WELCOME STUDENT VETERANS!
2014-2015
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Table of contents
WELCOME LETTER……….………..2
CHECKLIST FOR NEW UMBC VETERANS……….………..3
VETS 2 VETS…….……….……….………….4
COMMUNITY INFORMATION………..5
SUCCEEDING AT UMBC……….………6
SCHOLARSHIP NFORMATION………..……….7
F.A.Qs……….8-10
CAMPUS MAP………...11
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Greetings,
It is an honor to welcome you to UMBC. My colleagues and I are
delighted that you are joining this academic community, and we are
confident that the skills and experiences that brought you to this
point will serve you well as you continue making progress toward
your goals. Your record of military service speaks to your work
ethic, your sense of discipline, and your commitment to service.
These qualities will help you as you pursue your degree and explore
the range of opportunities available to you as a student here.
This guide contains information about UMBC, the local community,
and many of the resources that are available to you. It should serve
as a useful starting point if you have questions or need support. Our
goal is to make sure you and your fellow students are successful.
Once again, welcome to UMBC. We are grateful for your service and
look forward to seeing what you will accomplish next.
Sincerely,
Freeman A. Hrabowski, III
President
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Checklist for new UMBC Veterans
Registrar’s Office (your first stop)
Stop by the Registrar’s office or call them to submit a Letter of Eligibility and Semester
Certification Request and begin your paperwork if you have educational benefits. This
certification needs to be completed each semester in order to receive your benefits.
Afterwards, the Registrar will start your paperwork for your housing allowance (BAH)
and book stipend.
The Registrar also completes paperwork for your exemption for the Physical Education
Requirement at UMBC, so be sure to ask about your exemption.
Active Duty, Reservist, Vocational Rehab, or Dependents, should be sure to also ask the
Registrar about each of these specific conditions, as there are additional procedures you
must complete.
If you are using your GI Bill benefit for the first time:
o
You will need to apply for your benefit through the Department of Veterans
Affairs website at
www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/
. Click on the “Apply for Benefits”
tab located in the middle of the page and log into VONAPP; this is where you will
fill out and submit electronically the “Application for VA Educational
Benefits”.
o
All veterans use VA form 22-1990
If you are transferring to UMBC from another college or university:
o
Go to
www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/
log into VONAPP and fill out VA form 22-1995
If you are unsure of which benefit you are entitled to:
o
Go to
www.benefits.va.gov
or contact
Olayta Rigsby, Veterans Affairs Analyst at
Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC)
for assistance in determining
your education benefits, and how to apply for them at (410) 767-3067.
Off-Campus Student Services (home of Veteran Student Life)
If you have questions about classes, advising, or how to get connected, Off-Campus
Student Services (OCSS) can provide answers to all of this.
OCSS hosts the Vets2Vets program that offers social, career, and academic programs for
veterans at UMBC. Be sure to check our website for upcoming events at
www.umbc.edu/ocss
and join our Veterans Facebook Group.
Once you have registered for classes, OCSS is your main point of contact for any
questions you have while you are at UMBC.
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VETS 2 VETS
Vets 2 Vets is a program designed to foster a sense of community for those who
may be having similar experiences as student veterans. The group offers social
networking opportunities, special events, workshops, and volunteer mentors to
support students as they transition from "service member to student'. Some of
the unique offerings for student veterans this year include lunch time chats with
veterans in the Baltimore/DC greater metropolitan area who have insights on how
to successfully transition from the military into a career, financial planners who
are aware of the unique financial challenges that transitioning service members
face when going from the military to student to employee, and much more. Vets
2 Vets is one of many ways that UMBC thanks you for your service! To get
involved email Melvin Green Jr. at
[email protected]
with Vets 2 Vets in the
subject line.
VETERAN PEER MENTORS
The veteran peer mentor program is established to aid in the transition to life as a
college student. By pairing experienced veteran students with incoming veterans,
new students will have assistance from someone who understands their
challenges as they enter life at UMBC. Veteran Peer Mentors aid in every aspect
of student life to include selecting majors and classes, translating their military
skills to civilian resumes, obtaining counseling, identifying job leads, and
navigating the campus. To find out more about this program email Ben Goldberg
at
[email protected]
with Veteran Peer Mentor in the subject line.
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COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Baltimore Regional Office
31 Hopkins Plaza
Baltimore, MD 21201
800-827-1000
Baltimore Vet Center
1777 Reisterstown Road, Suite 199
Baltimore, MD 21208
410-764-9400
Silver Spring Vet Center
1015 Spring Street, Suite 101
Silver Spring, MD
301-589-1073
Center for Minority Affairs
810 Vermont Ave NW
Washington, DC 20420
202-273-5400
Center for Women’s Veterans
810 Vermont Ave NW
Washington, DC 20420
800-827-1000
Community Outpatient Clinic
7525 Greenway Center Drive
Greenway East Professional Center
Suite T-4
Greenbelt, MD 20770
301-345-7653
Baltimore VA Medical Center
10 North Green Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-605-7000
Toll free – 800-463-6295
Baltimore VA Rehabilitation and
Extended Care Center
3900 Loch Raven Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21218
410-605-7000
Eligibility and Admissions:
800-949-1003 ext 1121
Loch Raven VA Outpatient Clinic
3901 The Alameda
Baltimore, MD 21218
410-605-7650
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SUCCEEDING AT UMBC
There a few offices with which each student veteran should be familiar:
Academic Advising
Academic Advising, like the Registrar, is located in the Academic Services Building across
from The Commons. They are open from 8:30am until 4:30pm Monday through Friday when
campus is open. Walk-in advising with a professional is available from 10am until 2pm.
