American University Veterans Services

10/27/2021

The American University Military Connected Club is hosting a spooky season social this Friday! This is an opportunity to meet the club's e-board and mingle with other military-connected students. Oh, and did we mention that there will be snacks? Find the event details below and RSVP by following this link! https://american.campuslabs.com/engage/event/7519296

Date and Time: Friday, October 29 2021 at 7:00 PM EDT to 10:00 PM EDT

Location: Veterans' Lounge
200 Asbury Building South Wing Rm. 201, Washington, DC

The American University Military Connected Club is hosting a spooky season social this Friday! This is an opportunity to meet the club's e-board and mingle with other military-connected students. Oh, and did we mention that there will be snacks? Find the event details below and RSVP by following this link! https://american.campuslabs.com/engage/event/7519296

Date and Time: Friday, October 29 2021 at 7:00 PM EDT to 10:00 PM EDT

Location: Veterans' Lounge
200 Asbury Building South Wing Rm. 201, Washington, DC

10/26/2021

National Day of the Deployed honors all of the brave men and woman who have been deployed, are sacrificing, or have sacrificed their lives to defend our country. The day also acknowledges their families, who are separated from them during deployment, and the sacrifices they make in order for their family members to serve our country.

Here are a few way to observe this day and honor the men and women serving us:

Ways to honor Service Members:

Send cards and letters to thank our troops stationed overseas. A simple letter of gratitude is one of the easiest ways to honor our deployed soldiers, and the impact a sincere letter makes is truly immeasurable. Include your children by having them draw pictures and write letters too.
Mail a care package to a deployed service member. You can personalize the package with specific favorites such as sweets, snacks, drinks, magazines, movies, books, etc., and do not be afraid to decorate the box too.
Give prepaid calling cards. Send prepaid calling cards to deployed troops so they are able to call home without worrying about the financial aspect.
Ways to honor Military Families:

Buy a deployed troop’s family groceries or a special treat. Show your support to the family of a deployed troop by delivering groceries or a special treat. Even a small gesture like a pack of cookies will show your admiration for the family during this time.
Babysit for a military spouse. As the spouse of a deployed troop, it can be hard to function in the role of both parents. Help fill that gap by stepping in to babysit, and this will allow the military spouse time to run errands, perform certain chores, or simply have time alone.
Ways to bring Awareness to Deployed Troops:

Make a donation to a military support organization. Hundreds of military support organizations have been created to assist military families and veterans, and you can honor our deployed troops by making a financial donation or volunteering at a worthy organization.
Display a yellow ribbon. Yellow ribbons are a symbol of our military troops, and displaying your p***c support of our deployed troops is certainly a way to honor them.

Source

10/25/2021

Photo 1: October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month

Photo 2: Did you know that the VA has a program that provides services to Biological children of Vietnam Veterans diagnosed with spina bifida, including all forms of spina bifida except spina bifida occulta?

Photo 3: Have you heard of the VA's VA’s Benefits for Certain Children with Disabilities Born of Vietnam and Certain Korea Service Veterans (Chapter 18) program?

Photo 4: The Chapter 18 program provides services to enable eligible individuals achieve a vocational goal and gain skills needed for entry into a suitable occupation.

Photo 5: Children and adults with Spina Bifida are at an increased risk of experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. #WorldMentalHealthDay

For more information on the Benefits for Certain Children with Disabilities Born of Vietnam and Certain Korea Service Veterans (Chapter 18) program, please visit the following website: https://www.benefits.va.gov/VOCREHAB/Ben_for_Children_with_Disabilities_Chapter_18.asp

Photo 1: October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month

Photo 2: Did you know that the VA has a program that provides services to Biological children of Vietnam Veterans diagnosed with spina bifida, including all forms of spina bifida except spina bifida occulta?

Photo 3: Have you heard of the VA's VA’s Benefits for Certain Children with Disabilities Born of Vietnam and Certain Korea Service Veterans (Chapter 18) program?

Photo 4: The Chapter 18 program provides services to enable eligible individuals achieve a vocational goal and gain skills needed for entry into a suitable occupation.

Photo 5: Children and adults with Spina Bifida are at an increased risk of experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. #WorldMentalHealthDay

For more information on the Benefits for Certain Children with Disabilities Born of Vietnam and Certain Korea Service Veterans (Chapter 18) program, please visit the following website: https://www.benefits.va.gov/VOCREHAB/Ben_for_Children_with_Disabilities_Chapter_18.asp

10/21/2021

HERstory | 24 Years of MWM | Military Women's Memorial

24 Years of the Military Women's War Memorial!

This event is virtual :)

Description of the event: Staying true to our mission, our signature program HERstory explores the lived experiences of women veterans throughout American history. Each month, MWM Phyllis Wilson hosts a new episode with a new story.

