Issue 63 | 1/24/25

Welcome Back!

Hello, I’m Dr. Mia Garcia-Hills, Director of UIC’s office of Student Veterans Affairs. I am the daughter of a Korean War Veteran, the niece of a World War II Veteran and the proud aunt of two generations of Army and Air Force service members. I graduated from UIC in 2001 and am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the University that helped make my college dream a reality.

Student Veterans Affairs provides our military-connected community with a welcoming and supportive environment via the Císar Student Veterans Center. We provide resources, assistance, and programming to ease the transition to academic life and promote academic success.

Supreme Court Decision on Rudisill Improves Education Benefits
Yelena Duterte, UIC’s School of Law faculty and Director of the Veterans Legal Clinic, had a chat with Sasha-Ann Simons on WBEZ Chicago’s Reset about the Rudisill Supreme Court decision and the implications of the case on GI Bill® Benefits. Listen to their conversation and check out the VA’s new guidance.

Do you need tutoring?

If you anticipate struggling with required subjects and need a tutor, you can be reimbursed by the GI Bill® for up to $100 a month and a maximum of $1,200 annually. You must be enrolled 51% or more of full-time status. Private tutors must be paid an equivalent rate to UIC tutors. The average hourly rate is $17.17.

Learn more about eligibility for this U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefit or apply at tutorial assistance.

Chapter 33 Dual Certification Requirement

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs mandated a dual enrollment certification policy effective August 2021 that impacts Ch. 33 enrollment certification processing. The second certification must occur within 30 days after the add/drop deadline and involves reporting tuition and fees. Dual certifications are scheduled to begin on Monday, January 27. No action is required for the Ch. 33 dual certification process. Dual certifications will be processed in the order they were initially certified. 

The dual certification process entails individually calculating tuition and fees for each Ch. 33 beneficiary. The calculation that is reported to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs deducts optional fees such as parking or the CTA U-PASS. Other deductions include tuition and fee-specific scholarships, which are reviewed in collaboration with UIC’s Office of Financial Aid. Students who receive the Illinois Veterans or National Guard Grant will notice that IVG/ING payments are reversed so that Ch. 33 federal benefit payments are applied first. IVG/ING is used to cover any gaps that remain based on the individual’s benefit rating.

The combined use of IVG and Ch. 33 should not create a credit balance for any student. Federal and state education and training benefits are meant to address the financial burden of tuition and fees. Ch. 33 questions may be sent to Student Veterans Affairs, and questions about IVG/ING should be sent to Financial Aid. Find your assigned financial aid counselor.

In-State Tuition and GI Bill®/Residential Status

Based on federal policy, Chapter 30, 31, 33 & 35 beneficiaries are entitled to in-state tuition. If you are a Chapter 30, 31, or 35 beneficiaries and notice that your tuition is not reflecting the in-state rate, email us to update your status. Ch. 33 beneficiaries have tuition and fees reported to the VA as part of the dual certification requirement; reviews and updates occur at the time of submission.

Spring 2025 Enrollment Certifications
Spring 2025 enrollment certification processing began on November 15, 2024. Students who used GI Bill® during Fall 2024 and plan to continue GI Bill® in Spring 2025 are only required to upload a completed & signed advisor verification to be processed. If GI Bill® eligibility has changed since submitting a Certificate of Eligibility for Fall 2024, a new certificate or a screenshot of the current statement of benefits must also be uploaded.

New Spring 2025 students and first-time GI Bill® recipients are required to submit a 2024-2025 annual benefit form and must upload an advisor verification form to be processed. For step-by-step instructions, review the New Student Veteran Reservist and Dependent/Spouse To-Do List on Benefits and Forms.

Important Deadlines
Friday, January 24: Add/drop full semester classes
Friday, January 31: Intent to graduate
Sunday, February 9: Campus Care waiver

2V Hold for Chapter 31 and 33 beneficiaries

For students who receive Ch. 33 and Ch. 31 benefits, an administrative 2V hold is assigned, so internally, staff in accounts receivable and the Bursar's Office can contact Student Veterans Affairs to confirm that payment is pending from the VA. This administrative hold is not visible to students and also ensures the following policy is upheld.

Veterans Affairs Pending Payments

Effective August 1, 2019, and despite any policy to the contrary, UIC will not take any of the four following actions toward any student using the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while their payment from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is pending to the educational institution.

• Prevent their enrollment
• Assess a late penalty fee
• Require they secure alternative or additional funding
• Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to produce the VA's Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class.

Nicolle Velasquez

Nicolle Velasquez is a Junior at UIC, originally from Guatemala, and the first in her family to study in the United States. She is pursuing a major in Marketing with a concentration in Digital Marketing and Promotions, alongside a minor in Business Analytics. As the first in her family to join the military, Nicolle serves as an active National Guard member, currently drilling as a Military Police Officer.

Beyond her academic and military commitments, Nicolle is highly engaged both on and off campus. She is involved in the ROTC program, is a member of ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals For America), and has recently taken on the role of Marketing Chair for the Esprit Wellness Foundation, a startup non-profit. Additionally, Nicolle works at the Císar Student Veterans Center for Student Veterans Affairs, where in addition to educating Veteran and military-affiliated students about education and training benefits, she is able to feed her passion by co-editing the center's newsletters, organizing social events, and will soon oversee the center's social media and advertising efforts.

Nicolle values spending quality time with her family and friends outside her busy schedule. Meditation and regular gym workouts help her stay grounded, and she enjoys attending social events or simply relaxing at home.

Off-Base Transition Training (OBTT) - Career Workshops

The OBTT program provides in-person employment preparation, education, and opportunities to Veterans, soldiers currently serving in the National Guard and Reserve, and their spouses in an effort to maximize their career potential.

🗓 Tuesday, January 28
📍 American Job Center in Pilsen (1700 W. 18^th Street Chicago, IL 60608) Lab A & Lab B

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Resume Essentials – This workshop covers the elements of a resume and provides job seekers with techniques to create effective documents that employers will notice. 
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Resume Writing Workshop – This workshop allows attendees to craft an initial resume or revise a current one.

Chicago Auto Show

On February 11, all first responders (police officers, EMTs, paramedics, and firefighters) and U.S. Military (Veterans or active duty) can gain free entry to the Chicago Auto Show with their badge or military ID at the designated ticket booth. Guests of first responders or military personnel can receive a voucher for $5 off an adult admission.

The Dog Tag Fellowship Program

The Dog Tag Entrepreneurial 5-month Fellowship Program equips Veterans, military spouses, and caregivers with the tools and education to build resilience, find renewed purpose, and forge community beyond the military. Dog Tag provides a bridge from military service to the civilian world and acts as a catalyst for finding direction and moving forward. Applications for the Summer 2025 cohort will open February 3rd.

Chicago Veterans Social & Community Involvement Program

The Chicago Veterans program provides a sense of community and belonging to foster conversation and interactions between Veterans to discuss challenges they may face with their peers. It allows Veterans to utilize their new social support system until they feel ready to seek other forms of help. Through these social events, Chicago Veterans helps connect Veterans to organizations that can offer tangible support to those in need, such as the Road Home Program at Rush University and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Vet Centers.

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!

Military Service Pass
Active U.S. Military personnel in full uniform with United States Armed Forces ID, or personnel and qualifying disabled veterans with a Military Service Pass may ride free on CTA buses and trains. 10% disability is one eligibility requirement. VITAL and Chicago Vet Center representatives can assist with the disability rating. Visit Military Service Pass for more information.

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

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