VETERAN SERVICES HELPING VETERANS IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

Transcription

1 CONTACT US Phone: Fax: University of Houston-Clear Lake CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services Student Services and Classroom Building Bay Area Boulevard, Houston, Texas CAPT. WENDELL M. WILSON OFFICE HOURS: Fall/Spring: 8 a.m. 5 p.m. Monday Friday Summer: 8 a.m. 6 p.m. Monday Thursday 8 a.m. noon Friday OFFICE OF VETERAN SERVICES HELPING VETERANS IN HIGHER EDUCATION. The choice is clear. VISIT CAPT. WENDELL M. WILSON OFFICE OF VETERAN SERVICES ONLINE! Official Website - Facebook - Twitter - Visit our website right now, using your smartphone QR code reader. Sept 2014

2 O UR MISSION STATEMENT It is the mission of the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services staff to help veterans and their dependents flourish in their higher education pursuits. We will act as a liaison between the veteran, the school, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in order to ensure these goals are reached with success. The CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services staff members are committed to assisting veterans and their eligible dependents with federal or state education benefits gained through military service. SERVICES INCLUDE Providing certification of enrollment for benefits to veterans and their dependents. The certification includes enrollment for the Montgomery GI Bill, Reservist Educational Assistance, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR&E), Post 9/11 GI Bill, and Dependent Educational Assistance. Processing of Hazlewood Exemptions for veterans and dependants. Determining eligibility for House Bill 269. Advising veterans and dependents with issues concerning VA and state requirements for maintaining satisfactory progress and assisting in maintaining degree progress. Counseling students by discussing the curriculum and approved course selection. Assuring compliance with federal and state regulations set forth by the approving authority. Coordinating community support by providing access to a broad range of services through outreach of various veteran benefit organizations. Fostering peer connections within the UHCL veteran community through the Office of Veteran Service s Peer Mentorship Program. CAPT. WENDELL M. WILSON OFFICE OF VETERAN SERVICES staff members are committed in administering services to veterans and their dependents that may be eligible for federal or state educational benefits gained through military service.

