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Getting the most out of your GI Bill® |
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Welcome to the March issue of your GI Bill Student newsletter! As we transition from winter and prepare for spring, VA is excited to share the latest news about your GI Bill benefits. For many, spring classes are in session. We encourage you to keep up the good work as you continue to pursue your educational goals. Don’t forget to celebrate all accomplishments, big or small. Whether it is finishing an assignment or polishing your resume, we applaud your effort to grow and learn!
March is Women’s History Month. This month and throughout the year, VA celebrates the accomplishments of women Veterans and Service members. Through their courage and accomplishments, women continue to make an impact during and after their military service. Learn more about the impact of women Veterans and how the VA supports them, through the Center for Women Veterans.
If you find this edition of the newsletter valuable, we hope that you will share it with other Veterans and GI Bill beneficiaries! Be sure to follow us on Facebook, and make sure you add Veteransbenefits@messages.va.gov to your contacts list to so that you don't miss important updates from us.
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Login.gov
Login.gov is a secure sign in service that can be used by Veterans to access their VA educational benefits on VA.gov. With just two pieces of information needed to securely sign in, Login.gov provides Veterans with easy access to their certificate of eligibility, payment information, verification of school enrollment and many other educational benefits tools.
Check out this VA News blog to learn more information about this simple sign-in solution.
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Women in STEM
Women Veterans continue to make positive strides in education, career and entrepreneurship, with many turning to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields for their career choices.
If you are currently studying an eligible STEM field, you may be eligible for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship, which provides up to nine months or $30,000, whichever occurs first in benefits once your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits run out.
For more information about STEM options for women Veterans, check out this VA News blog.
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Free educational and career counseling
If you’re eligible for VA education benefits, then you’re also eligible for Personalized Career Planning and Guidance, a free benefit that provides:
- Career counseling to help you decide which civilian or military jobs you want
- Educational counseling to help you find a training program or field of study
- Academic and adjustment counseling to help you address issues or barriers that get in the way of your success
- Resume support and goal planning
Visit our website to learn more and apply!
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Are you eligible for the GI Bill tutoring benefit?
If you’re having trouble in a required subject and need a tutor, you can be reimbursed by the GI Bill for up to $100 a month and a maximum of $1,200. You’re eligible if you’re attending at more than half-time. Full-time for an undergraduate student is typically 12 credit hours, while it will vary for graduate students. Find more information including how to apply on our website.
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Avoid delayed payments or debts: enrollment FAQs
Have questions about enrollment? Read these FAQs to make sure you don’t have any delayed payments or debts this term! They include:
- How can I be sure I’ll be able to use my benefits?
- Can I attend school while waiting for VA to make the payment?
- How will my benefits be charged for my education or training?
- What happens if I need to change classes or training?
- What if I fail a class or training?
- What if I need to change schools or programs?
- What if I need a copy of my Certificate of Eligibility/award letter?
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Remote jobs for Veterans
Veterans who are looking for the opportunity to work remotely, teleworking provides former Service members the chance to carry out their job responsibilities and explore new career choices. To learn more about remote jobs for Veterans, visit VA News.
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PACT Act scammers
There has been an increase in PACT Act scamming targeting Veterans to access their PACT Act benefits or submit claims on their behalf. Veterans have been encountering these scammers via email, phone and social media.
Please remember to be cautious of anyone who guarantees you a lucrative financial benefit or service. To report suspected fraudulent activity, please contact vaoighotline@va.gov or call (800) 488-8244. For more information, please read this blog on VA News.
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Fair Housing Act 55th anniversary
April 11, 2023, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. Passed in 1968, this Act was enacted to fix residential segregation by preventing individuals from marginalized communities from being discriminated against in the sale or rental of housing.
As some of you may be renting, purchasing or selling your home, the Fair Housing Act protects you and others from discrimination during various housing transactions. For more information regarding the Fair Housing Act please visit HUD.gov.
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A student succeeds with VET TEC
The Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) program matches Veterans with leading training providers to help develop high-tech skills.
While studying for a cybersecurity certification, VET TEC student Nathan Payne worked with PocketPrep, an Employer Consortium partner. With test study assistance from PocketPrep, Nathan was able to pass a needed certification to complete his training. We’re excited to share Nathan’s success in using VET TEC benefits and receiving assistance from an Employer Consortium partner to advance in his career. Watch his story here. If you’d like the opportunity to be featured as a success story, please email the Digital Engagement team.
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A better GI Bill experience with Enrollment Manager
March 6, 2023, School Certifying Officials (SCOs) at your institution received access to Enrollment Manager, an intuitive and user-friendly system that will make certifying GI Bill student enrollments a smoother process.
With Enrollment Manager, SCOs will be able to spend less time on manual work and more time helping you in your GI Bill Journey. This is a key milestone in the GI Bill’s history, as we are continuing to modernize outdated systems through the Digital GI Bill initiative. Interested in learning more about the new system? Check out the Enrollment Manager video.
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Introducing online enrollment verification
Post-9/11 GI Bill students who receive monthly housing allowance and/or kicker payments can now verify their enrollment online at VA.gov, in addition to the text or email methods.
This provides you with another convenient option to verify your enrollment each month. If you are opted into email or text and your enrollment verification link expires, you can utilize online verification instead of calling the Education Call Center to verify.
You will need to log on to VA.gov using your verified account through ID.me or Login.gov to verify your enrollment online. Learn more about how to verify using the different options, by visiting the Enrollment Verification website.
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VA's modernization efforts simplify TOE applications
Thanks to Digital GI Bill, the Post-9/11 GI Bill application process is simpler than ever for Transfer of Entitlement (TOE) applicants. Family members and dependents may* now experience a more intuitive and user-friendly application process on VA.gov, including:
- Pre-filled personal and sponsor information
- Direct Deposit information (if applicable)
- A streamlined application with less questions
Before applying on VA.gov, TOE applicants will need to have their transferred benefits approved by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Have questions about your benefits? Learn more here: https://www.va.gov/education/transfer-post-9-11-gi-bill
*This is applicable to those with a verified account through ID.me or Login.gov
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Do you have a question or concern about your benefits? Contact us safely and securely with Ask VA!
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If you know a Veteran who is in crisis,
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