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CUNY Vets Newsletter CUNY Council on Veterans’ Affairs (COVA)
Winter 2016 . COVA Newsletter
Recognized by Military
Friendly Magazine:
Baruch College
Borough of Manhattan
C.C.
Bronx C.C.
City College of NY
NYC College of Technol-
ogy
College of Staten Island
Hostos C.C.
John Jay College
LaGuardia C.C.
Lehman College
Kingsborough C.C.
Medgar Evers College
Queens College
Queensborough C.C.
School of Professional
Studies
York College
Congratulations to Our Veteran Scholars
Veteran enrollment across the university
has increased tremendously in the last decade.
With nearly 3,000 veterans enrolled in associate,
baccalaureate and graduate level programs,
CUNY veterans are indeed leading the way.
To usher in NYC’s Veterans Week 2015,
CUNY honored 233 student veterans at the Third
Annual Veterans Academic Awards Breakfast. The event was held on Thurs-
day, November 5, 2015 onboard the USS Intrepid. Honorees demonstrated
outstanding academic excellence by maintaining a 3.5 GPA with at least 90
credits at the senior college level or 45 credits at the community college level.
This event was the highlight of numerous veterans events that took place
across CUNY’s 24 campuses during CUNY Month. John Jay College of Crimi-
nal Justice hosted a “community conversation” on current and pending legisla-
tion by the NYS Division of Veterans’ Affairs. Borough of Manhattan Commu-
nity College held its Second Annual Women Veterans Panel. The panel was
comprised of women veterans who shared their personal stories of transition
from military to student life. Queensborough Community College hosted its
annual Veterans Dinner. New York City College of Technology hosted a veter-
ans’ resource fair, which brought several community organizations to the cam-
pus to present information on veteran specific services and information. Fi-
nally, on Veteran’s Day, CUNY student veterans marched proudly in Ameri-
ca’s Parade.
CUNY Partners with Edge4Vets
Of CUNY’s over 1,750 academic programs, Liberal Arts and Criminal
Justice are the most common undergraduate programs of study for our veter-
ans. Business and Accounting also remain popular with this population. To
help ease their transition to the workforce after graduation, CUNY recently
partnered with Edge4Vets, a job preparation program that offers a two-part
workshop; the first part prepares participants to translate their military val-
ues and skills into tools for success in the civilian workplace and the second
part connects them with human resources representatives, with whom they
can network for internships and jobs that lead to careers. Interested veterans
can sign up for the next two-part workshop in 2016. For more information see
www.edge4vets.org
Winter 2016 COVA Newsletter . Page 2
VA Work Study Opportunity
On December 10, 2015, onboard the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, Mayor Bill de Blasio
signed into law a historic bill which created a new Department of Veterans Services. This new De-
partment, which will aid the roughly 225,000 veterans living in New York City, as well as their fam-
ily members, will replace the current Mayor’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs (MOVA) starting July 1st.
This agency will become a one-stop-shop for New York City’s large and diverse veteran’s
community and will be charged with helping veterans sign up for benefits, find jobs, locate housing,
avoid homelessness and access scholarships. The department also plans to place benefits counselors
to help with VA Claims and Mental Health counselors in each borough.
New York City will also become the largest municipality in the country to have established
an agency solely dedicated to veterans and their family members. Most importantly though, creat-
ing this new Department will ensure that it’s properly funded every year to better address veteran
issues, while moving city contracts awarded to local veteran service providers at a quicker pace, in-
stead of through city agencies that are unfamiliar with these groups.
The VA affords all veterans who attend class for a minimum of ¾ time the opportuni-
ty to gain valuable hands-on expertise in their degree field by working in a VA facility. Stu-
dent veterans can receive a work-study allowance (in addition to their education benefits).
This work-study allowance is available under most educational assistance programs.
How Much Can You Earn?
Your hourly pay rate will be the greater of (1) the federal minimum wage OR (2) the minimum wage
for the state in which you are working.
What Type of Work Can You Do?
