Student Services

Athletics and Club Sports

Intercollegiate Athletics

Palm Beach State College has achieved national recognition and high status among state colleges for its strong support of athletics and its outstanding achievements in athletic competition. The College offers students the opportunity to participate in the following Division II sports:

Men: Baseball, Basketball

Women: Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Volleyball

Division I sports:

Women: Golf

All student athletes must meet standards of academic progress as defined by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA), and the College. Contact the Director of Athletics for further information or go to www.pbscpanthers.com. All intercollegiate athletic programs are located on the Lake Worth campus.

Club Sports

Club Sports are any sports offered at the College that compete competitively with other colleges and/or organizations but are not regulated by the NJCAA. Club Sports can exist at schools that do have teams that are NJCAA-sanctioned. However, they are student-driven clubs with no scholarships. For more information on Club Sports, contact Athletics.

Academic Advising

Academic advisors provide career pathway guidance through a case management approach to assist students in designing an educational plan that meets their academic and personal goals. They also serve as a referral source for the many supportive services and resources at the College. Students are urged to maintain contact with their assigned advisors to be certain they are on track to complete their program of study. Students assume the ultimate responsibility for course selection. For more information, visit pbsc.edu/Advising.

General Advising Questions: 561-868-3000

Email: Advising@palmbeachstate.edu

More information is available at pbsc.edu/Advising .

Bachelor’s Degree Programs advising office: 561-868-3000

More information is available at pbsc.edu/Bachelors.

Career Development Center

Career planning and job search assistance are available in-person, virtually, and via online resources. The Career Development Advisors can help you with deciding on a career pathway, college major, career self-assessment, researching occupations, resume writing, interview skills, developing workplace skills, employer identification, job and internships search strategies.

Information is also available online at pbsc.edu/CareerCenter.
Email: careercenter@palmbeachstate.edu
Phone: (561) 868-3581

Center for Student Accessibility

Palm Beach State College complies with all laws and regulations applicable to qualified individuals with disabilities as required in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA). These laws mandate reasonable accommodations that ensure students with disabilities the opportunity for equal access to, and participation in, all College facilities, programs, activities, and services.

It is the responsibility of the student to request accommodations by registering with the Center for Student Accessibility (CSA) and to provide appropriate documentation from a qualified clinician in support of the request for services. Students must confer with CSA each term, as appropriate accommodation may vary from course to course. The Center for Student Accessibility will prepare accommodation notices which will be provided to the student and instructor at the student’s request.

The College is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities who rely on service animals can have access to all public areas, attend classes, and participate in campus activities. The entire service animal policy can be viewed at pbsc.edu/animal-policy

Confidentiality

All documentation provided to the Center for Student Accessibility will be strictly confidential. No information, except as provided by law, will be released to anyone, including parents, without the student’s written consent.

Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity

Palm Beach State College, an equal access/equal opportunity institution, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, pregnancy status, and any other factor protected under the law, state or federal, in employment, admissions, or educational programs and activities.

Harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment, is prohibited.

If a student believes that he or she has been subjected to discrimination or harassment based on their disability, they may file a complaint online at the pbsc.edu/PanthersVoice webpage.

Who is eligible for services with the Center for Student Accessibility?

Palm Beach State College provides services to all qualified students with disabilities as defined by law.

No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in shall, solely by reason of their disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 794).

A qualified individual with a disability means:

“…an individual who, with or without reasonable accommodations to rules, policies, or practices, the removal of architectural, communication, or transportation barriers, or the provision of auxiliary aids and services, meets the essential requirements for the receipt of services or the participation in programs or activities” (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. §12131 [Sec. 201.])

The definition of a disability includes a person who:

has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of such a person’s major life activities
has a record of such impairment or is regarded as having such impairment
(Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 34 C.F.R. [Part 104])

A “qualified” person with a disability is defined as one… “who meets the academic and technical standards requisite to admission or participation in the education program or activity.”

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects the rights of qualified individuals who have disabilities such as, but not limited to:

Blindness/visual Impairment	Cerebral Palsy
Deafness/Hearing Impairment	Epilepsy/Seizure Disorders
Orthopedic/Mobility Impairment	Specific Learning Disability
Speech Disorders	Tourette’s Syndrome
Spinal Cord Injury	Psychiatric Disability
Muscular Dystrophy	Multiple Sclerosis
Arthritis	Cancer
Traumatic Brain Injury	AIDS

The above list includes examples of disabilities and is not an exhaustive list. Students are encouraged to contact the Center for Student Accessibility and discuss with a manager or an advisor if they qualify for services.