This month, Phyllis sits down with our very own Marilla Cushman, Senior Advisor to the President. Marilla shares her story of her years of service in the Army, her part in the popular “Be All You Can Be” advertising campaign and how Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught recruited her to work at the Military Women’s Memorial. Phyllis and Marilla also discuss our 24 years of telling HERstory.

https://womensmemorial.org/index.php/program/herstory-7-2021-10-14/

Staying true to our mission, our signature program HERstory explores the lived experiences of women veterans throughout American history. Each month, MWM Phyllis Wilson hosts a new episode with a new story.

10/21/2021

Topic: VRE & ME
Description: The VA's Veteran Readiness & Employment program is an excellent benefit for Veterans with disabilities looking to obtain and maintain employment. This can include transitioning into a new career field for a variety of reasons but the end goal is always employment. This session will help you prepare to apply, understand the working relationship, be successful using the program, and how PVA can assist. Join me as I walk through the process to help you get the most out of your VR&E experience.
Time: Oct 26, 2021 04:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Link to event details: https://www.va.gov/outreach-and-events/events/veterans-career-live-vre-and-me/

Topic: VRE & ME
Description: The VA's Veteran Readiness & Employment program is an excellent benefit for Veterans with disabilities looking to obtain and maintain employment. This can include transitioning into a new career field for a variety of reasons but the end goal is always employment. This session will help you prepare to apply, understand the working relationship, be successful using the program, and how PVA can assist. Join me as I walk through the process to help you get the most out of your VR&E experience.
Time: Oct 26, 2021 04:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Link to event details: https://www.va.gov/outreach-and-events/events/veterans-career-live-vre-and-me/

10/20/2021

American University Veterans Services Office would like to recognize the hardworking staff of the American University Financial Aid Office and other staff members who work tirelessly to ensure that students are able to fund their education at American University.

Check out a brief history of Financial Aid Day below!

Celebrated each year on the third Wednesday in October, Financial Aid Day (FAD) is a special day set aside to celebrate and recognize the contribution of all financial aid professionals across the United States for helping students make their college-going dreams a reality. On FAD colleagues are encouraged to do something special — have an office party, a potluck, a toast, etc. — to celebrate financial aid administrators' contributions to the profession.

@americanuniversity

American University Veterans Services Office would like to recognize the hardworking staff of the American University Financial Aid Office and other staff members who work tirelessly to ensure that students are able to fund their education at American University.

Check out a brief history of Financial Aid Day below!

Celebrated each year on the third Wednesday in October, Financial Aid Day (FAD) is a special day set aside to celebrate and recognize the contribution of all financial aid professionals across the United States for helping students make their college-going dreams a reality. On FAD colleagues are encouraged to do something special — have an office party, a potluck, a toast, etc. — to celebrate financial aid administrators' contributions to the profession.

@americanuniversity

10/19/2021

From Military to College: Advice from a Veteran

Have you visited the [email protected] website? Not only do they publish a lot of great information for American University students, but they also have several articles and resources that are specifically for Veteran and military-affiliated students.

Here is a link to a great video from a student Veteran attending Colorado State University who talks about his experience navigating the college experience as a Veteran.

Enjoy!

From Military to College: Advice from a Veteran

Have you visited the [email protected] website? Not only do they publish a lot of great information for American University students, but they also have several articles and resources that are specifically for Veteran and military-affiliated students.

Here is a link to a great video from a student Veteran attending Colorado State University who talks about his experience navigating the college experience as a Veteran.

Enjoy!

10/18/2021

Orientation Session: Veteran Services

Promoting Registration Readiness! Have you watched our office's orientation session yet? It has a lot of great tips for navigating your VA Education Benefits at American University!

https://youtu.be/NW8DqPlDLLg

10/18/2021

Financial restrictions for Spring 2022 registrations have been added to student accounts as of October 18, 2021. Please refer to emails sent to you the week of October 10th by the Veterans Services Team to determine if this financial restriction will be lifted due to pending VA benefits or if further action needs to be taken to remove the stop.

Please be advised that if we notified you of pending VA benefits, we will lift the financial restriction on your account 2 days before your priority registration date to prevent any delays in registration if this additional payment has not yet arrived.