The work you actually do will depend on your interests and the type of work available. Acceptable
work includes VA paperwork at your campus’ Veterans Office or VA paperwork at VA offices or facili-
ties, such as borough Veteran Centers, hospitals and more. For a more detailed list of acceptable
work-study assignments, please visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/workstudy.asp
How Do You Apply?
Complete VA Form 22-8691—Application for Work-Study Allowance. Contact your veteran coordina-
tor for on campus VA Work-Study opportunities. For VA Work Study opportunities at VA hospitals,
please contact Mrs. Cassandra Watson-Gabbidon at [email protected] or (212) 686
-7500 ext. 7124.
NYC Department of Veteran Services
Winter 2016 . COVA Newsletter. Page 3
Military Cultural Competency Training
Winter 2016 COVA Newsletter . Page 4
10 Things to Know About VA Benefits Certification
CUNY Veterans In-State Tuition Policy
& Other Benefits
CUNY recently passed a resolution which provides out-of-state veterans with the in-state
tuition rate. This resolution applies to Freshman, Continuing and Transfer student veterans with
a discharge of other than honorable. In order to continue receiving in-state tuition, these students
must have established New York State residency (as defined by the CUNY Tuition & Fee Manual*)
by the end of the 18-month period.
Grades
A student who is called to active duty in the
Armed Forces of the United States after having
attended regularly for 13 or more weeks or hav-
ing completed 85% of the term’s work through
acceleration may be given full credit for each
course in which he or she has received a grade of
C or better.
Readmission Fee
Upon return from military service a student will
not be charged a readmission fee to register at
the same college.
Refunds
Students called to active duty or drafted who do
not meet attendance requirements sufficient to
earn a grade are entitled to a 100% refund of tui-
tion and fees.
Special Continuing Problems
If students are unable to resolve their issues at
their home campus, they may contact CUNY’s
Office of Veterans Affairs at (646) 664-8835 OR
1. Satisfactory academic progress is mandatory, not conditional.
2. Twelve (12) credits are equal to full time status for both undergraduate and graduate level of study.
3. If a student withdraws prior to first day of classes, all funds will be refunded to the VA. This should mean the
student does not owe CUNY.
4. If a student withdraws after the first day of classes, they maybe liable for tuition and fees and/or BAH.
5. If called to active duty, student must submit orders to school certifying official (SCO) for proper VA reporting.
6. If a class is required for a major, the class may be repeated and paid for by the VA. The class cannot be a General
Education course.
7. If the student is in their last semester and need less than full time classes, they can round out to take 12 credits in
order and get the full BAH and financial aid.
8. Student must have one in-residence, brick and mortar class to receive full BAH.
9. Student must be more than half time to receive minimum BAH. For example 7 credits on a 12 credit scale.
10. Summer equation for fulltime
3 Credits @ 3 wks = Full Time/Full BAH
6 Credits @ 8 wks = Full Time/Full BAH
3 credits @ 5 weeks ≠ Full Time 3/4 TIME
**Communication with your
School Certifying Official
(SCO) is essential for pre-
venting certification issues .
Winter 2016 COVA Newsletter . Page 5
Student Vet Profile: Launching A Career
By: Claudie Benjamin, Public Affairs Specialist, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System
At first meeting, four-year Air Force Veteran Jessica Carey’s smile and people skills would be obvious
to any potential employer. But, getting an interview for just the right job is a challenge. “She’s a go-
getter,” is the way Betzy Ruiz, RN, Women Veterans Program Manager at VA New York Harbor
Healthcare System, describes Carey. Ruiz was Carey’s Supervisor last spring when she was a VA
Work Study Student, helping to coordinate the annual Women Veterans Health Conference.
On one occasion during her Work Study stint, Carey got a sense of how she could put her gradu-
ate school training to work effectively. “I was able to calm a very distraught fellow Veteran and refer
her to appropriate support,” she says. “My work-study experience gave me the feeling of being a true
federal employee. It’s something I can put on my resume.”