Student Responsibilities

Students with disabilities have the responsibility to:

meet and maintain the institution's academic and technical standards for courses, programs, services, activities, and facilities.
self-identify as an individual with a disability when an accommodation is needed and seek information, counsel, and assistance as necessary.
provide appropriate documentation of the disability and how it limits participation in courses, programs, services, activities, and facilities to the College to determine eligibility for services.
follow procedures for obtaining reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids and services.
meet and abide by the College’s academic, conduct and technical standards.
request accommodations with the campus CSA representative at the beginning of each term by completing a Semester Request for Services form and submitting it to your campus CSA representative.
follow published policies and procedures of CSA and Palm Beach State College.
contacting the Center for Student Accessibility if reasonable academic adjustments or accommodations are not implemented in an effective or timely way.

Accommodations are designed to meet students with disabilities’ individual learning needs and does not reduce students’ responsibility for meeting the academic standards, conduct codes and course requirements at Palm Beach State College.

Palm Beach State College has the responsibility to:

provide information to students with disabilities in accessible formats upon request.
ensure that courses, programs, activities, and facilities, when viewed in their entirety, are available and usable in the most integrated and appropriate settings.
evaluate students on their abilities and not their disabilities.
provide or arrange reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services for students with disabilities in courses, programs, activities, and facilities.
maintain appropriate confidentiality of records and communication.

Student Rights

Students with disabilities have the right to:

participate equally in and benefit from courses, programs, services, activities, and facilities offered through the College.
access reasonable accommodations and/or auxiliary aids and services with equity.
expect confidentiality regarding disability-related information and to choose to whom information about that disability will be disclosed except as disclosures are required/permitted by law.
file a grievance if a disability discrimination issue cannot be satisfactorily resolved.

Steps to Register with the Center for Student Accessibility

Disclosure of a disability is voluntary. If you are a student with a disability and may need services, accommodations, or access, follow these four steps:

Make an appointment with the Center for Student Accessibility (CSA) manager or advisor on the campus you will be attending.
Submit current documentation from a qualified professional to support the disability claim prior to meeting with a CSA manager or advisor.
Meet with a manager or an advisor to complete the intake process.
Request services each term (Minimum of 3 weeks’ notice) through CSA.

Discrimination Complaints

Palm Beach State College adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that was enacted to protect individuals with disabilities against discrimination. A student at the College who believes they have been discriminated against based on their disability or has not been afforded the agreed upon accommodations may file a complaint with the Center for Student Accessibility (CSA).

Students eligible for ADA accommodations should deliver their notification letters to faculty at the beginning of each semester or as soon as reasonably possible, altering the faculty of the approved accommodations. A student should notify a CSA Manager of any disagreement between the student and the faculty member if agreed-upon academic accommodations are not provided to seek a resolution.

Students who disagree with an eligibility or accommodation decision made by CSA may appeal the decision. The appeal must be submitted to the Student Development Director. The student will be provided a timeframe for a response and explanation of the resolution after the investigation is completed. Further appeals will proceed up the line of report in accordance with the College’s established practices.

Steps to Dispute a Final Course Grade

Criteria for an appeal

An error in the calculation of the grade, or ineffective provision of approved ADA accommodations resulting in the student being prevented from attaining the learning outcome to the level such accommodation might allow.
The assignment of a grade was a substantial departure from the faculty member’s previously printed standards in the course syllabus.

Students may appeal a final grade that they receive in a course, but interim grades or grades on specific assignments are not appealable, unless any such appeal is based on an allegation that the faculty member has violated the stated grading policy or that the grade was a result of discrimination or retaliation or for allegation that the professor did not provide the student with approved ADA accommodations as documented by Center for Student Accessibility (CSA).

The student may request a review of their final course grade directly with the CSA Office by submitting a Student Problem Resolution Form and choosing Accommodations/ADA/Section 504 Complaint as the Nature of the Report.
If the Academic Dean/Associate Dean receives such a request for a grade review they will refer the student to CSA and contact the CSA Office concerning the student’s request for grade review.
The Academic Dean/Associate Dean will extend the timeframe to resolve the “Final Course Grade Appeal” pending the findings and resolution from the CSA Office concerning the alleged denial of ADA accommodation(s).