3 HOW TO RECEIVE FEDERAL VA EDUCATION BENEFITS In order for you to receive Veteran Education Benefits, the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services must have the following items: Certificate of Eligibility (COE) If you re a new student transferring your education benefits you will also need to submit a VA Form along with your COE, which can be filled out on the VON-AAP system from DD214 (Member 4 Copy) Candidate Plan of Study (CPS) Military Transcripts ( JST) CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY (COE) (CONTINUED FROM LAST PAGE) If a current copy of your COE or ebenefits print out is NOT on file, your tuition and fees cannot be certified. DD214 A copy of your DD214 is needed to verify your service-entry status, character of service, length of service, and dates of service. If you need a new copy of your DD214, you can contact the VA regional office in Waco or Houston, or request it from ebenefits. NOTE: Submission of these documents must be in full. No partial paperwork will be accepted. VA CERTIFICATION PROCESS BEFORE THE SCHOOL CERTIFYING OFFICIAL CAN CERTIFY YOUR ENROLLMENT, YOU MUST: Submit an application with the VA; Be formally admitted to the University of Houston-Clear Lake by the Office of Admissions; Be enrolled in an approved program; Be registered for the semester for which you are requesting benefits; and, Provide the paperwork requested by the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services. WHAT ARE MY SCHOOL CERTIFYING OFFICIAL S RESPONSIBILITIES? To notify the VA of: w your degree program; w the number of hours you are taking, which apply toward your degree; w the beginning and ending dates for each class; w tuition and mandatory fees as necessary. To keep a record of your educational benefits paperwork processed at UHCL. To advise you on VA policies and procedures regarding your benefits. WHEN SHOULD I CONTACT MY SCHOOL CERTIFYING OFFICIAL? After you register for classes for the semester for which you would like to be certified. When you change your address/phone number/ address. When you change your degree program or major, including option or concentration, or catalog. When you add or drop classes, cancel your registration, or withdraw from the University. WHEN SHOULD I CONTACT MY SCHOOL CERTIFYING OFFICIAL? (CONTINUED) When you change the registration status of a class to or from pass/fail or credit/no credit. If you take classes at another institution while pursuing a degree at UHCL. WHEN TO CONTACT THE VA: Address Change. Report all changes of address to the VA in addition to the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services. Disbursement of Checks. If you have questions regarding any facet of your payment status, contact the VA. Notification of Improper Payment. If you think the amount of a VA payment is wrong, contact the VA before using funds from the payment. If you cash a check for the wrong amount, you will be liable for repayment of any resulting overpayment. Entitlement. Direct questions regarding remaining entitlement status to the VA. Eligibility. You can check to see if you are eligible for VA benefits. Direct Deposit. Contact the VA to change the direct-deposit status of your educational benefits. Kickers. Direct questions regarding kickers to the VA at HOW TO RECEIVE THESE DOCUMENTS CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY (COE) If this submission is your first time receiving VA education benefits, please go online ( and fill out a VA Form through the VON-APP system. NOTE: The copy must be an electronic version with confirmation number. You will receive your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) once you have been approved. Your COE allows the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services to determine that you are currently entitled to receive VA educational benefits, your benefit percentage payable by the VA, and the amount of time you have remaining to use your benefits. You can also submit a copy of your VA education benefits summary from ebenefits to replace your COE. Your ebenefits copy must include your name, your benefit percentage payable by the VA, and the amount of time you have remaining to use your Ch.33. If you have already been receiving VA education benefits, this letter is the document that is mailed out from the VA after each enrollment certification is processed for a semester term. You will also need to submit a VA Form through the VON-APP system ( application/) from the GI Bill website. Note: The copy must be an electronic version with confirmation number. CANDIDATE PLAN OF STUDY (CPS) Classes can only be certified by the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services if they are listed on your Candidate Plan of Study. To obtain a copy of your official Plan of Study, please contact the appropriate school in which you re degree seeking. MILITARY SERVICE TRANSCRIPTS (JST) All military branches, with the exception of the Air Force, will need to access the Joint Services Transcripts website to request your military service transcript. An unofficial copy of your military service transcript is acceptable and can be submitted to the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services ( If you have a CAC Reader then you may use it to login. Prior service members or service members without a CAC Reader will need to register for a JST account. FOR AIR FORCE VETERANS. Follow the instructions that are provided on the following website:

4 HOW TO BE CERTIFIED FOR FEDERAL VA EDUCATION BENEFITS The CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services certifies the following VA Education benefits to the VA Regional Office based on the student s current enrollment at University of Houston-Clear Lake: Ch 30 Montgomory GI Bill Ch 1606 Selected Reserve Ch 1607 Reserve Educational Assistance Program Ch 35 Dependents Educational Assistance For information regarding eligibility, please visit: Rate Fall/Spring Graduate Full-time 12hrs 9hrs 3/4-time 9hrs 6hrs 1/2-time 6hrs 3hrs Rate 8-9 Week Summer Session Graduate Full-time 6hrs 5hrs 3/4-time 5hrs 3-4hrs VA ENROLLMENT VERIFICATION Students receiving Chapter 30 or 1606 benefits must verify enrollment with the VA every month. Your check will not be released until you have verified your enrollment with the Department of Veterans Affairs. You can verify your enrollment online at or by phone at on the first of every month. CHAPTER 33 POST 9/11 GI BILL TUITION AND FEES Your in-state tuition and fees will be paid for by the VA in accordance to your percentage listed on your COE; however, the VA does not pay for parking and application fees. By submitting all required documents prior to the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services priority certification deadline for tuition and fees ensures that payments are posted to your account so late payment fees are not assessed to your account. Credits will be placed on your account once you are certified based upon your information on your COE. If your benefits are exhausted in between the semester you are enrolled in and your tuition and fees are partially paid for by the VA it is important that you contact Student Business Services and make payment arrangements with them immediately. Length of service percentages are described in the following table: BOOK STIPEND (CONTINUED FROM LAST PAGE) Book stipends are paid each semester directly to the student, not to the school. There is a $41.67 per credit hour up to 24 hours in a single academic year or $1,000 max amount. A lump sum payment is made each semester. These stipends are prorated based upon the percentange of benefit awarded. CHAPTER 31 VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (VR&E) Recipients may qualify to receive payment for tuition and fees, a subsistence allowance, and a book stipend. The veteran s Vocational Rehabilitation counselor will determine the number of months of the veteran s Chapter 31 Benefit eligibility. The basic period of eligibility in which VR&E services may be used is 12 years from the date of separation from active military services, or 12 years from the date the veteran was first notified by VA of a service-connected disability rating. Veterans on Chapter 31 are eligible for a subsistence allowance for required training expenses, such as on tuition and fees, books, supplies and equipment (ex. backpacks and calculators). APPLYING FOR CHAPTER 31: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) is designed for veterans who have a service-connected disability (20% or more). Interested applicants need to meet with a VA counselor to apply for Chapter 31 benefits or may apply online. Once the VA has determined eligibility, he or she will send authorization to the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services to certify enrollment and set-up the benefit with UHCL. You are authorized a credit for supplies at the UHCL bookstore of $75.00 per fall/spring semester term and $37.50 for the summer semester term. 1/2-time 3-4hrs 2hrs Rate 4-5 Week Summer Session Graduate Full-time 4hrs 3hrs At least 36 months 100% At least 30 continuous days on active duty and discharged due to service-connected disability 100% 30 months to 36 months 90% 24 months to 30 months 80% 18 months to 24 months 70% 12 months to 18 months 60% 6 months to 12 months 50% 90 days to 6 months 40% 3/4-time 3hrs 2hrs 1/2-time 1hrs 1hrs ENROLLMENT STATUS REQUIREMENTS ENROLLMENT CERTIFICATION REQUEST FORM Certification request should be made to the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services for benefits each enrollment period. Certification requests can be submitted under the Forms tab on the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services website. These request can be submitted eight weeks prior to the first day of class and certifications are processed on a first-come-firstserved basis. If there are any changes to your academic record or benefit status you should indicate them in the request. The Post 9/11 GI Bill only pays for tuition and fees for students that are under a resident status. If your account is being charged as a Non-Resident Student you will need to contact the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services to have Military Tuition Waiver posted to your account. NOTE: ebenefits print-out may be required if your COE indicates benefits are nearly exhausted. Visit for a current listing of Monthly Housing Allowance rates.

