Posted on Aug 18, 2020
VetXL: Back to School – live Q&A with VA and community partners. What are your questions?
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Join us on RallyPoint, August 27th from 3-4PM EST, for a live Q&A focusing on Back to School resources, GI Bill, learning options, and virtual tools. You can ask questions in writing now or during the live event. Please note that there is no audio or visual component to this Q&A event.
You can ask questions, on this page, to the following people:
LTC Tony Davis, Veterans Experience Office - Veterans, Family and Community Engagement
MCPO Eric Faulkner, Veterans Experience Office - Veterans, Family and Community Engagement
Charmain Bogue, Director, Department of Veterans Affairs - VBA Education Service
SGT Lauren Augustine, VP of Government Affairs - Student Veterans of America
CPL David Muir, SVP Veteran Staffing Network - Easterseals
LCDR Bill Ashton, Acting Division Director, Strategic Initiatives and Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison - Department of Agriculture
CPT Christine Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer - Service to School
Check out resources from Department of Education, Military Child Education Coalition, YMCA, and Cohen Veteran Network!
http://rly.pt/EdGov
Militarychild.org - https://rly.pt/2EsmUOR
YMCA - http://rly.pt/YMCA
http://rly.pt/MGHMilitaryFamilies
Veterans Experience Office-
https://rly.pt/VEO
To enable VA to be the leading customer service organization in government so that Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors Choose VA. VEO implements solutions based on Veteran-centered designs and industry best practices while aligning VA services with the secretary’s priorities. The Veterans, Family and Community Engagement Directorate supports Veterans through coordination and integration of local VA and non-VA services Veteran Friendly Communities Initiative working with the Community Veterans Engagement Board (CVEB) and leading federal advisory committees.
VBA Education Service-
http://rly.pt/EducationService
Administers VA's education programs that provide education and training benefits to eligible Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve Service members, Veterans, and dependents.
Student Veterans of America-
http://rly.pt/SVA
Since 2008, Student Veterans of America has worked to inspire tomorrow’s leaders. With a community network of more than 1,500 on-campus chapters, SVA is committed to transforming the current skills and experience of student veterans. Every day, these dedicated chapter leaders work to ensure that yesterday’s warriors have the resources at hand to succeed in their academic journey and beyond.
USDA-
USDA wants to ensure that veterans looking to return home, or start a new career on a farm or in a rural community have the tools and opportunities you need to succeed.
USDA’s veterans website serves as a one-stop navigator for veterans looking to learn more about employment, education, and entrepreneurship on or beyond the farm.
Easterseals -
Easterseals makes profound, positive differences in the daily lives of people of all ages with disabilities, special needs, military backgrounds and their families. Easterseals Veteran Staffing Network (VSN) connects veterans and military spouses to employers using a veteran staffing agency model. We work with employers to fill temp-to perm, contract, and direct-hire positions.
Service to School-
Service to School (S2S) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides free college and grad school application counseling to military veterans and servicemembers.
Our goal is to help veterans gain admission to the best college for them while empowering each veteran to make informed decisions about their education.
RallyPoint Answers and Discussion Conduct: https://rly.pt/33ySsg0
You can ask questions, on this page, to the following people:
LTC Tony Davis, Veterans Experience Office - Veterans, Family and Community Engagement
MCPO Eric Faulkner, Veterans Experience Office - Veterans, Family and Community Engagement
Charmain Bogue, Director, Department of Veterans Affairs - VBA Education Service
SGT Lauren Augustine, VP of Government Affairs - Student Veterans of America
CPL David Muir, SVP Veteran Staffing Network - Easterseals
LCDR Bill Ashton, Acting Division Director, Strategic Initiatives and Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison - Department of Agriculture
CPT Christine Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer - Service to School
Check out resources from Department of Education, Military Child Education Coalition, YMCA, and Cohen Veteran Network!
http://rly.pt/EdGov
Militarychild.org - https://rly.pt/2EsmUOR
YMCA - http://rly.pt/YMCA
http://rly.pt/MGHMilitaryFamilies
Veterans Experience Office-
https://rly.pt/VEO
To enable VA to be the leading customer service organization in government so that Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors Choose VA. VEO implements solutions based on Veteran-centered designs and industry best practices while aligning VA services with the secretary’s priorities. The Veterans, Family and Community Engagement Directorate supports Veterans through coordination and integration of local VA and non-VA services Veteran Friendly Communities Initiative working with the Community Veterans Engagement Board (CVEB) and leading federal advisory committees.