The following process will be initiated by the CSA Office:

Step 1: CSA Manager

The student holds primary responsibility to notify the Center for Student Accessibility.

Upon receipt of the student request for grade review the CSA manager will meet with the student to discuss the student’s concerns, including any relevant details necessary to conduct a review (except for days that the College is closed).
The student will be given a timeframe for a response and to provide any requested information.
The faculty member will provide relevant documentation to the CSA Manager within five (5) business days.
Upon completion of the review, the student will receive a detailed explanation of the findings and resolution; CSA will notify Academic Affairs of the findings (See CSA’s Notification to Academic Affairs)
Request is resolved.

However, if the student is not satisfied with the resolution of the CSA Manager, the student has five (5) business days to escalate their concern by submitting the Center for Student Accessibility Appeal Form to the Student Development Director.

Step 2: The Student Development Director

Student Development Director will review the documentation related to the resolution of the student’s appeal.
The student and the Student Development Director will meet to discuss the matter.
The student will be given a timeframe to receive a response.
A written response of the resolution will be provided to the student once the matter is resolved.
If the student is not satisfied with the resolution, they may contact the Dean of Student Development.

Step 3: The Equity Officer/504 Coordinator

If the student is not satisfied with the Dean of Student Development, they may contact the Equity Officer/504 Coordinator, Juanita Benjamin, at 561-868-3111 or benjamij@palmbeachstate.edu.
A student at any time may bypass previous steps to escalate complaint directly to any of the following:
- Executive Director, Human Resources
- Director, Human Resources & Equity Officer/504 Coordinator

Center for Student Accessibility's Notification to Academic Affairs

Center for Student Accessibility (CSA) Office after investigating the student’s complaint will notify Academic Affairs of the findings:
- If the CSA Office’s investigation finds that the Professor did provide the approved ADA accommodations, then the Academic Dean/Associate Dean will proceed in adjudicating the student complaint using the “Final Course Grade Appeal” process.
If the CSA Office review finds that the Professor did not provide the approved accommodations the Dean/Associate Dean will work with the student, the professor, and the CSA Manager or Student Development Director to reach a resolution as allowed by PBSC’s policies and procedures.

Campus Locations and Contact Information

Belle Glade: Center for Student Accessibility
1977 College Drive, CRA 105.7, Belle Glade, FL 33430-3699
561-790-9022; studentaccessibility@palmbeachstate.edu

Boca Raton: Center for Student Accessibility
801 Palm Beach State College Drive, AD 134, Boca Raton, FL 33431-6490
561-862-4316; studentaccessibility@palmbeachstate.edu

Lake Worth: Center for Student Accessibility
4200 Congress Avenue, BK 110, Lake Worth, FL 33461-4796
561-868-3046; studentaccessibility@palmbeachstate.edu

Loxahatchee Groves: Center for Student Accessibility
15845 Southern Boulevard, LGA 103, Loxahatchee, FL 33470-9204
561-790-9022; studentaccessibility@palmbeachstate.edu

Palm Beach Gardens: Center for Student Accessibility
3160 PGA Boulevard, BR 128, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410-2893
561-207-5345; studentaccessibility@palmbeachstate.edu

District - BK 110
Richard Hunter, Student Development Director
Phone: 561-868-3734 | Fax: 561-868-3141

District - SCA 132
Dr. Kathleen S. Karran-McCoy, Dean of Student Development & Ombudsman
Phone: 561-868-3371 | Fax: 561-868-3141

The Center for Student Accessibility is committed to providing an equal educational opportunity for all qualified students with disabilities in compliance with federal and state statutes. We commit, as well, to ensuring that the integrity of all college standards and requirements is maintained. Visit the Center for Student Accessibility at pbsc.edu/StudentAccessibility .

Admission and Graduation Substitutions for Students with Disabilities

In compliance with Florida Statutes, sections 1007.264 and 1007.265, eligible students with disabilities shall be considered for reasonable substitutions or waivers with regard to admission and graduation requirements, provided that the inability to fulfill the requirement is due directly to the disability, that appropriate accommodations will not result in success, and where the substitution will not constitute a fundamental alteration in the nature of the program. Eligible students include, but are not limited to, students documented as having a hearing impairment, including deafness; a visual impairment, a specific learning disability, an orthopedic impairment, a speech, or language impairment; an emotional or behavioral disability, autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injury, intellectual disability, or other health impairment.

