Issue 69 | 4/18/25

Welcome Back!

Hello, I’m Robert Wolff, Associate Director of Student Veterans Affairs (SVA), and I’m proud to share that I recently celebrated my one-year anniversary! Since joining the SVA team, the most important lesson I’ve learned is to stay open to new ideas. In co-managing the work study team, I’ve grown to truly appreciate their diversity and perspectives. What stands out to me about UIC is how it feels like a patchwork of the nation and the globe. That kind of diversity makes UIC such a strong university. It’s a place that distinctly reflects cultures from all over the world.

I was recently accepted into the Political Science doctoral program here at UIC, and as a future student, I’m looking forward to diving into research and contributing to the field of comparative politics.

Stars and Stripes will help you stay up to date with Federal policies, UIC Student Veterans Affairs news, events, and announcements. We thank you for being part of our community and hope you enjoy reading our newsletter. Archived newsletter editions are available on our website.

Review Your Education Benefits Status
If you were awarded GI Bill® education benefits, your GI Bill® Statement of Benefits will show you how much you’ve used and the balance. These education benefits can help with some or all of the costs for school or training. You’ll be able to view statements only if you were awarded education benefits. Visit eBenefits for more information.

If your benefits are running low, the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship or VRE Chapter 31 may be an option.

Ask VA (AVA)
Ask VA is a system that allows both Veterans and Non-Veterans to submit questions, concerns, recommendations, and compliments by providing the ability to interact directly with the different VA administrations and receive verified and accurate responses for VA-related questions.

Summer 2025 Enrollment Certifications
Summer 2025 enrollment certification processing began on April 1. All students are required to submit a signed advisor verification form. First-time VA education and training beneficiaries for the 2024-25 academic year must submit an annual benefit form and upload an advisor verification form. The 2024-2025 annual benefit form covers the FA24, SP25 and SU25 semesters. Visit Benefits and Forms for more information.

Graduation Ceremony Veteran Cords
Congratulations to all our graduating Veteran and military-affiliated students! Veteran students officially listed as graduation pending for Spring 2025 may pick up their Veteran cord beginning Monday, April 21 in the Císar Student Veterans Center. If you are attending the Graduation Recognition and Cording Ceremony, you will receive your cord at that time. If you are a Veteran and did not receive an invitation to the cording ceremony, email us immediately.

According to the VA 38 U.S.C. § 101(2), the term "Veteran" means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable. Additionally, 13 CFR § 125.11 provides: Veteran has the meaning given the term in 38 U.S.C. 101(2). A Reservist or member of the National Guard called to Federal active duty or disabled from a disease or injury incurred or aggravated in line of duty or while in training status also qualifies as a Veteran.

Fall 2025 Annual Benefit Form - Coming Soon
Fall 2025 enrollment certification processing begins on or after June 15. Application forms will be available on or after June 1. Check Benefits and Forms for updates.

Mandy Moberg
Hello, my name is Mandy Moberg. I graduated with my associate’s in arts at the College of DuPage in 2023, then transferred to UIC to pursue my Bachelor's in Sociology, hoping to work in the not-for profit sector. I have a passion for people, and I'm still searching for how I will integrate that into my lifelong career. Additionally, I am an E-5 in the Army National Guard. I've been serving as 31B (Military Police) since 2019 and deployed to Djibouti, Africa in 2022 to support AFRICOM.

I was born in Illinois and have lived here my whole life. I will take any chance I can get to travel abroad. I cherish new experiences and meeting people. I'm ecstatic for the opportunity to work with the SVA team to help students navigate their benefits and foster a community here on campus when we need it most. I look forward to meeting you!

Student Veterans of America - UIC Chapter
The UIC chapter of Student Veterans of America is looking for new leaders to join its executive board. Current chapter president Dallas Godina, a Computer Engineering major, will graduate in Spring 2025 and is eager to help transition leadership to a new team. If you're interested in shaping the future of the Student Veterans of America at UIC, email Dallas to learn more about available roles and his vision for a strong, growing executive board.

Upcoming Events
Join the Student Veterans Affairs Group to stay up to date on all our events and programs. We look forward to seeing you!

HACU Scholarship Program
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) offers many scholarship opportunities provided by various partners. These scholarships can help students cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and other expenses. Build your scholarship profile today and let our system automatically match you with HACU scholarships. New scholarships are added throughout the academic year.

AVECO Scholarship Program
The new AVECO Scholarship Program is aimed at non-traditional students who are passionate about meeting their educational goals. The scholarship is open to current undergraduate and graduate Veterans, active-duty service members, and spouses of active duty service members, and the organization will award three scholarships in each category: First place: $1,000, Second Place: $700, and Third Place: $500.

The Císar Student Veterans Center (CSVC) is located on the second floor of Student Center East (SCE) room 248. Go through the Inner Circle food court, turn right (west) at the entrance to the Wellness Center, go past the Wellness Center front desk down the hall through the Commuter Student Resource Center, and you will see the CSVC entrance on the back wall.

Check out this step-by-step guide to the center: VIDEO

Císar Center Hours:

Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM

828 S Wolcott Ave | Chicago, IL 60612 US

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