Military Student Policies
Deployment and Leave of Absence
Whether your deployment is planned, or you are a National Guard member or Reservist called to duty on a moment’s notice, communication is key to ensure that your leave and return to your academic endeavors is as smooth as possible.
Deployment and reintegration can be more complicated for some than others, depending on the mission and your personal circumstances. The VRC can help you coordinate within areas of concern like financial aid, taking a leave, and establishing an academic plan.
Deployment Instructions
- Inform your advisor and your instructors.
- Review CNM’s attendance policies for taking a leave of absence.
- Connect with the VRC who will help you navigate areas of concern like finances, benefits, and academics.
To pause VA education benefits, provide a copy of your call-up/mobilization orders, last date of attendance, and VA Form 22-1999b to the VRC.
Reintegration
Law states that students whose education was interrupted by voluntary or involuntary military service have the right to re-enroll in their respective programs, most often without penalty.
Make sure you review policies and deadlines, re-apply for your program if required and keep the VRC informed of your actions so we can assist as needed.
Military Duty Policy
This Student Policy on Military Duty shall apply to currently enrolled students at CNM who are 1) serving on active duty in the military and who receive orders transferring them to a duty station outside of the CNM District or prohibiting their continued enrollment at CNM or 2) are members of the New Mexico National Guard and/or reserves and are called to active duty. In such cases, CNM will follow the procedures listed below upon representation of official military orders by the affected student.
Student Withdrawing Prior to 80% Completion of Term
A student withdrawing from CNM prior to 80 percent completion of a term of any length will be withdrawn from class with no grade or enrollment penalties imposed. A full refund of tuition will be processed.
- To withdraw the student must submit a copy of their official military orders for deployment and the CNM Military Deployment Form. This form may be obtained in the Registration Office at any CNM location and online at CNM.edu.
- Once the Registration Office receives and processes the withdrawal form, the student then contacts the Cashier's Office at either the Main or Montoya Campus regarding a full refund of tuition. Tuition is refunded according to the original method of payment.
Student Withdrawing After 80% Completion of Term
Students withdrawing after completion of 80 percent of a term of any length may receive full credit for each course in which they are enrolled provided the instructor certifies a grade of C or better for the course at the date of formal withdrawal. A student with a grade lower than a C will be withdrawn with no grade or enrollment penalties imposed and a full refund will be processed. After 80 percent completion of a term, a student must choose either a grade assignment or a tuition refund.
- The student must confirm their choice by submitting a copy of their official military orders for deployment and the CNM Military Deployment Form. This form may be obtained in the Registration Office at any CNM location and online at CNM.edu.
- If the student chooses a final grade for each course, the Registration Office will notify each instructor of the student’s deployment. The instructor will record a final grade as of the date the Registration Office receives notification or the date of deployment, whichever is sooner.
Graduating Student at 80% Completion of Term
Students scheduled to graduate, who has completed 80 percent of the work in courses in which they are enrolled for that term, may be certified for graduation provided these courses would complete their degree or certificate.
Note: Annual military reserve training is not considered active duty and therefore, is ineligible for the CNM Military Duty Policy.
Return of Unearned Military Tuition Assistance Funds
Military Tuition Assistance is a U.S. Department of Defense program. Tuition Assistance rules vary by branch of service and even vary between different units within the same branch depending on whether the unit is active, reserve, or National Guard. Tuition Assistance funds will be applied to tuition costs only.
Military Tuition Assistance Recipients
Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded. To comply with the U.S. Department of Defense policy, CNM will return any unearned TA funds on a proportional basis through at least 60% portion of the period for which the funds were provided. If a service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, CNM will work with the affected service member to identify solutions that will not result in a student debt for the returned portion. (See Military Duty Policy above)
Withdrawals
A student’s official withdrawal date is used as the last date of attendance and to calculate earned percentage of TA. A student’s official withdrawal date is determined by using the last date of attendance that is documented and submitted to the Office of the Registrar.
Once the last date of attendance has been determined, CNM will recalculate a student’s TA eligibility based on the following formula:
Number of days completed / Total days of the course (start to end date) = Percent of TA earned
The amount of TA funding that is earned is determined on a pro-rata basis. For example, if a student completed 30% of the course, they earned 30% of the TA funds that they were originally scheduled to receive. The remainder of the unearned funds (70%) would be returned to the TA program. If this results in an unpaid tuition balance, payment would be the responsibility of the student. Once a student has attended at least 60% of the period for which TA funds were approved, the student is considered to have earned 100% of the TA funds.