Students must formally submit a written request for a substitution or waiver to the campus Center for Student Accessibility Manager. Documentation of a disability, which includes evidence that the failure to meet the requirement is related to the disability, must also be provided. Students may appeal a substitution denial or a determination of ineligibility to the Vice President of Academic Affairs, who will review the case and make a recommendation to the President. This appeal must be initiated within 45 days of the student’s notification of the committee’s decision. In accordance with Rule 6A-10.041(3), the College will accept all substitutions previously granted by other state postsecondary institutions.

College TRIO/Student Support Services

TRiO Student Support Services

This program is a U.S Department of Education grant-funded TRIO program serving 175 students who are low-income, first-generation college students and students with disabilities. Services provided include personalized academic and financial aid, advisement, tutoring, career exploration, transfer assistance, academic workshops, financial literacy, cultural events, and university tours. The program assists students with progression, retention, completion, and transition from one level of higher education to the next. Students must be enrolled at Palm Beach State College in a degree-seeking program and be US citizen or permanent resident to be eligible for services. For more information, call 561-868-3392.

TRiO Student Support Services Veterans

This program is a U.S Department of Education grant-funded TRIO program serving 120 veterans who are low-income, first-generation college students and students with disabilities. Services provided include personalized academic and financial aid, advisement, tutoring, career exploration, transfer assistance, academic workshops, financial literacy, cultural events, and university tours. The program assists student veterans with progression, retention, completion, and transition from one level of higher education to the next. Students must be enrolled at Palm Beach State College in a degree-seeking program and be US citizen or permanent resident to be eligible for services. For more information, call 561-868-4287.

TRiO Educational Opportunity Centers

This program is a U.S Department of Education grant-funded TRIO program serving up to 1,000 qualified adults who want to enter or continue a program of postsecondary education. The program provides counseling and information on college admissions and also provides services to improve the financial and economic literacy of participants. An important objective of the program is to counsel participants on financial aid options, including basic financial planning skills, and to assist in the application process. The goal of the EOC program is to increase the number of adult participants who enroll in postsecondary education institutions. For more information, call eocnorth@palmbechstate.edu.

See pbsc.edu/Trio.

Counseling Services

The Student Counseling Center provides services and programs designed to help students maintain their emotional well-being to achieve their educational goals. Services include individual counseling, group counseling, educational events, as well as linkage to community resources, and additional services. Services are available by appointment either on campus or virtually and can be scheduled by calling 561-868-3980, emailing the Student Counseling Center at studentcounselingcenter@palmbeachstate.edu, or in person on the Lake Worth campus. Please visit us on our webpage for further information see pbsc.edu/Wellbeing.

Case Management

As part of the Student Counseling Center our Case Management Services assist students in linking with community resources such as SNAP registration, local food pantries, financial assistance, and housing issues. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Student Counseling Center at 561-868-3980 or visiting the Counseling webpage at pbsc.edu/Wellbeing.

Student Assistance Fund

The Student Assistance Fund assists students who are facing unexpected financial crisis. Applications for this fund is limited. Please see the online application to which can be accessed via the Student Counseling Center Web Page at pbsc.edu/Wellbeing.

Further information can be obtained by contacting the Student Counseling Center at (561) 868-3980 or visiting the Counseling webpage pbsc.edu/Wellbeing.

Panther’s Pantry

The Panther’s Pantry is available to any student, faculty or staff member experiencing food insecurities. Panther’s Pantry hours vary by campus location and are by appointment only. Appointments can be booked for both Pantry food pick up and SNAP registration by clicking on the following link: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/PanthersPantry1@palmbeachstate.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/.

For further information please contact the Student Counseling Center at 561-868-3980 or visit our webpage pbsc.edu/PanthersPantry.

Foster Care Liaison

Students who identify as having been a part of the foster care system are provided with additional support and community resource linkage. Please reach out to the Student Counseling Center for more information pbsc.edu/Wellbeing or call (561) 868-3980.

