Veteran education Archives

Military Connection: In-state Rates for Vets in N.J. By Debbie Gregory

December 26, 2014/in Archived Blogs

The New Jersey State Assembly passed legislation that benefits Veterans who are going back to college.

On December 18, 2014, Bill A-3967, titled the “New Jersey Tuition Equality for America’s Military (NJTEAM) Act” was passed by New Jersey’s State Assembly. The new legislation will require all public colleges and universities in the state to charge Veterans and their dependent children or spouse the in-state tuition rate, no matter where they are from.

To show exactly what a measure like this can mean for Veteran families, the basic tuition rates for undergrads attending Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, is $10,954 for in-state students and $25,732 for students who are not residents of New Jersey.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits will pay 100% of all in-state public school tuition, up to $20,235.02 per eligible year of their benefit at private or out of state schools. If the school does not offer, or the Veteran does not qualify for any other programs, a Veteran from another state would have to pay $5,496.98 per year out of their own pocket to attend Rutgers. This legislation rectifies that situation.

Some states already have similar measures in place. The Student Veterans of America (SVA) website shows all the states that have similar legislation in place. But there are also specific university systems across the country that run their own programs. For instance, all Veterans and dependents in California can apply for in-state tuition fee waivers at all University of California and California State University campuses. So be sure to check with your desired school to see what programs they offer, even if it isn’t legislated in your state.

MilitaryConnection.com would like to commend the state of New Jersey for implementing such necessary and valuable legislation that benefits Veterans and military families. One of the reasons that many Americans enlist in the U.S. military is to earn a college education. Measures like the NJTEAM Act afford Veterans the opportunity to use their hard-earned education benefits at more schools, and to achieve more of their post-military goals. There is no easier way for an entire nation to say “Thank you” to Veterans than by opening the doors of opportunity for them, allowing them to apply to the school of their choice, anywhere in the nation.

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: In-state Rates for Vets in N.J. By Debbie Gregory

Military Connection: Intern Program for Veterans: By Debbie Gregory

December 5, 2014/in Archived Blogs

Three years ago, the VA Acquisition Academy (VAAA) and its Acquisition Internship School began a program called the Warriors to Workforce (W2W) Program. The W2W Program was created to provide returning wounded Veterans with the opportunity to take their skills and experiences obtained through military service and apply them to a new professional field.

For the W2W Program, interns are hired as GS-1106 procurement technicians.

The W2W curriculum provides participants with the training needed to succeed in challenging careers as federal contract specialists. During the first year of the three-year program, interns complete 24 college credits in business courses. These classes and credits are required for entry into the contract specialist GS-1102 job series. Participants also take part in performance training and performance psychology.

After completion of the first year, interns convert to contract specialists in the Acquisition Intern Program, earning on the job training and experience. Upon successful completion of the program, interns are strategically positioned into the workforce, throughout the country, to meet the needs of VA contracting organizations.

The curriculum provides extensive technical and business skills training, advanced biofeedback work, mission service, and on-the-job rotations. The built-in support system and network mirrors the team environment and camaraderie that Veterans experienced in the military, easing the transition to the civilian professional world.

The W2W Program was launched in 2011 when 26 Veterans began their mission to become federal acquisition professionals through the program. Their mission was completed on Thursday, November 6^th, as they graduated and transitioned to full-time federal contract specialists.

With sponsorship from VA’s Office of Information and Technology, the program was expanded in 2013 for Veterans interested in a career in program management. Similar to the original program, the W2W the Program Management curriculum includes IT and foundation program management training. The first class will graduate in 2016.

Ideal candidates for these programs are military Veterans who have service-connected disabilities, and little-to-no post-high school education (e.g., no bachelor’s degree). Veterans interested in applying to the W2W Program can email vaaaw2w@va.gov or call 240-215-0561. Veterans with a bachelor’s or other advanced degree can apply for the VAAA’s two-year Acquisition Intern Program. For more information on the two-year program, email vaaainternshipschool@va.gov or call 240-215-0561.

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: Intern Program for Veterans: By Debbie Gregory

Military Connection: Retroactive Scholarships for Vets: By Joe Silva

December 1, 2014/in Archived Blogs

American’s take great pride in the Department of Veterans Affairs statistic claiming that over one million Veterans have gone to college or vocational training through the Post-9/11 GI Bill. While this data is accurate, it leads to the misconception that every Veteran is entitled to a free college education through the GI Bill. But, sadly, this is not so.

