Transition Course for New Cal Veterans for Fall 2009

Education 198: Veterans in Higher Education
One unit pass/not pass
Instructor and Course Coordinator: Ron Williams

This course is designed to acclimate veterans to the opportunities and expectations of student life at UC Berkeley. Learn to maximize benefits and make the best transition to the Cal academic experience. This class affords the opportunity to
connect with other new and experienced Cal veteransdifferent from the traditional student experience.

Cal Veterans Mentorship Within the
Starting Point Mentorship Program

Social Welfare 97/197 and Ethnic Studies 97/197: Starting Point Mentorships
1-2 Units (P/NP)
Instructor and Course Coordinator: Omar Ramírez

The Starting Point Mentorship Program matches California community college students with Cal veterans who have completed at least one semester at UC Berkeley and enroll in this course to serve as mentors. The program is specifically designed to encourage under-served students (older returning students, low income students first generation college students, students combining school and parenting, veterans etc.), and welcomes all students to explore their academic potential and prepare themselves for transfer to UC Berkeley. Mentors provide mentees with motivation, information, and access to resources. They also meet regularly throughout the semester to discuss goals, services, opportunities, and resources.     

Class sessions are held on:
Mondays from 2-3 PM OR Tuesdays from 2-3 PM in 105 César Chávez

New GI Bill Overview

VA Now Accepting Student Applications
for Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs has annouced that it will begin accepting applications from individual students for educational benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33).

Veterans who are currently eligible for another VA education benefit and want to use the Post 9/11 benefits must make an irrevocable election to use the Post 9/11 GI Bill rather than their current program. Typically, students who are eligible for more than one benefit may use a combined total of 48 months of entitlement. Therefore, for individuals who are also eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) program and have entitlement remaining under the MGIB, the number of months of Post 9/11 GI Bill entitlement will be equal to the number of months remaining under MGIB. However, if all MGIB entitlement is eshausted, students may be entitled to a maximum of 12 additional months of entitlement under the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

The VA will begin processing applications for Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits starting May 1, 2009. As of yet, the Veteran's Online Application web site, (VONapp) has not been configured to accept Post 9/11 GI Bill applications, but a separate application form is available online now.

Students will receive a response explaining the VA's decision regarding eligibility for the program. Payments for the Post 9/11 GI Bill will not be processed until August 1, 2009.

Jason Deitch - Cal Veterans Student Group

Serving Those Who Served

Members of the Berkeley campus community are ready to assist you with making the most of your academic experience.

Chapter 30 - Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)
This program provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans. Eligibility for this program is determined by the VA:

• Contributed $1200 or $1800 to the program
• Received an Honorable discharge
• Received a High School diploma or GED prior to applying for this benefit
• Individuals may use any period of active duty to establish eligibility because Public Law 106-109 repeals the requirement for initial obligated period of active duty as a condition of eligibility for MGIB
  

Chapter 31 - Vocational Rehabilitation
The program's primary function is to help veterans who have service-connected disabilities greater than 10% to become employed and or maintain suitable employment. VA Voc Rehab awards may include an amount for full registration fees, a monthly subsistence and a book allowance. Eligibility for this program is determined by VA

Chapter 32 - Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
Benefits are dependent upon total contributions made and are calculated individually. No allowance is made for payment for dependents. Active Duty service members may receive full VA educational entitlement under VEAP. Under specified conditions, participants under VEAP may be eligible to convert their entitlement to the NEW/Montgomery GI Bill-Chapter 30:

• Entered military service after January 1, 1977
• Contributed to the program and did not contract under a delayed entry program
• You served for a continuous period of 181 days or more
• Your discharge or release was under conditions other than dishonorable
  

Chapter 34/30 - Vietnam Era GI Bill
If you were eligible for benefits under the Old GI Bill (enlistment prior to January 1,1977) and have entitlement remaining, you may qualify for this benefit program. You must also have a high school diploma or GED and an Honorable discharge.

Chapter 35 - Dependent Educational Assistance
This program provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. This portion of Title 10 U.S. Code authorizes benefits to dependents and survivors of veterans who are 100% permanently and totally disabled from service-connected disabilities or injuries, or who have died from a service-connected cause, were a prisoner-of- war or where missing in action. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Chapter 1606 - Reserve GI Bill
Selected Reserve program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Army National Guard, and the Air National Guard.
This program provides up to 36 months of educational benefits.

Chapter 1607 - Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
All persons eligible under Chapter 1607 will have 36 months of entitlement regardless of how long they serve. No one can receive more than 48 months of combined entitlement. A service member who is separated because of a disability not the result of willful misconduct has a period of eligibility of 10 years beginning on the date he/she became eligible for REAP. The member must have been discharged for disability to receive this 10-year period. Eligibility for this program is determined by the VA:

• On or after September 11, 2001, a service member of the ready reserve is eligible if the service member
• Served on active duty in support of a contingency operation for 90 consecutive days or more; or
• Performed full-time National Guard duty for 90 consecutive days or more for the purpose of responding to a national emergency and supported by Federal funds.
• Individuals are eligible as soon as they have served 90 consecutive days on active duty in a qualifying period of active duty.

Armed Forces Tuition Assistance (TA)
This is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Congress has given each service the ability to pay up to 100% for the tuition expenses of its members. Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process' and restrictions. This money is usually paid directly to the institution by the individual services.

California College Fee Waiver Program (CFW)
This program benefits the spouse and children of U.S. veterans. Students meeting the eligibility criteria may get their college fees waived if they attend a California community college, a California State University, or University of California campus.

To be eligible, students must:

• Have a parent who is a service-connected disabled veteran (0% or more disabled); or
• Have a spouse who is service-connected (S/C) deceased or rated 100% S/C disabled.
• Be a dependent student earning less than $10,160.00 per year (student’s income, not parents’).
  Note: No there is no income limit for a spouse or children of S/C deceased or 100% S/C veterans.
• Attend a California community college, California State University, or a University of California school.
• Note that all students must meet California residency requirements.