VBA Education Service-
http://rly.pt/EducationService
Administers VA's education programs that provide education and training benefits to eligible Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve Service members, Veterans, and dependents.
Student Veterans of America-
http://rly.pt/SVA
Since 2008, Student Veterans of America has worked to inspire tomorrow’s leaders. With a community network of more than 1,500 on-campus chapters, SVA is committed to transforming the current skills and experience of student veterans. Every day, these dedicated chapter leaders work to ensure that yesterday’s warriors have the resources at hand to succeed in their academic journey and beyond.
USDA-
USDA wants to ensure that veterans looking to return home, or start a new career on a farm or in a rural community have the tools and opportunities you need to succeed.
USDA’s veterans website serves as a one-stop navigator for veterans looking to learn more about employment, education, and entrepreneurship on or beyond the farm.
Easterseals -
Easterseals makes profound, positive differences in the daily lives of people of all ages with disabilities, special needs, military backgrounds and their families. Easterseals Veteran Staffing Network (VSN) connects veterans and military spouses to employers using a veteran staffing agency model. We work with employers to fill temp-to perm, contract, and direct-hire positions.
Service to School-
Service to School (S2S) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides free college and grad school application counseling to military veterans and servicemembers.
Our goal is to help veterans gain admission to the best college for them while empowering each veteran to make informed decisions about their education.
RallyPoint Answers and Discussion Conduct: https://rly.pt/33ySsg0
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Student Veterans of America (SVA)
Education
Bachelors Degree
GI Bill
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Student Veterans of America (SVA) Education Bachelors Degree GI Bill
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 130
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Sharing information from the Military Child Education Coalition - Parental Involvement: Staying Involved during COVID-19. August 26th 12pm ET. https://events-na5.adobeconnect.com/content/connect/c1/968319730/en/events/event/private/ [login to see] / [login to see] /event_registration.html?connect-session=na5breezy36mmgqgvypavphx&sco-id= [login to see] &_charset_=utf-8
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Will the VA be addressing the fact that schools are now only enrolling for online classes. While I live and attend my school locally, all of the classes are now only online due to the pandemic. They aren't coded as in class, because that wouldn't make sense. Now I don't get full rate BAH and I don't have another option! This really needs to be addressed.
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Charmain Bogue
Thank you for this question. Based on legislation passed by Congress, Post-9/11 GI Bill students who were taking resident courses but had them converted to online courses because of COVID-19, will continue to receive the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) rate for resident courses until December 21, 2020. Please follow us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/gibillEducation/ for up to date information regarding COVID-19 and review our FAQs https://www.va.gov/coronavirus-veteran-frequently-asked-questions/
https://www.facebook.com/gibillEducation/ for up to date information regarding COVID-19 and review our FAQs https://www.va.gov/coronavirus-veteran-frequently-asked-questions/
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Capt Chris Brennan
What about after Dec 21? Is there work being done with Congress to extend that end date of S.3503?
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Charmain Bogue
We continue to work with congress to keep them up to date on what schools plan to do for the Spring.
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SrA Suzanne Yancey
Charmain Bogue what about for the new semester when we can't start in person? We aren't being converted to online, we aren't even starting in person.
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I have 4 children in college at this present time. My children can get chapter 35 now but all schools are there schools are online. Is chapter 35 reduced due to online? Can anyone offer any suggestions?
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MSG Alan Purdie
No, for CH35, it makes no difference whether the classes are online or in-classroom - the payments are the same.
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I am 'returning to school' however it is all on line & the computer I am using is outdated. Is there any way I can get funding to obtain a new or updated computer?