Equity Institute

As part of its commitment to fostering student-centered learning experiences, Palm Beach State College established the Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler Equity Institute in 2019. The Equity Institute is named after Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler, a local philanthropist and former longtime educator and elected official. The Equity Institute supports the College mission to provide "accessible, student-centered teaching and learning experiences" by providing support and resources to underserved, under resourced, and under-represented students to ensure their success. Students who participate in the Institute's offerings receive wrap-around support, learn personal management skills and develop their ability to advocate for themselves and utilize available resources to continue their personal and professional growth. In addition, the college-wide forums support the College mission to "transform lives and strengthen our community" by providing opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to learn how to positively influence student success and develop plans to introduce systemic change at the College and in the community.

Florida Shines (FloridaShines.org)

FloridaShines.org is Florida’s official college advising website. Find information on Florida’s state universities and colleges and their programs. You can apply for financial aid and scholarships, review academic transcripts, access career planning as well as explore the college transfer process and Florida institution transient process. FloridaShines does not substitute for regular meetings with an academic advisor.

Graduation

Graduation is an automatic process, streamlining the necessary steps for students and ensuring that their transcripts reflect the degree or certificate earned. Each term, during the months of October (Fall), March (Spring) and June (Summer), the College will conduct a preliminary review of each currently enrolled student’s degree audit. Students who will be "100% program complete” at the end of the term will be eligible for graduation. An email will be sent to eligible students informing them of their graduation status and inviting them to participate in the commencement ceremony. For further information, please go to pbsc.edu/Graduation.

Panther Care Team

Purpose

Palm Beach State College provides behavioral assessment and intervention support for students demonstrating concerning behaviors through the Panther Care Team. Early identification of concerning behavior and implementation of support strategies help students deal with life’s stressors and continue to meet their academic goals. Fostering a culture of reporting on campus is important to maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment.

Team members

The team is an interdisciplinary, collaborative team that develops individualized assessments and intervention plans for students demonstrating concerning behaviors.

The core team includes representatives from each campus Dean of Student Services Office, Director of Student Wellbeing, Chief of Security, Title IX Coordinator, Director of Student Life, Student Conduct Coordinator and two representatives from the faculty. The committee is co-chaired by the Director of Student Life and the Title IX Coordinator.

Training

Members of the team participate in training through NABITA, the National Association for Behavioral and Intervention and Threat Assessment. The assessment tool used is the NABITA Risk Rubric.

Student Activities

The Department of Student Activities promotes student engagement through numerous activities and co-curricular opportunities on and off campus. Students can enhance their college experience by participating in social events, diversity awareness programs, intramural sports, club sports, leadership development, student government and volunteer opportunities. Students may take a break at any of the Student Activity Center locations and play billiards, video games, cards, surf the net or just stop by and chill for a while.

Due to Covid-19, changes in Student Activities will adhere to CDC guidelines and college procedure. For a list of upcoming events and a current list of campus organizations: pbsc.edu/StudentLife.

Student Government

The Student Government Association (SGA) is the official voice of the student body and an important link in the College's endeavors to ensure a positive learning environment. Participation in SGA provides many opportunities for involvement at the local, district and state levels of student government through the Florida College System Student Government Associate (FCSSGA). SGA aims to achieve positive advancements for students, promote civic engagement, and facilitate smooth working relationships among students, administration, faculty/instructors, and staff. Each year, officers are selected to make up the Executive Board, which plans the SGA's activities. To find out if you are eligible to apply for an officer position, or to join SGA, contact your campus Student Activities Office.

Student Organizations

Get involved! Palm Beach State College is host to a wide variety of social, faith-based, special interest, academic, service, and career-oriented campus organizations. These clubs provide students personal, interpersonal, and organizational development. All clubs and organizations are open to all currently enrolled Palm Beach State students.

Can’t find a club in which you are interested? Start your own. Visit the Student Activities website to find the criteria and link to charter a new club at the college. To be an active member of a student club, students must have a minimum 2.0 grade point average.

All procedures for clubs can be found in the Student Activities Manual available on the Student Activities website, see pbsc.edu/StudentLife.

