WELCOME STUDENT VETERANS! 2014-2015

WELCOME STUDENT VETERANS! 2014-2015

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 SEMESTER EVENTS CALENDAR..12 1

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 2

Registrar s Office (your first stop) Checklist for new UMBC Veterans 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. 3

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 greenm1@umbc.edu 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 beng@umbc.edu with Veteran Peer Mentor in the subject line. 4

COMMUNITY INFORMATION Baltimore Regional Office 31 Hopkins Plaza Baltimore, MD 21201 800-827-1000 Silver Spring Vet Center 1015 Spring Street, Suite 101 Silver Spring, MD 301-589-1073 Center for Women s Veterans 810 Vermont Ave NW Washington, DC 20420 800-827-1000 Baltimore VA Medical Center 10 North Green Street Baltimore, MD 21201 410-605-7000 Toll free 800-463-6295 Loch Raven VA Outpatient Clinic 3901 The Alameda Baltimore, MD 21218 410-605-7650 Toll free 800-463-6295 ext. 7650 Baltimore Vet Center 1777 Reisterstown Road, Suite 199 Baltimore, MD 21208 410-764-9400 Center for Minority Affairs 810 Vermont Ave NW Washington, DC 20420 202-273-5400 Community Outpatient Clinic 7525 Greenway Center Drive Greenway East Professional Center Suite T-4 Greenbelt, MD 20770 301-345-7653 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 5

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. 6

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 7

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. 8

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. 9

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. If you have questions about this or other veterans programs and services, please email: veterans@umbc.edu 10

CAMPUS MAP Green Circle Registrar s Office Blue Circle Off-Campus Student Services Black Circle Student Support Services Red Circle Student Business Services 11

FALL 2014 VETS 2 VETS EVENTS SEPTEMBER 9 TH @ 5 p.m. in Upper Flat Tuesdays Come and meet the new Graduate Assistant for Veteran Student Services, Melvin Green. This event is one of a series of forums designed to increase awareness of the UMBC resources available for student veterans i.e. Vets 2 Vets, Career Services, intramurals, etc. It is also an opportunity to begin meeting with UMBC vets and start developing an understanding of the demographics goals and ambitions as they pertain to their time at UMBC. OCTOBER 6 TH @ Noon in COMM 328 A conversation with Kevin Phillips, Mr. Phillips is a comprehensive financial planner with AXA Advisors in Columbia, MD, who specializes in veteran transition and the ongoing financial challenges of discharged service-members. This is an opportunity for UMBC student veterans to consider the financial aspects of transition to civilian life and the importance of being financially aware. OCTOBER 7 TH @ 5 p.m. in Upper Flat Tuesdays Come engage in conversation with Mr. Ashley Kelly, a Digital Computer Forensics analyst. Mr. Kelly joined the Navy in June 2004. Mr. Kelly first duty station was U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard, Washington, DC, where he was a member of the Elite U.S. Navy Drill Team. Follow on duty stations included Navy Information Operations Detachment, Digby, England; Forward Deployed Unit, Iraq; Navy Information Operations Command Maryland; with various other TDY's. In under a year, Mr. Kelly successfully transitioned from the military into the civilian job market. Since ending his service Mr. Kelly has worked as a Computer Network Operations, Analyst, Mobile Data Forensics Analyst, and current position a Digital Computer Forensics Analyst. NOVEMBER 11 TH @ 5 p.m. in COMM 329 Celebrate Veteran s Day with the UMBC community by enjoying food, drinks, and an exchange of ideas about the meaning of this holiday. DECEMBER 1 st @ Noon in COMM 328 Wrap up the semester by bringing any comments, concerns, or feedback to our end of semester Vets 2 Vets appreciation lunch! **All events will have food and beverages available unless otherwise noted. For further questions about events email Melvin Green Jr. at greenm1@umbc.edu 12

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