aid Handbook.

Students who suspend their studies due to military service requirements may request a leave of absence for these reasons without academic or financial penalty. The student shall have the option to complete the course at a later date or withdraw from the course with a full refund of fees and tuition paid. The student will have a notation placed in their transcript indicating a “military” withdrawal. If the course is no longer available upon the student’s return, the student shall be permitted to complete a replacement course for equivalent credit.