Student Participation in Institutional Decision Making

The College encourages student participation in institutional decision-making. One important means of influence in the governance of the College is the Student Government Association (SGA). Students are also invited to participate on the Student Activity & Service Fee Committee, Conduct Committees, District Diversity Council, and other committees as appropriate. Moreover, on occasion, students are given the opportunity through opinion questionnaires to evaluate various College programs and activities. Information obtained through this process is of significant value in making operational decisions.

Student Trustee

In keeping with the College’s commitment to student involvement, Palm Beach State has established a student position on the District Board of Trustees. This position is non-voting and designed to ensure that student issues and concerns are represented. Students interested in serving in this capacity must apply for the position. To be considered, a student must meet the following criteria:

At least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average;
Two letters of recommendation (one letter must be from a faculty/instructor and one letter can be from a faculty/instructor or staff member);
A typewritten essay on why they wish to become a student trustee.

Applications are available at the end of the spring term. A committee makes a final selection through interviews in July. For more information, students may contact the Executive Assistant to the District Board of Trustees at 561-868-3502.

Intramural Sports

Currently enrolled Palm Beach State students are encouraged to play and compete in campus recreational intramural sports. Intramural sports are available for currently enrolled students to participate in structured activities at a competitive or recreational level. We offer team sports and individual sports as well as leisure events. Intramural sports can give you a break from studying and improve your mental health. Intramurals are also an excellent way to meet other students with shared interests and expand your social circle.

Intramural by definition means “within the walls,” and therefore all teams/individuals that participate are affiliated with the College. A few examples of intramural sports are open gym for basketball, volleyball, flag football, soccer, bowling, and table tennis. No matter what your skill level, you will have a good time.

For more information about intramural sports, contact the campus Student Activities Office.

Testing Services

A variety of national and state exams, such as PERT, CLEP, Accuplacer, TABE, and others are administered in the testing centers, as well as instructor out-of-class exams and testing for distance- learning courses. Current or prospective students taking a test at the College’s testing centers should allocate the full amount of time specified for the test plus 15 minutes for processing. For placement exams (PERT, TABE, Accuplacer) a Palm Beach State Student ID is acceptable; otherwise, students must present a valid Passport or U.S. government-issued photo identification card before being allowed to sit for any test. For information on tests administered, hours of operation, test fees, payment, making an appointment, or policies and procedures, visit the website: pbsc.edu/TestingCenter.

Testing Center Contact Information

Belle Glade 561-993-1125

westtesting@palmbeachstate.edu

Boca Raton 561-862-4371

southtesting@palmbeachstate.edu

Lake Worth 561-868-3012

centraltesting@palmbeachstate.edu

Palm Beach Gardens 561-207-5371

northtesting@palmbeachstate.edu

Loxahatchee Groves 561-790-9027

edgarb@palmbeachstate.edu

Veteran Services

The Veteran Success Center is dedicated in helping student veteran succeed in their transition to civilian life. This is done by first ensuring their well-earned VA educational benefits are processed in a timely and compliant manner. Secondly, through the campus student veteran clubs we encourage them to connect with each other and the rest of the student body. Thirdly, we partner with community resources such as the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center, the county vet centers and other non-profit organizations for assistance with their medical, housing, and financial concerns. We endeavor to always educate, advocate, and guide each student veteran and their dependents journey in attaining their educational and career goals.

VA Educational Benefit Requirements:
- Basic document requirement to be certified for benefits is submission of:
- Review your college financing plan in your workday financial aid worklet to fully assess your financial options. Instructions are found on the veterans services benefits website.
  - Certificate of eligibility (COE)
  - DD214 (not applicable for dependents)
  - VA certification request (each semester)
- Note: VA mandates that student veterans order their military transcripts to grant credit as appropriate in their program of study.
- Chapter 33: Once Certified, VA requires that you verify your enrollment via text or call 1888-442-4551 payout your direct deposit

Semester Course Load and Housing/Stipend Reference:

Credits taken in an accelerated/condensed time frame have a higher value towards housing/stipend payments then those taken in the standard full Fall or Spring semester.
Fall and Spring full semester credits are calculated at face value, no conversion is required.
Contact Veteran Services for further explanation of semester housing/stipend scheduling.

Use table below to see credit equivalency accelerated/condensed semester sessions.