5 HOW TO RECEIVE TEXAS HAZLEWOOD BENEFITS Hazlewood benefits provide an education benefit to honorably discharged or separated Texas veterans or to qualified dependent children. Hazlewood waives all tuition and fees, excluding student services fees, parking and graduation fees. NOTE: Hazlewood applications must be submitted by the census date each semester. All applications for the exemption and necessary evidence that the applicant qualifies for the exemption must be submitted not later than the last class date of the semester or term to which the exemption applies. In order for the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services to apply the Hazlewood Exemption to your tuition and fees, the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services must have the following: Hazlewood Exemption Application Copy of DD-214 (Member 4 Copy). Copy of DD-214 can be ordered from the National Archives or printed from ebenefits. Letter of Exhaustion from the VA showing federal benefits is exhausted. Verification of hours used at other institutions (Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board s Online Hazlewood Student Hours Database at: NOTE: Copy of hours cannot exceed 15 days. HAZLEWOOD EXEMPTION FOR VETERANS, LEGACY, DEPENDENT AND SPOUSE Pays resident tuition and required fees. Recipients can receive up to 150 credit hours of resident tuition and fees exempted. Only correspondence courses listed on a student s degree plan may be paid. The recipient must reside in Texas each semester Hazlewood is used. Hazlewood hours will not be refunded for courses dropped after the 12th class day. If Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan payments have already been applied to a student s bill, and the semester in question has already begun or is a prior semester, the Hazlewood Exemption cannot be processed for the semester in question. The Hazlewood Exemption is considered to be a financial resource for financial aid purposes and, as such, may reduce a student s need based grant and scholarship eligibility. If a child to whom hours have been delegated fails to use all assigned hours, the veteran or conservator of the hours may reassign the unused hours to another dependent.only one person may use the Hazlewood Exemption during a given semester, and all eligible recipients use the same pool of 150 credit hours of resident tuition and fees exempted to include the veteran. HAZLEWOOD EXEMPTION FOR VETERANS, LEGACY, DEPENDENT AND SPOUSE (CONTINUED) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 1. Veteran s DD-214 must indicate: Honorable or General Under Honorable Conditions as character of service. More than 180 days of active duty service (net active service excluding training time). 2. Veteran must meet one of the following requirements: DD-214 reflects that Home of Record At Time of Entry into the Military was Texas. DD-214 reflects that Place (Point) of Entry into the Military was Texas. Veteran must prove they were a Texas resident at the time they entered the military if DD-214 does not reflect Texas as Home of Record or Point of Entry as Texas. 3. Veteran must currently reside in Texas. 4. Veteran cannot have federal veterans education benefits HAZLEWOOD LEGACY PROGRAM In addition to requirements listed under the Hazlewood exemption eligibility requirements, dependents wishing to apply for the Legacy program, must also meet the following requirement: Be the biological child, stepchild or adopted child, or be claimed as a dependent on the veteran s tax return in the current or previous tax year. Be 25 years or younger on the first day of the semester or term for which the exemption is claimed (unless Hazlewood was first received prior to Fall 2011). Degree plan signed by academic adviser. Marriage certificate, birth certificate, adoption documents or previous years tax return. VA Disability Letter for Spouses and Depedents. dedicated to the payment of tuition and fees unless resident tuition and fees exceed those benefits. 5. Veteran cannot be in default on a student loan made or guaranteed by the state of Texas. If you re a new student and you are submitting your documents, submission of these documents must be made in full. 6. Student must meet satisfactory academic progress as determined for financial aid purposes. Once all required documents are submitted to the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services, approval is needed from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to ensure you are not in default of a student loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas before your tuition and fees exemptions are posted to your account.

6 AFTER YOU APPLY NOTIFY YOUR SCHOOL CERTIFYING OFFICIAL OF IMPORTANT CHANGES You are responsible for notifying your school s certifying official regarding a change in major or minor, change of address, phone number, address, change in your classes and change to your registration status. CHANGE OF ENROLLMENT OR CREDIT HOURS FORM If you change your schedule at any time during the semester you must notify the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services. If you drop a course during the semester and there is a reduction in benefits, VA can go back to the beginning of the semester to calculate the reduction in benefits, and you will not be paid for the dropped course. If you drop a course or withdraw and submit mitigating circumstances, VA may approve payment up to the last day of attendance. If you do not inform the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services regarding the circumstances, they cannot be accurately report to the VA and you may be placed in overpayment status. CHANGE OF PROGRAM (DEGREE AND/OR MAJOR) If you change your degree program at anytime during the semester until the last day of final exams, you will be reevaluated under the new degree program. Any change in status will be reported to the VA effective the date of the change. If you receive Basic Housing Allowance (BAH), that change may also result in a lower rate or loss of BAH. If that change results in a reduction of status, the VA may assess an overpayment, which you must repay. It is recommended that you change your major prior to requesting certification. Initiate major changes through the dean s office of the school or college of your new major. CONCURRENT AND TRANSIENT ENROLLMENT If you are currently a UHCL student receiving VA Education Benefits and taking courses that are required for your UHCL degree plan at another institution, then you will need to request a parent letter from the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services. Parent letters can be requested under the Forms tab on the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services website. A copy of your course schedule (including your name, identification number, and the course name and number) of the courses you are enrolled in at the other institution must be uploaded and submitted. NOTE: Your parent letter cannot be processed if a copy of your course schedule is not provided. The CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services will submit your form to the other institution once we confirm that the courses you are taking are required for your degree plan. NOTE: After we send your parent letter to the other institution, you will need to contact the other institution st CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services and submit the required VA documentation to that institution. The other institution will then certify your VA Chapter Benefits for those courses. AFTER YOU APPLY (CONTINUED) COURSE SUBSTITUTIONS If you are trying to take a class that is not on your candidate plan of study, a substitution letter obtained by your academic advisor must be submitted to the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services in order for the course to be certified. ROUNDING OUT UHCL students can round out a schedule with non-required courses to bring his/her course load up to a full-time schedule in his/her last term only. NOTE: This procedure can be done only once per program. In rounding out a full-time schedule, you may use any credit hour unit subject, including a subject that has previously been successfully completed (received a passing grade). DEGREE PLANS In order to receive federal VA or state Hazlewood benefits, all students who are seeking certification under these programs must meet with their UHCL Academic Advisor and obtain an official signed degree plan. The only courses that can be processed are those specifically listed on the degree plan. RESIDENCY Students who are receving federal VA Education benefits may qualify for in-state tuition and fee rates, regardless of the length of time residing in Texas. For specific information, please contact the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services so that we may review your situation.