This year, as she completes a Master’s Degree in Social Work at CUNY’s Hunter College, Carey
has been spending four days a week in a clinical internship at a Brooklyn high school, where students
are generally experiencing poverty-related problems, substance abuse issues and sadness related to pa-
rental loss and other family issues. She knows her students have become attached to her and are un-
easy that inevitably, she will complete her internship and leave within weeks. Carey is now a student
who wants to take advantage of every opportunity.
After graduated from Sheepshead Bay High School, she wasn’t really ready for college and after
only a few months, she left CUNY’s Medgar Evers College. In 2009, following a friend’s example, she
joined the Military. She was based at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada, serving as a supply
technician and also deployed to Qatar for six months. Honorably discharged in 2012, she was ready to
finish college and enthusiastically embraced graduate school, acknowledging that the military was a
wonderful experience that earned her the GI Bill and cost-free education. A few hours before a recent
final, she appeared relaxed and confident.
Recognizing an opportunity, Carey participated in a Federal Employment workshop offered in
late November 2015 at the VA’s Manhattan Campus. Experts from the Department of Homeland Secu-
rity, VA4Vets, VANYHHS EEO and Outreach services worked with participants on fine tuning their
resumes and offered guidance on how best to represent themselves on USA Jobs applications. They
also offered to provide follow up advice over the phone. Well aware that there is no sure route to her
dream job of working as Social Worker at VA, Carey is determined to find work that uses her skills and
satisfies her commitment to working in a field where she can help others.
Winter 2016. COVA Newsletter . Page 6
Project for Return and Opportunity
in Veterans Education
Winter 2016 . COVA Newsletter . Page 7
Rhythm in Blue Spring Concert
Winter 2016 . COVA Newsletter . Page 8
Dear Veteran,
CUNY has approved the review of military credentials to award transfer credit for military service.
If you would like your military experience to be evaluated for academic credit and /or to illustrate your work
experience on your resume, follow the steps listed below.
Would you like to have a career that relates to your military occupational specialty (MOS)?
Learn what certifications and degrees match your area of expertise by using the COOL sites…
Army: https://www.cool.army.mil/
Navy: https://www.cool.navy.mil/usn/
Marine Corps: https://www.cool.navy.mil/usmc/
Step 1: Create an account for your military transcript via the following websites:
Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard: https://jst.doded.mil/official.html
Air Force: www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/transcripts.asp
Step 2:
Submit your transcript to CUNY UAPC (University Application Processing
Center) and/or your current CUNY College.
Step 3: Print and save a copy of your military transcript to a USB or secure cloud.
Step 4:
Use American Council of Education (ACE) Military guide to review a descrip-
tion of your coursework: http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Pages/
Military-Guide-Online.aspx.
Using JST credits for college can count toward:
Elective credit
Major or Minor electives
General Education elective
Using JST credits for employment can:
Showcase military occupation
Illustrate responsibilities/duties
Illustrate leadership and training
Winter 2016 COVA Newsletter Page 9
Veterans’ Guide to New Employment
THE ELEVATOR SPEECH
An elevator speech is a 2-3 minute prepared presentation that grabs attention of a potential employer and says a lot in a
few words. The point of developing a great elevator pitch, is to introduce yourself in a way that will make the employer
want to know more about you while separating yourself from other job seekers.
TIPS FOR SUCCESSFULLY CREATING AND USING YOUR ELEVATOR SPEECH:
Winter 2016 COVA Newsletter Page 10
•Be specific with your self-description. Make it memorable
and sincere.
•Focus on how your skills can benefit the
employer.
•Be sure to sound relaxed and natural.
Your speech should be friendly and enthu-
siastic A smile is often the best way to
show friendliness and a firm voice is the
best way to express confidence.
•Maintain eye contact
•Familiarize yourself with the speech as much as possible.
Know your speech well enough so you can express your key
points in various ways depending upon your
situation and audience.
•Don’t rush your speech.
