Issue 70 | 5/9/25

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.

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.

Punitive Grades and Education Benefit Eligibility
VA automatically grants mitigating circumstances for up to 6 credits the first time a student reduces or terminates, and mitigating circumstances must be considered. This automatic, one-time grant is called the 6-Credit Hour Exclusion. Up to 6 credits can be excluded if the student has been awarded benefits for the credit. The 6-Credit Hour Exclusion cannot be granted if the student completes the term and receives non-punitive grades.

If the student withdraws from 3 credits, the exclusion will be granted for 3 credits and the student’s one-time exclusion is used.

If the student withdraws from 12 credits, the exclusion will be granted for 6 credits, the student’s one-time exclusion is used, and the student must provide mitigating circumstances for the other 6 credits.

Academic Good Standing Requirement

The law requires that educational assistance benefits to Veterans and other eligible persons be discontinued when the student ceases to make satisfactory progress toward completion of his or her training objective. Benefits can be reinstated if the student reenrolls in the same educational institution and in the same program. In other cases, benefits cannot be resumed unless VA finds that the cause of the unsatisfactory attendance, conduct or progress has been removed and the program of education or training to be pursued by the student is suitable to his or her aptitudes, interests, and abilities.

When a student has failed to maintain prescribed standards of progress, VA must be informed promptly so that benefit payments can be discontinued in accordance with the law. The termination date assigned by the school will be the last day of the term or other evaluation period in which the student’s progress became unsatisfactory. Schools that provide a period of academic probation may not continue to certify a Veteran or eligible person (who remains in a probationary status) for an indefinite period of time. It is reasonable to expect that an institution will report a termination due to unsatisfactory progress if a student remains on academic probation beyond two terms, quarters, or semesters.

Transferring Your Summer Course Credits to UIC

Students interested in picking up courses as a guest at a different institution during the summer are required to obtain a parent letter from UIC to grant the secondary institution permission to use GI benefits. Courses must be required to satisfy the degree that is pursued at the parent institution.  This is especially important for any student who plans to take classes concurrently at the parent and secondary institution. To begin this appeal process, visit Benefits and Forms.

Once the appeal is received and reviewed, students and their advisor will get a form to verify that transfer courses will apply to UIC’s degree in order to complete the transfer credit verification process. The completed form must be uploaded to the Advisor Verification link as soon as it is finished.

Summer 2025 Enrollment Certification Deadline

Summer 2025 enrollment certification processing began on April 1; the deadline is the Friday before the semester starts (Friday, May 16). All students must submit the Advisor Verification Form using the Upload Advisor Verification & Other Forms link found on our Benefits and Forms webpage. First-time VA education and training beneficiaries for the 2024-2025 academic year must also submit the Retroactive Annual Benefit Form in addition to the Advisor Verification Form.

Don't Forget Your Applications For Next Year

Fall 2025 enrollment certification processing begins on June 15. All students must submit the 2025-2026 Annual Benefit form, which will be released soon. However, you may begin submitting your Advisor Verification form using the Upload Advisor Verification and Other Forms, provided you have registered for classes.

Elijah Bell

I served in the United States Navy from 2017-2023 as a Hospital Corpsman. I was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, for two years at the hospital. Then I transferred to 29 Palms, California, where I was with 1st Battalion 7th Marines as the senior line Corpsman for Baker Co. I had a lot of fun times at my second duty station and was able to do a lot of cool courses/ops as well as visit several countries.

I own a videography company that creates content for local businesses. One day, I aspire to make a feature film. My journey from the military to higher education has instilled in me a deep appreciation for the challenges Veterans face when transitioning to civilian and academic life. I aim to help ease this transition for those pursuing their education.

National Military Appreciation Month

May is a time to recognize the service and sacrifices of U.S. Armed Forces members—past and present. Officially designated by Congress in 1999, this month includes key observances like Loyalty Day, VE Day, Armed Forces Day, Public Service Recognition Week, and Military Spouse Appreciation Day. It's an opportunity to show support by attending local events, supporting military families, or donating to veteran organizations.

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!

Mother's Day Gifts from VA Canteen

This Mother's Day, honor the women who have shaped our lives with meaningful gifts from the Veterans Canteen Service (VCS). Through the VCS Special Order program, you can access a curated selection of quality products, including floral arrangements, jewelry, and more, available exclusively to Veterans, their families, caregivers, and VA employees.

Harold and Muriel Berkman Charitable Foundation Scholarship
The Berkman Foundation offers scholarships to U.S. Veterans pursuing higher education, with a focus on those who have seen combat. Priority is given to Veterans holding the Combat Infantryman’s Badge (CIB), Combat Action Badge (CAB), Purple Heart, or those with combat-related injuries.

• Scholarship Details
  • Award Amount: $1,000 (with one $2,000 General Albin Irzyk Scholarship)
  • Eligibility: U.S. citizens, honorably discharged Veterans enrolled in an AACSB-accredited university (freshmen are ineligible)
  • Required Documents: DD Form 214 and a one-page resume

For more information, contact Dr. Laurie Babin at lababin@olemiss.edu.

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 Summer Hours: May 12 - August 24

Monday through Friday (by appointment only), 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM


Contributing Editor: Nicolle Velasquez

828 S Wolcott Ave | Chicago, IL 60612 US

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