Do you need to complete an internship? Will you be interning during the spring 2010 or summer 2010?
Financial grants from the Walmart Foundation that will fund internships for student veterans and service members during 2009–2010 are available. Grants of up to $1,800 will be awarded to qualified applicants for spring and summer terms until the funding is no longer available.Grant preference will be given to students engaged in unpaid internships, although paid internships that pay less than $1,800 throughout the semester will also be considered.
If you are selected, please note that the grant will be paid as earned income and will be taxed based on the information you provide on a W-2 form. (Look for a change to this requirement that will be announced on the One Stop Veterans Web site shortly.)
All application materials must be submitted via e-mail to veterans@umn.edu no later than 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, on the following term dates:
Spring 2010 semester: February 10, 2010
May/summer 2010 term: June 9, 2010
For more information and the application, go to onestop.umn.edu/veterans/gift_aid.html. If you have questions or concerns in completing the application, please e-mail the Veterans Certification Office at veterans@umn.edu.
You may be eligible to receive an authorized advance education payment of up to $3,000:
—if you have applied for VA educational benefits and have not yet received your monthly education payment.
—for the veterans housing allowance only
To be eligible, you must be currently enrolled in school under one of the following VA education programs:
• Chapter 33-Post-9/11 GI Bill
• Chapter 30-Montgomery GI Bill
• Chapter 1606 - Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve
• Chapter 1607 - Reserve Education Assistance Program
Emergency advance payments, which began October 2, are available for pickup at any of DVA’s 57 regional offices. Before you go to the regional DVA office to claim your payment, come to the Veterans Certification Office in 200 Fraser Hall to obtain the documentation you will need.
To claim the advance, you must also bring:
1) a government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license, military ID), and
2) proof of enrollment in school.
You will be required to sign for the payment upon receipt. The location nearest the University of Minnesota to pick up this payment is:
Veterans Benefits Administration
St. Paul Regional Office
1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling
St. Paul, MN 55111-4050
Phone: 800-827-1000
If you have questions or concerns, contact the Veterans Certification Office in person at 200 Fraser Hall, by e-mail to veterans@umn.edu, or by phone 612-625-8076.
If you are currently using or waiting for Chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, please note these updates and/or reminders:
1. If you are currently receiving this benefit, you are not required to verify your enrollment at the end of each month. Your payment will come automatically. You do not need to login to the WAVE or call the DVA.
2. Your veterans tuition payment is paid directly to your University student account to pay your tuition charges. If your account charges have been paid—partially or in full—by other financial aid, you are entitled to keep any remaining credit balance funds. The credit balance will be deposited directly into your bank checking or saving account. If you haven’t already done so, please be sure to sign up for direct deposit through UM Pay (onestop.asr.umn.edu/finances/student_account/credit_balance_checks_and_direct_deposit.html).
3. A hold on your student account prevents any changes to your enrollment. If you need to withdraw from a class, contact the Veterans Certification Office to remove the hold. The DVA requires us to report all changes in enrollment.
If you have not yet applied for the Minnesota GI Bill, please do so as soon as possible. You must complete the online application (only online forms are available). If you have already submitted your application, please be assured that it will be processed it as quickly as possible after the second week of each term (September 22 for fall 2009 and February 2 for spring term 2010). That time line requirement,along with changes in financial aid and GI Bill benefits, have increased processing time. You will receive an e-mail notice when processing is completed. If you receive funding, the amount will be credited to your student account. Please monitor your University e-mail and respond quickly to any additional documentation requests.
You must attend class and submit assigned work to receive GI Bill and Chapter 35 benefits, according to USDVA regulations. If you receive an “F” in a class for not attending or not submitting assignments, you may have to repay your veterans education benefits. The DVA also requires the University to report “N” grades that do not count toward your grade point average (GPA) or criteria for graduation requirements. If you receive an “N” in a class, you will be charged with an overpayment.
Not attending a class or reporting a registration change could also impact other financial aid that you receive. Before you cancel a class, go online to the One Stop Change Registration page to understand the consequences of lowering your credit load. You may cancel or add a class online or come to one of the three One Stop Student Services centers on campus. You are required to report your enrollment changes to the Veterans Certification Office to ensure that the VA is informed of the change in your credit load and you understand how it might affect your benefits status.
If you are facing challenges in your classes or you have any questions about the cancel/add process, please contact the Veterans Certification Office in 200 Fraser Hall as early as possible to learn about academic and tutoring resources available to you at the University and/or the DVA.
Disability Services staff offer free, confidential services to all University students, staff, and faculty who have conditions that are disabling. We facilitate reasonable accommodations for a wide variety of conditions (physical, learning, attentional, and mental health). You are welcome to meet with a walk-in specialist for a short conversation or to schedule an hour-long appointment.
A Disability Services specialist will assist you with obtaining documentation and determining reasonable accommodations. Accommodations are modifications that are designed to level the playing field and give you an equal opportunity to be successful.
Accommodations are based on documentation and may include extended time to complete exams, a quiet room for testing, note-taking assistance, or converting print materials to an alternate format. We also work with students on coordinating services with other campus offices, as well as outside agencies.
For weekday walk-in hours and additional information visit the Disability Services Web site at http://www.ds.umn.edu. You can also contact our office by calling 612-626-1333 or sending us an e-mail at ds@umn.edu.
If you are receiving VA educational benefits at the University of Minnesota, you may make payments throughout the term without paying a late fee penalty. You will not be charged a late fee on your account and tuition will be due during the term when the final living stipend/BAH payment comes in (the first week of January). You will have a hold placed on your student account, which indicates that you have an account balance. Before you register for the term, you will need to see the Veterans Certification Office. Veterans office staff are able to temporarily remove the hold for a few days so that you can register.
The University has many resources related to veterans education benefits and a wide range of other benefit programs for military members, veterans, and their families. All of these programs are described online at the One Stop Veterans Web site. If you would like to have your concerns addressed in person, student veterans services are located in the One Stop Student Services Center in 200 Fraser Hall, as follows:
Veterans certification
If you are a new, returning, transfer, or non-degree student the Veterans Certification Office has the information you need on how to apply for veterans education benefits. Certification staff can help you with any questions about military activation procedures and your return after your service is completed.
• Phone: 612-625-8076
• Fax: 612-625-3002
• E-mail: veterans@umn.eduVeterans resources
Contact the Veterans Resource Office to access resources and individualized assistance related to medical benefits, employment, family assistance, transition issues, and additional veterans benefits and programs.
• Phone: 612-625-7620
• Fax: 612-625-3002
• E-mail: bauer333@umn.edu
One Stop | ©2008 University of Minnesota
The Veterans Connection is published each term by One Stop Student Services to provide information about veterans benefits and the resources the University provides to help veterans receive those benefits. Please contact University Veterans Services with questions, concerns, or news for future issues. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. 2009©University of Minnesota.