Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions

Do I have to attend full-time?

You can take the number of courses that best fit into your schedule.

Is all the coursework online?

Veritas is 100% online. Internships, practicums, and student teaching can be done at local churches and schools; however, the reporting for those courses is all online.

How do the courses work?

You will have weekly deadlines, but you can watch the lectures and complete assignments at your own convenience within those weekly deadlines.

Will my credits from other institutions transfer to Veritas?

We will evaluate credits from accredited colleges and reputable non-accredited colleges. We will do a course-for-course transfer if possible, as long as the courses taken are in accordance with our transfer credit policy. Transferred courses that do not fit in our programs could potentially transfer as electives.

Undergraduate elective requirements are listed on the degree audit on Populi (which can be viewed once the applicant is accepted). Electives vary from program to program. For undergraduate students, half of your electives must come from ministry-related coursework (BI, TH, YM, CM, PT, MI or APOL), and the other half can come from other coursework. Graduate electives can be in any discipline.

Am I able to take courses at Veritas while I am pursuing my degree elsewhere?

Yes! You can apply as a non-program seeking student. We just need a completed application and applicable transcripts (high school for undergraduate and bachelor’s for graduate) to process your application for acceptance. Please keep in mind that non-program students do not qualify for Federal Aid.

What is the maximum amount of time I have to finish my degree?

We do not currently have a deadline for degree completion. Some students take just 1-2 courses at a time for their undergraduate degree. If you sit out for more than a year, you will need to reapply and come back under the most current catalog requirements. If you are using Federal Aid or military benefits, there may be stipulations for the minimum amount of credits you must be enrolled in each term.

Am I able to get my non-accredited degree accredited?

We do evaluate credits from non-accredited colleges. This process requires submitting transcripts, course syllabi, and teacher credentials. To receive an undergraduate degree, students must complete a minimum of 25% of the required credits at Veritas Baptist College.

Is Veritas regionally or nationally accredited?

VBC is nationally accredited through the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) which is approved by the Department of Education.

Although some states still make a distinction between national and regional accreditation, the Department of Education recommends that institutions not base transfer of credit on whether an institution is nationally or regionally accredited since the vetting process through the Department of Education is the same for both. Rather, the joint statement of ACCRAO, following the Department of Education’s published final regulations on November 1, 2019, suggests that approval of transfer credits be based on these considerations:

The educational quality of the acquired learning for which the student seeks credit
The comparability of the content, scope, and rigor of the acquired learning to that offered by the receiving institution
The appropriateness and applicability of the learning experience to the programs offered by the receiving institution, in light of the student’s educational goals (read AACRAO’s full statement here: https://tinyurl.com/mrzjbewu)

The transfer of credit policy at Veritas follows the above considerations.

Veritas cannot guarantee transfer of credit or acceptance of a degree to enter a degree program at a higher level at any other institution; however, our students have had a high rate of success in both transfer of credit and entrance into graduate programs at other Christian/Bible colleges.

Am I able to apply for a graduate program if my degree is from a non-accredited college?

We cannot make an official determination until we have official transcripts on file. Once we have the official transcript showing your conferred degree and can review completed coursework, we will determine if the non-accredited degree is sufficient for admission to our graduate department.

What is the enrollment agreement?

This is on your financial tab on Populi and must be signed each time you register for courses. There is one for each term/module, so you must go to “by term” and sign each enrollment agreement. The financial department carefully reviews each and every charge and will only post those charges that are applicable to the course(s) you are taking.

The enrollment agreement is not solely financial; it also requires that you adhere to the student handbook. Failure to sign the enrollment agreement will result in your being pulled from course(s).

Am I able to use family members as an academic reference?

With the exception of homeschool graduates, the academic reference should be a teacher who is familiar with your academic work. If you have not had formal education in several years, you can use a professional reference. (For pastors and Christian educators, this could be someone you serve with at church.) Homeschool graduates can use a parent.

Who do I use as a pastoral reference if my pastor is a relative?

You can use a youth leader, assistant pastor, deacon, or other church leader in your church.

If I have a copy of my transcripts, am I able to send them in?

In order for a transcript to be considered official, it must arrive to us directly from the college with an unbroken seal. Please have all transcripts emailed to office@vbc.edu if possible. We cannot accept transcripts from the student/applicant. Homeschool students must have an official transcript generated by a parent/guardian.

How do I get life experience credit?

