Military Connection: Have You Used These VA Tools? By Debbie Gregory

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is working harder than ever to provide Veterans with the resources needed to succeed in their post-military careers. Currently, there are programs and benefits available to Veterans and service members so that they can be competitive in their desired educational program, find sustainable employment, and smoothly transition into civilian life.

The VA recently revamped their GI Bill website, with additional tools to aid Veterans and their dependents choose their educational paths. The most notable addition is The GI Bill Comparison Tool. This useful table provides users with GI Bill information about their potential schools, including eligibility, tuition costs, monthly housing allowance payments and stipend amounts. Additional information is provided regarding the schools’ participation in Veteran programs, as well as how many GI Bill students used their benefits at those schools within the last year, graduation rates, and student borrowing rates.

The VA is also increasing its efforts to better assist Veterans with service-connected disabilities through its Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program. This program helps service-disabled Veterans obtain job training, find jobs *****or***** start their own businesses, and it provides independent living services to help them overcome barriers to work situations.

From the GI Bill Comparison Tools’ page, Veterans have instant access to all of this information, and also links to  CareerScope, the Decision Guide for choosing a school, Education and Career counseling, the Career Center, and a direct link to apply for GI Bill Benefits. These easy-access, highly informative tools make the VA’s GI Bill website a must-have on every Veteran’s favorites tab.

This article could not be written without the effort, dedication and hard work of Rosye Cloud and her staff at the VA. Ms. Cloud is the Senior Advisor for Veteran Employment for the Veterans Benefits Administration’s Office of Economic Opportunity. She is also a contributor to the VA’s blog, VAntage Point.

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.

Military Connection: Have You Used These VA Tools? By Debbie Gregory