The Office of Veterans Affairs was established in September 1973 to provide assistance to the veteran population at Burlington County College. While primary emphasis is placed on education benefits, the Office provides information and assistance to student veterans and community residents for any benefits available from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).

The Office provides an "I've-been-there" attitude by employing student veterans under the work-study program. These student veterans assist new applicants in the initial process of enrolling in the College and applying for educational benefits, as well as performing other necessary office duties. Student veterans are paid with funds provided by the DVA's work-study program. This program enables them to supplement their income while providing a valuable service to fellow veterans. The work-study veterans add an important personal touch to the services provided by the Office of Veterans Affairs. They offer reassurance to many veterans thinking about continuing their education at BCC.

Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOC) 

Burlington County College has been designated as an institutional member of Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC). SOC is a group of over 400 colleges and universities providing voluntary post-secondary education to members of the military throughout the world. As an SOC member, Burlington County College recognizes the unique nature of the military lifestyle and has committed itself to easing the transfer of relevant course credits, providing flexible academic residency requirements and crediting learning from appropriate military training and experiences. SOC has been developed jointly by educational representatives of each of the Armed Services, the Office of the Secretary of Defense and a consortium of 13 leading national higher education associations. It is sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).

Associate degree program for military personnel (SOCAD) 

In addition to its SOC membership, Burlington County College is one of approximately 100 institutions providing occupational and flexible SOCAD programs on over 200 Army installations worldwide. These programs lead to associate degrees and most of them correspond to enlisted and warrant officer job specialties.

Qualifying for Benefits

To qualify for veterans' benefits, you must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program. If you are entering Burlington County College for the first time and believe you are eligible for veterans' educational assistance, apply at the Office of Veterans Affairs, Student Services Center, Parker Center, on the Pemberton Campus. The office has both day and evening hours to ensure access to all veteran students seeking information and assistance. Appointments are also available at the Technology and Engineering Center, Mt. Laurel, NJ and the Ft. Dix and McGuire AFB Education Centers.

You will be required to submit a copy of your separation papers (DD 214) with your application. It normally takes eight weeks to receive the first payment following submission of the application package and certification of enrollment.

The Office of Veterans Affairs will serve as your focal point of contact. The staff is sensitive to the needs and problems faced by veterans returning to school, and strives to assure each veteran a successful academic experience.

Academic Program at the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakhurst

Burlington County College offers courses at the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakhurst Education Centers. The College's Pemberton Campus is only 10 minutes from either base.

Change in Status

If you are using GI Bill benefits, it is essential that you contact the Office of Veterans Affairs each semester to report your registration, and to make sure that you have been certified for that semester. Veterans must also report any course changes during the semester, to keep their file updated, and to avoid any unnecessary conflict in pay status.

Veteran Absenteeism

Excessive absenteeism could result in your benefits being decreased or terminated. The Veterans Affairs Office is kept informed of attendance records, and will take appropriate actions to prevent overpayments by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The reported change posted to the VA will be determined by the date of your last attendance. As outlined by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the date of last attendance is defined as one of the following:

1. Date officially withdrawn. A Drop/Add form must be submitted to the Registration Department.
2. Date that you failed to demonstrate satisfactory progress, as defined by the Institution's Standards of Academic Progress.
3. Definite date of last attendance from instructor's records.
4. For those classes where attendance is not mandatory, this date will be determined from the last activity date reflected in the instructor's records; either the last paper submitted or the last examination completed.

The Department of Veterans Affairs does not pay for non-punitive grades such as auditing of a course (AU), nor for courses which will not fulfill criteria for graduation in the chosen major. If you anticipate being absent from classes, notify your instructors and discuss the situation with them. It may prevent an excessive absence report from being initiated.

Additional Links

• Office of Special Populations
• Financial Aid Veteran's Benefits