Military/Veterans

Student Veteran

If you are a current service member (active, guard, or reserve), a veteran, or a military affiliated family member please contact our Service Member / Veteran Liaison, Michelle Callender at wcallender@sscc.edu or 937.393.3431 x2840.

Currently Accepting Applications for:

  • Spring Semester 2023-2024 – Semester begins January 8, 2024
Collegiate Purple Star Award

Steps to Apply

Step 1 – Apply for Admission to SSCC

There is no fee or deadline to submit the application for admission.

Step 2 – Transfer Credits

If you have attended another college or university, please have an official transcript sent to:

  • Office of Admissions
  • Southern State Community College
  • 100 Hobart Drive
  • Hillsboro, OH 45133

Earn college credits from your military training/school.

Step 3 – Schedule your Placement Assessment

Schedule your Placement Assessment by calling 800.628.7722 ext 2607 or 2825.

Step 4 – Apply for your Veteran Benefits

Apply for your GI Bill at: gibill.va.gov, and send a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to the Veteran/Service Member Liaison.

Step 5 – Complete your VA Benefits Intent Form

An intent form is required to be completed and submitted for each academic year you request to be certified. If you do not have a completed intent form on file, your courses enrolled cannot be certified to VA for funding.

If you are active-duty military and using Tuition Assistance, you do not need to fill out the VA Benefits Intent Form. You do, however, need to contact our Registrar, Amanda Thompson at athompson@sscc.edu.

Step 6 – Apply for Federal Financial Aid

Continue to Financial Aid.

Step 7 – Meet with an Academic/Career Advisor

Please call 800.628.7722 ext 2825 to schedule an appointment with the Advising Center. Make sure to ask your advisor if you can apply for Prior Learning Assessment credit (receive credits for your work experience).

Step 8 – Contact the Veteran/Service Member Liaison

Contact Southern State's Service Member/Veteran Liaison, Michelle Callender, at 800.628.7722 x2840, wcallender@sscc.edu, or the Certifying Office at 800.628.7722 x2616.

Veterans FAQs

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1. What happens if, as active or reserve duty status, I am called for training exercises (AT/TDY) for short periods during the term?

For short periods (less than 2 wks) of training exercises, let your instructors know at the start of the term that you may miss a few class meetings. Most instructors have means for you to stay connected with online resources so that you can stay current with your course.

2. What if I am deployed during the term?

If you are being deployed during the term and are not able to complete the term, you may submit your withdrawal request to the Registrar and with a copy of your deployment orders, you may appeal for a refund consideration due to Military activation.

3. Is there a fee to apply to Southern State Community College?

There is no application fee to apply to the college.

4. Is there a fee to have my Military training credits evaluated?

There is no fee to have your transfer credits evaluated for course alignment. After your transcript of courses has been evaluated, should a course not aligned as you believed to be eligible, you may appeal for reconsideration with the Records Office.

5. What if I need academic support in my courses? What services are available?

SSCC provides free academic support services through Learning Services. These services includes the Writing Center for all academic papers, an Open Math Lab for assistance and support, coaching in specific course content, coaching in academic skill development, as well as supplemental instruction for application and understanding of difficult course content.

6. Tuition Assistance and Financial Aid

Additional resources for scholarships and aid are available through SSCC's Financial Aid Office. Students are encouraged to consider completing a FAFSA document to qualify for additional aid and funding sources.

7. What other benefit resources are available to me or my family?

Two resources available for Ohio Military/Veteran families are Ohio's Department of Veteran Services and Ohio Department of Higher Education's Education for Veterans. Both of these sites provide access to educational opportunities as well as support benefits for veterans and families.

Veteran & Service Member Policy

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Click to view the Veteran & Service Member Policy

Southern State Community College
Valuing Our Veterans Support & Assistance Policy
R.C. 3345.421

Purpose Statement

Southern State Community College (SSCC) seeks to assist service members and veterans as they pursue an advanced degree and/or certificate. In an effort to better serve this population, SSCC has adopted this policy as required by Ohio Revised Code Section 3345.421 (B). The purpose of this policy is to set forth the support and assistance SSCC will provide to service members and veterans.

In alignment with Ohio Revised Code Section 3345.42, this policy utilizes the definitions for "service member" and "veteran:"

"Service member" means a person who is serving in the armed forces of the United States.

