Military Resources and Benefits
UVA Wise proudly supports military veterans, military-related students and those who actively serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The Office of the Registrar serves as UVA Wise’s designated point of contact for Service members under the Department of Defense Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding. The Registrar Compliance Specialist serves as the primary point of contact and assists Service members in accessing appropriate academic advising, financial aid counseling, Military Tuition Assistance and VA education benefit information, disability services, career and job-search assistance, and other student support services. When specialized assistance is needed, the Registrar Compliance Specialist will connect Service members with the appropriate UVA Wise office or qualified professional. Please come visit our office (Crockett Hall, second floor) or email us if you have any questions or need assistance with anything military-related.
Points of Contact
Reach out to any of our team to find the support you need to be successful at UVA Wise.
Veterans Benefits
Tara Wells is the UVA Wise Veterans Benefits School Certifying Official. She can assist you with anything related to benefits and enrollment. Please email her or stop by our office in Crockett Hall for a visit. Tara has completed certification training by the Veterans Benefits Administration in the following areas: School Certifying Official, Enrollment Manager Final Assessment for IHL/NCD SCOs, Enrollment Management for Flight SCOs, and Enrollment Manager Final Assessment for OJT/Apprenticeship SCOs. Tina Willis has also completed the same training and is available to help as well.
UVA Wise's most recent Department of Veterans Affairs Compliance Survey, conducted in February, 2026, and no discrepancies were found within areas of review. The following training areas were covered:
- Organization and Layout of Records
- Chapter 35 Students and Additional Benefits
- ASK.va for student and school debt resolution questions
- Section 1010 of PL-116-315 regarding Dual or 2nd certification of enrollment for CH33 Students
- Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship
- Reporting Graduations and Completion of Program
- Using VA Enrollment Benefits to pay for Testing and Certification up to $2000.00
- Payment of Fees by VA until end of term if student benefits are exhausted
- VA Education Debt Waivers for qualified students
- Commonwealth Grant is T&F prohibitive
Academic Advising/Degree-Planning Support/Transfer Evaluation
Kime Berry, Deputy Registrar, or Narda Porter, Registrar are ready to assist you with the evaluation of credits from other institutions as well as a Joint services or military transcript. UVA Wise provides academic advising and degree-planning support to help Service members successfully progress toward completion of their academic programs. Service members who need assistance with academic advising, degree requirements, transfer or military credit, or academic planning may contact the Office of the Registrar for assistance connecting with the appropriate academic advisor or College resource. UVA Wise has an active ROTC program with a minor in Military Science, available to all students. Our goal is to help you leverage your academic and other credits in the best way possible to help you reach the goal of a bachelor's or master's degree. The Registrar has over 50 years combined experience in evaluation of credits and participate fully in the American Associate of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the professional organization that maintains standards of practice for all students. Additionally, the Registrar sits on the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia's (SCHEV) Military Education Advisory Committee (MEAC) that seeks to stay apprised of best practices and legislative impact on our veterans and military-related students. The Registrar oversees onboarding advising for all new students via the CAVS Corps. This process includes training for faculty in academic advising. We work closely with our colleagues in our Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program to help those students make a plan for degree completion (104R) and stay on track.
Disability Services
Whitney Wells, Director of Disability Services, has worked with students in the area of disability accommodations for over 20 years. Ms. Wells is a member of the Association on Higher Education and Disability and the National Academic Advising Association. She has completed the ADA Coordinator Training Certification process. Her experience and training makes her a great resource for help in and out of the classroom. If you have received academic or other accommodations in the past, or if you feel you may need to take advantage of those types of support, Ms. Wells is the person to see. She can help with eligibility determination, assistance with course selection and registration, facilitation with classroom accommodations, alternate testing, assistive technology, and more.
Financial Aid Support
Mason White is our Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships and works closely with the Office of the Registrar to help students find access to financial resources to help them meet their goals. He is an active member of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Professionals and remains up-to-date on federal and state guidelines and compliance regulations. Academic Advisors and staff refer all students to the Office of Financial Aid for Title IV and Financial Aid Counseling. Mason and his staff are here to help you navigate the path to graduation as it relates to financial need and resources, including FAFSA supports, especially as they relate to the TA program, Title IV funding, and education benefits.
Job Search & Career Counseling
Chelsea Justice is our Program Manager for Career Discovery and Planning. She is available to help you navigate options for life after your degree. UVA Wise also has an Experiential Learning requirement that provides a link between classroom theory and hands-on learning that connects our students to the practical options beyond the classroom. We also have internships, practica, and other methods of gaining experience outside the classroom. You can explore things like:
- What Can I Do With This Major?
