Recommended Procedures for Students Called to Active Duty

Students who are called to active duty before a semester begins should submit a copy of their orders to the Registrar's Office, 214 Enrollment Services Center, Ames, IA 50011; or fax: 515-294-1088. Arrangements for loan deferments and other issues cannot be completed until a copy of the orders are on file in the Office of the Registrar.

Students who are called to active duty after a semester begins should review the University policies and options listed below.

  • Receive grades or incompletes for all courses if approved by your instructors.
  • Receive administrative drops with a refund for some courses and grades/incompletes in other courses if approved by your instructors.
  • Withdraw from all current term courses with full refund of tuition and fees.

Discuss your situation and plans with your Adviser

  • If you would like to receive grades/incompletes, and if time permits, please contact each of your instructors to work out appropriate details. If an incomplete grade is approved, you and your instructor should complete an Incomplete Mark (I) Report form which states "Called to Active Duty" as the reason for the incomplete. The one-year deadline for the automatic conversion of unresolved incompletes will not be applied in these cases.
  • If you would like to receive grades/incompletes but do not have adequate time to contact each of your instructors, please notify the Dean of Students Office, 1st Floor, Student Services Building, 515-294-1020. That office will act in your behalf to see that instructors are advised of your call to active duty and your desire to receive grades/incompletes. Your grading options as agreed upon by your instructors will be documented for you and you will be asked to advise that office as to whether you wish to accept the grading option or one of the other options available to you.
  • If administrative drops or a withdrawal are to be processed, your adviser should initiate them. Reasons for the withdrawal/administrative drop should clearly state "Called to Active Duty." A copy of your military orders should be attached to the withdrawal form, or your military branch, unit, and location must be noted on the withdrawal form. If your orders are not available until after you leave for active duty, you should submit a copy to: Registrar's Office, 214 Enrollment Services Center, Ames, IA 50011; or fax: 515-294-1088 when they become available.
  • Your decision as to which option you wish to pursue will depend upon your personal situation, the time remaining in the semester, and agreements which can be made with your instructors. Contact the Office of the Registrar, 214 Enrollment Services Center (515-294-1840) to discuss your call-up status and to answer any questions about the procedures to follow. Please note: These procedures do not apply to students who are fulfilling their two-week annual training.

Students who are called up for a short-term active duty mobilization (other than annual training) during the course of a semester have the same options as listed above.  In such cases, instructors are expected to make reasonable accommodations to allow students to make-up tests and assignments following return from active duty. 

Offices to Contact:

  • Office of the Registrar, 214 Enrollment Services Center (515-294-1840) to communicate your wishes concerning your enrollment for the upcoming term. Also, if you are receiving veteran’s benefits, please see Student Veteran Services in the Office of the Registrar to inform them of your plans (vacertofficials@iastate.edu).
  • Information Technology Services, 192 Parks Library, 515-294-4000; solution@iastate.edu, to keep your Iowa State University Network ID and e-mail active while on duty.
  • Department of Residence, 2419 Friley Hall,  515-294-2900 , if you are living in University housing.
  • Student Financial Aid Office, 0210 Beardshear Hall, Ames, IA 50011-2028, 515-294-2223, if you are receiving financial aid. If you are a recipient of a direct loan, you should contact Direct Loans Borrower Services at 1-800-848-0979. After you have informed Direct Loans of your situation, please fax a copy of your orders to 1-800-848-0984. If you would prefer, the Office of Student Financial Aid will do this for you if you provide them with a copy of your orders.
  • Dean of Students Office, 1st Floor, Student Services Building, 515-294-1020, if you experience any problems or need assistance in matters relating to Iowa State University.

Dependent Students

  • Spouses of Deployed Service Members:  In accordance with Iowa Code 261.9.1.g., the spouse of a member if the member has a dependent child, of the Iowa National Guard or Reserve forces of the United States and who is ordered to national guard duty or federal active duty may:
    • Receive grades or incompletes for all courses if approved by your instructors.
    • Receive administrative drops with a refund for some courses and grades/incompletes in other courses if approved by your instructors.
    • Withdraw from all current term courses with a full refund of tuition and fees.
  •  To qualify they must present a verified copy of DD 1172 (available through DEERS) and their spouse's deployment orders to the Registrar's Office.