VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER ONLINE ORIENTATION

MISSION STATEMENT“The mission of the Veterans Resource Center is to provide a pipeline of

information including resources, support, and advocacy for student Veterans and dependents to utilize in order to create successful leaders on campus, in

the community, and Smith County.”

Table of Contents

• VA Contact Information

• UT Tyler Contact Information

• Veterans Resource Center Information

• How to use your benefits at UT Tyler

• Resources at UT Tyler

• Community Involvement

• Student Veterans Organization

“Never Forget What We Fight For”

VA Contact Information

Veterans Affairs Regional Office Information

Mailing Address:P.O. Box 8888Muskogee, Oklahoma 74402-8888

Contact Information:Toll free number: 1-888-GI-BILL-1(888) 442-4551Fax No.: 918-781-7863

Veterans Affairs online address: http://www.gibill.va.gov/

Verification of enrollment: https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do

Telephone No.: 1-877-823-2378

The University of Texas at Tyler Contact Information

Mailing Address:The University of Texas at Tyler3900 University Blvd UC 2140Tyler, TX 75799 UT Tyler Web page: http://www.uttyler.edu/ Enrollment Services CenterPhone: (903) 566-7180Fax: (903) 566-7183Email: enroll@uttyler.edu

VA Certifying officialsTonya Woodrow (Post 9/11 G.I. Bill)Email: twoodrow@uttyler.edu

Travis Longino (All Other Education Benefits)Email: tlongino@uttyler.edu

As President of The University of Texas at Tyler, it is my privilege to welcome veterans, military service members, and their families to this website. Thank you for your service to our country and your sacrifice in preserving our freedom. We consider it an honor to serve you, the men and women of our armed forces. Thank you, too, for choosing UT Tyler. It is an outstanding institution, and we are committed to being one of the most veteran and military friendly campuses in the UT System and in the State of Texas. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to helping you achieve success in pursuit of your academic, career and personal goals.

This Veterans and Military Affairs website was designed specifically with you in mind. Its purpose is to address your unique needs as well as provide general information on our enrollment process and the many services available to you on campus and in the community.

The entire UT Tyler family looks forward to seeing you on our campus soon.

Rodney H. MabryPresident

VETERANS RESOURCE CENTERTHE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT

TYLER

VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER INFORMATION

Location:The University Center Room 2140 (Ground Floor)Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 Monday through Friday

Contact Information:Phone: (903) 565-5972Fax: (903) 565-5974Email: vrc@uttyler.eduFacebook: www.facebook.com/uttyler.veterans

Coordinator of Veteran’s Affairs: Chris Cox

THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE USING VETERAN BENEFITSADMISSION:

Apply to The University of Texas at Tyler by going to www.applytexas.org. Then click on “Create your account now” if you have never used this website or “login” if you have used this website before. Then fill out all required information, submit, and wait for your acceptance letter in the mail.

Submit $40 application fee. Submit $100 Freshman confirmation fee if you have under 30 credit hours from other colleges. Turn in all military and college transcripts to the Enrollment Services Center. (30hrs or more and 2.0 or above G.P.A. is required to be

classified as a transfer student).

REGISTRATION: Set up appointment with your academic advisor in order to set up a degree plan and to receive your signed degree plan from your

academic advisor. Academic advising phone number: (903) 565-5718. Register for classes through myUTTyler every semester. Tutorial link bellow. (

http://www.uttyler.edu/registrar/tutorials/general_registration_tutorial.pdf)

FINANCIAL AID: Apply for financial aid by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov. Then click on “Start A New FAFSA” if you have never used this website or “Login” if

you have used this website before. Then fill out all required information and submit. We highly recommend that you do this because you could possibly get a grant on top of your Veteran Benefits.

OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS: Research other scholarships to see if you qualify for any extra help financially @ www.fastweb.com.

HOW TO USE YOUR BENEFITS AT UT TYLER

All VA and Hazlewood forms to be turned into the VRC

STEP ONE: Applying for VA Benefits

Submit one of the following applications on the GI Bill website (www.gibill.va.gov) depending on your educational benefit request. You may identify the specific benefit program on the application (ex: Ch. 33 Post 9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill).

