Qualifying for priority registration can be as easy as filling out an application.
The list of the hundreds of students granted this privilege ranges from athletes to ROTC members — but not student veterans.
The main reason for this is that priority registration forms must be submitted by the faculty adviser of a campus organization. There is no such organization for veterans on campus.
Though there are 15 other chapters in North Carolina, UNC’s lack of a Student Veterans of America chapter leaves the University’s veterans without a local advocate. This has led to the absence of any sponsor to apply for priority registration for veterans.
Without priority registration, veterans could face the treacherous waters of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill’s fine print. The bill states that it will only provide for classes that directly lead to the veteran earning his or her degree.
Though many classes qualify as an elective credit and are covered by the bill, major problems can arise when they don’t.
To receive the full benefits of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, a veteran must be enrolled as a full-time student. If the classes veterans need for their degrees are full, they will be forced to register as a part-time student. Without the status of a full-time student, veterans could lose money tied to housing, books and other essentials.
As enrollment increases and classes are cut, the need for priority registration for veterans increases.
