Issue 79 | 1/23/26

New Year - New You, Flames!

Hello, I’m Dr. Mia Garcia-Hills, Director of UIC Student Veterans Affairs. Student Veterans Affairs provides a welcoming and supportive environment for our military-connected community 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.

Disability and Insurance Updates

Disability compensation rates increased by 2.5% under the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), effective December 1, 2025, with the increase reflected in benefit payments beginning in January 2026. In addition, the VA has updated rules for Service members’ and Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI/VGLI). The Accelerated Benefit Option may now be requested by an alternate applicant on behalf of a medically incapacitated member or by a member for a terminally ill spouse. The update also clarifies eligibility and coverage for stepchildren and older dependent children.

Education and Employment News

Proposed Education Legislation: The Military Learning for Credit Act (S. 2328), supported by The American Legion, would allow student Veterans to use a portion of their GI Bill® benefits to cover the cost of exams and tests that count toward a college degree. Additionally, the bipartisan FAIR Vets Act seeks to update federal contracting rules to better support service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses by helping them compete for larger government projects.

Chapter 33 Dual Certification & Campus Care

Students using VA education benefits should note several important reminders regarding certification and health insurance. Chapter 31 benefits do not cover UIC CampusCare health insurance. For students using Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®) benefits, the VA requires a dual enrollment certification process, with a second certification submitted after the add/drop deadline to report actual tuition and fees; dual certifications for Spring 2026 will begin on January 27, 2026, and no action is required from students. Optional fees such as parking or U-PASS are excluded, and applicable scholarships are applied. For students using Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) or Illinois National Guard (ING) benefits, state benefits are applied after Chapter 33 to cover remaining eligible charges. All enrolled students are automatically billed for CampusCare unless they submit a waiver by the Spring 2026 deadline posted by UIC CampusCare; missed deadlines may result in the charge remaining on the student account. CampusCare is separate from the Health Service Fee, which cannot be waived.

For questions, students should contact Student Veterans Affairs regarding Chapter 33 benefits or Financial Aid for IVG/ING, and visit CampusCare for additional information.

Policy and Administrative Actions

The VA announced in late November that it has eliminated the application backlog for the Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA), which provides healthcare coverage for eligible Veteran spouses and dependents. New CHAMPVA applications are now being processed in days instead of months.

Healthcare and Benefits Access

Two updates may improve access to healthcare and benefits for Veterans and their families. The bipartisan Veterans Career Connection Act proposes creating a national network of community-based “Veterans Connection Hubs” to serve as one-stop locations for mental health services, benefits navigation, and employment resources. In addition, the VA recently announced that women Veterans can now schedule appointments directly with VA gynecology providers without requiring a referral from a primary care provider, making it easier to access specialized care.

Spring 2026 Enrollment Certification

Time is critical for the Spring semester. To ensure your benefits are active by the start of classes, you must submit your certification documents as soon as possible. Processing can take up to four weeks on our end, plus additional time at the VA.

• Your Action Is Needed: Head to Benefits and Forms now
• Continuing Students: Upload a signed advisor verification form
• New GI Bill® Users: You must submit the 2025-26 Annual Benefit form and a signed advisor verification form

Important Deadlines
Friday, January 23: Add/drop full-semester classes
Friday, January 30: Intent to graduate
Sunday, February 8: Campus Care waiver

Key Protections for Chapter 31 & 33 Students
If you use Chapter 31 (VR&E) or Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®) benefits, a special administrative hold (2V) is placed on your account while waiting for VA payment. This internal hold ensures the university complies with federal law by not:

• Preventing your enrollment
• Charging you late fees
• Requiring you to find other funding
• Denying you access to campus resources

To qualify, you must provide your VA Certificate of Eligibility to the Student Veterans Affairs office by the first day of class.

Fatima Jones

Meet Fatima Jones (She/Her/They/Them), one of our graduating staff members this semester! A true entrepreneur and creative force, Fatima continually pushes herself beyond her boundaries and is carving out a bright future ahead. 
She’s pursuing a degree in Management and Real Estate while balancing an impressive array of projects and passions.

Fatima is the founder of Khaos, a student organization that brings together a collective of creatives. She also works with Inside the Chicagoan, contributes to the Gender & Sexuality Office, and serves here at the UIC Student Veterans Affairs Office. Last summer, she interned with Morning Star, gaining even more real-world experience.

A dependent of a retired Army Master Sergeant, Fatima, is deeply passionate about supporting fellow veterans. She encourages veteran students to advocate for their benefits, noting that there are opportunities specifically designed for them.

Outside of academics and work, Fatima is the lead singer of the Chicago-based blues band "Patch of Blues" and enjoys producing, performing, working out, personal styling, sleeping, and eating. As a member of the Student Veterans Affairs team, she strives to bring positive energy, open communication, and support to every veteran and veteran affiliate she encounters.

We are so proud of Fatima and can’t wait to see where her creativity and drive take her next!

The Focus Forward Fellowship

Women student Veterans and service members planning for summer 2026 may want to explore the Focus Forward Fellowship at Purdue University. Although details for the 2026 cohorts have not yet been announced, the program has traditionally offered a no-cost virtual or residential experience that includes an intensive multi-day leadership session along with a full year of professional development, networking, and community support.

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!

Become a 2026 Tillman Scholar
The Tillman Scholar program supports veterans, active-duty service members, and current
spouses/surviving spouses from all U.S. military branches, including the National Guard. Applicants must be full-time students pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree at an accredited U.S. institution for the upcoming academic year.

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

Spring hours: 

Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM


Contributing Editor: Nicolle Velasquez