It’s true that the Post-9/11 GI Bill is the most complete and most generous Veteran education benefit to date. The most current GI Bill will cover the complete cost of tuition at a state college or university, or up to $20,235 in tuition per year at private schools. The benefit also pays recipients a housing allowance that is equal to BAH for E-5 with dependents for the zip code of the school, as well as a $1,000 per year stipend for books and supplies. The benefit is available for a total of 36 months to Veterans who have served since September 11, 2001.

But not every Veteran is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Also, the benefit does not pay for student loans already accrued. So, while 1 million Veterans and counting are reaping the rewards from a tremendously generous VA benefit, there are many, many more struggling with tuition payments and student loans.

The VA estimates that there are approximately 22 million Veterans in the U.S. There are also more than 1.3 million service members on active duty, and more than 850,000 members of the Reserves. Despite the fact that over 1 million Veterans have received free tuition, there are still over 20 million Veterans who may be in need of tuition assistance. Additionally, there are over 2 million service members between current active duty personnel and Reservists who may have student loans that won’t get paid by the GI Bill.

Veterans who are facing financial hardships due to uncovered tuition payments and student loans should research Leave No Veteran Behind (LNVB), a Chicago based nonprofit organization that offers Retroactive Scholarships to Veterans.

The LNVB Retroactive Scholarship is a highly sought after scholarship open to eligible Veterans who meet the criteria, which includes: the completion of a degree or vocational program, existing loans from a lending institution for education costs, and a letter explaining the financial or personal/family hardship that their education debt has created. LNVB scholarship recipients must also be willing to agree to complete 100-400 hours of community service.

Veterans interested applying for the LNVB Retroactive Scholarship should click here to apply.

Patriotic Americans and Veterans interested in contributing to the education of Veterans are invited to DONATE what they can.

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: Retroactive Scholarships for Vets: By Joe Silva

Military Connection: GI Bill is NOT for Schools: By Debbie Gregory

October 22, 2014/in Archived Blogs

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the most current and most generous continuation of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, originally enacted by the government in 1944. Since its 2009 inception, more than 1 million Veterans have used the Post-9/11 GI Bill to attend colleges, universities and trade schools. However, there has been growing concern that Veterans are not getting the education they deserve from the benefit they have earned.

But this time, it’s not the American public questioning the federal government about an insufficient offering. This time, it’s the federal government questioning the schools that are receiving the funds from the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The government wants to make sure that the schools are providing sufficient services to Veterans.

A July 30, 2014 report from the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on the GI Bill and for-profit schools shows just how seriously Washington is looking at Veteran education benefits. The main area of concern is the predatory behavior of some for-profit institutions, the lack of worth of some schools’ degree programs, and the increasing enrollment rates of GI Bill students that some of these schools are still managing to receive.

The study found that in the 2012-2013 academic year, eight of the top ten recipient schools were large, publicly traded companies that operate for-profit schools. These eight companies received a total of $2.9 billion in Post-9/11 GI Bill tuition money since the program began, including $975 million in 2012-2013, which accounted for 23% of the total GI Bill tuition money spent that year. Since 2009, the Veteran enrollment rate at private for-profit institutions has jumped from 23% to 31%, while Veteran enrollment at public and other not-for-profit schools has dropped from 62% to 50% over the same period.

There are many for-profit schools that go to great lengths to provide Veterans with a quality education. But there are plenty of GI Bill students who can’t finish their degree program within the time allotted by the GI Bill, despite being told by their admissions officer that their military experience would count as credit, allowing them to finish in time. There are also horror stories about the Veterans who have used their GI Bill to complete degree programs, only to find that employers and graduate schools won’t recognize a degree from that school, resulting in a worthless degree that was a waste of time, energy and GI Bill benefits.

Congressional legislators are hoping to eliminate situations like these. Again, not all for-profit schools are bad. But proactive measures are being put into place to ensure that the GI Bill benefits earned through military service are being put to use to benefit the Veteran, not the school.

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: GI Bill is NOT for Schools: By Debbie Gregory

Military Connection: Key to Civilian Employment: By Debbie Gregory

October 17, 2014/in Archived Blogs

Veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have a higher unemployment rate than the civilian population. You would think that the extensive military training and combat experience would help Veterans land jobs after they transition out of the military, but that just hasn’t been the case. Why is that?