•Form 22-1990 – Veterans applying for educational benefits for the first time

•Form 22-1995 – Veterans who are changing their place of training

•Form 22-5490 – Dependent of a Veteran applying for the first time

•Form 22-5495 – Dependent of a Veteran changing their place of training

•Form 28-1905 – Veterans eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation benefits

HOW TO USE YOUR BENEFITS AT UT TYLER

STEP TWO: Documentation Required for all Benefit Types

All students utilizing benefits at UT Tyler must submit the following:

•Certificate of Eligibility (COE) (mailed to you after you apply online for G.I. bill benefits)

•DD-214, (any copy except member-1)

•Degree Plan (signed by your academic advisor for VA benefits)

•Enrollment Certification Request Form – on-line form found on the UT Tyler Veteran’s Benefits webpage, http://www.uttyler.edu/financialaid/veteransbenefits.php. This form must be submitted every semester you wish to use educational benefits at UT Tyler.

HOW TO USE YOUR BENEFITS AT UT TYLER

STEP THREE: Additional Documentation Needed

If you are a dependent, using vocational rehabilitation, or attending another college or university while going to the following documentation is needed:

• Dependents – a copy of a Marriage License or Birth Certificate indicating dependent status

• Vocational Rehabilitation - the VA Form 28-1905 must be submitted (an approval letter from a Vocational Rehabilitation Office will be accepted in place of the Form 28-1905)

• If you are also attending another college or university, you must submit a copy of your schedule from that institution to the UT Tyler Enrollment Services Center. A Parent Institution Letter will be sent to the other college or university authorizing them to certify you for those courses.

ELIGIBLITY

If you have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001, and are still on active duty, or if you are an honorably discharged Veteran or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days, you may be eligible for this VA-administered program.

BENEFIT

• Provides up to 36 months of education benefits, generally payable for 15 years following your release from active duty.

• Full tuition and fees are paid directly to the school.

• Monthly housing allowance. (Full-time: $1350)

• Annual books and supplies stipend. ($1000)

WHAT YOU NEED TO TURN INSubmit Application on GI Bill website, Form 22-1990 to apply for the first time, Form 22-1995 to change place of training, at the website bellow to apply online. (http://www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/default.asp)

Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from VA, Mailed to you from VA after completion of Vonapp application online from above.

DD-214 From Veteran, Any copy except member-1 as indicated on bottom right of the DD-214.

Degree Plan, Signed by your academic advisor.

Complete Enrollment Certification Request Form, link bellow (https://www.uttyler.edu/utsforms/ecrf.html)

If Dual Enrollment with Other College, Copy of schedule from other institute and parent letter needed.

USING POST 9/11 G.I. BILL (CH.33)

ELIGIBLITY

If veteran has at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001, and are still on active duty, or if you are an honorably discharged Veteran or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days, you may be eligible for this VA-administered program. Go to (https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/faces/index) to determine if dependent is eligible.

BENEFIT

• Provides up to 36 months of education benefits, generally payable for 15 years following your release from active duty.

• Full tuition and fees are paid directly to the school.

• Monthly housing allowance. (Full-time: $1350)

• Annual books and supplies stipend. ($1000)

WHAT YOU NEED TO TURN INDetermine if Dependent is Eligible, Go to webpage bellow (https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/faces/index)

Submit Application on GI Bill website, Form 22-1990 to apply for the first time, Form 22-1995 to change place of training, at the website bellow to apply online. (http://www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/default.asp)

Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from VA, Mailed to you from VA after completion of vonapp application online from above.

Copy of VA Form 22-1990e, Can be found at webpage bellow (http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-22-1990e-ARE.pdf)

DD-214 From Veteran, Any copy except member-1 as indicated on bottom right of the DD-214.

Degree Plan, Signed by your academic advisor for VA benefits.

Complete Enrollment Certification Request Form, link bellow (https://www.uttyler.edu/utsforms/ecrf.html)

Proof of Dependency, tax return from veteran, birth certificate of child, or marriage license for spouse.

If Dual Enrollment with Other College, Copy of schedule from other institute and parent letter needed.

USING YOUR TRANSFERRED POST 9-11 G.I. BILL (CH. 33)

WHAT YOU NEED TO TURN IN

Submit Application on GI Bill website, Form 22-1990 to apply for the first time, Form 22-1995 to change place of training, at the website bellow to apply online. (http://www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/default.asp)

Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from VA, Mailed to you from VA after completion of vonapp application online.

DD-214 From Veteran, Any copy except member-1 as indicated on bottom right of the DD-214.