Veritas will evaluate life experience for credit using an application process (undergraduate programs only). Read the requirements for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) in the catalog HERE. To officially apply for PLA click HERE.

Am I able to get college credit for my military service?

Yes. Please have your Joint Services Transcript (JST) sent to Veritas if you are/were Army, Navy, Marine, or Coast Guard. (The Air Force uses Air Force Community College transcripts.) We must have an official transcript in order to evaluate your military training for college credit. Here is the link to the JST request: https://jst.doded.mil/official.html

Since I filled out a scholarship application this current catalog year, do I need to resubmit a new one for this coming year?

Scholarships must be submitted annually. If you intend to apply for a scholarship, and have questions, please direct them to our Financial Aid department at finaid@vbc.edu. The deadline for scholarship submission is one week before each module. Click HERE to submit a scholarship application.

Scholarships that are submitted after the deadline will be applied to the next enrolled module.

Am I able to use Federal Aid while pursuing the Bible Certificate?

In order for an undergraduate student to use Federal Aid, the student must be enrolled in an associate or bachelor’s degree program.

Are books included in tuition?

You will acquire your books on your own. Typically, books can be purchased on Amazon, either used, new, or on Kindle. The amount you spend on books per course will vary.

What is the format of Veritas courses?

We have 3 terms each year: spring, summer and fall.

Within each of those terms are 3 separate modules. Module C spans the entire 16-week term (one week off for Thanksgiving/spring break), Module A is the first 8 weeks (no break) and Module B is the second 8 weeks (no break). The classes are different each term/module and you can register for one or all of the modules each term, but they all encompass the same term. You must register for each module separately.

Most of our graduate courses are 8-week courses. If you take just one class at a time, you can complete up to 6 classes per year. Some of our graduate courses (i.e., Research and Writing, biblical languages, and the thesis/internship) span the full 16-week term. In the 30-credit MMin, you complete ten 3-credit courses, so you can finish the degree in under two years, taking just one course at a time. The MBS is 20 courses, and the MDiv is 30 courses. The MCEd is 10 courses.

I have a question; who do I contact?

All classroom questions should begin with your instructor.

Financial questions should be directed to finaid@vbc.edu.

Program and registration questions should be directed to advising@vbc.edu.

Application questions should be addressed to office@vbc.edu.

Financial

How much does it cost to get my degree?

To see the cost of a degree based on current tuition and fees, go to https://vbc.edu/tuition-and-fees/.

What are tuition and fees for the current year?

Click HERE to view the current tuition and fees.

How does the payment plan work?

The payment plan is an option to break out tuition and fees into smaller, more manageable amounts. Click HERE to view the current payment plan.

What are the steps in the Financial Aid Process?

You can find a step-by-step guide to help you move through the Financial Aid Process at https://vbc.edu/financial-info/financial-aid-process/.

Since I filled out a scholarship application this current catalog year, do I need to resubmit a new one for this coming year?

Scholarships that are submitted after the deadline will be applied to the next enrolled module.

Am I able to use Federal Aid while pursuing the Bible Certificate?

In order for an undergraduate student to use Federal Aid, the student must be enrolled in an associate or bachelor’s degree program.

Are books included in tuition?

You will acquire your books on your own. Typically, books can be purchased on Amazon, either used, new, or on Kindle. The amount you spend on books per course will vary.

How do I get my registration lock removed?

Incoming students must complete orientation and check in with financial aid. If you are a current student, your first step each term is always getting financial clearance. Please complete the Financial Check-In Form to get cleared to register for the upcoming term. Your registration lock can be removed upon approval from the Finance Department (this is required EVERY term.).

How can I reset my password in Campus Ivy?

Reach out to FinAid@vbc.edu. Our Financial Aid Specialist will be happy to assist you.

I have a question; who do I contact?

All classroom questions should begin with your instructor.

Financial questions should be directed to finaid@vbc.edu.

Program and registration questions should be directed to advising@vbc.edu.

Application questions should be addressed to office@vbc.edu.

Student Advising

What is the maximum amount of time I have to finish my degree?

We do not currently have a deadline for degree completion. Some students take just 1-2 courses at a time for their undergraduate degree. If you sit out for more than a year, you will need to reapply and come back under the most current catalog requirements. If you are using Federal aid, or military benefits, there may be stipulations for the minimum amount of credits you must be enrolled in each term.