Data from the 2012 American Community Survey points out one glaring statistic: Veterans are less educated than their peers. According to the survey, only 30% of Veterans aged 25-30 had completed an Associate’s Degree or higher, compared to 44% of non-Veterans of the same age group. The same survey found that a mere 5.7% of Veterans aged 25-30 had earned a bachelor’s degree in the higher paying fields such as science, technology, engineering or mathematics, compared to 10.4% of their non-Veteran peers.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill was designed to reverse this trend and fill the gap in education for Veterans, in order to help them compete for jobs. The 2012 survey might not yet reflect the impact of the new GI Bill that started began in 2009, as the initial Post-9/11 GI Bill students hadn’t yet graduated.

But the study found other data that is troubling and may not have been remedied by the upgraded education benefits. The problem is not that Veterans have not enrolled in college after the military; the problem could be that they aren’t graduating. According to the survey, 74% of Veterans had attended at least some college, compared to 68% of their non-veteran peers aged 25 to 30.

Veterans that want to see the unemployment rate diminish and find high-paying, meaningful employment need to stay in school and see their programs through to completion. The difference between having some college credits and having a degree will often times be the deciding factor in getting an interview and getting hired.

It is for these reasons that Veterans need to take their education seriously. Make a plan for your Post-9/11 GI Bill, and see it through to completion. It doesn’t matter if it’s an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, or a vocational certificate program; completing a course of study that prepares you for your next career is vital to your future employment.

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: Key to Civilian Employment: By Debbie Gregory

Military Connection: Accelerated Learning for Vets: By Debbie Gregory

September 20, 2014/in Archived Blogs

On September 10, 2014, the White House and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hosted a roundtable discussion, bringing together government, American industry, and education leaders. The topic of discussion was regarding how utilizing accelerated learning programs could help our nation’s military Veterans. The symposium was part of the White House’s Skills and Supplement Demand-Driven Training Initiative.

Accelerated learning is a non-traditional form of education that utilizes multiple learning styles in order to maximize learning effectiveness, and generate considerable advancements in skills and knowledge. Individuals, such as Veterans, who have had long gaps in their academic endeavors can pursue accelerated learning programs with a career or industry skills development focus in mind. Many accelerated learning programs that are currently available include accelerated certificate programs, apprenticeships, online courses and boot camps.

The VA is looking into using accelerated learning programs to enhance or replace traditional education programs for Veterans. During the initial period of exploration, the VA will focus on information technology programs due to the high demand for IT’s, optimizing Veterans’ chances for transitioning into successful careers.

The VA is attempting to develop a strategy that utilizes accelerated learning and tests its effectiveness for Veterans in projects over the next two years. In order to assist with formulating the program, collecting student data and evaluating its success, the VA will need to work in collaboration with educators and employers.

The White House and the VA plan to use the feedback provided at the roundtable discussion to maximize the effectiveness of the program.

Many Veterans and Veteran advocates have, for some time, been against the need for Veterans to go to college in order to use their benefits. Accelerated learning programs won’t likely get Veterans a degree, but they will eliminate the need for Veterans to spend several semesters taking classes simply for degree requirements in subjects that they will never need for their desired career. With a certification from an accelerated learning program, the VA hopes that Veterans will have a more direct route from the military to civilian employment.

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: Accelerated Learning for Vets: By Debbie Gregory

Military Connection: Army Activates New MOS: By Debbie Gregory

September 14, 2014/in Archived Blogs

On September 5, 2015, the U.S. Army activated its first Cyber Protection Brigade out of Fort Gordon, Georgia.

The Cyber Protection Brigade is expected to be made up of 20 Cyber Protection teams of approximately 39 people, each manned by a combination of soldiers and civilian contractors. The teams will conduct defensive cyberspace operations in support of Army and joint military missions under the U.S. Cyber Command.

The activation of the brigade represents a deeper investment from the Army in its cyberspace capabilities. The brigade is in the process of manning, equipping and training its teams in order to support its operations. Currently, the Army is actively pursuing efforts to fill the ranks of this selective new military occupational specialty, “Cyber Network Defender,” or 25D. Currently, there are more than 700 25D positions across the Army, and the MOS is open to experienced soldiers in the grades of staff sergeant to sergeant major.

The Office of the Chief of Signal accepts application packets from soldiers with backgrounds in information technology and information assurance, mostly at the staff sergeant level. There are also limited opportunities for sergeants first class and master sergeants. Soldiers aren’t required to have military experience in the field, but do need some education or verifiable experience.

