Military & Veteran Students

Jefferson Community College ranks high in helping active military and veterans earn the college credit they need. Due to our close proximity to base, a 10-minute drive, active duty military and their families have the benefit of taking classes on our main campus including lab sciences, art, music, culinary while stationed in the area. We are the only physical college campus within a 50 mile radius and one of the first to partner with Fort Drum Education. On average, 42% of Jefferson’s student body is comprised of soldiers, family members, veterans and retirees. 

If you are military personnel or a member of a military family you are able to

• Receive in-state tuition rates at both 2-year and 4-year New York State colleges and universities
• Eligible to apply for New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) grants
• Have flexibility in scheduling with classes on campus, online and held directly on Fort Drum
• Support to complete your degree from advisors that understand you unique situation

Servicemembers Opportunities Colleges (SOC) benefits for soldiers and families

Jefferson offers many educational opportunities and services for soldiers, their family members and veterans and has been designated as an institutional member of Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC), a group of over 1000 colleges and universities providing voluntary postsecondary education to members of the military throughout the world.

As a SOC member, you benefit by:

• easing the transfer of relevant course credits
• having flexible academic residency requirements
• credits earned from appropriate military training

Fort Drum Army Continuing Education Program (ACES)  

• We offer flexibility in scheduling for active military members serving on Fort Drum by maintaining an office with academic advisors on site to help
• Classes are offered in the evening hours on Fort Drum or the main campus in Watertown in 4-week, 8-week or the traditional 15-week formats
• Online classes offered
• Special unit classes upon unit commander request

Veteran services 

We offer many veteran services to former military personnel and their families.  Over 500 veteran students attend Jefferson each year and we have numerous reasons why:

• Dedicated veterans services staff
• Veterans only tutoring services
• Veterans lounge - dedicated space for our veteran students
• Improve transfer rates to other colleges for our veteran students
• Build a transition support network through mentoring and advising by incorporating outside agencies to facilitate emotional and financial support
• Aid in retooling for an emerging job market
• Raise readiness for adult learners returning to college, or that have never been
  
  

  The College is honored to be acknowledged in the Military Times’ Best Colleges 2018 rankings, one of only three colleges given this award in the state of New York.

Veteran Students Share Their Stories

Contact

Military

Betsi Bentz
Director of community services
Fort Drum Army Education Annex
10450 5th Armored Division Drive
Fort Drum, NY 13602
bbentz@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-6554
(315) 786-2425 

Veteran Services

Craig McNamara 
Education coordinator for veteran services
cmcnamara@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-2256

Scott Schulz
Certifying Official
sschulz@sunyjefferson.edu 
(315) 786-2449

John W. Deans Collaborative Learning Center, building 15, first floor
(315) 786-2288
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m; Summer 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.