The Wal-Mart Foundation has donated $100,000 to support student veteran programs at the University of Minnesota. Amelious Whyte, chief of staff in the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs and chair of the Veterans Advisory Committee, and Mary Koskan, director of One Stop Student Services, will coordinate how the grant funds are used, with input from Bryan Axelrod, co-president of the Student Veterans Association, Veterans Transition Center, who serves on the Veterans Advisory Committee. If you have suggestions on how the grant could be used, please contact Mary Koskan at 612-625-0160 or m-kosk@umn.edu.
Be aware that your courseload and academic progress will influence the amount of benefits you receive from the GI Bill and Chapter 35 programs, according to VA regulations described below.
If you are taking classes that are not scheduled for the entire semester (full term classes), please be aware that you may not be able to receive full-time benefits for the entire semester. Benefit payments are based of the amount of credits and length of the class. Becauses the DVA requires the Veterans Certification Office to submit only the official dates of the class, shorter or extended term classes may not be reported. To report short-term classes or for answers to your questions about the policy, please contact the Veterans Certification Office.
You must attend class and submit assigned work to maintain your educational benefits. Othewise, 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 USDVA also requires the University to report “N” grades that do not count toward your GPA or criteria for graduation requirements. If you receive an “N” in a class, you will be charged with an overpayment.
Before you cancel a class, go online to http://onestop.umn.edu/registration/change/index.html to understand the consequences of lowering your credit load. You may cancel or add a course online or come to one of the three One Stop Student Services centers on campus. Not attending a class or changing your enrollment could affect other financial aid that you receive.
You must also report your registration changes to the Veterans Certification Office to make sure that the DVA is informed of your change in credit load and you are informed of 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 as early as possible to learn about academic and tutoring resources that are available to you at the University. You may also apply for tutoring through the DVA. Please see us for more information.
The American flag waves at the dock of Flag Island Resort, a premier fishing and vacation resort on Lake of the Woods. The resort, on the Canadian border of Ontario, is offering special rates on lodging and fishing, (based on availability) for returning veterans and their families as a thank you for their service. Boat trips, outpost camping, swimming, guide service, fishing tournaments, sight-seeing and exploring are featured activities. Come, relax and enjoy some of the finest accommodations, home cooked meals, and fishing in the Midwest. Call 218-223-8011 or e-mail flagislandresort@wiktel.com.
If you will miss classes for short-term military leave or military training exercises (e. g., annual training for National Guard and Reserve members), please contact your instructors as soon as you become aware of your leave dates to make appropriate accommodations to fulfill your academic obligations. For further details please see the Policy on Makeup Work for Legitimate Absences at http://policy.umn.edu/groups/senate/documents/policy/makeupwork_pol.cfm.
If you have any questions or concerns about this policy, please contact the Veterans Certification Office.
You will receive an e-mail detailing the Post-911 GI Bill from the Veterans Certification Office as soon as the DVA provides the official word on processes, procedures, and guidelines. Stay up-to-date on the changing regulations and procedures by going frequently to the DVA Web site at http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm#CH33. Please feel free to contact our office if you have questions and we will try to answer them the best we can based on the information we have received at this point.
Financial aid staff are currently processing applications for spring 2009 Minnesota GI Bill. If you applied for fall 2008, your application for spring 2009 will be automatically reviewed. If you have not yet applied, you can do so at http://www.getreadyforcollege.org/gPg.cfm?PageID=1803&1534
If you apply for this benefit, you are also required to complete the 2008-2009 FAFSA, available oline at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
University student veterans reported high satisfaction with certification and resource support services they received from the Veterans Certification Office and the Veterans Resource Office located 200 Fraser Hall, according to the third annual survey in December by One Stop Student Services.
Student veterans reported a 97 percent customer satisfaction rating and 76 percent of student veterans found the processing time of their educational benefits with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to be very good or outstanding.
Student veterans gave positive comments:
“I am extremely happy with the veteran’s education professionals in the One Stop. I have every confidence in their ability to take care of soldiers and veterans alike.”
“The staff are extremely knowledgeable and friendly”; and, “The vets office does a fantastic job every time I need them.”
Forty-seven percent of the 441 student veterans contacted by e-mail completed the online survey. They responded to questions about veterans certification processing, resources, events, and other programs.
One student veteran who responded within the first week was chosen at random to receive an iPod Nano; two others received University sweatshirts during the second and third weeks of the survey.
To complete a survey or give comments or suggestions for improving services to student veterans, please contact us at veterans@umn.edu.
The University of Minnesota Veterans Student group has recently changed it’s name to the Student Veterans Association. Members will continue to meet in the Veterans Transition Center, 302 Wesbrook Hall, East Bank campu, 8 am - 6 pm, Monday - Fridays. Please watch for information on their new Web page coming soon.
University Veterans Services
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 onestop.umn.edu/onestop/Veterans.html. 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:
Certification—If you are a new, returning, transfer, or non-degree student, you can get all the information you need on how to apply for veterans education benefits. If you leave school for military duty, contact certification staff 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.eduResources—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 | Contact Us | ©2008 University of Minnesota
The Veterans Connection is a newsletter published each term by One Stop Student Services to provide information about veterans benefits and the resources the University provides to help student veterans receive those benefits. Please contact the University Veterans Services office with questions, concerns, or news for future issues by phone at 612-625-8076 or e-mail to veterans@umn.edu. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. This publication is available in alternative formats upon request.