7 UHCL CORE VALUES STATEMENT Our decisions and behaviors are guided by these values with regard to promoting learning, scholarship, and service at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. These values equally help to shape the university s culture and promote respect for all students, faculty, staff, administrators, and other members of the university community. LEARNING: UHCL inspires all individuals within the university community to pursue lifelong learning through a dedication to intellectual and personal growth. TRUST: UHCL encourages open and honest communication which embraces the freedom of diverse ideas. INTEGRITY: UHCL proudly promotes and supports personal, academic, and ethical standards within the university and the community we serve. AFTER YOU APPLY (CONTINUED) OPPORTUNITY: UHCL actively fosters the freedom to productively and enthusiastically pursue and enhance quality of life for ourselves and our communities. DIVERSITY: UHCL facilitates a respectful and inclusive GENERAL ELECTIVE EXEMPTION (HB 269) environment with regard to individual, societal, and global perspectives. HB 269 allows veterans who enroll in Texas universities to be eligible to receive undergraduate college credit for the time they spent in the services if certain requirements are met. LEADERSHIP: UHCL empowers individuals with the Eligible veterans can receive college credit for an additional 12 semester credit hours of general elective course work to satisfy the degree requirements for your program of choice. In order to be eligible to receive college credit for military service, you must have: Graduated from a public or private high school accredited by a generally recognized accrediting organization or from a high school operated by the U.S. Department of Defense. Completed a minimum of two years of service in the armed services, unless discharged because of disability. Been honorably discharged from the armed forces. Contact the CAPT. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services to accept your credit. NATIONAL TESTING PROGRAM National Testing Program allows the VA to reimburse claimants for freedom to learn, grow, and develop as leaders. QUALITY: UHCL commits to continually demonstrate the fees charged for: excellence through the actions of our students, faculty, staff, and administrators. National tests for admission to institutions of higher learning, e.g., SAT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, etc.; and, INNOVATION: UHCL supports innovation through the National tests providing an opportunity for course credit at institutions of higher learning, e.g., CLEP. development of collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. DID YOU KNOW? UHCL hosts a Veterans Day celebration every year to honor and welcome home veterans from every war and every generation. It is held at the university s Liberty Park, which is dedicated to the tireless efforts and contributions of veterans and non-veterans. It symbolizes the belief that it is important to have a place for individuals, families and groups to gather and reflect on the liberties of our society, and the sacrifices of all who made those liberties possible.

8 CAMPUS RESOURCES UHCL Campus Offices Office of Admissions Room: SSCB 1102 Phone: Fax: Disability Services Room: SSCB Phone: Fax: Financial Aid Office Room: SSCB Phone: Fax: Student Business Services Room: SSCB 1103 Phone: Fax: Transfer Advising Phone: Fax: Student Business Services Room: SSCB 1103 Phone: Fax: School Contacts School of Business Phone: School of Education Phone: School of Human Sciences and Humanities Phone: School of Science and Computer Engineering Phone: