The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) requires that you attend class and submit work in order to receive GI Bill and Chapter 35 benefits.
If you receive an "F" in a class, and it is determined that you received that "F" because of nonattendance or not submitting work, you may have to repay your veterans education benefits.
The USDVA also requires us to report "N" grades because an "N" does not count toward your GPA or criteria for graduation requirements. If you receive an "N" in a class, you will be charged with an overpayment.
It is important to remember that if you want to drop a course, you must officially do so online or at a One Stop Student Services Center. You must speak to the Veterans Certification Office in order to drop below your original level of enrollment; this is to make sure that the USDVA is informed of your change in credit load and you are informed of how it might affect your benefits status.
Nonattendance and changes in credit load could also affect other financial aid that you receive. Please speak to a veterans coordinator in the Veterans Certification Office with questions related to changes in your credit load.
If you are facing challenges in your classes, please contact the Veterans Services Office in 200 Fraser Hall as early as possible to learn about academic and tutoring resources that are available to you at the University.
There have been several recent changes to the Chapter 1607 benefits policies and procedures:
Please watch your University e-mail account in the beginning of April for information about how to use your education benefits for summer classes. We will send information and instructions to you. If you have received benefits for spring, you do not need to fill out the University of Minnesota Veterans Enrollment Certificate.
The second annual University of Minnesota Student Veteran Survey was completed at the end of December. Surveys were sent to 476 student veterans; the surveys inquired about about experiences with the Veteran Certification Office and other offices on campus. We also asked for comments and suggestions related to the newly developed orientation program for veterans and the Student Veteran Appreciation Day event. Approximately 48 percent of the surveys were completed; they noted remarkably high standards of service.
Student who completed the survey the first week were entered into a drawing for an iPod Nano. Students who completed the survey in weeks two and three were entered into a drawing for a University of Minnesota sweatshirt.
We are pleased to announce that over 98 percent of student veterans felt the certification office met their needs, with 90 percent indicating very good or outstanding customer service. Student comments were extremely positive: "I'm thrilled to have your office available. It is a tremendous asset to the University vets. You guys do an outstanding job. Thank you,” "The University (and the State) have been very good to and accommodating for veterans. I brag all the time to my friends elsewhere. Thank you for all you do to support us.” "Any help I needed from the University's One Stop was extremely well handled. Thank you!", "The University has very high quality Veterans' service," "I'm very impressed with the veterans services on campus. The U has done an outstanding job so far,” were just some of the comments we received.
We welcome your continued feedback. Suggestions and comments can be submitted to veterans@umn.edu. Thank you from everyone at Veteran Certification Office.
The Veterans Services office is pleased to welcome Mike Lovas, the new Veterans Coordinator. Mike will be working with Carin Anderson on veterans education benefits. He is also in training to be a One Stop Counselor, so he will be able to respond to your questions about enrollment, billing, and financial aid.
Mike graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He was a member of the Minnesota Marching Band (where he met his fiancee Melissa) and the Omega Nu Alpha fraternity. Mike is currently a member of the Minnesota Army National Guard. Welcome, Mike!
On November 14, 2007, over 300 veterans, their families, and supporters came together to recognize the contributions of student veterans at the University of Minnesota. The first University of Minnesota Student Veterans Appreciation Day event featured remarks by University President Robert Bruininks, Regent Dean Johnson, Chair Patricia Simmons, and student veteran Aaron Ledebuhr, plus the ROTC Joint-Service Color Guard and the Minnesota Marching Band. The noon-time event concluded with a U. S. Air Force F16 flyover over the mall. The photos below show highlights of the event.
Many thanks to the event co-sponsors, including the Veterans Transition Center, Coca-Cola Beverage Partnership, Office for Student Affairs, One Stop Student Services, TCF Bank, and University Dining Services.
Photo by Donna Weispfenning, University of Minnesota
Photo by Donna Weispfenning, University of Minnesota
Photo by Patrick O'Leary, University of Minnesota
Photo by Patrick O'Leary, University of Minnesota
Spring billing and due dates are available on the One Stop Web site. Please note: If you have difficulty meeting these billing due dates because you have not received your veterans benefits, please contact the Veterans Certification Office at 612-625-8076 or veterans@umn.edu. You will not be charged late fees if your late payment is caused by delays in your certification that exceed the V.A.'s anticipated 4-6 week processing time.
Beginning in spring 2008, the Veterans Transition Center (VTC) is in a new location:
Veterans Transition Center
302 Wesbrook Hall
77 Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/vtc/vtc/
VTC@umn.edu, 612-624-2913
HOURS: M-F 8am-6pm
The Veterans Transition Center (VTC) is a nonpartisan, student-led veterans group at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. The VTC provides a place on campus for veterans to meet, relax, share stories, meet other veterans, play board games, or watch a movie (there's a couch, TV/DVD player, and vending machines nearby so you can even have some popcorn with your movie). Currently, there is FREE pizza and pop available every Friday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit the VTC's Web site for more information on how you can get involved.
One Stop | Contact Us | ©2008 University of Minnesota
The Veterans Connection is a newsletter published each
term by One Stop Student Services to provide information about veterans
benefits and the resources the University provides to help veterans
receive those benefits. Please contact the University of Minnesota
Veterans Certification office with questions, concerns, or news for
future issues.
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and
employer. This publication is available in alternative formats upon
request.