Degree Plan, Signed by your academic advisor for VA benefits.

Complete Enrollment Certification Request Form, link bellow (https://www.uttyler.edu/utsforms/ecrf.html)

Verify Monthly Enrollment Status, link bellow (https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do)

Proof of Dependency if Dependent is Using Benefit, tax return from veteran, birth certificate of child, or marriage license of spouse.

If Dual Enrollment with Other College, Copy of schedule from other institute and parent letter needed.

ELIGIBILITY

Continuously served for three years or two years, if that is what you first enlisted for or if you entered the Selected Reserve within a year of leaving active duty and served four years (the 2 by 4 program) and had military pay reduced by $100 a month for first 12 months.

BENEFIT

Eligible Service members may receive up to 36 months of education benefits, generally payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.

Full-time without $600 buy-up: $1,648.00

Full-time with $600 buy-up: $1798.00

USING MONTGOMERY GI BILL ACTIVE DUTY (CH.30)

ELIGIBILITY

•Have a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve signed after June 30, 1985. If you are an officer, you must have agreed to serve six years in addition to your original obligation. For some types of training, it is necessary to have a six-year commitment that begins after Sept. 30, 1990.•Complete your initial active duty for training (IADT).•Meet the requirement to receive a high school diploma or equivalency certificate before completing IADT. You may not use 12 hours toward a college degree to meet this requirement.•Remain in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit. You will also retain MGIB-SR eligibility if you were discharged from Selected Reserve service due to a disability that was not caused by misconduct. Your eligibility period may be extended if you are ordered to active duty.

BENEFIT

Eligible Service members may receive up to 36 months of education benefits, generally payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.

Full-time: $362.00 Monthly

USING MONTGOMERY G.I. BILL SELECTED RESERVE (CH. 1606)

WHAT YOU NEED TO TURN IN

Submit Application on GI Bill website, Form 22-1990 to apply for the first time, Form 22-1995 to change place of training, at the website bellow to apply online. (http://www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/default.asp)

Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from VA, Mailed to you from VA after completion of vonapp application online.

DD-214 From Veteran, Any copy except member-1 as indicated on bottom right of the DD-214.

Degree Plan, Signed by your academic advisor for VA benefits.

Complete Enrollment Certification Request Form, link bellow (https://www.uttyler.edu/utsforms/ecrf.html)

Verify Monthly Enrollment Status, link bellow (https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do)

Proof of Dependency if Dependent is Using Benefit, tax return from veteran, birth certificate of child, or marriage license of spouse.

If Dual Enrollment with Other College, Copy of schedule from other institute and parent letter needed.

WHAT YOU NEED TO TURN IN

Submit Application on GI Bill website, Form 22-1990 to apply for the first time, Form 22-1995 to change place of training, at the website bellow to apply online. (http://www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/default.asp)

Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from VA, Mailed to you from VA after completion of vonapp application online.

DD-214 From Veteran, Any copy except member-1 as indicated on bottom right of the DD-214.

Degree Plan, Signed by your academic advisor for VA benefits.

Complete Enrollment Certification Request Form, link bellow (https://www.uttyler.edu/utsforms/ecrf.html)

Verify Monthly Enrollment Status, link bellow (https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do)

Proof of Dependency if Dependent is Using Benefit, tax return from veteran, birth certificate of child, or marriage license of spouse.

If Dual Enrollment with Other College, Copy of schedule from other institute and parent letter needed.

ELIGIBILITY

REAP provides educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency declared by the president or Congress. Certain Reservists who were activated for at least 90 days after Sept. 11, 2001, may be eligible for benefits.

BENEFIT

Eligible Service members may receive up to 36 months of education benefits, generally payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.

FULL TIME STUDENT WHO HAS CONSECUTIVELY:Served Between 90 DAYS-1 YEAR: $659.20Served Between 1YEAR-2 YEARS: $988.80Served 2 YEARS OR MORE: $1,318.40

USING RESERVE EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CH. 1607)

WHAT YOU NEED TO TURN IN

Submit Application and Send to VA Office, Form 22-5490 link bellow (http://www.va.gov/vaforms/form_detail.asp?FormNo=22-5490)

Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from VA, Mailed to you from VA after completion of vonapp application online @ (http://www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/default.asp)

DD-214 From Veteran, Any copy except member-1 as indicated on bottom right of the DD-214.