Upon successful completion of training, members of the cyber protection teams will receive an additional skill identifier of E4.

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: Army Activates New MOS: By Debbie Gregory

Military Connection: Afraid of Veterans Double-dipping: By Joe Silva

September 9, 2014/in Archived Blogs

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is truly the most comprehensive education benefit that Veterans of the United States military have ever received. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will always provide the best deal that Veterans are going to get on education.

Several states, including Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Montana, New York, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming all have programs with varying eligibility for full and partial tuitions paid for military Veterans.

Veterans who reside in and wish to attend college in these states have had to choose between their state-offered benefit and the federally-funded Post-9/11 GI Bill. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), which oversees federal Veteran education benefits, has been operating under the policy that Veterans from these states need to spend all of their state benefits before being approved for federal benefits.

Veteran students from these states have also been allowed to sign a waiver that allows them to forego their rights to state benefits, in order to receive the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The advantage is that the Post-9/11 GI Bill not only pays tuition, but also offers a monthly allowance for housing, and a stipend of up to $1,000 per year for books and school supplies.

Apparently, the fear is that Veterans, many of whom served multiple deployments to combat zones and international hot-spots, might double-dip the system.

Several law makers are becoming privy to this unnecessary restriction and what it means for Veterans.

“It was not the intent of Congress to require Veteran students in a state like Illinois, which provides 100 percent tuition and fee coverage for eligible veterans, spouses, and children, to choose between their state benefits and the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits,” wrote Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, in a letter to the VA. “The requested waiver would marry the Post-9/11 GI Bill with Illinois’ state benefit programs.”

In his letter, Durbin asked the VA to grant Illinois and other states waivers, so that all the benefits can be used to help Veterans achieve a higher education.

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: Afraid of Veterans Double-dipping: By Joe Silva

Military Connection: Great News for GI Bill: By Debbie Gregory

August 15, 2014/in Archived Blogs

The recent passing of the VA reform bill is great news for Veteran students and military dependents who receive benefits! Along with improving VA healthcare and articulating measures to create more transparency and greater accountability within the VA, the $17 billion measure includes a provision that will have a huge impact for Veterans using their education benefits.

Currently, private and public schools are allowed to charge two separate tuition prices to their students. Most colleges and universities charge one price for students who are residents of the state where the school’s campus is located, and a higher rate for students who are residents from another state. Residency requirements are governed by state law, and differ around the country. But typically, anyone who can show proof (lease agreement, energy/water bill etc.) of living in a state for a minimum of one year can qualify for the in-state tuition rate.

Veterans who attempt to use their Post-9/11 GI Bill, or other Veteran education benefits, have faced challenges due to out-of-state tuition rates. Service members are stationed all over the world, and often move every few years. It is not uncommon for service members to move to entirely new locations when they separate, especially if their last duty station was outside of the 48 contiguous states. These Veterans, and those who want to attend a specific school due to their academic programs, are subjected to out-of-state tuition rates. Many Veterans and Veteran advocates argue, and rightfully so, that members of the military serve every state in the union.

Apparently, Congress agreed with the case made by the Veteran advocates, and have included provisions in the bill, on its way to the president, to make it easier for Veterans to receive in-state tuition rates.

Out-of-state tuition rates can make the yearly cost of tuition soar over the maximum paid by the benefit. The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays 100% of the tuition for in-state Veteran students attending a public school. The benefit is capped at just over $20, 000 for Veteran students attending a private school, or a school where they are considered a non-resident student.

While the legislation doesn’t mandate that all schools must grant Veterans the reduced rate, it does force their hands. The bill proposes to disapprove future benefits for all Veterans and their dependents at any public school that charges higher than in-state tuition rates to any Veteran who served more than 90 days active service, and separated less than three years before enrollment. Losing the Veteran tuition money from this benefit would cost schools an enormous amount of money.

There are already dozens of states and hundreds of individual institutions that have a history of only charging Veterans the in-state rate. Other schools and states claim that Congress is forcing them to take on extra expenses.

With the passing of the bill by Congress and with President Obama signing it into law on August 7, 2014, every public school will be subject to the federal legislation that will go into effect for school terms starting on or after July 1, 2015.

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: Great News for GI Bill: By Debbie Gregory

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

August 3, 2014/in Archived Blogs

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.