- Tests to see what career clusters align with your interests
- Resources for exploring careers
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Career One stop
- Go Mobile Newsletter
- GAIN Experience with internships, micro-internships, mentorships, and more
Counseling Services
The Counseling Center, led by Sara Schill(Licensed Practical Counselor), provides treatment to help you work through a variety of issues that may interfere with learning and personal development. Individual counseling, workshops, prevention awareness, and referral for medication evaluation are all available to you, free of charge. Counselors are on-call and are available for walk-in appointments as well as crisis intervention.
Academic Supports & Tutoring
UVA Wise provides free tutoring to all students. Our success support team also provides academic interventions for those students who may find academic work challenging. If you need tutoring, academic coaching, or a mentor to help you navigate the newness of college, drop in to the success center on the second floor of the library. You can make an appointment online or explore the frequently asked questions of other students.
Finance Your Education with Military-Related Benefits
New and returning students should consider the following list.
- Complete the FAFSA to establish eligibility for grants and loans.
- Apply for VA education benefits (see links below).
- Turn in your Certificate of Eligibility (Post-9/11 GI Bill® only).
- Apply for any additional scholarships or aid that the College has to offer.
- Consider funding sources that work in concert with other types of financial aid benefits, such as Federal Tuition Assistance.
- Schedule an appointment with Veterans Benefits Certifying Officer, Tara Wells to review your options. It is important to fill out all applications for aid prior to that meeting so that financial aid officers can make a determination regarding aid.
- Make a payment plan for out-of-pocket expenses not covered by benefits and other aid.
Service members eligible for Tuition Assistance (TA) must receive approval from an Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within the Military Service prior to enrolling.
Military-Related Priority Registration
Students who are actively serving the United States of America in any capacity may seek priority registration from the Office of the Registrar. Priority registration allows students on active military duty to schedule their classes in advance if they have documentation to support the necessity of priority registration.
Contact Narda Porter or Kime Beaty-Berry in the Office of the Registrar.
Military-Related Transfer Evaluation
UVA Wise exercises due diligence in evaluating and determining its acceptance or rejection of each of the following methods of transfer:
- Credit recommendations listed in the American Council on Education (ACE) National Guide to College Credit for Workforce Training and the ACE Military Guide as well as DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support).
- Credit demonstrated by successfully passing national for-credit examination programs such as The College Board College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement Testing.
- Individualized portfolio evaluation, which may be conducted by Department Chairs and/or the Registrar.
- UVA Wise attempts to honor credit granted by regionally accredited Virginia institutions awarded through regular study at the awarding institutions.
Learn More About Transferring Courses
Military Activation Policy
UVA Wise students who are in the military, military reserves, or the National Guard of the United States and who are called to active duty after the beginning of a semester or summer session have two options available that they may consider with their advisor in determining their enrollment status with the College:
- Students may withdraw from all courses in which they are enrolled as of the effective date of the order to report to active duty. If this option is chosen, a full credit of all tuition and fees will be made to the student’s account. Students will receive a pro-rated credit of dining service and of housing contract charges. Financial aid awards that were credited to student’s accounts will be recovered by the College in the amount of tuition and fees, dining or housing credit.
- Students may take a grade of incomplete in all courses if the student receives the official order during the last three weeks of the term. The conditions for completing course work and receiving a regular grade should be agreed to between the student and the appropriate faculty member for each course in which the student is enrolled. Upon separation from active duty, students must complete the course work by the end of the next regular academic term. Students will receive a pro-rated credit of dining service and housing contract charges. Financial aid awards that were credited to students’ accounts will be recovered by the amount of any dining or housing credit.
For full details of this policy, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
Career Discovery & Planning
Our Career Discovery & Planning Office provides job search assistance to help individuals identify employment opportunities that match their skills and career goals. Services may include resume support, job search guidance, interview preparation, and connecting individuals with available job opportunities. Contact Tonya Nations for more information.
Disability Services
Disability Services works to assist all qualified students with disabilities in the pursuit of their educational objectives. Contact Whitney Wells for more information about our Disability Services Office.
Other Useful Resources
- Department of War Military Compensation and Financial Readiness
- Guidance on Federal Veteran's Education Benefits
- Education and Training — US Department of Veterans Affairs
- GI Bill and Other Education Benefits
- Military Tuition Assistance
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.