•Practice makes perfect. The more you give
your speech, the better is will become.
Don’t worry if your speech isn’t smooth,
easy or natural in the beginning. If you
stick with it, you will find that it gets better
and better. You will be remembered.
John Jay College Veterans Club Trip
On Saturday October 24th, 2015, 15 students from the John Jay Veterans Association embarked on
a very long bus ride to visit one of the oldest states of the original 13 colonies, Massachusetts. Their first ad-
venture after arrival was to tour the U.S.S Constitution, which resides in the Boston Naval Yard. This wood-
en-hulled, three-masted frigate of the United States Navy is most famous for her actions in the War of 1812
against the United Kingdom. As an extra surprise, there also berthed at the Yard was the U.S.S. Cassin
Young. A Fletcher-class destroyer named after Captain Cassin Young, who was awarded the Medal of Honor
for his acts of heroism in the Japanese attack against Pearl Harbor. Most famous for her service in World War
II, she was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1968 for being one of the only four surviving
Fletcher-class destroyers still afloat.
After a very educational trip through history, the Veterans Association headed to Fenway Park, home
of the Boston Red Socks. There, they went through a 1-hour historical tour to which led them to stand on top
of not only the Green Monster but also on the very field the Boston Red Socks play on. The next day, the stu-
dents ventured towards Bunker Hill, where a battle ensued on
June 17, 1775 and was honored with a 221-foot granite obelisk.
Our Veteran students and supporters had climbed the monu-
ment to the top. Afterwards, they traveled to Salem, Massachu-
setts and enjoyed their individual time venturing around as
they pleased. Some went to a Halloween themed maze and
some went to go enjoy the famous local clam chowder. At the
end of the day, tired and ready to go home, the students em-
barked on another 5-hour long journey to return to John
Jay College.
Veteran Resources
Winter 2016 COVA Newsletter Page 11
Know Your Benefits
Below is a list of addresses, phone numbers, and websites that may be useful in your military to civilian transition.
VA MEDICAL CENTERS
Bronx VA Medical Center
130 West Kingsbridge Road
Bronx, NY 10468;
(718) 584-9000
NY Div VA Medical Center
423 East 23rd St
New York, NY 10010;
(212) 686-7500
BK Poly Pl Campus
VA Medical Center
800 Poly Place
Brooklyn, NY 11209;
(718) 836-6600
St. Albans Extended
Care Center
17901 Linden Blvd
Jamaica, NY 11434;
(718) 526-1000
CLINICS
Bay Shore CBOC
132 Main St.
Bay Shore, NY 11706
(631) 328-9092
East Meadow Clinic
2201 Hempstead Turnpike Bldg. Q
East Meadow, NY 11554
(631) 754-7978
VA Harlem Care Center
55 West 125th St.
New York, NY 10027
(646) 273-8125
Thomas P. Noonan Jr. Clinic
47-01 Queens Blvd
Sunnyside, NY 11104
Staten Island Health Care Center
21 Water Street
Staten Island, NY 10304
(718) 761-2973
White Plains VHA Clinic
23 South Broadway
White Plains, NY 10601
(914)-421-1951
Yonkers VHA Clinic
124 New Main St
Yonkers, NY 10701
(914) 375-8055x4400
VET CENTERS
Bronx Vet Center
2471 Morris Ave Suite 1A
Bronx, NY 10468
(718) 367-3500
Brooklyn Vet Center
25 Chapel Street Suite 604
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 624-2765
Harlem Vet Center
2279 3rd Ave 2nd FL
New York, NY 10035
(212) 426-2200
Manhattan Vet Center
32 Broadway 2nd FL, Suite 200
New York. NY 10004
(212) 742-9591
Nassau Vet Center
970 South Broadway
Hicksville, NY 11801
(516) 348-0088
Queens Vet Center
75-10B 91 Ave
Woodhaven, NY 11421
(718)296-2871
Staten Island Vet Center
60 Bay Street
Staten Island, NY 10301
(718) 816-4499
White Plains Vet Center
300 Hamilton Ave Suite C
White Plains, NY 10601
(914) 682-6250
Websites
eBenefits………………………………………………………………………………………………………...www.eBenefits.va.gov
Education Benefits…………………….………………………………………………………………….www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
Health Care Eligibility………………………………………………………………………..………...www.va.gov/healthbenefits
Homeless Veterans…………………………………………………………………………………………….www.va.gov/homeless