Degree Plan, Signed by your academic advisor for VA benefits.

Complete Enrollment Certification Request Form, link bellow (https://www.uttyler.edu/utsforms/ecrf.html)

Proof of Dependency, tax return from veteran, birth certificate of child, or marriage license of spouse.

If Dual Enrollment with Other College, Copy of schedule from other institute and parent letter needed.

ELIGIBILITY

The Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or of Veterans who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.

BENEFIT

Eligible Service members may receive up to 36 months of education benefits, generally payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.

FULL TIME STUDENT WHO HAS CONSECUTIVELY:Served Between 90 DAYS-1 YEAR: $659.20Served Between 1YEAR-2 YEARS: $988.80Served 2 YEARS OR MORE: $1,318.40

USING SURVIVORS AND DEPENDENT ASSISTANCE (CH. 35)

WHAT YOU NEED TO TURN IN

Submit Application on GI Bill website, Form 22-1990 to apply for the first time, Form 22-1995 to change place of training, at the website bellow to apply online. (http://www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/default.asp)

VA Form 28-1905, Approval letter from vocational rehabilitation office will be accepted in place of VA Form 28-1905.

DD-214 From Veteran, Any copy except member-1 as indicated on bottom right of the DD-214.

Degree Plan, Signed by your academic advisor for VA benefits.

Complete Enrollment Certification Request Form, link bellow (https://www.uttyler.edu/utsforms/ecrf.html)

Proof of Dependency if Dependent is Using Benefit, tax return from veteran, birth certificate of child, or marriage license of spouse.

If Dual Enrollment with Other College, Copy of schedule from other institute and parent letter needed.

ELIGIBILITY

•Have received, or will receive, a discharge that is other than dishonorable•Have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10%, or a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)•Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) services

BENEFIT

Eligible Service members may receive up to 36 months of education benefits.

Full tuition and fees are paid directly to the school.

Monthly housing allowance. (Full-time: $1350)

Books completely paid for.

USING VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (CH. 31)

WHAT YOU NEED TO TURN IN

HAE-APP, Hazlewood Application Packet found @ (http://www.tvc.texas.gov/Hazlewood-Act.aspx)

Benefits letter from VA if discharged after 9/11/2001, fill out the 22-1990 @ (https://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp_ssl/login.asp) to show that you have used all or are not eligible for G.I. Bill.

Hours of Hazlewood Used, Print webpage that indicates how many hours used @ (http://www.tvc.texas.gov/Hazlewood-Act.aspx)

DD-214 From Veteran, Any copy except member-1 as indicated on bottom right of the DD-214.

Degree Plan, Signed by your academic advisor for VA benefits.

Proof of Dependency if Dependent is Using Benefit, Can be a tax return from veteran or a birth certificate of dependent.

ELIGIBILITY•At the time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces, designated Texas as Home of Record; or entered the service in Texas; or was a Texas resident;•Have received an honorable discharge or separation or a general discharge under honorable conditions;•Served at least 181 days of active duty service (excluding training);•Have no federal Veteran’s education benefits, or have no federal Veterans education benefits dedicated to the payment of tuition and fees only (such as Chapter 33 or 31; for term or semester enrolled that do not exceed the value of Hazlewood benefits;•Not be in default on a student loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas; •Enroll in classes for which the college receives tax support (i.e., a course that does not depend solely on student tuition and fees to cover its cost), unless the college’s governing board has ruled to let Veterans receive the benefit while taking non-funded courses; and•Meet the GPA requirement of the institution's satisfactory academic progress policy in a degree or certificate program as determined by the institution's financial aid policy. (Effective fall 2014)

BENEFIT

The Hazlewood Act is a State of Texas benefit that provides qualified Veterans, spouses, and dependent children with an education benefit of up to 150 hours of tuition exemption, including most fee charges, at public institutions of higher education in Texas. This does NOT include living expenses, books, or supply fees.