Please continue to review Eagle Service to verify receipt of VA funding. Thank you!

https://www.american.edu/veterans/au-annoucements-and-updates-for-va-benefits.cfm

10/18/2021

Event: LinkedIn: Best Practices for Military and Veteran Job Seekers

When: Friday, October 22, 2021 from 2:30pm – 3:30pm (EST)

Event Description: Join the American University Military Connected Club (AUMCC) for a one-hour session on LinkedIn Best Practices for military job seekers. The session will be led by Calvin Jensen of the Student Veterans of America.

Zoom Link: You can find the Zoom meeting information on the American University Military Connected Club website!

https://www.aumcc.org/event/linkedin-learning-best-practices-and-tips-for-military-job-seekers/

10/13/2021

Happy Birthday U.S. Navy!!

Happy Birthday U.S. Navy!!

10/12/2021

As National Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, American University Veterans Services would like to uplift Hispanic voices by sharing these stories of distinguished Hispanic Servicemembers from the history of the United States Armed Forces.

10/07/2021

Veterans Benefits Newsletter | October 2021

Have you read the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Newsletter? It has a lot of great information about navigating your Veterans benefits and more!

You can subscribe to their monthly newsletter by visiting https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/news.asp

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVAVBA/bulletins/2f5540e

Veterans Benefits Newsletter | October 2021 Veterans Benefits Administration sent this bulletin at 10/07/2021 10:00 AM EDT Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a web page. Veterans Benefits Newsletter October 2021 File a Claim for Your Disability Benefits Interested in learning more about y...

10/06/2021

Public Service Announcement! The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Education Call Center is very busy during the first week of each month. But, don't worry! Your American University Veterans Services Team is here to answer your questions and concerns about pending VA benefit payments.

With this being the first of the month, please note that you may experience longer than expected wait times when trying to contact VA’s Education Call Center. We receive a high volume of calls during the first week of each month. The average wait time can be a few minutes up to an hour. The majority of calls we receive are for payment related issues.

Please remember that your Monthly Housing Allowance may be deposited anytime during the first week of the month.

VA works claims in the order they are received. Our goal is complete original claims in 24 days from date we receive your application, unless additional information is required. Our goal to complete supplemental claims is 12 days from date of receipt of your enrollment certification from your school.

***REMEMBER*** Post-9/11 GI Bill® students attending terms at Non-College Degree facilities which started on or after August 1, 2021 and who receive a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) and/or kicker payments are now required to verify enrollment on a monthly basis. You also no longer need to verify your enrollment by calling the Education Call Center. If you are in a serious financial hardship situation, please contact us at 1-888-GIBILL-1. You can also submit your question(s) to https://gibill.custhelp.va.gov/ .

10/01/2021

Students who are serving on active duty, joining the Armed Forces, or authorized to wear military uniforms may wear formal dress uniforms in lieu of rental regalia. Since tickets will not be distributed to students who do not purchase regalia, you must complete the Armed Forces Form to notify the commencement team in order to qualify for commencement ceremony tickets and a parking pass. https://american.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cFUiCy6DML6RPM1

Students who are serving on active duty, joining the Armed Forces, or authorized to wear military uniforms may wear formal dress uniforms in lieu of rental regalia. Since tickets will not be distributed to students who do not purchase regalia, you must complete the Armed Forces Form to notify the commencement team in order to qualify for commencement ceremony tickets and a parking pass. https://american.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cFUiCy6DML6RPM1

09/24/2021

Have you still not received your VA education benefit payment? Take a look at these helpful FAQs to better understand the schedule of payments concerning your VA education benefits. 😊

09/18/2021

09/13/2021

For more information concerning the VA's required dual certification process, please visit:

https://www.american.edu/veterans/certification-process.cfm

For more information concerning the VA's required dual certification process, please visit:

https://www.american.edu/veterans/certification-process.cfm

09/11/2021

On this Patriot Day and National Day of Prayer and Remembrance, 20 years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, we pause to remember and honor those lives lost and those who risked their lives to help others in need.

On this Patriot Day and National Day of Prayer and Remembrance, 20 years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, we pause to remember and honor those lives lost and those who risked their lives to help others in need.

09/09/2021

Are you a Veteran who is enrolled in the VA health care program? Do you still need to waive your student health insurance fee? Then, follow these 5 easy steps to get your "Proof of Minimum Essential Coverage" benefits letter.

Step 1: Log in to "My VA" on the VA.gov website.
Step 2: Select "Records" from the "VA Benefits and Health Care" drop down menu.
Step 3: Select "Get your VA benefit letters" then select the "View Letters" button
Step 4: Select "Proof of Minimum Essential Coverage Letter"
Step 5: Click "Download Letter". Now you are ready to upload your proof of minimum essential coverage letter to the Student Health Portal and submit a health insurance waiver.