Military & Veteran Students

**No Student Fees for Active Duty Service Members!

Get started on your free online application for admission.

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

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 2021 rankings!

Veteran Students Share Their Stories

Contact

Military

Betsi Bentz
Director of community services
Fort Drum Army Education Center
4300 Camp Hale Rd
Fort Drum, NY 13602
bbentz@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-6566
(315) 786-2425 

Veteran Services

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

Rebecca Small-Kellogg
Director of Educational Planning & Veterans Services
bsmall-kellogg@sunyjefferson.edu  
(315) 786-6549

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.

The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 requires educational institutions to make certain disclosures to students using federal military and/or VA educational benefits. To view and print a copy of an estimated personalized cost of attendance you can visit the SUNY Net Price Cost Calculator  and select "Jefferson Community College" from the dropdown. Additional financial information can be found at the NCES College Navigator site. 

The SUNY Financial Aid Plan (FAP) will provide a more in-depth analysis and accurate picture of student cost once the student has filed their FAFSA, completed a SUNY application, and has been accepted by a campus.