Accelerated/Condensed Credit Equivalency Table
Weeks of Session → Credits Enrolled in Session ↓	12 weeks	8 weeks	6 weeks
10 Credits Enrolled	-	-	-
9 Credits Enrolled	-	-	-
8 Credits Enrolled	12	-	-
7 Credits Enrolled	10.5	-	-
6 Credits Enrolled (common)	9	13.5	-
5 Credits Enrolled	7.5	11.2	-
4 Credits Enrolled (common)	6	9	12
3 Credits Enrolled (common)	4.5	6.7	9
2 Credits Enrolled	3	4.5	6
1 Credit Enrolled (common)	1.5	2.3	3

Chapter 33 students withdrawing or auditing (after the add/drop deadline) from certified courses will result in tuition debt to Palm Beach State College in accordance with section 1019 of Public Law 116-315. Additionally, it will result in a housing and book stipend debt to VA education. Once a PBSC tuition debt is assessed, it is the student's responsibility to pay or currently enrolled courses may drop for nonpayment. Contact Veteran Services before withdrawing for assistance in making an informed decision.

Military Tuition Assistance:

Benefit Name	How to Apply
Military Tuition Assistance (TA) Benefits Process	Please make sure to call 561-868-3380 or email (CentralVeterans@palmbeachstate.edu) for guidance if you have any questions or difficulties with the instructions below. Service member should review these resources to make an informed decision. - College Scorecard - College Navigator - Financial Aid Shopping Sheet - Paying for College - Tuition Assistance (TA) DECIDE Visit your military insulation’s education center or branch tuition assistance portal. - U.S. Army - U.S. Navy - U.S. Air Force - U.S. Marine Corps - U.S Coast Guard Apply and complete the admissions process for Palm Beach State College. - Submit residency documents or if you are Active Duty and reside outside the state of Florida, complete the VA/Military out of state fee waiver. - Submit transcripts (high school/GED, college, and military). Meet with your campus Veterans Academic Advisor. - Lake Worth - Maureen Manger - Boca Raton - Erica Weisman - Palm Beach Gardens - Ashton Davis - Public Safety - Ashton Davis - Lox Groves and Belle Glade - Johnny Maloney Register for courses in your program of study. Complete your military branch tuition assistance voucher through its respective portal. Submit your military tuition assistance voucher to the Veterans Success Center by completing a veterans services benefit request in your workday student requests.
Education Dollars for Duty	- This is the Florida National Guard Tuition Assistance Program. - Visit dma.myflorida.com for more information.

VA out of state fee waiver: Established in s. 1009.26 (12)(a), F.S., the Congressman C.W. Bill Young Veteran Tuition Waiver Program requires a Florida College System institution to waive out-of-state fees for an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, the U.S. Reserve Forces or the National Guard who physically reside in Florida while enrolled in the institution. The waiver covers the applicable portion of the fees up to 110 percent of the required credit hours for the degree or certificate program of enrollment.
- Veterans will be expected to provide the following documentation to be eligible for this out-of-state fee waiver:
  - Proof current Florida residency. This documentation may include but is not limited to, a Florida driver’s license or Florida identification card.
  - Proof of honorable discharge. This information may be on the veteran’s DD214, discharge certificate, or other documentation as deemed appropriate by Palm Beach State College Veteran Services.
- In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), this school adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Veteran Readiness and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. This school will not:
  - Prevent the student’s enrollment;
  - Assess a late penalty fee to the student;
  - Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
  - Deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.
  - However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:
    - Produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or Chapter 31 payment authorization no later than first day of class;
    - Submit a request to be certified;
    - Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.
  - VA Tuition Deferment:
    - In accordance with 1009.27 F.S., students eligible for VA educational benefits may request a tuition deferment. Students will not be eligible for subsequent deferment if previous debt is not paid.
  - The Purple Heart Waiver, established in s. 1009.26 (8), F.S., provides tuition waivers for Florida military veterans who have received a purple heart OR combat decoration that is “superior in precedence.”
    - The waiver covers the tuition toward a degree or certificate program up to 110% of the required hours for the program of study.
    - To be eligible, the veteran or active military member:
      - Must be a current Florida resident for tuition purposes.
      - May be a full-time or part-time student.
      - Must be enrolled in a certificate or degree program. Non-degree seeking does not qualify for the waiver.
      - Must submit documents showing receipt of the Purple Heart.
  Note: It is the responsibility of the veteran to advise the Veterans Affairs Office of any changes in status, i.e., address, withdrawal from class, etc.