Office of Veterans Affairs UTSA Advisors Conference October

Office of Veterans Affairs UTSA Advisors Conference October 19, 2012 Brian Graybeal Director, VOTC John Westerbeck Coordinator, VOTC

Veterans Affairs Office • • Mission Overview Programs Transfer Benefits to Spouses/Dependents Needed inputs Processes that work well Opportunities to improve Veterans Outreach & Transition Center (VOTC)

Mission The mission of the Office of Veterans Affairs to assist all students attending an institution using educational benefits under Department of Veterans Affairs Educational Assistance Programs in the pursuit of educational goals.

Overview • Certifying student enrollment in approved courses, in their declared major, to the Department of Veterans Affairs, for receipt of benefits. • Reporting additions, reductions, and terminations in course certification and enrollment. • Notifying students of the impact resulting from these changes.

Overview (cont. ) • Preparing and submitting necessary documentation to the DVA regional offices within established time frames. • Paying T&Fs, procuring textbooks and other miscellaneous supplies for students receiving benefits under VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program; then, billing DVA for those costs. • Assisting students to register (VA handicapped, other special cases) via the Student Information System.

Overview (cont. ) • Referring students to appropriate school departments, and other agencies for resolution of personal, financial or other problems which could interfere with the achievement of their educational goals. • Administering the Texas Hazlewood Tuition and Fees Exemption Act Program for qualifying Texas veterans and the Hazlewood Legacy Program.

Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill • Individuals entering the military service on or after July 1, 1985 who have their basic military pay reduced by $100 per month for the first 12 months and have an honorable discharge. Persons on active duty may be eligible for benefits after they have served two years. Full time rate: $1, 564. 00 month

Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation • Training and rehabilitation for veterans with a service-connected disability with a rating of at least 20%. • Eligibility for benefits under this program are established by the Regional Office. They are located at 5788 Eckhert Road. Full time rate: $585. 11 (with no dependent) If also eligible for Ch 33: $1, 362. 00

Chapter 34/30 Chapter 34 (Old GI Bill) and Chapter 30 • Veterans who were eligible to receive Chapter 34 benefits on December 31, 1989 and who had remaining Chapter 34 benefits on that date. Individuals participating in this program are usually retired Viet Nam era veterans. Full time rate: $1, 788. 00 (with one dependent)

Chapter 35 – Survivors/Dependents Educational Assistance • Dependent(s) of a veteran who is 100% disabled or who has died from a service related injury or illness. A dependent may be a child under the age of 26 or a surviving spouse. Full time rate: $987. 00

Chapter 1606 - Montgomery GI Bill for Selective Reservists • Persons who have enlisted, reenlisted, or extended an enlistment in the Selected Reserve on or after July 1, 1985 and serve for a period of not less than 6 years following the date of such action. Full time rate: $356. 00

Chapter 1607 – Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) • Reservists/Guardsmen who served on active duty in support of a contingency operation for 90 consecutive days or more since September 11, 2001. Max full time rate: $1, 251. 20 (based on 2 yrs)

Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI BILL • Persons who served at least 90 days on active duty after September 11, 2001 receive 40% of benefit; 3 or more years receives 100%. Full time rate: T&F, $1, 362. 00 month and $1, 000. 00 year for books New term: Rate of pursuit

Hazlewood Exemption The Hazlewood Exemption is a state program for Texas veterans only, who have exhausted all other veteran educational benefits or if Chapter 33 benefits do not cover all of their tuition and fees. Full time rate: Exemption of all tuition and course related fees for 150 semester hours or unlimited CE courses (must be state formula funded)

Transferability of Benefits to Spouses/Dependent Children • Chapter 33 – new rules started August 1, 2009. – Up to 100 percent of benefits – Must have served at least 6 years and commit to 4 more years • Hazlewood Legacy Act – eligible veteran may transfer unused hours to a dependent child.

Input Needed to Perform Function Conference & workshop training. Timely evaluation of student transcript(s). Accurate e. Catalog and degree audit/plan. Class schedule; degree program; placement scores. • Weekly drop Report. • Third Party Billing report. • Book & supply billing statements • •

Who provides inputs • Students: benefit request; DD 214; mil trans. • Faculty: grade issues; substitution letters; ESW/PESW. • Staff: VPSS, Dean of Enrollment Mgmt. ; Admissions; Advising & Testing; Records & Registration; Counseling/Transfer Center; Academic Advisors; Financial Aid; Bursar; IT. • External: Bookstore. • Other: DVA; TVC; THECB; College President.

When Inputs Are Received • Daily: Student applications; questions concerning benefits; status requests. • Weekly: Drop Report. • Annually: Reporting fee checks from DVA ($12 per student); TVC audit of files. • Other: 3 rd party billings, student population statistics, & Academic Dismissal Information (once a semester); VA/TVC Inspections.

Processes That Work Well • Computer & telephone for student use in applying for benefits and doing monthly verification. • Student Responsibility Form signed by student. • Constant training of staff and work studies (conferences, workshops, in-house training). • Excellent web site. http: //utsa. edu/va/ • Veterans Day Salute.

Opportunities to Improve • Establish Student Veterans Association and a location where they can meet. • Establish a Veterans Resource Team. • Learn more about active duty support (TA, MYCAA); more collaboration with bases. • Create a Hall of Honor

Veterans Outreach & Transfer Center (VOTC)

VOTC Projected Renovation

VOTC Services • Offer a veteran-specific orientation to ease the initial transition into college and/or the workforce • Identify and assist veterans and dependents that are jobready upon separation • Direct veterans to education and training for skills upgrade • Provide counseling to assist in integration to civilian life • The center will provide assistance for all veterans and their dependents regardless of affiliation to an educational institution

VOTC - History • The building was constructed in 1915 as the Corinth Baptist Church and converted in 1948 to a hospital for African-Americans in response to segregation and the need for services. • The San Antonio City Council approved a partnership with the Alamo Community College District and St. Philip's College to renovate the underutilized historic Good Samaritan Hospital building and provide services to the community.

VOTC Projected Renovation

VOTC Projected Layout Design