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MSG Alan Purdie
The Post 9/11 GI Bill does not provide funds to purchase a new or updated computer - but some schools do offer computers to their students - some are loaners, while others schools have reduced costs.
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MSgt Jennifer Lemon
Check with your area Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program. There are over 70 across the nation who provide these education services at no cost. Typically a university will host the grant but the veteran can attend any school, program, or location and still receive assistance. If you are in Oklahoma you can call the STRIPES-VUB office at [login to see] . Other states can find local VUB programs at https://www.navub.org/
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Andi Martinez
Hi there! The VR&E program may be able to purchase a computer for you if you are eligible and entitled to the program and your rehabilitation plan requires a computer for you to complete the program. It is not guaranteed. Please check out VR&E! https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/
Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31) | Veterans Affairs
Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31), formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, can help if you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work. If you qualify, vocational rehabilitation services can help you explore employment options and required training.
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I'm Chapter 35, and currently using my benefits. I am wondering if there are any other school-related benefits for survivors available when I'm out of Chapter 35? I'm in California if that helps.
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Charmain Bogue
Thank you for your question and your service. Please follow up with your State Veteran Affairs Office each state often offers additional education support to veteran residents. Also, Individuals may qualify for more than one education benefit if they have additional qualifying service periods. However, you may not receive more than 48 months of entitlement under 2 or more benefit programs. In order to verify eligibility for additional programs you will need to submit a formal application for Education Benefits https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/ or the VR&E (Veteran Readiness, and Employment) program https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/how-to-apply/.
How to apply for the GI Bill and related benefits | Veterans Affairs
Find out how to apply for the GI Bill and other VA education benefits as a Veteran, service member, or qualified family member. You can apply online, by mail, in person, or with the help of a trained professional.
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Is there a time limit on using your GI Bill benefits for school? Is there an age limit?
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Charmain Bogue
Thank you for the and for your Service. Chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill has a 15-year time limit if you separated or retired before January 1, 2013. If you retired or separated after January 1, 2013, then you have no delimiting date and are good until you exhaust your benefit.
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Thank you for joining us today. We will check back tomorrow for any follow up questions. If you need to speak with someone now, please call [login to see] .
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GI BILL- STEM EXTENSION TO A MASTER'S?
I used all my GI BILL and STEM Program to complete my bachelors of sciences in nursing, class of 2020. Is there any other program that will allow me to complete a master's degree? I don't feel safe practicing at this time.
I used all my GI BILL and STEM Program to complete my bachelors of sciences in nursing, class of 2020. Is there any other program that will allow me to complete a master's degree? I don't feel safe practicing at this time.
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Are their any scholarships or grants Veterans can apply for that will pay for your text books? I have been unable to find any, so there probably aren't, but I wanted to ask anyway. Thanks in advance for your assistance.
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LCDR Bill Ashton
Scholarships
The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is a partnership between
USDA and the 1890 historically black land-grant colleges and universities
(PDF, 1.2 MB). The program provides full tuition, fees, books, room and
board to students pursuing degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource
sciences, or related academic disciplines. When the student has
completed the academic and summer work requirements of the
scholarship, USDA may at its discretion convert the student to a
permanent employee without further competition.
https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/careers/scholarship-programs
The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is a partnership between
USDA and the 1890 historically black land-grant colleges and universities
(PDF, 1.2 MB). The program provides full tuition, fees, books, room and
board to students pursuing degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource
sciences, or related academic disciplines. When the student has
completed the academic and summer work requirements of the
scholarship, USDA may at its discretion convert the student to a
permanent employee without further competition.
https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/careers/scholarship-programs
Adel A. Malak ScholarshipAs an Adel A. Malak Scholarship recipient, you will experience and take on a variety of Public Health Veterinarian responsibilities to more fully understand the great work FSIS does to protect public health through food safety.
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Are their any scholarships or grants Veterans can apply for that will pay for your text books? I have been unable to find any, so there probably aren't, but I wanted to ask anyway. Thanks in advance for your assistance.
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