"Veteran" means any person who has completed service in the armed forces, including the national guard of any state or a reserve component of the armed forces, and who has been discharged under honorable conditions from the armed forces or who has been transferred to the reserve with evidence of satisfactory service.

Support and Assistance Provided to Service Members and Veterans SSCC will:

  • Refer service members and veterans to proper local, state and/or federal agencies in the event SSCC believes that the service member or veteran is eligible for services;
  • Work with the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) to develop a veteran-friendly campus that increases the opportunity for service members and veterans to succeed academically;
  • Work with other Ohio institutions of higher education to disseminate and share promising practices for serving service members and veterans effectively;
  • Promote veteran-friendly campuses by utilizing the ODHE's structure to disseminate and share promising practices statewide for serving service members and veterans effectively;
  • Train appropriate faculty and staff to increase awareness of the mindset and unique needs of service members and veterans returning from combat zones and/or tours of duty overseas;
  • Create "safe zones" for service members and veterans through a student service member/veteran club, organization, or association and campus-wide awareness training;
  • Provide a portion of student orientation (or a separate session) specifically for service members and veterans;
  • Recognize the service of service members and veterans at various events such as graduation, community service awards, honors awards, and an appreciation day;
  • Regularly evaluate institutional policies and procedures that create barriers to service member and veteran success;
  • Empower those working directly with service members and veterans to provide services designed to promote educational achievement;
  • Providing training, in partnership with Veterans Affairs, in the proper certification methods for certifying officials on each campus;
  • Develop a clear outreach strategy to communicate with eligible persons about educational and training benefits to encourage the use of GI Bill benefits, as well as services and assistance offered by the institution;
  • Continue to work with the legislature, workforce and higher education community to identify and develop statewide policies to ensure the transition to higher education is seamless for all students, including service members and veterans. (This may include, but is not limited to, issues such as transfer, credit for prior learning and/or experience, career pathways, support services, etc.); and
  • Actively find ways to connect returning service members and veterans with the services offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Workforce Training and Education

SSCC will work to provide better access and success for service members and veterans in postsecondary education and training while improving transition to civilian work.

Services provided will include:

  • Tools for exploring careers, searching academic/training programs in Ohio and providing consumer reporting information on earnings and employment outcomes for each program. Information regarding additional options to receive a credential or degree through:
    • Credit for prior learning;
    • Articulation and transfer agreements;
    • Bridge programs;
    • Applied Baccalaureate degrees; and
    • Online tools.
  • Improving services for service member and veteran job seekers by promoting seamless workforce development services such as those provided at Ohio Means Jobs, SSCC Career services, and local businesses.
  • Awareness of resources are provided through the veterans /military page and general areas on the SSCC website as well and communicated by each students Academic/Career advisor.

Suicide Prevention Resources

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Veterans Crisis Line

Military personnel and veterans can dial 1(800)273-8255 and Press 1 to talk to someone now. Veterans can start a confidential online chat session at www.veteranscrisisline.net. Veterans can send a text message to 838255 to connect to a VA responder now.

VA, PTSD National Center - Awareness Resources

The National Center for PTSD promotes awareness of PTSD and effective treatments throughout the year. Visit www.ptsd.va.gov/about/ptsd-awareness/index.asp for more information.

Faculty & Staff Resources for Veteran Student Support

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15 Things Veterans Want You to Know

This brief educational video provides you with information that student veterans think you would find helpful about building a relationship with them. One may view additional modules on a variety of topics by registering here.

Ohio Higher Education Veterans Toolkit

This link to the Ohio Department of Higher Education Toolkit covers area for Faculty & Staff including: Awarding College Credit to Veterans, Military & Veterans Campus Services, Enrollment Services, Policies, and Training.

Ohio's College Credit for Military Experience and Education

A link to the state of Ohio's law and policies for awarding college credit for Military education, training, and experience. This is aligned through MTAGs, TAGs, and CTAGs and their associated Faculty Panels.

U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs College Toolkit for Faculty & Staff

Faculty members are the most consistent points of contact for student Veterans and are in the best position to notice if a Veteran is facing challenges. Faculty members can help student Veterans in many ways.

Related Information