USING HAZLEWOOD EXEMPTION

WHAT THE VRC OFFERS Coffee

Camaraderie

Video games

Place to network

Study guides: GRE, GMAT, MCAT, SAT, ACT, etc

Place for group projects

Small business center for printing, faxing, copying

In house PTSD counseling by a Veteran

Entertainment center: spades anyone?, chess, risk, dominos

Help with all campus forms: admissions, registration, financial aid, veterans benefits

Jobs, resume building

Peer to peer tutoring and mentoring

Throwback Thursdays: free food once a month, learn about what’s available to you on and off campus

COUNSELING FOR VETERANSWe have free counselors here at The University of Texas at Tyler for any student with an active student I.D. card. Our Veteran counselor, Jahn Quattlebaum, is a Veteran himself and hangs out in the Veteran Resource Center for five hours every Thursday if anyone is interested in meeting him or are interested in having a professional to talk to. Jahn makes appointments with Veterans through the University of Texas at Tyler Student Counseling Center. Many Veterans here at The University of Texas at Tyler have gone to Jahn for military or personal related issues. Every Veteran that goes to Jahn makes another appointment for the next week, “He is just that good.”

Student Counseling Center Information:

Website: https://www.uttyler.edu/counseling/

Phone Number: (903) 565-5673

Counselor Information:

Name: Jahn Quattlebaum

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT City of Tyler’s Mayor’s Community Roundtable

Chamber of Commerce Roundtable

Education Committee of the Roundtable

VEIN-Veterans Education Institution Network, a fancy way of saying we work with other colleges and junior colleges on benefits and helping students

Work with all Veterans who may have questions about benefits or other services

VETERANS SUPPORT PAGE City of Tyler Veteran Round Table @ http://www.cityoftyler.org/Government/MayorandCouncil/Mayor/MayorsVeteransRoundtable.aspx.

Student Veterans of America @ http://www.studentveterans.org/.

Texas Wounded Warrior @ http://www.txwoundedwarrior.com/.

Wounded Warrior Project @ http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/.

The Green Zone @ (903) 593-8965, Provide support for behavioral healthcare.

Vocational Rehabilitation Representatives Demetrice Coon (903) 565-0441 & Melissa Parish (903)565-0490

Survivor Outreach Services @ http://www.txfss.com/SOS.html or (903) 595-6544

Patriot Guard Riders @ https://www.patriotguard.org/.

STUDENT VETERANS ORGANIZATION

President is Chris “Topher” Stout(Navy Vet)

Vice President is Christel Reilly (Army Reserve Vet)

Public Affairs Officer is Trent Clark (Army Vet)

What we do:

a. Give back to Veterans by having fundraisers to receive money to use toward any Veteran scholarships, ideas, wants, and needs.

b. Volunteer for community service not only in Tyler but in surrounding cities in order to establish a good relationship with our community and Veterans.

c. Have others to talk to. No one will ever know anything that we have been through, except the people that we have served with. Talking to each other in the group will bring not only a great stress relief, but also to bring networking for future endeavors.

Schedule in VRC:

a. See the Veterans Resource Center for times

b. Come to VRC between 8:00-17:00 if interested in joining.

Benefits:

a. Honor Cord for Graduation - active participation with the organization.

b. Networking - help one another not only now, but in the future.

c. Camaraderie – Know others from a similar background.

CONTACT INFORMATION:Email: svo@uttyler.eduFacebook: www.facebook.com/groups/svouttylerBlackboard: Under organization tab once a member

STUDENT MONEY MANAGEMENTMISSION:

Our mission is to assist students with improving their financial literacy and to develop good financial habits during their college experience. We assist students with becoming more fiscally responsible, aware of their financial priorities, and finding success during college and after graduation. We are here to help our students create solutions for today and tomorrow.

SOME THINGS THEY DO:

• Creating a Budget• Establishing Credit and Using Credit Wisely• Saving Money• Paying Back Loans• Ways to Protect Your Identity• Managing Expenses Before, During, and After College

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Location: UC 3320 3900 University Blvd. Tyler, TX 75799

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Phone: (903) 566-5946 Fax: (903) 565-3581 Make an appointment: smm@uttyler.edu

Veterans Resource Center Awards

The University of Texas at Tyler is a proud participant in the Tool Kit for Veteran Friendly Institutions.Please review this link for more information.https://vetfriendlytoolkit.acenet.edu/Pages/default.aspx

"Got Your 6" is a national campaign that supports veterans in their transition into civilian life.http://www.gotyour6.org/

In 2014, The University of Texas at Tyler was recognized by Military Times as #6 out of all Texas Colleges in "Best for Vets".http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20131111/EDU04/311110003/Best-Vets-Colleges-2014

PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE TO LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.

http://uttyler.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_57TleAoOziHg8mh

THE VRC

“One fight. One family.”

“No Veteran Left Behind”