However, you are encouraged to make an appointment to ensure you get ample time to discuss
your situation. The number is 410-455-2729.
Office of Undergraduate Education
This office handles academic standards and policy as well as other initiatives aimed at
helping students succeed. If you are in search of the Undergraduate Catalog, a review of the
academic integrity policy, or want to look into UMBC Living-Learning Communities the student
staff can be reached at 410-455-5752.
University Counseling Center
The UMBC Counseling center is geared towards helping students with both academic and
personal challenges. The center offers free and confidential services in the form of individual,
couples, or group counseling. The center is located between Chesapeake and Susquehanna
Halls and is open from 8:30 until 5:00 Monday through Friday. The center can be reached at
410-455-2472.
University Health Services
Located on the ground floor of Erickson Hall, UHS is dedicated to offering both healthcare and
health education to the UMBC community. The hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30
until 5:00. The phone number is 410-455-2542.
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Student Support Services
If you have a documented disability, you may be eligible for special accommodations such
as extended test time and note taking services. You can get started by completed the Request
for Services form found at
sss.umbc.edu/requesting-services/getting-started/
*UMBC Campus police can be reached at 410-455-5555
SCHOLARSHIPS
You may qualify for scholarships below based on your military sercies and academic
achievements. For more details visit: www.umbc.edu/veterans/financial.html
Tillman Military Scholarship
Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship Program
Edward T. conroy & Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship
Boren Scholarship (National Security Education Program)
Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship Program
Disabled War Vetrans Scholarship
Raytheon –SVA STEM Scholarship
CAREER SERVICES
The Career Services Center is geared towards finding students networking and career
opportunities. The process of translating your military skills will require that you set up an
appointment with a Career Adviser by calling 410-455-2216, online via UMBC works, or by
going to Math/Psychology Building room 212.
Appointments require 24-hours advanced
notification for cancellation
. Career Services offers a career guide along with skill assessments
thorugh their website:
www.careers.umbc.edu
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F.A.Q.S
I am a new student to UMBC. Where do I go to get help starting my
benefits?
The Registrar's Office is responsible for certifying your attendance to the VA. The office has a VA Certification Offiical available to assist you with inquiries regarding your benefits certification. Students can call 410-455-8163 or 410-455-2500 to schedule an appointment or drop in to the Registrar's Office and speak with the Certifying Official Monday through Friday 9:30 am - 3:30 pm.
How long does it take once I’m certified for the VA to start
processing the certification?
The VA takes between 6-9 weeks to process your certification once the school files it electronically.
What happens with my bill if I’m a Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) VA
Student and the VA says they will cover my tuition and fees?
Once the Office of the Registrar certifies your semester to the VA the Bursar’s Office will receive a copy of the certification and hold your bill for tuition and fees pending payment by the VA. You will not be charged late fees.
Will the VA send me the Book Stipend or will they send it to the
school?
The VA will send the student the Book Stipend and, if applicable, the Housing allowance. The VA will send the school the tuition and fees.
If I hand in my Semester Certification Request form and then add or
drop classes what should I do to let the VA know that my schedule
has changes?
If you have made any changes to your schedule you must complete the VA Add/Drop form. The VA Certifying Official will report the change to the VA.
Do I need to fill out a Semester Certification Request form every
semester?
Yes, each semester that you want reported to the VA for payment you must complete the Semester Certification Request form.
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If I change my benefits from Chapter 30 to Chapter 33 what do I
need to do for the school to know?
If you change your benefits from Chapter 30 to 33 you must stop by the Office of the Registrar and give the Certifying Official a copy of the VA Letter of Eligibility for the new Chapter. This letter is sent to the student approving the change in Chapter.
Do I need to let the VA know if I change my major?
Yes. If you wish to change your major at UMBC you must submit a Change of Major Form to the Registrar's Office. The VA Certifying Official will use the major that is declared in our records system to report to the VA.
Do I have to declare a major right away?
You may stay undeclared for two semesters. After two semesters the VA requires you to choose a major.
I am Chapter 30 and my monthly check didn’t come this
month. What’s wrong?
All Chapter 30 students must report their attendance using the WAVE system at the end of every month during the semester. Did you report on WAVE on time?
I can’t come to campus to get the Semester Certification Request
form. Is it online?
Yes, the Semester Certification Request form and the Student Responsibility Checklist can both be found online. Please click on the hyperlinks and you will be directed to these forms.
Do I still need to take a Physical Education class since I am a
military veteran?
No, all veterans who can provide proof of military service should visit the Veteran Certifying Official in the Registrar's Office to obtain a waiver for the physical education credit.
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How does the Yellow Ribbon Program operate at UMBC?
UMBC actively supports our veterans and their families by proudly participating in the Veterans Administration Yellow Ribbon Program. UMBC's participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program provides additional funding to nonresident, 100% eligible Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients who are not on active duty. To be eligible for award consideration, students must have a VA Certificate of Eligibility and a UMBC Semester Certification Form on file in the Registrar's Office.
Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis; a maximum of five (5) participants (four
undergrad and one graduate) are provided up to $500 per semester, which is matched by the VA (for a total benefit of up to $1000 per semester). Yellow Ribbon funding is only available for the fall and spring semesters at UMBC.
To apply for the UMBC Yellow Ribbon Program, submit a request at http://registrar.umbc.edu/contact. In the "Select a Topic" drop down menu, choose "Veterans Certification" and click "Create a Ticket." Please type "Yellow Ribbon Program" in the subject box. Requests must be made during the
registration period for the upcoming semester. Requesting participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program through this process does not guarantee funding. A waitlist will be kept each semester until all funding has been awarded.
