What is Priority of Service?

Priority of service means that veterans and eligible spouses are given priority over non-covered persons for the receipt of employment, training, and placement services.

How do I know if I qualify for Priority of Service?

A veteran or eligible spouse of a veteran is eligible to receive priority of service if they meet one of the below requirements:

a)      a veteran who served on active duty in the armed forces for a period of less than or equal to 180 days, and who was discharged or released from such service under conditions other than dishonorable; OR

b)      a veteran who served on active duty for a period of more than 180 days and:

• Was discharged or released with other than a dishonorable discharge; OR
• Was discharged or released because of a service connected disability; OR
• Was a member of a reserve component under an order to active duty pursuant to section 12301 (a), (d), or (g), 12302, or 12304 of Title 10, U.S.C., served on active duty during a period of war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge is authorized and was discharged or released from such duty with other than a dishonorable discharge; OR

Note: Active service includes full-time Federal service in the National Guard or a Reserve component. Active Service does not include full-time duty performed strictly for training purposes (i.e. “weekend” or “annual” training), nor does it include full-time active duty performed by National Guard personnel who are mobilized by State rather than Federal authorities.

c)      the spouse of a veteran that meets one of the following qualifications below:

• The spouse of any veteran who died of a service-connected disability;
• The spouse of any member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who, at the time of application for priority of service, is listed in one or more of the following categories and has been so listed for a total of more than 90 days:
• Missing in action;
• Captured in the line of duty by a hostile force;
• Forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power
• The spouse of any veteran who has a total disability resulting from a service-connected disability, as evaluated by the Department of Veteran Affairs; or
• The spouse of any veteran who died while a disability was in existence

What should I do if I meet one of these qualifications?

If you are interested in a training or academic program, please inform the VU LTEC Academic Advisor so they can work to ensure you receive the priority you are entitled to.