Mental Health……………………………………………………………………………………………..www.mentalhealth.va.gov
National Resource Directory…………………………………………………………………………………………....www.nrd.gov
Records……………………………………………………………………………...www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel
Women Veterans……………………………………………………………………………………………...www.va.gov/womenvet
VA Benefit Payment Rates…………………………………………………………………………...www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/rates
VA Forms………………………………………………………………………………………………………….www.va.gov/vaforms
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment……………………………….……………………www.benefits.va.gov.vocrehab
Winter 2016 COVA Newsletter . Page 12
About Wounded Warrior Project- The mission of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is
to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP’s purpose is to raise awareness and to
enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen
and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services
to meet their needs. WWP Combat Stress Recovery Program (CSRP) addresses the mental
health and cognitive needs of injured combat veterans returning from war. Included in
CSRP is Project Odyssey, an experiential learning retreat where combat veterans dealing with post-traumatic
stress participate in outdoor activities and learn coping skills that support the healing process. To get involved and
learn more about WWP, visit woundedwarriorproject.org
Combat Stress Recovery Program WWP Combat Stress Recovery Program (CSRP) addresses the mental health
and cognitive needs of injured combat veterans returning from war.. The services CSRP provides give wounded
service members the support they need at key stages during the injured veteran’s readjustment process. CSRP em-
powers returning warriors to help themselves heal and recover from the invisible wounds of war. Through CSRP,
we recognize many of our warriors are experiencing challenges in their lives related to combat stress and post-
traumatic stress disorder .(PTSD)
Project Odyssey Project Odyssey® unites combat veterans with PTSD and readjustment challenges during out-
door activities that support the healing process. Through experiential learning Project Odyssey participants can
process PTSD experiences with a goal of improving everyday functionality in their lives. Project Odyssey exposes
warriors to activities that provide opportunities for self-challenge, peer support, psycho-education, and combat
stress-specific coping skills. Building a warrior’s support network by connecting him/her to fellow peers, WWP
staff, and counselors is at the forefront of Project Odyssey. Project Odyssey Specialists help warriors develop practi-
cal goals to aid in the transition out of Project Odyssey. Warriors need to apply for Project Odyssey, which is held
regionally and connects peers in their local communities. Wounded Warrior Project offers gender- and couple-
specific Project Odysseys. For more info contact Gregory Hancock, Project Odyssey coordinator, Northeast at
[email protected] or (646) 666-9015.
Wounded Warrior Project - Project Odyssey
Leadership Program for Veterans
Competence | Confidence | Leadership
Why Riding? Working
with horses offers in-
stant and continuous
feedback to partici-
pants, requires physical
strength and balance, and is highly mo-
tivational – combining to make an ex-
ceptionally effective environment for
leadership and person-
al growth.
GallopNYC has
worked with dozens of
veterans and looks for-
ward to helping you
unlock your true poten-
tial – and have fun.
“I have loved this experience and I love my horse. You don’t think of
anything else but what is happening in the moment. It’s all about you
and the horse, and it is great!” Phil Mackie, Veteran Rider, 2013.
Programs Resume Spring 2016
FREE for VETERANS AND
THEIR FAMILIES
For more information and to sign
up please email:
Or call/visit:
(646) 233-4507
www.gallopnyc.org
“Learning to ride has
been at times a test of
my patience and my
ability to learn a new
skill. When I learned to
relax and trust the
horse, the horse relaxed
and began to trust me.”
