If a service member must suspend their studies due to service requirements, the service member will be eligible to return to their original program following the completion of their service requirement. The degree requirements in effect at the time of each Service member's enrollment will remain in effect for a period of at least 1 year beyond the program's standard length, providing the Service member is in good academic standing and has been continuously enrolled or received an approved academic leave of absence.
Amarillo College's return policy is in alignment with the Department of Education stipulations regarding unearned aid. Refunds will be awarded based on the Amarillo College refund schedule.
Full refunds of tuition/fees, prorated tuition/fees, or special grade consideration can be considered for reservists or service members who enrolled/paid prior to encountering the following situations:
In order to start the process of special refund consideration, please email or deliver your service orders (including dates of notification) to the veteran's office email/in-person location. Please Note: The student needs to contact the VA Coordinator prior to reporting for duty/relocating. The student is also not eligible for special consideration for any classes that were completed prior to the service order date.
Normal withdrawal/grade information is outlined in each course syllabi and in the College catalog. However, Amarillo College aligns with the Texas Administrative Code policy related to "Excused Absence for a Personal Called to Required Military Service" (see also Texas Education Code (TEC) Section 51.9111). Amarillo College also aligns with the State Tuition/Fee withdrawal criteria outlined in Texas Education Code 54.006.
As noted in the administrative code, this excused absence exemption only applies to students who will miss no more than 25% of the class meetings (e.g. no more than 2 weeks from an 8-week course). Per TEC 51.9111 students are given a "reasonable time after the absence" to complete; that amount of time may vary depending on the assignment type/course structure (e.g. independent versus group work). Per TEC 54.006 students who have completed a "substantial amount of work" (as determined by the instructor) may also have the ability to be assigned a final grade based on the work completed as the point of deployment, relocation, etc.
Students who believe they meet this qualification for excused absence, special grade consideration, etc., should start this conversation with the VA Coordinator by providing them their service orders so that they can help determine for what the student might qualify and help facilitate the discussion with the course instructor of the student's rights that may differ from standard syllabi procedure and/or the rest of the student population.
Military students called to active duty post enrollment have special withdrawal consideration rights. Students called to active military service may elect to receive a refund of the tuition/fees paid the term of withdrawal or may be military withdrawn (i.e. grade of Withdrawal Exception). These withdrawals may end up occurring after the posted college's withdrawal deadline date. Students who need special withdrawal assistance (i.e. after the withdrawal date) or special refund consideration (i.e. seeking a full refund), should start this conversation with the VA Coordinator by providing their service orders so that they can help determine for what the student might qualify and help facilitate the discussion with the instructor (withdrawal) or Business Office (refund).
In the event that the VA Coordinator (in cooperation with the Business Office) chooses not to grant a refund or special withdrawal, based on the information the student provides, the student still has the right to appeal the decision. Students who wish to appeal this type of treatment, may do so through the College Complaint form which will then be routed to the direct supervisor and further reviewed.
Monday-Thursday 8:00am to 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am to 1:00pm
Saturday Closed
If you are a veteran or a concerned family member of a veteran in crisis, please call the Veterans Crisis Line @ 1-800-273-8255 and press 1.
If the veteran is in an immediate emergency situation, call 911!