What is the enrollment agreement?

This is on your financial tab on Populi and must be signed each time you register for courses. There is one for each term/module, so you must go to “by term” and sign each enrollment agreement. The financial department carefully reviews each and every charge, and will only post those charges that are applicable to the course(s) you are taking.

The enrollment agreement is not solely financial; it also requires that you adhere to the student handbook. Failure to sign the enrollment agreement will result in your being pulled from course(s).

If I have a copy of my transcripts, can I send them in?

In order for a transcript to be considered official it must arrive to us directly from the college, with an unbroken seal. Please have all transcripts emailed to office@vbc.edu if possible. We cannot accept transcripts from the student/applicant. Homeschool students must have an official transcript generated by a parent/guardian.

How do I get life experience credit?

Can I get college credit for my military service?

Since I filled out a scholarship application this current catalog year, do I need to resubmit a new one for this coming year?

Scholarships that are submitted after the deadline will be applied to the next enrolled module.

How do I get a vbc.edu email account?

All students (with the exception of auditors) are given a school email account with acceptance. The email link expires after 48 hours. If you do not set up the account or need a password reset, reach out to office@vbc.edu, and someone will assist you. Once you have reset the password, you will go to Gmail and log in with your email address and whatever password you set up. You cannot re-click the initial email link to get to your inbox. (Your vbc.edu email can get you access to Amazon Prime at the student rate of $59 per year, which gives you free 1 and 2-day shipping on books and school supplies.)

Since Veritas is 100% online, how do I communicate with the college office and access my coursework?

We use Populi as our student information system (SIS). You will use Populi to register and maintain your financial account. Please keep all of your information updated (address, email, phone number etc). You will receive your Populi account information during the application process.

We use Canvas as our learning management system (LMS). You will use Canvas to access and submit all of your coursework. You will be able to log in to Canvas about an hour after you register for your courses in Populi.

You will access Canvas by going to vbc.instructure.com, clicking on “forgot password,” and typing in your vbc.edu email address. After you submit your address, you will receive a reset link with which you can choose a password for your account. You will log in to Canvas using your Populi username (NOT your email) and whatever password you set up.

How do I get my registration lock removed?

How do I get a student ID card?

Simply download the Populi app on your phone or smart device. Log in using Veritas Baptist College and your Populi username and password. Select ID card from the menu. (Please keep Populi updated with a current photo and your contact info. Often, your student ID can get you discounts at businesses who offer college students discounted rates.)

I did an internship at my church last year. Can that count as my Field Practicum?

The 1-credit Field Practicums are offered every semester. All undergraduate programs require at least one credit of Field Practicum. These can be taken each semester you are at Veritas. After you have fulfilled the required practicum(s), you can continue to take them as ministry-related electives. In these practicums, you get involved in an area of ministry within your local church during that semester. You do weekly reporting, a book review, and a 3-page paper at the end of the practicum. You cannot use past experience for the field practicums.

I have a mission trip coming up next term and will not be near the internet for 2 weeks. Can I turn in my work when I get back?

Mission trips and travel are not considered extenuating circumstances. You will not get extra time or early access to course modules. Once you have the syllabus, check the syllabus and see if the instructor allows late work to be submitted (with point deductions).

What if I need a course to graduate and the course is not being offered for 2 more years?

We offer the option to request an extension course for required courses. There are stipulations for these requests, but if approved, the course will be opened for up to 5 students on a first-come, first-serve basis. You cannot register for these courses on your own. Extension courses have an additional fee.

If you plan your course completion well, you can take your courses in the sequence that we offer them without needing an extension course.

If you desire to finish a MMin or MCEd in less than two years, we will waive extension course fees to accommodate your degree completion.

I believe that I am graduating, how do I get my diploma?

Veritas holds one commencement per year in the spring at Faith Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, VA. In your final semester, you must submit the petition to graduate. If your last term is the summer, fall, or spring, you will be part of the spring’s graduating class. (A student who completes his degree in summer 2022, for example, will be part of the 2023 graduating class.)

We highly encourage our graduates to attend the commencement exercises, but if you decide not to attend, we will mail your diploma to you after the graduation ceremony.

I have a question; who do I contact?

All classroom questions should begin with your instructor.

Financial questions should be directed to finaid@vbc.edu.

Program and registration questions should be directed to advising@vbc.edu.

Application questions should be addressed to office@vbc.edu.

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