Sam Garcia, Veteran
Veteran Resources
Winter 2016 COVA Newsletter Page 13
Stand Beside Them (SBT) is a nonprofit organization, providing free one-on-one, confidential
coaching for veterans, spouses, and caregivers. Experienced, certified, highly-trained Stand
Beside Them coaches come with credentials and accomplishments from all walks of life. Sever-
al of the coaches are veterans. Check out testimonials from other veterans and apply for coach-
ing on the SBT website: http://www.standbesidethem.org or call SBT at 212-706-VETS
(8387).
The VITAL Initiative is a partnership between VA New York Harbor and your school. We’re here
to help you navigate your concerns and maximize your unique set of strengths, skills and life ex-
periences as you translate your talents into the academic setting. Services offered weekly include
enrollment for healthcare at VA New York Harbor, support and counseling for readjustment, an-
ger, stress, sleep issues and more, coping strategies for the classroom —concentration, restless-
ness, memory, assistance with educational benefits, vocational rehab, and filing claims, tutoring
services, and VA Work Study opportunities. Contact Yvette Branson, PhD, VITAL Initiative Coordinator VA New
York Harbor at [email protected] or (646) 772-6087. Learn more at: http://www.nyharbor.va.gov/services/
vital.asp. Education is Transformative!
The Steven and Alexandra Cohen Military Family Clinic at NYU Langone Medical Center provides
free individual, couples, and group therapy for military personnel, veterans, and their entire family
regardless of discharge status, combat exposure, or era served. Interested individuals can call our
intake line at 855-NYU-4677, email us at [email protected] or visit us online at
www.nyulangone.org/militaryfamilyclinic. For additional information regarding our comprehensive
PTSD research study, and how post-9/11 veterans may be compensated up to $550 for their time
and participation, please visit www.nyulangone.org/cohenveteranscenter or call 877-698-3299.
CUNY is a Proud Member of
NYCServes!
NYCServes – New York City is the first coordinated network of public, private, and non-profit organizations work-
ing together to serve veterans, active service members, and military families. We believe it is crucial for these groups
to have easy access to a full range of comprehensive services necessary to achieve their unique goals. NYCServes is
committed to this vision and is working with over 50 partner organizations to bridge services gaps, formalize commu-
nication, coordinate services, and hold ourselves accountable ensuring our veterans receive services.
The mission of NYCServes is to empower and enhance the efforts of the network of services providers in the New
York City area, and equip them with the technological, and information resources needed to efficiently and effectively
guide service-members, veterans, and their families to the most appropriate services and resources.
To date, NYCServes has assisted over 1,000 veterans, service-members, and military families with over 1,400 specific
services requests. NYCServes has assisted in many different capacities such as: connection to employment services,
entitlements, VA Benefits, volunteer opportunities, healthcare, education, legal services, and housing. Recently, the
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) have become a partner provider
in the NYCServes network. This partnership has allowed NYCServes veterans direct access to services spanning the
federal and community based provider family…there is no wrong door. As we identify new opportunities and where
the veteran community could be served better we continue to add to the provider network enhancing its ability to
remain dynamic.
Follow us! Twitter - @AmericaServesHQ / Facebook - AmericaServes
Winter 2016 COVA Newsletter . Page 14
Veteran Career Fair
Winter 2016 COVA Newsletter Page 15
#CUNYVets2016
Winter 2016 COVA Newsletter Page 16
Additional Resources
Contact Us
Central Office of Student
Affairs
555 West 57th Street, 14th
Floor
New York, NY 10019
P: 646-664-8800
Main Email
Vet Fee Waiver Email
Web Site
www.cuny.edu/veterans
___________________________
Lisa Beatha
United States Army Veteran
University Director of
Veterans Affairs
(646) 664-8835
___________________________
Social Media
CUNY Veterans
@CUNYVets
@CUNYVeterans
CUNY Veteran Affairs
___________________________
Want to see stories about
veterans at your campus?
Submit them!!
Just email questions,
comments or articles to:
Jazmin McBride
